God's Heart for the Lost: A Call to Pursue

 

Summary

In Luke 15, we encounter two parables that reveal the heart of God towards the lost: the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. These stories illustrate the relentless pursuit of God for those who are spiritually lost, emphasizing His joy when they are found. The parables begin with Jesus addressing the Pharisees and scribes who were grumbling about His association with sinners. They failed to see the value in reaching out to those who were far from God, unlike Jesus, who saw them as lost and in need of rescue.

The parable of the lost sheep shows a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost. This act of leaving the many for the one highlights the immense value God places on each individual soul. The shepherd's joy upon finding the sheep mirrors the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Similarly, the parable of the lost coin depicts a woman who diligently searches for a lost coin, symbolizing the thorough and persistent nature of God's search for the lost. Both parables culminate in a celebration, reflecting the heavenly rejoicing over repentance.

These stories challenge us to reflect on our attitudes towards those who are spiritually lost. Are we like the Pharisees, keeping sinners at arm's length, or are we imitating Jesus, welcoming and loving them? The call is to engage intentionally with those who are far from God, sharing the good news of the gospel with them. We are reminded that Jesus joyfully endured the cross for the joy set before Him—the salvation of the lost. As followers of Christ, we are invited to participate in this mission, seeking out the lost with the same diligence and love that Jesus demonstrated.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Relentless Pursuit: The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin illustrate God's relentless pursuit of the lost. He values each individual soul immensely and rejoices when they are found. This challenges us to reflect on how we value and pursue those who are spiritually lost in our own lives. [04:52]

2. Joy in Repentance: There is great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. This joy is a reflection of God's heart and should inspire us to celebrate and participate in the work of bringing others to repentance and faith in Christ. [26:47]

3. Imitating Jesus: Jesus welcomed and loved sinners, seeing them as lost and in need of rescue. We are called to imitate Him by engaging with those who are far from God, not keeping them at a distance but actively seeking to share the gospel with them. [12:19]

4. The Value of Each Soul: The parables emphasize the immense value of each soul to God. Just as the shepherd and the woman diligently searched for what was lost, we are called to diligently seek out those who are spiritually lost, recognizing their worth in God's eyes. [34:39]

5. Participating in God's Mission: As followers of Christ, we are invited to participate in God's mission of seeking and saving the lost. This requires intentionality, prayer, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones to share the good news of the gospel with others. [38:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Luke 15
- [00:27] - Reading the Parables
- [01:46] - God's Pursuit of the Lost
- [02:42] - Personal Story of Losing Something
- [04:17] - The Heart of Luke's Gospel
- [05:22] - The Danger of Being Spiritually Lost
- [06:19] - Jesus' Parables and Their Beginnings
- [07:18] - The Grumbling of the Pharisees
- [08:40] - Jesus Welcomes Sinners
- [10:28] - Jesus' Perspective on Sinners
- [12:01] - Imitating Jesus' Welcoming Nature
- [15:20] - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
- [18:52] - God's Promise to Shepherd His Flock
- [20:53] - Judgment on the Shepherds of Israel
- [23:33] - The Shepherd's Love for the One
- [26:28] - Joy in Heaven Over Repentance
- [30:01] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Our Salvation
- [32:28] - The Parable of the Lost Coin
- [35:31] - Christ's Mission to Seek the Lost
- [38:01] - The Call to Gospel Ministry
- [41:10] - Being Good News People in a Bad News World

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 15:1-10

Observation Questions:
1. What was the reaction of the Pharisees and scribes to Jesus associating with sinners, and how did Jesus respond to their grumbling? [00:27]
2. In the parable of the lost sheep, what actions does the shepherd take upon realizing one sheep is missing? [15:20]
3. How does the woman in the parable of the lost coin demonstrate her determination to find the lost coin? [32:28]
4. What is the common theme of celebration in both parables when the lost is found? [26:28]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How do the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin illustrate God's perspective on the value of each individual soul? [23:33]
2. What does the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents reveal about God's heart towards repentance? [26:47]
3. How does Jesus' interaction with sinners challenge the attitudes of the Pharisees and scribes, and what does this imply for us today? [12:19]
4. In what ways do these parables reflect the mission of Jesus as the Good Shepherd? [20:09]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there people you keep at a distance because they seem "too far gone"? How can you change your approach to be more like Jesus, who welcomed sinners? [13:47]
2. Consider the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. How can this perspective influence your attitude towards evangelism and sharing the gospel with others? [26:47]
3. Jesus intentionally spent time with those who were lost. What practical steps can you take to engage with people who are far from God in your community? [38:29]
4. Think about a time when you felt spiritually lost. How did you experience God's pursuit and love during that time? How can this experience motivate you to reach out to others who are lost? [05:22]
5. The parables emphasize the immense value of each soul. How can you remind yourself of this truth when interacting with people who may be difficult to love? [34:39]
6. Jesus joyfully endured the cross for the salvation of the lost. How can you cultivate a similar joy and commitment in your own efforts to share the gospel? [31:58]
7. Identify one person in your life who is spiritually lost. What specific action can you take this week to share the love of Christ with them? [39:13]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Relentless Pursuit of the Lost
God's pursuit of the lost is a central theme in the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. These stories illustrate the immense value God places on each individual soul, emphasizing His relentless search for those who are spiritually lost. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost, and the woman diligently searches for her lost coin. Both actions highlight the thorough and persistent nature of God's love and pursuit. This challenges us to reflect on how we value and pursue those who are spiritually lost in our own lives. Are we willing to leave our comfort zones to seek out those who need to hear the good news of the gospel? [04:52]

Ezekiel 34:11-12 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness."

Reflection: Who in your life is spiritually lost and in need of God's love? How can you intentionally pursue them with the same diligence and love that God shows?


Day 2: Joy in Repentance
The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin culminate in a celebration, reflecting the heavenly rejoicing over one sinner who repents. This joy is a reflection of God's heart and should inspire us to celebrate and participate in the work of bringing others to repentance and faith in Christ. The joy in heaven over one sinner who repents is a powerful reminder of the value God places on each individual soul. It challenges us to consider how we can be part of this heavenly celebration by sharing the gospel and leading others to repentance. [26:47]

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the joy of heaven by sharing the gospel with someone in your life today? What steps can you take to lead them towards repentance and faith in Christ?


Day 3: Imitating Jesus' Welcoming Nature
Jesus welcomed and loved sinners, seeing them as lost and in need of rescue. Unlike the Pharisees, who kept sinners at arm's length, Jesus engaged with them, offering love and acceptance. We are called to imitate Him by engaging with those who are far from God, not keeping them at a distance but actively seeking to share the gospel with them. This requires us to examine our attitudes towards those who are spiritually lost and to be intentional in our efforts to reach out to them with the love of Christ. [12:19]

Matthew 9:10-13 (ESV): "And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, 'Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?' But when he heard it, he said, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'"

Reflection: Reflect on your interactions with those who are far from God. How can you imitate Jesus' welcoming nature in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to engage with them and share the gospel?


Day 4: The Value of Each Soul
The parables emphasize the immense value of each soul to God. Just as the shepherd and the woman diligently searched for what was lost, we are called to diligently seek out those who are spiritually lost, recognizing their worth in God's eyes. This challenges us to see others through God's perspective, valuing each person as a precious soul in need of salvation. It calls us to be intentional in our efforts to reach out to those who are lost, sharing the good news of the gospel with them. [34:39]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: How do you view the people around you? Do you see them as valuable souls in need of God's love? What can you do today to demonstrate their worth in God's eyes?


Day 5: Participating in God's Mission
As followers of Christ, we are invited to participate in God's mission of seeking and saving the lost. This requires intentionality, prayer, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones to share the good news of the gospel with others. We are called to be active participants in God's mission, seeking out those who are spiritually lost and sharing the hope of salvation with them. This involves being intentional in our relationships, praying for opportunities to share the gospel, and being willing to take risks for the sake of the kingdom. [38:29]

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's mission of seeking and saving the lost? What specific steps can you take to share the gospel with someone in your life this week?

Quotes



The parable of the lost sheep shows a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost. This act of leaving the many for the one highlights the immense value God places on each individual soul. The shepherd's joy upon finding the sheep mirrors the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. [00:44:44]

The parable of the lost coin depicts a woman who diligently searches for a lost coin, symbolizing the thorough and persistent nature of God's search for the lost. Both parables culminate in a celebration, reflecting the heavenly rejoicing over repentance. [32:28]

Jesus welcomed and loved sinners, seeing them as lost and in need of rescue. We are called to imitate Him by engaging with those who are far from God, not keeping them at a distance but actively seeking to share the gospel with them. [12:01]

The parables emphasize the immense value of each soul to God. Just as the shepherd and the woman diligently searched for what was lost, we are called to diligently seek out those who are spiritually lost, recognizing their worth in God's eyes. [34:39]

As followers of Christ, we are invited to participate in God's mission of seeking and saving the lost. This requires intentionality, prayer, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones to share the good news of the gospel with others. [38:29]

There is great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. This joy is a reflection of God's heart and should inspire us to celebrate and participate in the work of bringing others to repentance and faith in Christ. [26:47]

The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin illustrate God's relentless pursuit of the lost. He values each individual soul immensely and rejoices when they are found. This challenges us to reflect on how we value and pursue those who are spiritually lost in our own lives. [04:52]

The Pharisees and the scribes were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man among you who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?" [00:36:39]

The shepherd's willingness to go after the one gives the 99 their real security. If the one is sacrificed in the name of the larger good, then each individual in the group is insecure. He knows that he too is of little value if lost. [23:33]

The story of this lost coin shows us our value and how precious we are to God. I want you to notice that there's a progression out of the three parables that the larger the out of the three larger parables, right? [35:31]

The good shepherd too, he's not like Josh looking for his wallet, right? He says this, he goes, he doesn't search for a little while, Jesus tells us until he finds it. Who knows how long it takes a shepherd to find this sheep? [24:52]

The Lord loves to save the lost, and so those seeds that are implanted in good soil, they're going to be reaped, that harvest is going to come. The thing that we can't do is we can't get down and discouraged because we're not seeing the fruit of it all. [37:01]

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