Finding God’s Lost and Found
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves feeling lost. As Pastor Mark reminds us, 'God always knows where we are.' This sermon explores how God's love and grace reach out to those who have wandered away, inviting them back into His embrace.
Watch the full sermonThe Importance of Seeking the Lost
To be lost means to be separated from God, often without awareness of one's spiritual state. In Luke 15, Jesus shares three parables that illustrate God's relentless pursuit of those who have strayed. The joy of repentance is a central theme, reminding us that 'there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance' (Luke 15:7). This emphasizes the importance of reaching out with love and compassion to those who are lost.
God's Love and Forgiveness
God actively seeks the lost through His love, grace, and the work of the Holy Spirit. The parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son highlight God's joy in finding the lost. As we reflect on 1 Timothy 1:15, we are reminded that 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.' This profound truth encourages us to embrace God's grace and extend that same love to others.
Scripture Highlights
1 Timothy 1:15: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Luke 15:7: Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:10: Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be lost?
How does God seek the lost?
What is the significance of the parables in Luke 15?
What should our response be to those who are lost?
Content Transcript
Introduction
Good morning! We begin our service today with a hymn titled "In Thee Is Gladness." As we lift our voices in gladness, we remember the psalmist's words: His praise endures forever. We are continuing our sermon series based on the Gospel of Luke, focusing on how Jesus teaches in three parables about God's lost and found. We are in Luke 15, and we welcome you in the name and love of Jesus. Please stand as we sing "In Thee Is Gladness."
Confession and Absolution
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let us take a moment to allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and remind us of our need for a Savior in Jesus Christ.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by his authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
In peace, let us pray to the Lord. For the peace from above and for our spiritual renewal, let us pray to the Lord. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, we worship you. We praise you for Jesus Christ. Have mercy on us. The Lord be with you.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, you are the good shepherd without whom nothing is secure. Rescue and preserve us that we may not be lost forever but follow you, rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Children's Message
We invite the children forward as we join in singing "Seek Ye First." Please come down for a message prepared for you.
There's enough of us here to know that Jesus is right here with us. Wherever two or more are gathered in his name, there he is in the midst of them.
Now, where are all the other children who are missing today? They're not lost; they're just missing. One of them went camping.
However, at the campground, there was a serious situation. One of the boys was thought to be lost. But he knew exactly where he was. To be lost, you have to not know where you are, right?
Have any of you ever been lost before? Timothy, where were you lost?
I was at one of my friend's houses, and they have like three acres of land. We were in the forest, and I didn't know which direction to go.
Were you scared?
Not really.
How about you, Violet? Have you ever been lost?
Maybe in a store? You don't want to climb into the clothing racks because your parents will think you're lost.
Pastor Mark has been lost before in the woods, and it got serious. We were out there for three hours until we finally saw some people who helped us.
When we are lost, we need to get found. You're going to hear Jesus talk about three different stories: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.
What's important is that God always knows where we are. He is always there with us. We're never in a place where he doesn't know where we are and isn't there to help us.
Let's pray together.
Dear Lord, thank you that you are always looking for the lost. You are always seeking and loving us. You want us to be among the found in your holy Christian church through Jesus our Savior. In his name we pray. Amen.
Scripture Reading
A reading from the book of 1 Timothy, the first chapter.
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, an insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief. The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: Christ came into the world to save people, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 15th chapter. Glory to you, Lord.
Now the tax collectors and people were all drawing near to hear Jesus, and the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives people and eats with them." So he told them this parable:
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost."
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one person who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost."
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one person who repents.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Christ.
Creed
Now, if you'll please join me as we declare our faith by reciting the Nicene Creed.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things, visible and invisible, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten before all, light of light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our spiritual renewal came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; suffered and was buried. The day he rose again according to the scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers
Now, if you'll please assume your favorite position for prayers. If you have any prayer requests, please fill out a pew card and drop it in the offering box.
Our Father in heaven, we pray for our national revival and spiritual healing. Please heal our land by your peace and blessings poured out upon our nation according to your mercy.
Bless all who serve in our armed forces that they may serve with integrity and honor. Grant your protection for our deployed military and their family members.
We lift to you our sister church, Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Springfield, Ohio, and Reverend Bradley Vikin and the congregation, asking that you bless the school as they begin a new academic year.
Lord of all, we know you call us to care for the lonely, the sick, and the aging. We thank you for opening the doors for us to bring your gospel to all the residents and staff serving the Miami Valley Care facilities, including Oaks of West Kettering and St. Leonard's.
Heavenly Father, you've declared that it is your will that none would be lost, but that all would hear the gospel and come to repentance. Grant that by the power of the Holy Spirit, Hilda, Rob, Mary, and Hans may come to Christ in his church.
Lord, you are the great physician, and we lift up to you all those in our hearts that need healing and full recovery. Grant each of us peace in the midst of the unknown and the assurance of your protection.
We pray particularly today for Ernest Pennington recovering after open-heart surgery. We ask for spiritual renewal and for believing in Jesus as well for Lester, who fell and had some injuries. We pray for Jerry, who fell and has a spinal break in his ankle. And finally, for Linda Kitki and the family of Linda Kitki as they grieve her passing this past week.
Lord, we ask all these things in your name and in your Son Jesus Christ's name. We also lift up other petitions which have occurred and we haven't shared. But you know those internal petitions, those needs of all individuals here and those that don't know you. Please wrap your loving arms around them and give them hope.
These things we ask in your name. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn of the Day
Now, if you'll please stand and join us in the hymn of the day, "Amazing Grace."
Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
As we focused last week on English and grammar, today we're going to get into some numbers and statistics. How many people do you believe have lived throughout the history of the world?
Let's start with some benchmarks. The current world population is around 8 billion. How many do you think have lived throughout history?
Someone said 20 billion. How many think it's less than 20 billion?
Now remember, we're talking about all of world history.
The statisticians say that approximately 115 billion people have lived throughout the history of the world.
Now, how do they get these numbers? They use calculators and tables, considering variables like the flood and population growth.
At the time of Jesus, the population was about 300 million. From 1900 to now, it has grown from 1 billion to 8 billion.
Now, how many of those 115 billion people were lost?
I would say 100% of them were at one time lost because God is the one who seeks and finds the lost.
Jesus told three parables in Luke 15. The tax collectors and people were drawing near to hear Jesus, and the Pharisees grumbled, saying, "This man receives people and eats with them."
The parable of the lost sheep has 100 sheep, and one is lost. The parable of the lost coin has 10 coins, and one is lost. The parable of the lost son has two sons, and one is lost.
I once was lost, but now I'm found. How do people get lost? Sheep wander and stray. Coins can roll away. People sometimes make poor choices.
My heart goes out to individuals in my circle who seem to have lost their way. Some rejoice in the death of others, which grieves my heart.
We must not lose our sense of lostness. If people are not in a relationship with Jesus Christ, they are among the lost.
God seeks and saves the lost. We are called to be part of his lost and found department.
We pray for those who have wandered away, that they will come to their senses and return to God.
Conclusion
As we conclude our service, we remember that God has put the mask of spiritual renewal on us. We are among the found, and we must reach out to those who are lost.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Now, let us sing "Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying."
We are the watchmen, watching and loving the lost.
Please join us for fellowship time after the service. We have donuts and coffee available.
Go in peace and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.