Parables of Jesus Series | The Lost Sheep & Lost Coin

·42 min·4 clips

A pastor without a degree describes feeling like an imposter in a room full of educators with master's degrees.

The episode is a sermon from Living Light Christian Church in Cadillac, Michigan, part of a series on the parables of Jesus. The pastor reads Luke 15:1-10, focusing on the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. He begins by comparing these parables to earlier ones about hidden treasure and the pearl of great value, noting a shift from humans pursuing Jesus to Jesus pursuing humans. The first main point is that Jesus is a friend of sinners, as criticized by Pharisees, and He never denies this identity. The pastor shares a personal story about feeling insecure and out of place when asked about his lack of a degree while working at a school, relating it to how religious elites made sinners feel excluded. He emphasizes that Jesus welcomes outcasts, citing Isaiah 61:1 as prophecy fulfilled. The second point is that Jesus pursues the one lost sheep or coin diligently. The pastor contrasts his own indifference to a lost sheep at camp with the urgent search for his lost son at a petting farm, highlighting how parental love mirrors God's pursuit. He references Romans 5:6-8 to explain that Jesus' pursuit is based on His love, not human worth. The third point discusses joy in heaven over one repentant sinner, with the pastor noting how his small church rejoices over baptisms, but heaven rejoices even more. He reads Ezekiel 34:1-11, where God rebukes bad shepherds and promises to search for His scattered sheep, linking it to Jesus' mission. The sermon concludes with an encouragement for evangelism in the new year, acknowledging it can be messy when dealing with broken people, but urging listeners to have God's heart for the lost. The pastor shares a story about weeping when a camper gave her life to the Lord, praying for similar zeal in the congregation.

As heard by us

Luke 15's lost sheep and lost coin become a study in joy over the person who is found.

Luke 15's lost sheep and lost coin shape this single-episode review around a simple question: what is worth searching for when something has gone missing?

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Let a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a swept house tune your ear to the urgency and joy of being found.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Living Light Christian Church, Cadillac