When Heaven Rejoices!!

"Or what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’"
Luke 15:8-10

Good Morning my beloved,


We welcome you to worship today in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us today, whether it's your first time or you are a faithful member of our family in Christ, your presence is acknowledged and truly appreciated. If you have recently received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, whether through this ministry or some other, please contact us so that we can include you in our prayers. If you haven't recently received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, could I encourage you consider crying out to Him today, while there's still time?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Sex: God created it, Satan corrupted it. A fair and thorough treatment of the topic of sex and gender, in all of its various forms, both biblically and worldly, would require far more time than any of us have today and perhaps, maybe even time left on this earth, given all the deviant variations we seem to have today. But I digress. To summarize, sex was originally created by God, as a good and sacred gift, designed exclusively for the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, serving multiple purposes, one of which is a sacred means of procreation, bringing new life into the world as a result of covenantal love. Outside of biblical marriage, sexual relations, regardless of whether the individuals involved "consent" to having sexual relations, are dating, in a committed relationship, engaged to be married, it is seen as fornication, which is a distortion of God’s original intended design. Which by the way, prohibits the same sex option any way you look at it. That said, it should be fairly obvious to basically anyone that we live in a sex-crazed culture that is obliviously indulging itself in every conceivable, and inconceivable, form of sexual activity.  Frankly, it is unimaginable to me, that today it's not uncommon to find a significant number of "self-identified Christians," those who call themselves Christians, are also engaging in every imaginable and unimaginable form of sexual intercourse, despite the clear biblical call to holiness and purity in sexual matters, and from the statistics that I've been seeing and hearing the percentages (75%) of young Christians aged 18–29 admit to having had engaged in pre-marital sexual relationships, which bear a striking resemblance to those who are unconverted (80%), living in sexual freedom, while still claiming biblical fidelity. Studies reveal that evangelicals had one of the highest rates of adultery, with 36% of Christians believing that casual sex is acceptable. Yet, paradoxically, the majority of Christians still affirm the moral seriousness of sexual sin, even as they engage in behaviors that contradict those standards. I am thoroughly convinced it's because the culture has normalized sexual behaviors that were previously considered sinful and, in many cases "taboo," against God's design.

I suppose in some sense, people like Hugh Hefner and Larry Flint largely contributed to the normalization process of pornographic life-style.

Sexual purity is more about embracing a life of holiness, self-control, and devotion to God, and less about merely just avoiding sexual sin. In the end, biblical fidelity is not as much about perfection, it's about accountability. We're living in a culture where there is virtually no accountability, absolutely no standards of moral conduct, I really don't believe that we need any more information about that than we already have. People want their sexual freedom even if it costs them their life, the life of an unborn child. Others want their sexual freedom even if means the entire world population dies. As Christians, we are commanded to flee sexual immorality and glorify God in our bodies. Yet, as a society we've arrived at the point where we are so consumed with sex that we are prepared to live with the most unimaginable consequences of our odious behavior. By seeking and saving the lost, Jesus illustrated by His own life what it means to live a transformed life, though obviously He didn't need to be transformed, He was everything that we as Christian's should aspire to be. However, as far as I'm concerned, there has never been nor will there ever be another man like Him, but that should be the goal. Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-16, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way; and if in anything you think differently, God will reveal that also to you. However, let us keep walking in step with the same standard to which we have attained." And, in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3, he says, "Finally then, brothers, we ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality." Abstaining from sexual immorality, being sanctified—set apart for holy living, is the will of God for you and it is pleasing to God, Who calls His people to live in purity and holiness. Christianity is not merely about looking the part, or speaking the right things, its about living the transformed life before a watching world, so that they might see Christ in us. The way you conduct your life is relevant to Whose you are. Do you understand that conducting our lives against the biblical values we profess to uphold can create a sense of confusion, a dissonance between belief and behavior?

I am convinced that we as Christians are commanded to align our lives with the Truth we profess, contained in Scripture, rather than our own created values, because ultimately, you are not just what you think or feel—you are what you repeatedly do. It’s so easy to read what the Bible says then imagining that it doesn’t apply to us. But, my dear friends, I implore you to be very careful how to read God's Word, realizing His holy standards apply to each and every one of us, and the command is to live out those same spiritual qualities whether we are at church, at home, on the job. Frankly, it is unimaginable to me, how common it has become to find a significant number of "self-identified Christians," who are also engaging in every imaginable and unimaginable form of sexual behavior, despite the clear biblical call to holiness and purity, abstaining from sexual immorality, bringing reproach upon the name of Christ. I'm thoroughly convinced that we as Christians, should be asking not only God but also the watching world to forgive us for our flagrant open display of sinful behavior, rather than demonstrating the transformative power of God's grace. I believe that the problems we are facing in the church today, is a direct result of the problems we are experiencing within church leadership, a complete failure to uphold the divine call of holiness. If impersonating a Christian were a crime, I believe there might be an awful lot of people being arrested. From the moment you gave your life to Jesus Christ, He redeemed you, and you were born again, spiritually renewed. The old you has died, and our lives should reflect that reality. True Christianity is defined by an inward transformation, not by outward performance.

Galatians 2:20, says "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." The point Paul is making is the believer's life is no longer driven by personal ambition, but is now sustained and directed by the indwelling presence and power of Christ. 

Richard Baxter, a prominent Puritan minister who greatly influenced the 17th-century, (1615–1691), expressed these profound words in his fervent plea for the discharge of the spiritual obligations of the ministry, taken from his influential work The Reformed Pastor, "When your minds are in a holy, heavenly frame, your people are likely to partake of the fruit of it. Your prayers, and praises, and doctrine will be sweet and heavenly to them. They will likely feel when you have been much with God: that which is most on your hearts, is like to be most in their ears.

When I let my heart grow cold, my preaching is cold, and when it is confused, my preaching is confused; and so I can often observe also in the best of my hearers, that when I have grown cold in preaching, they have grown cold, too; and the next prayers I have heard from them have been too much like my preaching. O brethren, watch therefore over your own hearts: keep out lusts and passions, and worldly inclinations; keep up the life of faith, and love, and zeal: be much at home, and be much with God. 

Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine, lest you unsay with your lives, what you say with your tongues; and be the greatest hindrance of the success of your own labors. One proud, surly, lordly word, one needless contention, one covetous action, may cut the throat of many a sermon, and blast the fruit of all that you have been doing."—end quote. 

Hebrews 12:11, "And all discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, but to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Every time a pastor sins, and it is publicly known, and he is forgiven by God and he is restored by the church in love through repentance, and put back in a place of ministry, the standard to be found blameless, above reproach is lowered. Jesus was a friend of sinners, but He was never an ally of their sin but instead called them to turn from their sins and become His disciples and follow Him. God desires His people live by the very highest standard possible, because God Himself is absolutely holy. That said, a spiritually healthy church, must be open to all sinners, including those whose sin with which we may personally disagree. I believe that a pastor’s true spiritual condition directly impacts that of his congregation. A church will never rise higher than its leadership. O' my beloved brethren, watch therefore over your own hearts, so that you may walk blameless before Him.

Let's pray

Heavenly Father,

Father, we come before You today with thankful hearts, thankful for Your Word, thankful that You never asked anything of us that You haven’t enable us to do by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help us Lord, to be steadfast, immovable, unshaken by trials or distractions of this fallen world, always abounding, continually growing  in our service to You, knowing that our labor is not in vain. Lord, I pray for every church that bears Your Name, whether in this nation, or wherever in the world they might be, may our hearts be committed, and dedicated to the work You have given us, and may we do it by the high holy standards to which we have been called, calling the lost to trust Christ as their Lord and Savior, the One who died and rose again for them, so that they might be reconciled to You. We ask and pray these things in Christ's name for Your glory.

Amen.

Today's Message: When Heaven Rejoices!!

If the kingdom of God suffers anything, I believe it suffers from who men rise to positions of leadership in the church who are unworthy to be there, and frankly, the results have been nothing less than catastrophic and devastating to the church. When men in positions of leadership fall, the response must be both biblical and compassionate: holding them accountable, demanding genuine repentance, and pursuing reconciliation and restoration where possible. However, not every fallen pastor is biblically able to be restored, but must be removed from their positions. The biblical standard does not demand sinless perfection—for no human is without fault—but it does however require a consistent pattern of moral integrity and spiritual maturity, to which there are no exceptions, as our moral failure often have lasting consequences. When a member of church leadership falls into serious sin, especially sexual abuse or immorality, he then violates the very qualifications that make him fit for the office of pastor, being no longer blameless, no longer above reproach, therefore, he has to be publicly rebuked for his sin, and removed from the ministry. If you don't respond quickly to biblically address the issue, you’re going to create one problem after another. Absolutely nothing can be gained by having a corrupt man with a dubious character standing in the pulpit. If you’re a Christian, you need to make reading, studying and meditating on the Bible a priority in your life—without exception. I don't care how busy your are. It's very important in training your mind.

Everything we need to "do" life, is found in the Word of God and then we need to let the Word do it's work in our life. And, yes, Scripture has the power to totally transform your life, it's the Living Word of God, alive, powerful and sharper than any two‑edged sword. There is a standard, and as a Christian, you and I are to adhere to it, we must conform our lives to God's standard, rather than attempt to make His Word fit our lives. This transformation begins with a renewed mind, where we as believers actively align our thoughts, speech, and actions with biblical Truth rather than worldly norms, which are corrupt: such as permissiveness in speech, relationships, or ungodly conduct. What makes sin so serious is the one Who is the Judge of sin will evaluate it, with all scrutiny, takes sin very, very seriously. Serious enough to wipe out the entire human population in a Great Flood, with the exception of eight people, Noah and his family. And I believe we need, as the professed children of God need to understand that. 

Trust and believe me when I say, it will work on you in ways you never imagined as your soul is laid bare before God, the Holy Spirit will perform "spiritual surgery" in your life, cutting out that which seeks to destroy you. And that is Satan's goal, to destroy your soul for time and eternity. We all will be held accountable before God. I believe Scripture makes it very, very clear, no one can meet God’s standard by their own effort, but we are given the power to live in accordance with God's Word, through faith in Christ, and the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. It is responsibility of every true believer in Christ, to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. What does God’s Word say about your coveted sin? I strongly encourage you to address your inward desires rather than just the outward actions. True freedom from sin comes when we value Christ above all else and trust God to provide the tools we need to overcome even the strongest temptation.

Open your Bibles with me to the Gospel of Luke, Luke chapter 15. Luke chapter 15, verses eight through ten. I encourage you to follow along with me as I read these ten verses with an open heart to set the text in minds. Luke 15:8-10. 

This is a tremendous section of Scripture about our loving and gracious Lord rejoicing in the salvation of the lost, unlike the Jewish religious leaders, who seem to have no interest in anyone but themselves. So, if your heart is aligned with God's, you'll find, like me, immense joy in the salvation of the lost. I don't know about you, but when I think about heaven, I imagine a place of indescribable joy; with lots of singing, in perfect harmony and rejoicing as expressions of eternal delight, not just as a pastime, but as a way of life, eternal life with people moving about serving the Lord, overwhelmed with a natural overflowing joy from a heart in the presence of God and a celebration of the reunion with loved ones and those we've influenced for the increase in the kingdom of heaven. Our joy will be complete, unending, and forever increasing in Heaven.  

"Or what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’"

Let's look at verse 8, "Or what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?" This parable is the second in a trilogy that is found here in Luke 15, following the Parable of the Lost Sheep in response, to the Pharisees’ criticism that Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them, so Jesus reveals God’s heart for the lost, through relentless pursuit and joyful restoration, rather than condemnation and judgment. The drachma was an ancient currency, a silver coin weighing about 4.3 grams, used in the Greco-Roman world, roughly equivalent to a day’s wage for a laborer, the Romans called them a denarius. The name was derived from the Greek verb "drássomai," meaning "to grasp," reflecting its original value as a "handful," meaning the coins could be held in one hand. Ten drachmas would represent a significant sum—perhaps it was her life savings or even part of her dowry. 

Archaeological and historical evidence suggests that Jewish women often wore these coins as part of a bridal headdress, symbolizing their marital status and economic security. Losing one coin wasn’t merely just a financial loss—the loss of one coin disrupts the completeness, it was most likely about restoring wholeness.  Women in ancient times, would take the coins that they would have and they would wrap them in a rag or piece of cloth and tie a knot for safekeeping, as security for their future. She loses one coin, and to a poor woman, one-tenth of the ten drachmas she has is pretty significant. I believe one of the most overlooked aspects of this parable is the choice of a woman as the seeker, this is kind of a personal insight, she is actively seeking what has been lost in cooperation with God, embodying patience, attentiveness, meticulous care—essential qualities for spiritual restoration, these virtues are frequently more often expressed by women than men, as they're typically demonstrate greater patience and persistence. Notice she disturbs the house, she lights a lamp and sweeps the house while carefully searching until she finds it. The lamp, or the Holy Spirit is active, she sweeps the house representing true repentance along with the Spirit's convicting work to remove the "spiritual clutter," then searches until its found. She doesn't just forget about the lost coin, because if it's lost, it needs to be recovered, she's the rightful owner. Much in the same way, a lost soul that belongs to God is not abandoned but actively and diligently pursued, while the Holy Spirit is convicting and purifying the heart until atlas, its found and returned to God, Who took the initiative to pursue it. Then once it's finally restored, back where it belongs, there needs to be celebration. 

By the way, "spiritual lostness" can occur within the visible Church. Not all who are sitting week after week in God’s house are in a right relationship with Him. Daily engagement with God’s Word and continual prayer renews the mind , to align our heart's with God’s will, rather than just merely giving Him our "grocery list" of wants and needs, though that is important to share our needs with our loving Father also, as well as our brothers and sisters. It has been my experience, people don't always feel comfortable admitting they need help, therefore, I believe we must be watchful, sensitive to the needs of those around us, offering our help when and where we can without being asked, allowing them to keep their dignity. Bearing one another’s burdens in love means actively supporting others through their struggles out of genuine compassion, not mere sympathy but deliberate, hands-on involvement, whether the burden is emotional, spiritual, or financial. Biblical love is not merely a "feeling" its a deliberate action as in the case of the Good Samaritan. Interestingly enough, it wasn't self-righteous religious who helped the struggling man, it was the "hated outcast." I believe this should encourage everyone who professes to "follow Christ", to carefully examine ourselves. It's sad to see so many today, even within the church, who only "love those who love them" in return. Scripture clearly teaches us that loving only those who love you is not a godly virtue, because even those who are not followers of Christ naturally do the same.

Verse 9, "And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’" Notice  that the coin that was lost, is sought until found and after its been found, its celebrated. Similarly to the shepherd who sought after the lost sheep until its found, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying "‘Rejoice with me," and Jesus says a similar celebration takes place in Heaven in the presence of the angels, its loud, communal, and overflowing. This reflects God’s deep love for every soul and the immense value He places on every lost individual. I'd like you to notice the words friends or "philos" and neighbors or "geitnas," they both are in the feminine. So, she calls her women friends and women neighbors to come over and celebrate with her, because after looking everywhere, actively and diligently pursuing what she she'd lost, she's finally found it. They all knew one another pretty well in that small village, everybody's who had been suffering with over her loss would now be called to come join in her joy! Since every soul is irreplaceable, the focus of the joy isn’t on the coin’s value, but in the recovery of what was once lost. 

That brings us to verse 10, "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." "I tell you," is emphatically directing His response with divine certainty to the Pharisees, the religious elite, confident in their own self-righteousness, yet, fail to understand that in God’s economy, He values the one who has become lost over the ninety-nine that never left. I'd like you to notice what I believe is one of the most overlooked Truth's in this passage; God and the angels are rejoicing over the very same people that you now refuse to associate with. In 2 Peter 3:9, our beloved apostle Peter reminds us that, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." I am convinced he would know with all certainty that God desires the repentance and salvation of every person, even "those" people!   

May it be so..

And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.

Now and forever, in Jesus' name

Amen

                                            Copyright © 2019-2026 All Rights Reserved