Sermon
Jesus Offers a Reward
Theme
Help your friends find their way to Jesus
Object
Reward Poster (Hand-made sign with a picture of a sheep that says in bold letters, "Wanted: The Return of Lost Sheep")
Scripture
One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. (Psalms 62:11-12 NIV)
Jesus needs your help. He is looking for His lost sheep. He offers a reward for their return to His safe shelter.
If you want to help Jesus find His sheep you will have to keep your eyes and ears open. Do you know what you’re looking for? Do you know who these lost sheep are? Anyone who doesn’t know or love Jesus is lost. They may be your friends—someone you know from school or your neighborhood. Maybe they’re your relatives—your cousins or an aunt or uncle. They may be kids you see at the library or on the playground or at the store.
How do we get the sheep back to Jesus? He has given you all the abilities needed to recover what’s been lost.
He has called you the "salt of the earth." Salt is a good seasoning; it preserves food and makes it more flavorful. As "salt" you can be good seasoning to someone in your words and deeds. You can compliment someone on their outfit or haircut. You can use good manners and say "please" and "thank you." It is good seasoning to show respect for people. Let others go through the door before you.
Jesus also called you the "light of the world." The lost sheep live in darkness. They don’t know who they are or where they’re going. It’s a scary world, but you can show them the way out by being a light. When a sheep lives in the dark, a powerful beam of light shines through when they learn that another person cares. You can let them know you’ve been thinking about them. Your light also shines when you encourage the lost. Let that sheep know you appreciate his talents. Ask him to try out for a team. Ask her to join you in a favorite activity—maybe church or Sunday School. How you will glow over them! And send up a big flare by affirming these sheep. Let them know just how special they are: tell them you feel happy when you’re with them.
When Jesus lives in your heart, you grow luscious "fruits" that the lost will just eat up: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. You will attract sheep because they’ve been forced to eat the bitter weeds of selfishness and resentment. They hunger for sweetness. They long to have full tummies. They want a taste of the kind of foods you offer; they will want to be around you.
Jesus needs your help in finding His lost sheep. He will reward you for bringing them back to Him. With what? I don’t know. But God’s word promises that Jesus will reward everyone for whatever good he does (Psalm 62:11 - 12). And I know that I can trust in God’s word.
