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The Reckless Love of God
sermon based on Luke 15:1-7
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

PowerPoint Presentation - click here to download


1. God will Come for You - No Matter What

The first point I want to make about this passage is that Jesus' analogy of the shepherd who leaves 99 sheep behind to find the one that got lost, was very unconventional. First century shepherds would have never left their flock behind to go for one that went astray. There was way too much of a risk involved leaving the flock behind.

One modern songwriter, Cory Asbury, captured this fact and recognizes the radical message of Jesus' words. In fact, he refers to this attitude as the "Reckless Love of God." The good shepherd, Jesus is saying, will recklessly leave the flock to come after the lost sheep. And keep in mind that the sheep is lost because of sin, not because of an accident. That just adds another degree of recklessness to God's amazing love, doesn't it? That's what Asbury captured in his song lyrics:

And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God  [continue]