The Ninety and Nine

(Note - the first section of this is a short talk to go with the song "Ninety and Nine.")

Jesus often compared people to sheep and Himself to the shepherd. Sheep have little strength. If a hyena or a lion comes, they are not able to protect themselves. Sheep have not much wisdom. They cannot find food for themselves, and they can easily stray and fall into great danger.

Therefore, in countries where many sheep are kept, there must always be someone to look after them, and that one we call the SHEPHERD. He keeps them safe from danger, drives away their enemies, and often exposes himself to great danger. The shepherd seeks food and water for the sheep. He takes care of them if they get sick, or injured. The sheep know their shepherd and learn to trust him.

And so, people are like sheep. They have not strength to resist Satan. They lack many things that they cannot provide for themselves. They easily go astray and get lost. But Jesus is the Great Shepherd. If people put their trust in Him, He will protect them, provide for all their needs, and gather them into His fold.

Listen to what Jesus Himself says about sheep and the shepherd: "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, for no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand" (John 10:11, 27-28). Another time He spoke a parable, saying: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the 99 in the wilderness, and go after that one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost'" ( Luke 15:3-7).

(Singing: "There were ninety and nine....."

And so, my friend, if you have not already come to this Good Shepherd, why do you not come now and put your trust entirely in Him? Then you will be able to say, "The Lord is MY Shepherd; I shall not want."

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(Short talk to go with song "When He Cometh.")

(Singing: WHEN HE COMETH)
---(I suggest that speaking be placed in the middle of singing)

Who is the one spoken about in this sweet song? It is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to earth long ago. He lived a perfect life and did many deeds of mercy which revealed the love of God to man. In the end, He died on a cross for our sins. But He arose and is now alive forevermore.

What are the "precious jewels" spoken of in this song? They stand for everyone, young and old, who believe on Jesus Christ with all their hearts, and willingly follow Him. They are the chief treasure which Jesus is seeking in the world now, and which He will gather together like precious jewels when He returns again. Do you know this loving Saviour? Have you believed on Him with all your heart? Are you following Him each day as His disciple?
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(Short talk to go with song "Onward Christian Soldiers")

(Singing: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS)

When a young man becomes a soldier, he promises that he will be loyal to his superior to the end. So, when a person follows Jesus Christ, he becomes a soldier, and Jesus is his Captain. He must obey his Captain no matter what happens. Paul, the Apostle, said: "You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life, so that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Tim.2:3-4).
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(Short talk to go with song "Joy to the World")

(Singing: JOY TO THE WORLD)

The world is full of trouble and sorrow. Multitudes of people are suffering at this time. Hunger, sickness, fear, mourning and weeping are familiar to us all. "Death sets no day; sickness no month," (Yoruba proverb)...and there is no not one among us who knows what will happen tomorrow. Where, then, can we find joy and peace in a world like this.? The book that we call the Bible has Good News for us. Jesus Christ brought joy to the world. Sin is at the root of all human misery. Jesus came to the world that He might save people from sin by His death on the cross. Anyone who really believes in Him can have great joy in his heart now, and will be a sharer in the Kingdom of Christ when He comes back soon. Then, all sorrow will be done away with. War, pestilence, famine, persecution and all evil will be eliminated, and the "earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the water covers the seas."