NorthStar Church Blog

3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.

Luke 15:3-5 (NLT)

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HE CARRIES US HOME

 

When Jim Redmond walked into Olympic Stadium that summer day in Barcelona, Spain, in 1992, little did he know he would make history. After all, he was simply there to support his son, Derek, who earlier had qualified for the semifinals in the 400M race.

Derek was quick off the starting line and was in great position as he rounded the first bend. He had made the conscious decision at that moment to conserve his energy for a late surge at the finish line. Three strides later, however – roughly 19 seconds into the race – he felt a pop in his hamstring, and his Olympic dreams were dashed. Derek initially collapsed to the ground in agony and disappointment. But after American Steve Lewis crossed the finish line as the winner, the cameras turned their focus back on Derek, who was up again – hobbling his way around the track!

In watching the video of this inspirational moment, you can see the determination – and pain – on Derek’s face as he approaches the home stretch. The crowd takes notice, and what begins as a smattering of applause transitions into a standing ovation as the 65,000 people in attendance encourage Derek to cross the finish line! Then an unknown man enters the frame. He runs up and alongside Derek, wrapping his right arm around his waist, and takes hold of Derek’s left wrist in his left hand. It’s Jim Redmond – Derek’s dad – who has rushed out onto the track to help his son!

Derek breaks down at this moment, overcome with emotion and heartache. But Jim continues to walk alongside him, becoming a human crutch for Derek.

Jim recounted later, “It was a father’s instinct, I had to stop him, to prevent him doing any more damage to his leg. When I got there, he insisted on finishing the race, so I said to him, ‘We started your career together and we will finish it together.’”

Our Heavenly Father also wants us to finish the race, and He will do whatever it takes to bring us back home to him. It’s a minor detail in the Parable of the Lost Sheep, but when the shepherd searches for – and ultimately finds – the missing sheep, he carries it back home on his shoulders. Why? Because the sheep is too weak to come home on its own!

Throughout scripture, the narrative of shepherds and sheep is used to mirror the relationship between us and Jesus – our Good Shepherd! There are many parallels, but one worth noting is that, like spiritually, emotionally, and physically wounded humans, sheep cannot get up without help. In fact, if a sheep is “cast down” (on its back, with legs in the air), it will die, as it is totally defenseless to its prey.

Isaiah 40:11 says, “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

Our Good Shepherd cares for you, and He’ll search high and low if you go missing. And, like Jim Redmond, He’ll carry you back home when you’re too weak to continue on your own.

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Luke 15:3-7 (NLT)

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HEAVEN LOVES A PARTY

 

When I was growing up in church as a kid, I really didn’t hear a whole lot about heaven. I mean sure, it was a place much preferred over the alternative; but, about the only notion of heaven ever conveyed to me left me with the image of floating in the clouds and singing a bunch of songs for eternity while the angels play harps. That’s a grossly incomplete picture of the place our Creator has crafted for his children to spend with Him!

It wasn’t until much later in life that I began to look more into what heaven will truly be like. I don’t know if George Burns or Morgan Freeman will be there, but it’s going to be infinitely greater than anything we can comprehend – and certainly more incredible than what has been depicted in the movies!

According to scripture, heaven will be a tangible place where we’ll know people, and where we will still have a purpose. For an in-depth look at what the Bible has to say about it, I highly recommend the book by the same name: Heaven, by Randy Alcorn.

But another aspect I didn’t grasp until more recently is the amount of celebrating happening in heaven! Not only for those new arrivals – but perhaps more so for those on earth who have made eternal decisions and will reside there one day!

In verse 7 in the above passage, Jesus tells his audience that “there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away.” We’d all agree that there’s joy in heaven; but it’s important for us to be aware that heaven is paying close attention to what’s happening here, and they have streamers and a DJ on standby 24/7!

So, let that be the wind in your sails when it comes to doing “whatever it takes” to serve as an ambassador for Christ to a hurting world. We may not witness someone’s salvation here, but when we plant seeds, water the soil, and trust the Lord to do His part, there’s a harvest coming in due time. And, without question, there’ll be a heavenly bash to follow!

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And 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 that was lost.’ 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.

Luke 15:1-7 (NLT)

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GOD EVEN CHASES AFTER THE HARD-HEARTED

 

Many times, we read Jesus’ parables and think of the “lost” as being those who do not yet know the Lord. While that is certainly appropriate in many scenarios, I can’t help but believe that in this case, Jesus’ words are aimed directly at the men and women who claim to know God, but whose hearts have strayed far from Him.

Consider verse 2 above: “And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’”

We see this pattern of behavior throughout Jesus’ ministry: outcasts being drawn to Jesus juxtaposed with the religious leaders’ contempt for Jesus’ willingness to spend time with those outcasts.

• It happened when Matthew (Levi) held a banquet in Jesus’ honor:

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” (Luke 5:29-30)

• It happened when Jesus healed a man with a deformity on the Sabbath:

At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him. (Luke 6:11)

• It happened when an immoral woman anointed Jesus’ feet with her tears and expensive perfume:

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39)

Many more times during his ministry we see Jesus’ compassion for the hurting drawing the ire of the self-righteous. But Jesus is imploring sinners – especially the hypocritical Pharisees – to see that their hard hearts can find the peace that eludes them, through repentance. Alas, these religious leaders are so focused on snuffing the threat Jesus poses to their power that they are blinded and deafened to the true message behind Jesus’ actions and words.

So, how about you? Where do you find yourself in this story? Are you hurting and feeling like an outcast? Or, has your heart hardened over time, and you now find yourself far from the Lord? The good news is that Jesus provides the healing in either scenario – simply by turning your mind and heart to Him.

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Luke 15:3-7 (NLT)

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GOD ALWAYS PURSUES US

Panic began to set in. I had looked everywhere – and even places beyond the reasonable locations to find one of the rare material possessions on earth that I treasured: my University of Georgia class ring. I emptied nearly every drawer in the house, then began frantically looking through boxes in the basement, but nothing. Then, I started going through every piece of luggage – suitcases and duffel bags. Perhaps I had put it in there when we had moved into our new home just a few weeks prior. Nope.

After a week of scouring every nook and cranny, I finally gave up my search. It hurt to surrender any hope of finding the ring. I remembered that I had taken a photo of it and posted it on Instagram just a few months prior. So, I could at least remember it fondly as I scrolled through my iPhone photos from time to time.

If you’ve ever lost or misplaced something of value – personal or material – you know the feelings that come over you: exasperation, fear, anger, regret, fleeting hope, then sadness if you don’t recover it. I am not a guy who gets caught up in “things.” But with my ring, it was a special gift my parents gave me after earning my degree. It meant so much to me – and it had the Power G in gold, set in a red stone! I loved looking at it when it was on my finger.

In the passage above, Jesus is talking about lost treasure of a different type: a lost soul. Far more valuable than the shepherd’s missing sheep – or a class ring – this lost man or woman is being pursued by the Lord, and the search will never be called off. And aren’t you glad! If you have a son, daughter, parent, friend, or neighbor who is spiritually lost, there is hope!

The Story contained in scripture is one of a loving Heavenly Father who relentlessly chases after his children. He pursued Adam and Eve, even after their tragic and fatal error in judgment. He pursued Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. He chased down Moses, David, and Elijah. And in the New Testament, Jesus sought out prostitutes, tax collectors, murderers, and thieves. Why? Because every soul matters!

He does the same today. It might look different than it did thousands of years ago, as He chooses to use His children to share His message with the hopeless, to serve and to give to those in need. But make no mistake: He is forever on the move, while the saints plan the heavenly celebration for the one who turns to Him!

 

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

Luke 10:35 (NLT)

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Extra

 

When the Samaritan left the next morning, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him.” Depending on the quality of the inn, that amount would have paid for the injured man’s room and board for anywhere from three weeks to two months. This was another example of the Samaritan’s generous, compassionate love. But he still was not finished. He promised the innkeeper, “Whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.” In effect, he gave him a blank check. His generosity knew no bounds.

 

When I think about what this Samaritan did (and didn’t have to do), my mind goes to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:41. Jesus said, “If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.” Roman law gave a soldier the right to force a civilian to carry his pack for a Roman mile, which was slightly shorter than our modern mile. The law, designed to relieve the soldier, not only caused great inconvenience to civilians but was made even more despicable by the fact that the oppressed were made to carry the equipment and weapons of their oppressors.

By helping the wounded man that day, the Samaritan would have done more than the two religious temple workers did (which was nothing). But love called for more. He chose to pay for weeks and even months of care for the wounded man. He arranged to return later, check on him, and pick up the tab for all expenses incurred. Love doesn’t do the minimum. Love goes the extra mile and does what we would want others to do for us. How far are you willing to go to love your neighbor?

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

Luke 10:34-35 (NLT)

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Expression

 

The good Samaritan gave up his work, time, and energy to help the man. Note what he did. Each step is significant in showing how we are to love our neighbors.

 

• He went to him and reached out personally to help.
• He soothed his wounds with oil and wine.
• He bandaged up his wounds.
• He set him on his donkey and sacrificed his comfort.
• He provided rooming at an inn so he had a place to heal.
• He cared for him for the night and ensured he was ok.
• He enlisted the help of the innkeeper to take care of the man.

 

      Showing love to one’s neighbor is putting love into action. Love is not just an idea or a feeling toward God. It involves practical acts and commitment to help anyone who needs help. What is the true expression of love? It means getting our hands dirty. It means doing for others what you want done for you. It means giving and sacrifice. It means doing whatever it takes to help someone in need. In 1 John 3:18, John writes, “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

It’s one thing to say we love our neighbor but another to express love in practice.  Let’s not love in sentiment only but in practical deeds that make a difference in the lives of others. When we do, we point a lost world to Jesus. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

How will you be a light for the Lord today?

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.

Luke 10:33 (NLT)

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Example

 

We may read the story of the Good Samaritan and think about the cost involved in loving our neighbor, but I would argue that it is far more costly not to care. The priest and the Levite lost far more by their neglect than the Samaritan did by his concern. They lost the opportunity to become better men. They lost their opportunity for influence because they failed to be a godly example.

 

My wife and I were driving with our 8-year-old son somewhere near Atlanta. We came to the end of our exit ramp and encountered a shabby-looking man holding a “please help” sign. My first reaction was to think this man had made poor choices in life and would spend whatever money he received on alcohol. My wife’s first reaction was to say, “Hey, Steve, give him some money.” My son is just taking it all in. I rolled my window down and somewhat reluctantly pulled a $20 bill from my wallet and gave it to the man. He responds with a “God bless you.”

 

A few years later, my son was riding in the car with me, and we encountered another man asking for help. He immediately said, “Dad, let’s give him some money.” I’ve thought about that scenario a good bit. I finally concluded that what the man does with the money is not my responsibility. What’s more important to me is the example of giving that my son has seen in his (somewhat reluctant) Dad. I pray that as he grows older and sees someone in need, he doesn’t think of a reason why he shouldn’t give. Instead, I hope he thinks, “How can I help?” That’s a lesson worth far more than $20.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he
crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple
assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by
on the other side.

Luke 10:31-32 (NLT)

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Excuses

 

Why didn’t the priest or the Levite stop to help the man? Some have conjectured they were concerned about defilement. A Jew would become “unclean” if he came into contact with a dead body. This would render him unable to worship. The man on the road may have appeared dead, so they did not want to risk defilement if there was nothing they could do. Or they had likely been serving God at the temple all week and were anxious to get home. They had places to go and people to see. Whatever the reason, they decided to bypass an opportunity to show love to a needy neighbor.

 

In the late 90’s, I was a young believer attending college at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta. I would ride the Marta train into the Five Points station and take a 5–10-minute walk to class. One morning, I encountered a man on the sidewalk who was asking those who walked by for money for food. I could have kept walking because I needed to get to class on time. Besides, what money did I have to spare? I was just a college student. Instead of making excuses, the Spirit tugged on my heart to stop. I asked the man to follow me to the KFC restaurant down the street. I bought his meal and presented him with the food. I don’t remember much from this encounter, but I know he was appreciative. I learned that day that when I remove excuses from my heart, there is more room for love for my neighbors. It’s easy to make excuses. It takes work to love our neighbor. Let’s stop making excuses, get our hands dirty and love the way Jesus loved us.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.

By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he
crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple
assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by
on the other side.

Luke 10:31-32 (NLT)

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Expectations

There are two shockers in this story. One is that the hated Samaritan cared enough to aid the hurt Jewish man on the side of the road. The second is that the Priests and Levites (Temple assistants) didn’t stop to help their countryman. Let’s focus on the latter today. A little background about these guys will help explain what I mean.

 

Priests and Levites had to have come from the tribe of Levi. The priests had to be not only Levites but also in the line of Aaron, Israel’s first high priest (Exodus 28:1–3). Priests and Levites had different jobs in and around the temple. Priests were authorized to perform the sacrifices. Levites were set apart to help the priests. They did the work of elders, servants, custodians, assistants, musicians, movers, and repairmen. Priests and Levites were supported by Israel’s tithes and by revenues from certain cities that had been given to them. Worship in the temple could not have taken place without the combined efforts of the priests and Levites. The bottom line is that they did significant work for the Lord.

 

The Old Testament law demanded that Jews do good deeds and care for those who were hurt. Jesus’ story highlights the shortcomings of the priest and the Levite because they were especially required to provide care. That they didn’t stop to help was jaw-dropping to those who heard this account.

 

As we think about those living around us who are skeptical about God, faith, and Christianity, they expect us to say one thing but live another.  God, however, expects those who carry His name to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our hurting “neighbors.” Let’s live up to God’s expectations and not those of the skeptical world around us. Let’s give them a reason to believe there is a loving God who cares about them.

 

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Steve Roach serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Maturity at NorthStar Church. He and his wife, Amy, live in Acworth and have three girls, Olivia, Sydney, and Hayley and one son, Colton.  He enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family.