God's Pursuit: Finding Hope in Our Lostness
Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the theme of feeling lost and the profound assurance that God seeks us out in our lostness. We began by reflecting on the everyday frustrations of losing something as simple as keys, which can lead to a cycle of emotions ranging from logic to despair. This cycle mirrors our spiritual journey when we feel lost or disconnected from God. We delved into the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, where Jesus shares parables about the lost sheep and the lost coin. These stories illustrate God's relentless pursuit of us, emphasizing that no matter how far we stray, God is always seeking to bring us back into His fold.
The Pharisees questioned Jesus' association with those deemed unworthy, yet Jesus demonstrated that God's love extends to everyone, especially those who are lost. This radical inclusivity challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes towards others and to embody the grace and love of Christ in our interactions. We are reminded that in our moments of feeling lost, whether spiritually or emotionally, God is present with us, offering guidance and comfort.
We also discussed the importance of recognizing our own lostness and brokenness, and the need to allow God's love to penetrate those areas of our lives. It is often difficult to accept love, whether from God or others, but doing so is crucial for our spiritual growth and healing. As we navigate our daily lives, we are called to be conduits of God's love, helping others to experience the same grace and acceptance that we have received.
Key Takeaways:
- The cycle of emotions we experience when we lose something mirrors our spiritual journey. In moments of feeling lost, we often go through logic, self-condemnation, vexation, desperation, and despair. Recognizing this cycle can help us turn to God sooner, trusting in His presence and guidance. [37:25]
- Jesus' parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin illustrate God's relentless pursuit of us. No matter how far we stray, God seeks to bring us back into His fold, rejoicing over our return. This challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes towards those we might deem unworthy. [33:12]
- God's love is radical and inclusive, extending to everyone, especially those who are lost. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this love in our interactions, sharing the grace and acceptance we have received with others. [30:08]
- In our moments of lostness and brokenness, we must develop the habit of admitting the truth of who we are and allowing God's love to penetrate those areas. Trusting in God's mercy and receiving His forgiveness is crucial for our spiritual growth and healing. [48:38]
- We are called to be conduits of God's love, helping others experience the same grace and acceptance we have received. By doing so, we fulfill our role as the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing His love with a world in need. [50:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:27] - Call to Worship
[23:42] - Series Introduction
[25:48] - Losing Keys and Feeling Lost
[27:24] - Personal Story of Being Lost
[28:31] - Expressing Lostness
[30:08] - Jesus and the Pharisees
[30:58] - The Lost and the Seeker
[31:59] - Reading from Luke 15
[33:12] - Parables of the Lost Sheep and Coin
[34:29] - Jesus' Radical Inclusivity
[35:10] - The Preciousness of the Lost
[36:11] - The Cycle of Emotions
[37:25] - Logic to Despair
[38:52] - Turning to Prayer
[39:43] - Theological Implications
[40:35] - God's Presence in Lostness
[41:41] - Jesus' Pursuit of Us
[42:44] - The Lengths Jesus Goes
[44:12] - God's Unwavering Sight
[45:17] - Joy in Heaven
[46:16] - Assurance of God's Presence
[47:16] - Scriptural Affirmations
[47:50] - The Great Commission
[48:38] - Admitting Our Lostness
[49:27] - Letting God Love Us
[50:28] - Being Conduits of God's Love
[01:03:46] - Closing and Doxology
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 15:1-10
Observation Questions:
1. In the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, what actions do the shepherd and the woman take when they realize something is lost? How do they respond upon finding what was lost? [33:12]
2. How do the Pharisees react to Jesus' association with tax collectors and sinners, and what does this reveal about their understanding of God's love? [30:08]
3. What emotions and actions are described in the sermon as part of the cycle we go through when we lose something? [37:25]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What do the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin teach about God's character and His pursuit of those who are lost? [34:29]
2. How does Jesus' interaction with the Pharisees challenge traditional views of worthiness and inclusion in the context of God's kingdom? [30:58]
3. In what ways does recognizing our own lostness and brokenness open us up to experiencing God's love and grace more fully? [48:38]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually or emotionally lost. How did you experience God's presence or absence during that time? [46:16]
2. How can you cultivate a habit of turning to God sooner in moments of feeling lost, rather than relying solely on your own logic or despair? [38:52]
3. Consider your attitudes towards those you might deem unworthy. How can you embody the radical inclusivity of God's love in your daily interactions? [30:08]
4. What practical steps can you take to be a conduit of God's love, helping others experience the grace and acceptance you have received? [50:28]
5. Identify an area of your life where you struggle to accept love, whether from God or others. What is one action you can take this week to open yourself up to receiving that love? [49:27]
6. How can you support someone in your life who is currently feeling lost, and what role can prayer play in that support? [50:28]
7. Reflect on the cycle of emotions described in the sermon. How can recognizing this cycle help you in your spiritual journey and in supporting others who feel lost? [37:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Cycle of Lostness
In our spiritual journey, we often experience a cycle of emotions similar to when we lose something important, like keys. This cycle includes logic, self-condemnation, vexation, desperation, and despair. Recognizing this pattern can help us turn to God sooner, trusting in His presence and guidance. When we feel lost, whether spiritually or emotionally, it is crucial to remember that God is always with us, offering His guidance and comfort. By acknowledging this cycle, we can develop a habit of seeking God's presence and relying on His wisdom to navigate our moments of lostness. [37:25]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: Think of a recent time when you felt lost or overwhelmed. How can you intentionally seek God's guidance and presence in similar situations today?
Day 2: Embracing God's Relentless Pursuit
Jesus' parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin illustrate God's relentless pursuit of us. No matter how far we stray, God seeks to bring us back into His fold, rejoicing over our return. This challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes towards those we might deem unworthy. God's love is not limited by our perceptions of worthiness; it extends to everyone, especially those who are lost. As we embrace this truth, we are called to extend the same grace and acceptance to others, recognizing the value and preciousness of every individual in God's eyes. [33:12]
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: Consider someone in your life who feels far from God. How can you be a reflection of God's relentless love and pursuit in their life today?
Day 3: Living Out Radical Inclusivity
God's love is radical and inclusive, extending to everyone, especially those who are lost. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this love in our interactions, sharing the grace and acceptance we have received with others. This radical inclusivity challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes towards others and to embody the grace and love of Christ in our interactions. By doing so, we fulfill our role as the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing His love with a world in need. [30:08]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Identify a group or individual you find difficult to accept. How can you intentionally show them the radical inclusivity and love of Christ today?
Day 4: Admitting Our Lostness and Brokenness
In our moments of lostness and brokenness, we must develop the habit of admitting the truth of who we are and allowing God's love to penetrate those areas. Trusting in God's mercy and receiving His forgiveness is crucial for our spiritual growth and healing. It is often difficult to accept love, whether from God or others, but doing so is essential for our spiritual journey. By admitting our vulnerabilities and opening ourselves to God's love, we allow His transformative power to work within us, leading us towards healing and wholeness. [48:38]
Psalm 51:17 (ESV): "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Reflection: What is one area of brokenness in your life that you need to bring before God? How can you open yourself to His healing love today?
Day 5: Being Conduits of God's Love
We are called to be conduits of God's love, helping others experience the same grace and acceptance we have received. By doing so, we fulfill our role as the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing His love with a world in need. This calling requires us to actively seek opportunities to demonstrate God's love in our daily interactions, offering kindness, compassion, and understanding to those around us. As we embrace this role, we become vessels of God's transformative love, impacting the lives of others and drawing them closer to Him. [50:28]
1 John 4:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's love through you today? What specific action can you take to be a conduit of His love in their life?
Quotes
God calls us, calls to the lost, the least and all who long for home. God calls when we wander from the path chosen for us and waste the gifts we have been given. God calls and welcomes us back to worship this day. Let us celebrate and rejoice in God's presence forever. Let us worship God together. [00:08:47] (21 seconds)
In tonight's passage, we're going to look at the Gospel of Luke. We're going to go to chapter 15 in just a moment. But the passage we're looking at is a collection of two parables. And Jesus is there talking, and of course, they're the Pharisees. The Pharisees are trying to ask Jesus questions, kind of maybe trip him up a little bit, and kind of get something on him, right? [00:29:22] (28 seconds)
We can't be near them. Instead of us, as we do as Christians today, and as I sort of say every week, we go out and share the love of grace of Jesus Christ or share the goodness of God to all those we encounter, these folks would have been saying, Jesus, what are you doing talking to these people? [00:30:26] (21 seconds)
And that alone tells us the nature of Jesus, the nature of God, because we do... believe, Jesus being God incarnate in human flesh, that God came to earth to encounter and be present with all individuals. Now, that's the outside of the parable, right? Now, when we get to the two parables, we're going to see two characters. [00:30:58] (31 seconds)
In the cycle of desperation we go through, when we lose something of value, be it money, keys, or even a sock, like that's frustrating, right? When you open the dryer or you can't find the matching sock. In that, that we often lose sight of the presence of Christ. [00:44:12] (24 seconds)
But I think in these passages we see, not only this tonight, but the ones we have read throughout the semester so far, we are being told God does not and has not lost sight of us. We're not just little doodads in a simulation walking around with no, no care or nothing caring for us. [00:44:37] (25 seconds)
In these small moments that reveal my lostness and brokenness, I need to develop the habit of admitting the truth of who I am. Not running to justify myself or minimize my sin. And yet, in my brokenness, and lostness, I also need to form the habit of letting God love me. [00:48:38] (28 seconds)
We never know the folks that we will encounter that might see the love of God in you. And so may we take that task. Importantly. And know that we are loved. And because of that love and grace of Jesus Christ, we can help others know that God loves them too. And may we do so. [00:50:28] (26 seconds)
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