Lost And Found Luke 15 The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) - PDF document

6/18/2018 Lost And Found Luke 15 The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable; “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it in on his shoulders and goes home. Then he call his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent .” 1

6/18/2018 The Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10) “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-24) Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.” The Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-24) “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned again heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 2

6/18/2018 The Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-24) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Something Of Great Value Was Missing “God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” I Timothy 2:4 3

6/18/2018 “You have never locked eyes with another human being isn’t valuable to God” Bill Hybels Whatever Went Missing Warranted An All-Out Search We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20 4

6/18/2018 How To Reach Out To Those Far From God With The Love Of Jesus: A: FORM FRIENDSHIPS • Who are people already in your everyday life? Family, Friends, Coworkers, Neighbors • Who are people you used to know? People from your past with whom you lost contact? • Who do you want to get to know? Car Mechanic, Dental Hygenist, Kids’ Soccer Coach • Capitalize on God-given opportunities (taking out trash, getting mail, shoveling snow) • Create opportunities (bring cookies over, invite them over for the game, take out to lunch) How To Reach Out To Those Far From God With The Love Of Jesus: B: MEET PRACTICAL NEEDS • Serve them in a way that is meaningful to them (you will find out as you get to know them) • Meet their needs (mow their lawn, shovel their sidewalks, dog sit, friendship) • “Preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words” St. Francis of Assisi • Actions just speak louder than words! How To Reach Out To Those Far From God With The Love Of Jesus: C: START SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS 1. Direct Method • It typically takes the form of a question or statement (Do you ever think about spiritual matters? Where do you think you are on your spiritual journey?) 2. Indirect Method • Builds on the direction the conversation is already heading by adding a spiritual dimension to it. (Current events, hobbies, music, sports, or struggles you are both facing) 3. Invitational Method • Transitions the conversation by inviting your friend to a Christian event that relates to the topic you are discussing. 5

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6/18/2018 How to Reach Out to Those Far from God with the Love of Jesus: D: Share Your Story & God’s Story • Share your story: 1) What was your life like before Christ? 2) How did you come to know Christ? 3) How has your life changed because of Christ? • Share God’s Story: Love - Evil - Remedy - Choice - Restoration The Results Are Not Our Ultimate Responsibility A: Holy Spirit Draws People • 1 Corinthians 12:3, “No one can say Jesus is Lord apart from the Holy Spirit.” • Bill Bright, Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ said, “Evangelism is sharing the gospel of Christ in the power of the spirit and leaving the results to God.” 7

6/18/2018 The Results Are Not Our Ultimate Responsibility B: GOD GIVES PEOPLE A CHOICE • “Jesus does not show us the full extent of his power to force us to love him. Jesus does not show himself to us and all of his full glory and splendor because that would overwhelm us. He became one of us to give us the choice to love him for who He really is” (Soren Kierkegaard) Retrievals Result In Rejoicing • GROW: Teach them to read the Bible (Understand God’s Story), Prayer (Experience God’s Friendship), Worship Services (Encounter God’s Communion) • CONNECT : Help them find the right community to grown in their new walk with the Lord with others. (Engage God’s community) • SERVE : Encourage them to discover the SHAPE (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences) to help them serve in a way that brings personal fulfillment and produces ministry fruit. • REACH: Inspire them to share their new walk with the Lord with others who they know are far from God. Jesus said, “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me.” Luke 10:16 8

6/18/2018 Conclusion: 1. All people matter to God Practical Action: List 3 people in your spheres of • influence who you know are far from God. Conclusion: 2. God intensely searches for those far from him • 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” • Practical Action: Take one practical step to show Jesus’ love to one person far from God this week. Conclusion: 3. There is a celebration in heaven when a wonderer comes home • Questions: Do you want to watch God transform lives through you? Do you want to taste heavenly celebration on earth? • Practical Action: Check out Alpha. Bring a Friend to Alpha. 9