By Pastor John Mateos Ong and Pastora Monique Lopez Ong
How many of us have lost money at one point in your life and how long did you look for it? It will differ in how much was lost and how badly you need it. If you are down to your last peso, every coin counts. But if you have a lot of money, 5 pesos will not matter. In this regard, what matters to you may not matter to others. So let us get on with the verse.
SCRIPTURE:
Luke 15:8-10
“What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
What is so special about this coin, you ask? It is not much but back in the days, one coin is equivalent to one day’s pay. That must have been very valuable.
OBSERVATION:
She had 10 coins.
She loses 1 or 10%.
No reason mentioned why it was lost.
She lights a lamp, sweeps the floor and searches.
She did not stop until it was found.
When she found it, she threw a party.
There was joy in heaven.
REPRESENTATION:
Woman- Disciples
Lamp- Word
House- World
Coin- Believers
How do we find the coin?
1.Lights a lamp - What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
If you try to look for something in the dark, you may not find it. Even if it is right in front of you, you may not see it. You need to turn on the light. The lamp in this verse is God’s word. You need to use it to search for the lost. Sometimes you use your will. People should come to Jesus because they believe in His word and they know it is the right thing. The lamp, which is the word, is very important and very powerful that if you turn it on, many people will go back to the house of God.
During those times, they used oil lamps. In the Bible, oil represents the Holy Spirit. You have to make sure that the word you are releasing to others is anointed with the Holy Spirit so that it has the power to change their lives. Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” God’s word is a lamp that guides you along the journey. You do not know how the story ends. You have to trust God as you walk along the righteous path that He has called you to walk on because if you knew, you might not even take the first step.
A lamp shines brightest when things are dark. Those who work on ships and boats look for lights on the horizon and that is what guides them to shore. The word of God, like a lamp, guides you in moments of darkness. Just look upon it and you will make it through.
4 things on how to light a lamp
A. Life- Matthew 5:16 says “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” When people look at your life, you might be a walking Bible to them. Some people do not read it, but when they look at you,they see it. And many people can get inspired by it. What is important is that when people look at you and your life, they see the glory of God shining through you. Your life speaks so loudly that you have to be sure it reflects the life of Jesus. You have to be the lamp in today’s world.
B. Lips- 2 Timothy 4:2 says “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” When the opportunity to share the gospel arises, you have to grab it. Be ready at all times to preach in and out of season. But remember that your purpose should always be love. Are you equipped?
C. Love - John 13:35 says “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Love is so powerful that it brings people home. When you share the love of Jesus, what He did and why He was willing to die on the cross for all mankind, people change because it is the kind of love that they are looking for. When you show this unconditional love to people around you, it changes everything. Love is like a tenderizer that breaks down walls.
D.Power - 1 Corinthians 2:4 says “And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.” Sometimes, even if they see the changes in your life, they will not believe. Then you have to pray that the power of the Holy Spirit be manifested in their life.
2.Sweep-What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
When you say sweep, you take every square inch, taking every area, looking though all the spaces until you get everything. When you do this, you will be surprised at the things that you find.
3.Searches Carefully-What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? The word search depicts intentionality. It is not coincidental.
John 17:12 says “During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.” Jesus said this towards the end of His ministry.
Luke 19:10 says “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” When the woman found her lost coin, she even threw a party that probably cost way more than that lost coin. God is showing you how He rejoices when the lost are found and return home, when you stop for the one who returns home.
Luke 15:9-10 also says “And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Why do you have to find the coin? Because it matters to Jesus. Jesus loves to celebrate life. He made you! That is the reason why He came to earth. He knew how separated you are from Him and He wants you to return and have a loving relationship with Him. What a waste it is to have so many people out there who are lost.
You have been given an assignment. Start in your home. Look for the one. Stop for the one. Bring one home.
1 Kings 8:56-58 says “Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us or abandon us. May he give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors. And may these words that I have prayed in the presence of the Lord be before him constantly, day and night, so that the Lord our God may give justice to me and to his people Israel, according to each day’s needs.”
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