Where the Party at??

No this isn’t an article praising Jagged Edge, Da Brat, JD, and Lil Bow Wow. This is about where’s the real party at?? What does God celebrate? Let’s take a look at Luke 15.

KJV Luke 15: 1-22

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Jesus is criticized for hanging out with publicans and sinners. Not only is he hanging but he’s eating with them. I know some church people who won’t hang around worldly people, let alone eat dinner with them. But Jesus is doing this for a purpose. He’s concerned about the lost. A lot church folks are just in the business of putting down people because they’re sinners. Not in giving the message so they can turn away from their sins. But look at our Lord.

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Look at Jesus’ attitude toward the lost. He seeks after them. He is concerned. He drops everything to get them. That is what evangelism is all about. Many churches are just concerned about the 99 sheep. Feeding them. Sheeparding them. Jesus said drop everything you have, everything you concerned and go after the lost sheep. And when the lost sheep are found, he rejoices. Not just smiles. Not just a friendly clap. A rejoicing. A celebration. A party. A victory party. This is where the party is at. We must the same attitude as our Lord has.

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

The woman seeks diligently. . She’s not discouraged. She determine to fine that coin. We must be the same away about evangelism. We won’t stop until we see sinners repent. We will continue till we see God move and change hearts and lives. Then begin the real party. Like the angels do up in heaven.

And he said, A certain man had two sons:

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

The son is demanding his inheritance from his father. How out of order is this?? Let’s see why.

And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

He wants to get away from Father. He’s probably tired of the rules. Tired of not being able to do thing his way. He wants to live the way he wants to. To party with the world. He went to a far off country. Long way from home. If this were modern times he probably would have got a Bima. Rims. Fine looking women. Partying without sleep. Every night wondering where the party at?? This is how the world is. Let’s get away from God. Let’s live without him. Let’s enjoy ourselves without answering to anybody. Let’s pretend he don’t exist.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

Oh, it was fun while it lasted. But eventually the money had to run out. The sin won’t have the same effect. This young Jewish boy had to feed swine. Unthinkable in this culture. One preacher said that he even probably smelled like a pig. The smelliness of sin.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee

He realized he was nothing. He was out of fellowship. The money, the cars meant nothing. He was living in sin. He realized the emptiness of it all. He realized he was living his own life. He was try to provide for himself, instead of letting his father take care of him. Trying to be independent. Oh, isn’t that how the sinner is. Isn’t that how we are when we live in the flesh, in disobedience to his commands??

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

A father running up to son was unthinkable in that culture. But we see once again God’s concerned for the lost. He’s happy to be in fellowship with his children. He rejoices. He celebrates. His zeal to seek and save that which is lost.

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Oh father I’m not worthy to be your child, the son said. But the father ignored that. He knew he son had sinned. He knew he wasn’t worthy to be called his son. But it was the father who restored him back. Same with us. We’re not worthy to be sons and daughters of God. But God made us worthy through the blood of Jesus Christ. We have clothed with righteousness because he gave it to us. He made us worthy. We’re sinners in and of ourselves. But God restores us back into right relationship.