From Lost to Found: The Power of Grace
Summary
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves feeling lost, much like the abandoned mall I encountered in Cincinnati. This sense of lostness can manifest in various aspects of our lives, whether it's in our careers, relationships, or personal goals. We strive to fulfill our desires and ambitions, only to realize that the path we've chosen doesn't lead to the fulfillment we expected. This physical and emotional lostness is deeply connected to a spiritual lostness—being apart from Christ.
John Newton's story is a powerful illustration of this spiritual journey. Once a notorious slave trader and blasphemer, Newton experienced a profound transformation through the grace of God. His conversion began during a life-threatening storm at sea, where he cried out to the God he had long rejected. This moment marked the beginning of his journey from lost to found, ultimately leading him to write the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace."
The hymn's message resonates with the universal human experience of being lost in sin and finding redemption through Christ. As Paul writes in Colossians, we were once alienated from God due to our evil behavior, but through Christ's sacrifice, we are reconciled and made holy. This divine intervention is the "but" that changes everything, offering us hope and transformation.
The story of Zacchaeus further illustrates this transformative power of grace. Despite being a despised tax collector, Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, who saw beyond his sins and offered him a new life. This encounter led to Zacchaeus's radical transformation, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace.
Jesus's mission was not to condemn but to save and transform. He offers forgiveness and freedom, inviting us to join His search and rescue mission. Just as He did for John Newton, Paul, Zacchaeus, and countless others, Jesus extends His amazing grace to each of us, inviting us to lay down our burdens and embrace a new life in Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The Illusion of Fulfillment: We often pursue worldly desires, believing they will bring satisfaction, only to find ourselves lost and unfulfilled. True fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with Christ's purpose and grace. [03:06]
- The Power of Grace: John Newton's transformation from a slave trader to a hymn writer exemplifies the profound impact of God's grace. No matter how far we've strayed, God's grace can redeem and transform us. [07:28]
- Divine Intervention: The "but" in our spiritual journey signifies God's intervention, turning our lostness into foundness. Through Christ's sacrifice, we are reconciled and made holy, free from accusation. [15:51]
- Transformation Through Encounter: Zacchaeus's story shows that an encounter with Jesus leads to radical transformation. Jesus sees beyond our sins and offers us a new life, inviting us to be part of His mission. [22:39]
- Forgiveness and Freedom: Jesus's mission is to forgive and set us free, not to condemn. He invites us to join His search and rescue mission, sharing His amazing grace with others. [24:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:03] - The Abandoned Mall
- [01:56] - Lostness and Brokenness
- [03:06] - The Illusion of Fulfillment
- [04:35] - John Newton's Story
- [06:19] - A Storm and a Prayer
- [07:28] - Amazing Grace
- [08:13] - How Sweet the Sound Series
- [09:11] - The State of Humanity
- [10:44] - Inherited Sin
- [12:25] - The Apostle Paul's Lostness
- [13:27] - Saul's Transformation
- [15:05] - No Lost Causes
- [15:51] - Divine Intervention
- [17:34] - God's Love for Us
- [18:45] - Reconciliation Through Christ
- [20:40] - Forgiveness and Freedom
- [21:49] - Zacchaeus's Transformation
- [23:49] - The Woman Caught in Adultery
- [25:10] - Joining the Rescue Mission
- [26:09] - The Power of Amazing Grace
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 1:21-22
2. Luke 19:1-10 (The story of Zacchaeus)
3. John 8:1-11 (The story of the woman caught in adultery)
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Colossians 1:21-22 say about our state before and after reconciliation with God? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about being lost and found? [18:45]
2. In the story of Zacchaeus, what actions did Zacchaeus take after his encounter with Jesus? How does this illustrate transformation? [22:39]
3. How did Jesus respond to the woman caught in adultery, and what does this reveal about His mission? [23:49]
4. What was the significance of John Newton's conversion experience during the storm, and how did it lead to the creation of "Amazing Grace"? [07:28]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "alienated from God" in Colossians 1:21-22 reflect the sermon’s theme of spiritual lostness? [09:11]
2. What does Zacchaeus's transformation teach us about the power of grace and the potential for change in anyone's life? [21:49]
3. In what ways does Jesus's interaction with the woman caught in adultery challenge societal norms and expectations about sin and forgiveness? [24:44]
4. How does John Newton's story of redemption illustrate the sermon’s message about the "but" in our spiritual journey that signifies divine intervention? [15:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt lost in your life. How did you seek fulfillment, and what was the outcome? How can aligning your life with Christ's purpose bring true fulfillment? [03:06]
2. John Newton experienced a profound transformation through grace. Is there an area in your life where you feel far from God? How can you invite His grace into that area for transformation? [07:28]
3. Zacchaeus made a radical change after meeting Jesus. What steps can you take to demonstrate a similar transformation in your life? [22:39]
4. Jesus offers forgiveness and freedom, not condemnation. How can you extend this grace to someone in your life who may feel judged or condemned? [24:44]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of joining Jesus's search and rescue mission. How can you actively participate in sharing His amazing grace with others this week? [25:10]
6. Consider the story of the woman caught in adultery. How can you practice non-judgmental love and forgiveness in your relationships? [23:49]
7. Reflect on the "but" moments in your spiritual journey where God intervened. How can you use these experiences to encourage others who feel lost? [15:51]
Devotional
Day 1: The Illusion of Worldly Fulfillment
In our pursuit of worldly desires, we often find ourselves feeling lost and unfulfilled. This sense of lostness can manifest in various aspects of our lives, such as careers, relationships, or personal goals. We strive to fulfill our desires and ambitions, only to realize that the path we've chosen doesn't lead to the fulfillment we expected. This physical and emotional lostness is deeply connected to a spiritual lostness—being apart from Christ. True fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with Christ's purpose and grace, as He offers a path that leads to genuine satisfaction and peace. [03:06]
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (ESV): "And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."
Reflection: What is one worldly pursuit you are currently chasing that leaves you feeling empty? How can you begin to realign this pursuit with Christ's purpose for your life today?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Grace
John Newton's transformation from a notorious slave trader to a hymn writer exemplifies the profound impact of God's grace. No matter how far we've strayed, God's grace can redeem and transform us. Newton's conversion began during a life-threatening storm at sea, where he cried out to the God he had long rejected. This moment marked the beginning of his journey from lost to found, ultimately leading him to write the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace." This story reminds us that God's grace is available to all, offering redemption and transformation to those who seek it. [07:28]
Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in a transformative way. How can you extend that same grace to someone in your life who may need it today?
Day 3: Divine Intervention in Our Spiritual Journey
The "but" in our spiritual journey signifies God's intervention, turning our lostness into foundness. Through Christ's sacrifice, we are reconciled and made holy, free from accusation. This divine intervention offers us hope and transformation, as we are no longer alienated from God due to our evil behavior. Instead, we are invited into a relationship with Him, where we can experience His love and grace. This transformation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing journey of growth and renewal in Christ. [15:51]
Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to invite God's intervention today? How can you actively seek His guidance and transformation in this area?
Day 4: Transformation Through Encounter with Jesus
Zacchaeus's story shows that an encounter with Jesus leads to radical transformation. Despite being a despised tax collector, Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, who saw beyond his sins and offered him a new life. This encounter led to Zacchaeus's radical transformation, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Jesus sees beyond our sins and offers us a new life, inviting us to be part of His mission. This transformation is available to all who seek Him, as He offers forgiveness and freedom from our past. [22:39]
Luke 19:5-6 (ESV): "And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.' So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt seen and accepted by Jesus despite your shortcomings. How can you create space in your life for others to experience this same acceptance and transformation?
Day 5: Forgiveness and Freedom in Christ
Jesus's mission is to forgive and set us free, not to condemn. He invites us to join His search and rescue mission, sharing His amazing grace with others. Just as He did for John Newton, Paul, Zacchaeus, and countless others, Jesus extends His amazing grace to each of us, inviting us to lay down our burdens and embrace a new life in Him. This forgiveness and freedom are available to all who seek Him, as He offers a path to healing and restoration. [24:44]
Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the forgiveness and freedom found in Christ? How can you share this message of grace with them today?
Quotes
1) "Have you ever felt like your life was kind of heading in that kind of direction? Just no aim, no real purpose about your life? I mean, we use this word lost, like being lost in a fog. I mean, you're making progress. You're moving, but you're not getting anywhere. You know, sometimes we feel like that when we listen to the world. The world says, hey, just there's all these appetites. You can fulfill all your appetites. You can do whatever you want to do. And so we follow that way, and we satisfy all of our appetites, all of our longings, all of our wants. Get to the end of the road and realize that the road wasn't going where we thought. We end up in the destination we were hoping." [03:06] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "And some people, they achieve their goal in life, you know, that goal, that great goal that everybody pursues and everybody wants, retirement. And they get there and they go, is this what this is all about? Is this really everything that life has to offer? It's a common condition that we find ourselves in. And I think our physical lostness or our emotional lostness is connected to a deeper sense of lostness. And that is the lostness, the spiritual lostness of being apart from Christ, being away from Christ." [04:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "God doesn't look at anyone as a lost cause. You might even think of yourself as a lost cause. You know, you hear some people say, well, you know, you invite them to church, they go, if I ever go to church, the ceiling's going to fall in. No. Grace is there waiting for you. Grace is there waiting for you. So Paul, Ananias shows up, shares the gospel with Paul, and Paul's baptized. He's transformed. He believes. He put his hope in Jesus." [15:05] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "But God can transform you. God can rescue you. God can save you. That's our hope. And that's the hope that God has for us. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. See, sin, original sin, inherited sin, turns into actual sin. That's what we get from sin. And then we need salvation. But it says, but, there's the but. You've got some evil behavior over here. You've got a heart that's bent away from God. You have a heart that's bent on destruction. You have a heart that is inherently tied to self -centeredness, ego -centeredness, rebellion against God's goodness. But, but, now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death." [15:51] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Jesus is in the forgiveness business, but also he's in the freedom business, the transformation business, to free us not just from the penalty of sin, but from the power of sin. You know the story of Zacchaeus, right, where Jesus is walking through Jericho, and Zacchaeus is this little guy, he's a tax collector, and that would have made him wealthy, but it would have made him very unpopular with any of his Jewish neighbors, because tax collectors were considered vermin. Many times, most of the time, abused their power. They were hated. Matter of fact, when Jesus would hang out with tax collectors, he would get accused. The religious leader said, well, there's that Jesus guy, he's hanging out with tax collectors and sinners, and Jesus is going, uh, duh, no kidding. I'm coming, you know, I didn't come for those who think they're well. I came for the broken. I came to seek and find that which was lost." [21:49] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "That's not what he said. And Zacchaeus came out of that meal and said, hey, not only am I going to pay back people I've taken advantage of, but I'm going to give them four times what I took advantage of them. I'm going to pay them back that much more. Zacchaeus was a completely transformed person. He was a completely transformed person. That's what Jesus does. He's in the lost and found transformation business. He's in the lost and the found and given freedom business. Just like the woman caught in adultery. They drug her before Jesus. They're trying to catch him. They knew he was into this grace thing, this amazing grace, and they weren't particular fans of it. They said, Jesus, this woman was caught in the midst of adultery. The law says we're supposed to stone her. What do you say we do? He said, okay, that's fine. Whoever is without sin, you go ahead and cast the first stone. The rest of us will join in. And what did they do? He kneels down and starts writing in the mud or in the dirt. So what did they do? They dropped their stones and they turned away." [22:39] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Jesus stands up. There's the woman by herself. And he says to her, where are your accusers? And then he says, neither do I condemn you. Now, I want you to focus on that. Who was the one in that crowd, in that congregation, who was without sin? Jesus. And according to his own criterion, he would have been justified in casting that first stone. But again, he didn't come to accuse. He doesn't come to condemn. He comes to forgive and to set us free, lost and found. Neither do I condemn you, he said. Go and sin no more. Jesus, he's in the forgiveness and the freedom business. He's in the rescue party. He's on the search and rescue team. Matter of fact, he's the captain of the search and rescue team. And the church is intended, we're intended to join that team and be a part of that team that goes out and, yeah, meets with sinners, gets to know sinners, hangs out with sinners, hangs out with tax collectors, hangs out with what some might consider to be their enemies and share this grace, this amazing grace that only he can give." [24:44] (103 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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