In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
5 sermons cite this verse
… Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost. In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. And in the final story, Jesus tells a story about a father who has two sons. One rebels, but when he comes home, what's the father's attitude? Does he slam the door shut in the boy's face and say, You're dead to me? No, he rejoices when the son comes home. So it is with God. I want you to notice two truths about all three of these parables. First of all, all three of these parables remind us of the value of lost things. All three of these items that were lost have great value. The sheep is valuable, the coin is valuable, and certainly the son is valuable. The second truth we see in all three of these stories is the activity of a caring God. These three stories remind us that God is actively looking for us even when we are lost. …
… and say, be happy with me because I have found the coin that I lost. In the same way. there is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner changes his heart and life. The story could hardly be briefer, just three verses. The parable could hardly be simpler. Something lost, something found, pursuit, and then party. and the promise could hardly be more beautiful. Jesus will not sit still as long as one of his treasures is missing. He owns a lamp, he owns a broom, and he's going to use both to shine light and stir things up. You're going to love this story. Not everyone who first heard it did. However, before we unpack it, can we be reminded of the people who first heard it? There were outsiders and there were insiders. We know this by turning back to verse 1. By this time, a lot of men and women of questionable reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. They were the outsiders. …
… I have found my lost coin. In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Do you see how the first parable and this story tie together? What was lost is now found, and there's a party in heaven, and that God is rejoicing over what was once lost. that's you I don't know if you realize it heaven goes crazy when you come home there is joy there is laughter and there is worship and so it's talking about a coin how many of you still find value in a coin I don't know about y'all but like once it's in my pocket what's in my purse I don't know I don't know where it goes I don't even use it when's the last time you used a penny but giving context to the story in the story coins have value a lot of value that one coin could have provided meals for the entire family could have put the roof over their head that one coin had value and so what did she do she intentionally searched for it she turned on that light. She cleaned and she swept so that she could have clear vision and she searched. …
… and search carefully until she finds it. And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, rejoice with me. I have found my lost coin. In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. I'm telling you, I've been preaching at Zoe Church a long time. I've been in services where it felt like 50 people raised their hand. I've been in services where I've seen only one person raise their hand. Heaven doesn't get crazy over the 50 and get quiet over the one. The Bible says when one person says, I was lost, but now I'm found. Come on, clap if you're thankful today that God lets heaven rejoice over one person that says yes to grace. This is the good news of the gospel that God will not stop until you're rescued. He doesn't just start a rescue mission. He stays on the rescue mission until that which is lost becomes found. …
… In verse 9, she called all her neighbors and said, Rejoice with me. And in the same way, verse 10, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. This is a validation of the whole purpose of God in human history, to save sinners. It only takes one sinner to set heaven into exuberant joy. Then you have the longer story of the prodigal, and do you know how that story ends? Verse 32, we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live and was lost and has been found. And again, this is a picture of heaven's joy, and that means God's joy, and the joy of the angels, and the joy of the spirits of just men made perfect dwelling in heaven. God's joy is found in seeking and saving sinners. Scripture makes much of this joy. Back in Isaiah 62.5 it says, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride in a wedding, and that's got to be the most joyful human event, as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you. …