REDEEMING THE LOST SHEEP

John Chapter 21 verse 1–23

How do we react when confronted directly by persecutions?
And how do we react to persecutions when directed at us through other means ?

No matter our spiritual levels or positions as Ministers, Church members or believers, no one prays for persecutions, trials or challenges to come our way. But upon manifestations, we must arise as Children of God to confront and overcome same.

The Betrayal of CHRIST by Judas Iscariot, his subsequent trials, condemnation and crucifixion was a big persecution and trial on JESUS followers and disciples. Many of them scattered out of fear, unbelief, confusion, anxiety, worry and threats to their lives.
Some of them stayed together and diverted their attention back to their former trade in verse 2.

As a Christian, what do you think is worthy enough to make you backslide or give up on CHRIST ?

It is written in Romans chapter 8 verse 35 -39
“35 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 – As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter
37 – Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 – For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 – Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”

The disciples like you and I, had flesh and blood, and were open to emotional reactions. And just like every natural human being, backslided out of fear, confusion and anxiety.

But Jesus in his natural characteristics of goodness, upon his resurrection, went after his lost sheep and restored them. Having been built up thereafter by the Holy Spirit, the disciples were now ready to serve the Lord in spirit and in truth, even unto death.

John chapter 21 verse 3 declares: “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing”

It is natural for people to react differently when confronted by trials.
But the question is HOW DO WE WHO ARE SAVED go extra miles to save those who trials, unfavorable situations and circumstances, have uprooted out of their place of blessings ?

The betrayal, arrest, condemnation, death and burial of CHRIST shattered the disciples of CHRIST to the extent that they backslided.
But upon resurrection, He (JESUS) went after the scattered, shattered and lost sheep and restored them. We must emulate JESUS our role model, by going after the lost sheep; both old and new.

In John chapter 21 verse 15, – “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 – He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 – He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
18 – Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not”.

The Lord emphasized the need to feed the Lamb and the Sheep.
Who are the Lamb? New believers in CHRIST
Who are the sheep? – Advanced and matured believers.

Today, we see Sheep still behaving as new babes or babies in CHRIST.
It is important for us to identify our positions in CHRIST as matured Sheep of the Lord and take our responsibilities in the House of God, in the Body of Christ and in the Kingdom serious.

Peter was given a direct charge on his terms of heavenly assignment. Today the Lord is giving us charge once again to focus both on the old lost Sheep and the New Lamb. Jesus is not asking us for anything unusual, but simply to be mindful of our Father’s business and get involve. In simple terms, to win Souls for Him.

We must feed and keep His Lamb. We must feed and keep His Sheep.
We must go extra-miles to make sure that the business of our Father’s House is on course and doing well.

Proverbs Chapter 11 verse 30 declares “ HE THAT WINNETH SOULS IS WISE”.

How many souls have you won for Christ?
How many more Souls are you ready to win for Christ?
We must embark on aggressive soul winning to fulfill our heavenly mandate on earth

He that winneth souls is wise. Are you wise? Now is the acceptable time to prove your wisdom in Christ through soul winning.

Remain blessed in Jesus name, Amen.