Leave The Ninety Nine | Philip Anthony Mitchell | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Leave The Ninety Nine

Philip Anthony Mitchell

2819 Church • Apr 19, 2026 • 68 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message from the 'WISDOM & WONDER' series, Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell preaches on Matthew 18:10-14, calling the church to see every believer through the eyes of God. Rather than despising, judging, or abandoning brothers and sisters who fall into sin or struggle in dark seasons, followers of Christ are called to possess a pastoral heart. God values His children so deeply that He assigns angels to watch over them, and He commands His church to leave the ninety-nine to actively search for, rescue, and restore the one who has gone astray.

Themes

Biblical CommunityRestoration and RescueValue and Dignity of BelieversHumility and ChildlikenessAngelic Care and ProtectionOvercoming Shame and Isolation

Key Points

1.
Matthew 18 serves as the foundational text for New Testament teaching on how believers are to govern themselves and live in biblical community.
2.
True spiritual greatness in the Kingdom of God is marked by childlike humility rather than power, prestige, or social influence.
3.
Believers must deal aggressively with personal sin and be careful never to cause another brother or sister to stumble.
4.
God explicitly commands believers never to despise or devalue fellow Christians who are struggling, failing, or in distress.
5.
Every believer is so precious to God that He assigns angelic beings in heaven to watch over them and intercede on their behalf.
6.
Intercessory prayer by the local church invites God's divine intervention to break chains and deliver those in bondage.
7.
Every member of the church is called to have a pastoral heart that seeks out and restores those who wander away from the fellowship.
8.
When a wandering believer is found and restored, there is immense joy in heaven over the one who has returned.

Sermon Moments

“Pastor Philip describing a dark season of isolation in his past when God sent one caring brother to remind him he was still valuable.”

“The historical distinction between Constantine building physical basilicas and Jesus building His eklesia—a living gathering of saints.”

“The revelation that God assigns heavenly angels to watch over His children and plead their case before the Father.”

“The recount of Acts 12, where the church prayed for Peter in prison, leading to an angel breaking his chains and opening the city gates.”

“Pastor Philip testifying about surviving a vehicle crash off a cliff before he was saved because God's protective intervention spared his life.”

“Pastor Philip sharing how a Christian friend named Tiffany entered his room during a moment of deep despair and offered quiet presence that saved his life.”

“Pastor Philip bringing Colin—the man who came to find him 17 years ago during his backslidden season—onto the stage to honor him.”

“Guest speaker Colin outlining the three key questions for every spiritual opportunity: Should I? Could I? Would I?”

This Week

Refrain from judging, critiquing, or despising believers who make mistakes or go through dark seasons.

Reach out directly this week to a friend or small group member who has stopped attending church or fellowship.

Prioritize earnest intercessory prayer for brothers and sisters facing spiritual bondage or difficult circumstances.

Confront and deal aggressively with your own sin rather than excusing it or making peace with it.

Cultivate childlike humility in your daily interactions, rejecting self-absorption and vanity.

Offer the 'ministry of presence' to someone walking through grief, shame, or isolation by simply showing up for them.

Ask yourself three key questions when facing opportunities to serve others: Should I? Could I? Would I?

Remember This

Every believer is so deeply valuable to God that the church must possess a pastoral heart to leave the ninety-nine and actively seek out, rescue, and restore any brother or sister who has wandered away.

A Challenge for You

Go and get them; don't let anybody wander from the flock. As soon as they go missing, go find them, woo them back, remind them that they are valuable, and keep the family of God together.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.