God's Heart for the One: A Call to Love
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound truth that God has a heart for the individual—the "one." This truth is not merely a theological concept but the very essence of God's nature, as revealed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The scriptures are clear: God's love is personal, intimate, and relentless. He does not rest until the lost are found, and He rejoices over each soul that turns to Him.
The parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15 serves as a vivid illustration of God's heart. A shepherd with a hundred sheep notices that one is missing. Unlike human tendency to focus on the majority, the shepherd's concern for the one lost sheep compels him to leave the ninety-nine and search until the lost is found. This shepherd represents Jesus, who is not content with the many but seeks out each lost individual with a love that knows no bounds.
As followers of Christ, we are called to mirror this heart of God. We are to love each person, recognizing that every individual is unique and irreplaceable in the eyes of the Creator. Our mission is to reach out, to serve, and to love tirelessly, just as Jesus did. This is the mission of the church—to be the hands and feet of Jesus, reaching out to the one until they are found.
In our own lives, we must remember that we are never too lost for God to find us. We are each "one of one," uniquely crafted and deeply loved by God. Even when we feel unnoticed or forgotten, God sees us and knows us intimately. The heavens erupt in celebration for every single person who turns to God, for every "one" who is found.
As we continue to build the church and serve the community, we do so with the understanding that every act of kindness, every prayer, every moment spent in service to another, is a reflection of God's heart for the one. We reach the world by serving one person at a time, demonstrating the love of God in tangible ways.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's love is not a general affection for humanity as a whole but a specific, individualized care for each person. He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one, showing us that every single life is of infinite value to Him. This is a call for us to see people through God's eyes and to prioritize the lost and the seeking in our ministries and personal lives. [16:14]
2. The joy in heaven over one sinner who repents surpasses all other celebrations. This heavenly perspective should shape our values on earth, causing us to rejoice greatly over each person who comes to faith. Our evangelistic efforts are not just about numbers but about the eternal destiny of each soul. [32:57]
3. We are never too insignificant for God to notice us. In moments of loneliness or despair, we must hold onto the truth that God sees us as "one of one." This knowledge should comfort us and also motivate us to extend that same recognition and care to others. [32:15]
4. The church's mission is to reflect God's heart by reaching out to the one. Every ministry, every service, and every act of kindness is an opportunity to demonstrate God's love to an individual. We must never lose sight of the importance of personal touch in our outreach. [34:11]
5. Our personal encounters with others, even brief ones, can have eternal significance. A simple act of kindness or a moment of prayer can be a divine appointment that changes a life. We must be open to the Holy Spirit's prompting to minister to the one in our daily lives. [36:44]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:1-7 (Parable of the Lost Sheep)
2. Romans 5:8 ("But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.")
3. John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.")
#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the lost sheep, what actions does the shepherd take when he realizes one sheep is missing? (Luke 15:4-5)
2. According to Romans 5:8, what does God demonstrate through Christ's death?
3. How does John 3:16 describe the extent of God's love for the world?
4. What was the reaction of the Pharisees and teachers of the law to Jesus' association with sinners? [13:59]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to use the imagery of a shepherd and sheep to describe God's love for the individual? [15:15]
2. How does the concept of God’s love being personal and relentless, as described in the sermon, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's nature? [16:14]
3. What does the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, as mentioned in Luke 15:7, tell us about the value of individual repentance? [16:56]
4. How can the church practically reflect God's heart for the one, as emphasized in the sermon? [34:11]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unnoticed or forgotten. How does the truth that God sees you as "one of one" change your perspective on that experience? [32:15]
2. Think of someone in your life who might feel lost or overlooked. What specific action can you take this week to reach out to them and show them they are valued?
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of personal touch in outreach. What are some practical ways you can incorporate this into your daily interactions? [34:11]
4. How can you cultivate a heart that rejoices over one sinner who repents, similar to the joy in heaven described in Luke 15:7? [16:56]
5. Identify a moment in your daily routine where you can be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's prompting to minister to someone. How will you prepare yourself to act on that prompting? [36:44]
6. The sermon mentioned that every act of kindness and every prayer is a reflection of God's heart for the one. What is one specific act of kindness you can commit to this week to demonstrate God's love? [34:11]
7. How can you ensure that your evangelistic efforts are focused on the eternal destiny of each soul rather than just numbers? What changes might you need to make in your approach? [32:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Infinite Value in the One
God's love is not a broad, undifferentiated feeling for humanity; it is a specific, targeted care for each individual. This divine perspective is exemplified in the parable of the lost sheep, where the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. This action is not born out of obligation but out of a deep, personal love for each sheep. In the same way, God's pursuit of the individual soul is relentless and intimate. He values each person so highly that He spares no expense to draw them back to Himself. This understanding calls for a shift in how one views others, recognizing the unique value of every person and the importance of reaching out to those who are lost or seeking.
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10 ESV)
Reflection: Who is the "one" in your life that may be feeling lost or overlooked that you can reach out to with God's love today?
Day 2: Rejoicing Over Repentance
The joy that erupts in heaven over a single repentant sinner is beyond our earthly comprehension. This joy is not a mere happiness but a profound celebration that surpasses all others. It is a joy that reflects the heart of God, who delights in the return of His children. As believers, this heavenly joy should shape the way we view evangelism and discipleship. It's not about adding numbers to a tally but about rejoicing in the transformation of each life. When a person turns to faith, it is a victory that echoes through eternity, and it is this perspective that should drive the church's mission and individual efforts in sharing the Gospel.
"Likewise, I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10 ESV)
Reflection: How can you celebrate and support someone in your community who has recently made a decision to follow Christ?
Day 3: Seen by God
In moments of loneliness or despair, it is crucial to remember that one is never too insignificant for God to notice. Each person is "one of one," uniquely crafted and deeply loved by the Creator. This knowledge should bring immense comfort and reassurance. It is also a call to action to extend the same recognition and care to others. Just as God sees and knows each individual intimately, believers are called to see others with the same depth of understanding and compassion, recognizing their value and worth in God's eyes.
"But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:30-31 ESV)
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt unseen or forgotten and how did you experience God's presence in that moment?
Day 4: Reflecting God's Heart
The church's mission is to be a living reflection of God's heart, reaching out to the one with love and compassion. Every act of service, every ministry, and every kind gesture is an opportunity to demonstrate God's love to an individual. The personal touch in outreach is crucial; it is not about grand gestures but about the simple, consistent acts of love that mirror the heart of Jesus. The church is called to be His hands and feet, serving one person at a time, and through these actions, the love of God is made tangible and real to those around us.
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 ESV)
Reflection: What is one act of kindness you can perform this week that may seem small but could have a significant impact on someone's life?
Day 5: Divine Appointments
Every encounter with another person can be a divine appointment, an opportunity to be a vessel of God's love and grace. A simple act of kindness, a moment of prayer, or an encouraging word can be the catalyst for a life-changing experience. Believers must remain open to the Holy Spirit's prompting to minister to the one in their daily lives. These moments are not accidental; they are orchestrated by God and have eternal significance. By being attentive and responsive to these opportunities, one can participate in the transformative work of God in the lives of others.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone you've encountered recently who might benefit from an act of kindness or a prayer, and how can you follow through with that today?
Quotes
"All are equally loved, but the lost are priority. I have three children, I went to Disney World and I lost one for five minutes. At that moment, I did not want to hear from my other two children about needing ice cream." [30:59]
"God Almighty counts by ones. It's the value of God's heart, it's the value of the church. Every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God." [22:11]
"You were never too lost that God cannot find you. You're one of one, there's nobody like you. You're not just a Facebook IP address, God sees you." [32:15]
"God reserves Heaven's loudest noise for when one repents and believes. Heaven rejoices when one person gives their life to Christ." [32:57]
"We reach the whole world by serving one. It's the heart of God, one by one. And if you're the one, you're glad he does that." [34:11]
"The shepherd goes and looks for the lost sheep and he looks until he finds it. There's not a time clock, he keeps searching, he keeps reaching, he keeps tracking." [27:24]
"I prayed for him, took five minutes and $5. When I got done, he said 'I felt like the Son came up early for me.' Five minutes and $5 can have an eternal significance." [36:44]
"Jesus tells a story, says there's a Shepherd who has a hundred sheep and he knows there's 100 because he counts them. He counts well because they're every one to him." [25:19]
"Jesus counts by one so the Bible tells us that the shepherd goes and looks for it and he looks until he looks for it. There's not a Time Clock, there's not a a a a it has to happen by Tuesday no he looks he keeps searching he keeps reaching he keeps tracking." [27:24]
"Wouldn't you leave the 99 and go for the one? Jesus is trying to restart their heart to remember that they were once the one." [19:01]
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