“Lost And Found”
Luke 15
Sermon Series: “Lost”
Introduction: Have you ever lost something? What did you do? Have you ever been lost? How did you feel? How you ever been in a dangerous situation that you had to be rescued from? Can you imagine how it would feel for someone to save your life?
Do you believe that people are spiritually lost if they are away from God? Do you believe people who do not know Christ are in spiritual darkness and need to be rescued from sin and its eternal consequences?
Do you believe God cares about people and wants to rescue them? Do you believe that He wants to work through us to accomplish His rescue mission? Do you care enough about people to help the lost be found?
Principles from Luke 15
1. People are of extreme value to God. Do we have God’s heart for the lost? Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost.
2. God is on a search and rescue mission to find those who are lost (see Luke 19:10, 2 Peter 3:9). We are so valuable to God that He came and died for us. The cross was God’s great rescue mission for mankind. God is still working today through His Spirit to draw people unto Himself.
3. God calls us to join in this great search and rescue mission with Him (John 17:18, Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).
4. Heaven throws a party when a lost person is found.
Applications:
A. Individual Christians (Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 5:13-16) [getting out of our comfort zones]
B. The Church (Acts 4:31, 5:42, 8:4)
C. Small Groups
D. Partnering with others (Acts 11)
E. Missions (Honduras, supporting missions, planting new churches, and sending out missionaries)
F. Evangelism through our ministries
Conclusion: Do we have God’s heart for people or are we more concerned for ourselves? What do our actions say (see Jonah 4)?
