Lost

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. --- 4. A LIFE OF SIN AND SELFISHNESS REJECTS GOD'S LOVE, COMPANIONSHIP AND AUTHORITY Luke 15:13 - "Journey into a far country." In this parable, Jesus teaches that a life of sin (i.e., going our own way and rebelling against God and his standards) and selfishness rejects God's love, companionship and authority. --- 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.