September 16, 2001
What Makes God Happy?

TEXT: Luke 15:1-9
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Among my memories from Sunday school is a teacher who often told her class of seven-year-old children that God was very sad when we were naughty boys and girls. She, and many like her, made an indelible impression on the little ones, because we live with the truth that the sinfulness of humans not only angers, but it is also most disheartening to our Heavenly Father. I thank God for this teacher and pray for a lot more like her. However, today we ask the question, what makes God happy? The text tells us, “There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.” In this parable God tells us what makes God happy.

The Bible teaches that God has a great concern for the lost. To illustrate this truth, Jesus tells a story of the shepherd and the lost sheep. The best grazing land was on a narrow plateau in the hills. Occasionally one of the sheep would wander away from the flock and fall off the cliff. There the animal would hang on the side of the hill until the shepherd rescued it. It was the responsibility of the shepherd to bring the sheep back to the flock, even though his own life was in danger.

When the shepherd has the sheep back to safety, he lays it on his shoulder and rejoices. Then he calls together his friends and neighbors and says, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the sheep that was lost.” The lesson is clear. Jesus, in John 10:11, takes the title of “shepherd” who is out seeking a lost world that it might be brought into a living relationship with its Creator.

God’s Word tells us that those who live outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ are lost. When Jesus sees this mass of people who are lost, He describes them as “sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Without God, only our vacillating emotions and limited intellects serve us to find solutions for the problems of life, which are far beyond human comprehension.

Charles Colson, in his book, How Now Shall We Live? describes an ever-growing mass of our American population who have no relationship with Jesus Christ. Let me summarize one part of this book for you: “Across this country a generation of college graduates has marched off, degrees in their hands, and post-modernist ideology in their heads. Post-modernist ideology teaches there is no one truth. The individual must create his or her own truth. These people with this philosophy work with words and ideas. They go to work in executive suites, political centers, editorial rooms of newspapers, magazines, television studios, and college and university classrooms. Because they are in positions of influencing millions of people on a daily basis, the viewpoint of there being no objective truth has become the dominant opinion of millions of people. The viewpoint taught in the media and institutions of higher learning since the 1960s has now entered the mainstream of American life. Once it was only a few of the intellects who believed there were no objective truths. It was thought they would do minimal harm, because their witness was so academically sophisticated that few would give it much attention. Not so anymore. These truths are being communicated to us in simple language daily. We have become a confused society, not sure where we are going. No longer is the majority view the outlook of morally, conservative, religious, and patriotic middle-class America. Post-modernism teaches there are no truths that are worthy of our allegiance, meaning that nothing is worth living or dying for – not even arguing about.”

This is our lost society, facing huge problems and rejecting God’s help in solving them. Take Christ out of our lives and we are lost, both now and for all eternity. The question is, “As Christians, what should our relationship be with this lost generation?”

There is the pharisaical approach to have no contact with this evil society and live in our own little world. This was not Jesus’ approach. The text says he was criticized because “He welcomed sinners and ate with them” (vs. 2).

Jesus says we are to be spiritually strong and go to this unbelieving world with this clear message of God’s Word: We are a sinful people. Christ died for us, and He is our only hope. If in faith we will receive Christ as our Savior and Lord, He will restore us into a personal relationship with God, and His Word will lead, guide, and empower us to live in peace and harmony.

However, Mr. Colson tells us that our witness will often fall on deaf ears. They will listen politely to what we have to say, and most often will offer no comments. If there is any response at all, it will be very general, such as, “You have some interesting views. They are not mine, but isn’t it nice that we have matured to the place where everyone has a right to his or her beliefs.”

With this kind of response, it is easy for the Christian to be discouraged. It is at this point that Jesus counsels us to not be weary. With our witness goes the Holy Spirit who can reach the hardest of hearts. The plea today is that our churches will hold high the truths of God’s inspired Word, that the colleges of the Church will give students a good academic education with a Christ-centered emphasis, and that Christian families will teach their children Biblical absolutes and support them in difficult times.

What makes God happy?

When He sees His Church about the Heavenly Father’s business faithfully proclaiming the Law and Gospel with authority and conviction.

It is this Word that can change people’s hearts and minds and make them new creatures in Jesus Christ.

Remember, “There is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents and comes to Christ.”

Amen.

Rev. Homer Larsen
Christian Crusaders