Joy in Heaven: The Call to Reach the Lost
Summary
In the heart of Luke chapter 15, we find a profound truth that resonates with the very heartbeat of heaven – the joy over one sinner who repents. This joy surpasses all the righteous deeds, worship, prayers, and acts of justice we can offer. It is a joy that often escapes the church's grasp, yet it is central to the mission of Jesus and, therefore, our mission as His followers.
As I shared with the congregation, I was struck by the realization that I, too, sometimes resonate more with the Pharisees than with Jesus. We can become so engrossed in our religious activities that we overlook the very people Jesus came to seek and save – the lost sinners. The Pharisees questioned Jesus' association with sinners, but Jesus responded with the parable of the lost sheep, illustrating the immense joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
This joy is not about guilt but about the opportunity we miss when we do not participate in leading others to repentance. God is pleased with our worship, prayers, and acts of justice, but there is a greater joy in helping someone turn to Jesus. Imagine the joy of seeing a family member, friend, or neighbor confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, being baptized, and beginning a new life in Christ.
To partner with Jesus in bringing more joy to heaven, we must start with prayer. We cannot bring someone to Christ through our efforts alone; we need the Spirit of God to work in their hearts. We must also pray for our own hearts, that God would give us a burden for the lost and the courage to share the good news with them.
Furthermore, we must love unbelievers intentionally, just as Jesus did. Our love for them can lead to their repentance, as God's kindness is intended to lead us to repentance. If we do not show love to non-believers, they may not believe that God loves them either. We must be God's representatives of love in the world, sharing life with them and inviting them into our homes.
Lastly, we must remember that God has placed people in our lives who do not know Jesus for a reason. It is no accident. We are called to pray for them by name and to love them, showing them the love of Christ through our actions and words.
Key Takeaways:
- The joy of one sinner repenting eclipses all other spiritual activities because it aligns with the heart of God's redemptive plan. As believers, we must recognize that our highest calling is not merely to be righteous but to actively participate in the restoration of the lost to God. [01:00:01]
- Prayer is the starting point for evangelism. We cannot bring the dead to life; only the Spirit of God can. Therefore, we must fervently pray for those who do not know Christ, trusting that God can awaken their hearts to His love and truth. [01:12:42]
- Love is the conduit through which the truth of the gospel flows. Without genuine love for the unbeliever, our words are empty. We must demonstrate God's love through our actions, creating an environment where the truth of God's love can be received and believed. [01:17:10]
- Our mission field is often closer than we think. God has strategically placed people in our lives who need to know Him. Recognizing this, we should be intentional in our relationships, praying for opportunities to share the life-changing message of Jesus. [01:15:53]
- Evangelism is not a burden but a joy. When we shift our perspective from obligation to opportunity, we begin to share in the joy of heaven. Each time a person turns to Christ, we are reminded of the value God places on every individual soul. [01:10:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:1-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
2. Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance
3. Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission
#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the lost sheep, what action does the shepherd take when he realizes one sheep is missing? (Luke 15:4)
2. According to the sermon, what brings more joy in heaven than all other righteous deeds? [01:00:01]
3. What does Romans 2:4 say is intended to lead us to repentance?
4. How does Jesus describe the mission He gives to His followers in Matthew 28:19-20?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents more than other righteous acts? [01:00:01]
2. How does the concept of God's kindness leading to repentance (Romans 2:4) challenge or affirm your understanding of evangelism?
3. What implications does the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) have for how we live our daily lives and interact with non-believers?
4. Reflecting on the sermon, why might the church often miss the joy of seeing sinners repent? [01:00:01]
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon mentioned that prayer is the starting point for evangelism. How can you incorporate praying for non-believers into your daily routine? [01:12:42]
2. Think of someone in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you intentionally show them love this week, as Jesus did with sinners? [01:17:10]
3. The pastor shared a personal realization about resonating more with the Pharisees than with Jesus. Have you ever felt similarly? How can you shift your focus to align more with Jesus' mission? [01:02:31]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of recognizing our mission field is often closer than we think. Identify one person in your immediate circle who needs to know Jesus. What specific steps can you take to share the gospel with them? [01:15:53]
5. Evangelism is described as a joy rather than a burden. How can you change your perspective on sharing your faith to see it as an opportunity for joy? [01:10:11]
6. Reflect on the idea that our love for unbelievers can lead them to repentance. What practical ways can you demonstrate God's love to someone who may feel unloved by God? [01:17:41]
7. The sermon emphasized that God has placed people in our lives for a reason. How can you be more intentional in your relationships to create opportunities for sharing the life-changing message of Jesus? [01:15:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Repentance Brings Heavenly Joy
The joy of one sinner repenting is a celebration that echoes through the heavens, touching the heart of God Himself. This joy is not merely an emotional response but a reflection of the divine pleasure in redemption. It is a reminder that the ultimate purpose of faith is not found in religious rituals or personal piety but in the transformative power of repentance and restoration. When a soul turns away from sin and towards God, the spiritual realm rejoices, for this is the fulfillment of the divine plan of salvation. The church must embrace this joy, recognizing that each act of repentance is a victory for the Kingdom and a cause for celestial celebration. [01:00:01]
Luke 15:7, "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Reflection: Who in your life might be waiting to experience the joy of repentance, and how can you be a catalyst for that transformation?
Day 2: Prayer as the Gateway to Evangelism
Prayer is the foundation upon which the work of evangelism is built. It is through prayer that hearts are softened, and the Spirit of God is invited to move. Believers are called to intercede for those who have not yet encountered Christ, trusting that God is at work in ways unseen. Prayer aligns the believer's heart with God's will, creating a burden for the lost and a desire to see them come to know the love and truth of Jesus. It is not by human effort that people are drawn to God, but by the Spirit's power. Therefore, prayer is not a passive act but a dynamic engagement in the spiritual battle for souls. [01:12:42]
2 Corinthians 4:4, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
Reflection: How can you deepen your prayer life to more effectively intercede for those who have yet to discover the hope found in Christ?
Day 3: Love as the Conduit for Truth
Genuine love is the vessel through which the truth of the gospel is best conveyed. It is through acts of love and kindness that the barriers between believers and non-believers can be broken down, allowing the message of God's grace to be received. Love is not merely an emotion but an intentional action that reflects the heart of God towards humanity. When believers embody this love, they become living testimonies of the gospel, drawing others towards repentance and faith. The authenticity of one's love for others is a powerful testament to the reality of God's love for us all. [01:17:10]
1 John 3:18, "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: In what practical ways can you demonstrate God's love to someone who does not yet know Him, and how can this open doors for sharing the gospel?
Day 4: Recognizing Our Mission Field
The mission field is often not a distant land but the very places we inhabit daily. God has strategically placed individuals in our lives who are in need of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Recognizing this divine placement calls for intentionality in relationships and a proactive approach to sharing the gospel. Believers are to be alert to the opportunities that God provides, praying for the courage and wisdom to speak life into the lives of those around them. The call to evangelize is not a call to distant shores but to the hearts of those we encounter in our everyday lives. [01:15:53]
Colossians 4:5-6, "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: Who has God placed in your life that may be ready to hear the message of Christ, and what steps can you take to intentionally engage with them?
Day 5: Evangelism as a Source of Joy
Evangelism is not a burdensome task but a joyful privilege. When believers shift their perspective from seeing evangelism as an obligation to viewing it as an opportunity, they begin to share in the joy that fills heaven with each conversion. The act of sharing the gospel becomes a celebration of the value that God places on every individual soul. This joy is contagious and revitalizes the believer's faith, reminding them of the power and beauty of the gospel. Evangelism, therefore, is an invitation to participate in the divine dance of redemption, rejoicing with the angels over each soul that is saved. [01:10:11]
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy."
Reflection: How can you shift your view of evangelism to see it as a joyful opportunity, and who can you joyfully share the gospel with this week?
Quotes
1) "God has sent us to be his representatives of love in the world and Jesus showed that love particularly and intentionally towards people that did not know that God loved them." [01:18:51] (Download | )
2) "You need the spirit of the Living God... you cannot save anyone but you know someone who can... pray for them... they need to be made alive through the spirit of Jesus Christ." [01:14:03] (Download | )
3) "There is something that brings even more joy in Heaven than all of your Justice, than all of your mercy, than all of your humility... there is a weight to what brings more joy in heaven than all of these things." [57:29] (Download | )
4) "Just think about the missed opportunity for Joy... there's even more joy you're missing than in helping someone else repent and come to Jesus." [01:10:11] (Download | )
5) "God has put people in your life that don't know Jesus and you do... it starts by praying for them... love unbelievers God has placed in your life." [01:16:31] (Download | )
6) "Love is what leads people to repentance... God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance... if they do believe that you love them... could that lead them to repentance." [01:17:41] (Download | )
7) "Jesus isn't teaching here to the Pharisees it's just that God loves Sinners, he's teaching I want you to love Sinners... you're missing it." [01:06:51] (Download | )
8) "Jesus said Not only did the son of man come to seek and save the Lost he said as the father sent me so I sent you... to seek and save the lost." [01:06:07] (Download | )
9) "There's nothing like your children coming to their father and it just got me thinking what brings God Joy... making God happy." [46:56] (Download | )
10) "Wouldn't it be lovely if what we were about were not simply us being happy but making God happy... you want to give God Joy because you know how much joy he's given you." [47:45] (Download | )
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