When the past comes forward

Jesus came to reconcile back the lost sheep of Israel and then he told us to go to all the world in search for souls who would come to him.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Luke 19:1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
Luke 19:2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Luke 19:3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Luke 19:4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Luke 19:6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Luke 19:7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

Mat 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
Mat 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Luke 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Jesus brought home a lost sheep from the house of Israel; he was a sinner, yes, that is why we were all lost. We were lost in sin, not knowing the way back to God. The law only pointed out our failings. The law is holy, but we were sinners apart from Christ.

Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Not all will come to Jesus, but we are to speak the gospel as Paul did; everywhere he went he preached the cross.

1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

We are to bring the lost sheep back to God. Sometimes the past is brought forward by people we knew when we were lost in sin. We preach the cross to them. Jesus is our message of hope; His Spirit resides in our hearts to speak the message of salvation, love and peace. Some will try to bring you back to the way it was. We cannot go back into sin; we go forward, always looking at the cross.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Those who are seeking Jesus will be found. He is calling the sinners to repentance.

Luke 15:4 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?
Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luke 15:6 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.
Luke 15:7 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.

The greatest joy is to hear of someone who we led to Jesus return to speak of the fruit of their salvation; seeing them as fruitful servants using their gifts for God. Knowing that they have continued to trust Jesus and are blessing others with the light of God. One person reaching another and this continues bringing souls to restoration in Jesus; it is a wonderful thing. Still greater is to see our Lord and to have him receive us and to be with others we have shared the Lord with for all eternity!
We are to keep going, even if we see no results from our obedience to God. Some may reject you; even those you gave your hearts too in bringing them to Christ. God knows your heart and he knows all. Many struggle to become the person that God has called them to be. Jesus knew who were his and who would betray him. We do not know, but we seek the good of all.

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
John 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

We are to be servants and people of mercy to those in need. Some may turn on us, but we keep going There are some very precious saints who will be saved by continuing to be faithful.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
John 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

In our chat room last night, a lost sheep was being led back to the good shepherd. One who quoted scripture with us began to turn on the sheep just as he was understanding and coming back to Jesus. This wolf in sheep's clothing said you will never be saved and you have a demon. A false shepherd who wanted to destroy the lost sheep before he could make it back to the fold; or perhaps a proud religious person holding onto one verse, that does not allow the lost sheep to be saved. There is one verse in Hebrews that many use, to justify not going after the lost sheep.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

This verse was speaking to the Jews who returned to Judaism and temple sacrifices. There is no more temple and only Jesus is our sacrifice for sins. Many use this verse to prevent the backsliders from returning. They were as the angry brother who was upset that his prodigal brother was received back and restored by his father.

Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
Luke 15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
Luke 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
Luke 15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.
Luke 15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
Luke 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

The false one was removed because he would not allow the sinner to return. We must be careful who is allowed to lead the sheep. Some have plans to steal, destroy and kill; workers of satan, even in the church. We must not be filled with religious pride, but remain kind and accepting of the sinner. We cannot be kind to the workers of satan, but we rebuke them. Most in the room prayed for this one who was removed. Our ministry is restoration, not destruction. We must be led by the Spirit of God.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

In the name of discernment, we may destroy another's hope. We must be careful, but not proud. The power we have is God in us; He must be greater than our self. Let nothing be done of selfish ambition.

Thank you LORD for souls who remain faithful in you. You know when to bring encouragement and good news from others. We keep going until we are with you. To God be all the glory, honor and praise. Amen