LOST
Luke 15
1. GOD'S PRIORITIES SHOULD BE OUR PRIORITIES TOO
2. REJOICE WITH THE HEAVENS!
Even when one person admits their helpless condition, accepts Christ's forgiveness, turns from their own way and begins to follow him. (v17-21)
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, ESV)
3. A DEEP DESIRE TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE
Luke 15:8 - "Seek diligently until she finds."
We should pray that the Holy Spirit will fill us with a deep desire to reach out to people with the message and compassion of Jesus so we can help them find spiritual salvation through a personal relationship with him.
5. RECOGNIZE OUR TRUE CONDITION
Luke 15:17 - "He came to himself."
Before those who are spiritually lost can come to God, they must recognize their true condition of slavery to sin and separation from God (vv. 14-17).
They must humbly return to the Father, admit their sin and be willing to do whatever the Father requires (vv. 17-19).
Though God's people can help lead and influence people to turn (or return) to Christ, it is, in reality, the Holy Spirit's work to bring sinners to this realization (John 16:7-11).
6. KEEP PRAYING FOR OUR SPIRITUALLY LOST
Luke 15:20 - "While he was still a long way off."
Every Christian father and mother must understand that God loves their spiritually wayward child and desires his or her spiritual salvation even more than the parents do.
We must keep praying for our spiritually lost loved ones, trusting God to pursue them until each one returns to the heavenly Father.
7. HAVE THE FATHER'S HEARTBEAT FOR THE LOST
Luke 15:20 - "His father saw him and felt compassion."
Jesus' description of the father's response to the son's return shows us the heart of our Heavenly Father for the lost.
God's priorities should be our priorities
Rejoice when one person turns to Christ
Have a deep desire to reach out to people
A life of sin rejects God's love and authority
We must recognize our true condition
Keep praying for spiritually lost loved ones
Have the Father's heartbeat for the lost
Every scripture referenced in this sermon, in the order they appear.
Luke 15
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." So He spoke this parable to them...
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Luke 15:8
Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
Luke 15:13
And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
Luke 15:17-21
But when he came to himself, he said, "How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father..." And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion...
John 16:7-11
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment...
Luke 15:20
And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.