From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 5:40 AM
Subject: 4-26-22 THOUGHTS
4-26-22 THOUGHTS
A correction first. I cited Ecclesiastes 6 yesterday, it should have been chapter 7! I'm sorry!
A parable by Jesus in Luke 15 weighs ninety nine righteous against one sinner. The repentance of the one sinner brings more joy in heaven Jesus says. I suppose most of us are in the 99 group. Jesus was being accused of being around sinners. There’s a precious lesson here about our seeking! Am I correct here? It seems it is not me and my position in Christ that brings rejoicing in heaven, but my bearing the fruit of “another soul for Christ”? Is it a failure to ENGAGE the world that produces the problem?
Luke 15:1-10 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 2 Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So He told them this parable, saying, 4 "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 "When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 "Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 "When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ 10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Php 2:21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
Matt 22:9 ‘Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’
Matt 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
2Cor 4:12-15 So death works in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
My Prayer:
Father, give us the eyes of seekers for lost souls. Give us hearts that are filled with compassion for sinners. Help us to see the destructive power of sin. Fill our souls with your glory and the victory of Jesus over sin. As we believe, give us boldness to speak. Give us zeal to engage the world we live in. Awaken us O Lord! Arouse us to the call. In the name of Jesus, Amen