God Celebrates when People are Saved

Pray - (1/2 minute)

Read - (2 1/2 minutes) - "And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors  together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell  you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who  repents.” (Luke 15:9-10)
    Passage: Zephaniah 3:17-18


        In all three of the parables Jesus told about something valuable that was lost, he also talked about the search that was made, which included the search of waiting and watching by the father of the prodigal son. Then, He described in the parable the reaction of the shepherd, the woman, and the father, when that which was valued, was found. It wasn’t a reaction of anger or disgust. The shepherd didn’t berate the sheep for wandering off. He didn’t yell at the sheep for getting dirty and putting itself in danger. No. He picked it up, carried it home, called his friends and celebrated. The woman and the father called their friends and celebrated too.  
      The lesson of each parable is that God cares about people. He seeks to save through sending Jesus to pay the penalty for sin and providing salvation by grace through faith. God doesn’t expect anyone to clean themselves up before they can be saved. He cleans them up through the cleansing power of Christ and then He provides the grace for them to grow and mature in their faith. God celebrates when people are saved. We should too!


Apply - (2 1/2 minutes )
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)