God's Relentless Love: Seeking the Lost
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound love and relentless pursuit of God for each one of us through the lens of a personal story and the parables of Jesus. I shared the harrowing experience of losing our dog, Lily, and the exhaustive efforts we undertook to find her. This story served as a metaphor for the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:1-7, where Jesus illustrates the shepherd's unwavering commitment to finding the one lost sheep, leaving the ninety-nine behind. This parable underscores the proactive love of Jesus, who seeks out the lost with relentless determination.
We delved into the nature of God's love, which is proactive and sacrificial. Jesus doesn't wait for us to find our way back; He actively seeks us out. This is encapsulated in our memory verse from Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." The parable of the lost coin further emphasizes this point, showing that God will not rest until He finds us. The story of the prodigal son reveals the Father's heart, full of compassion and mercy, ready to embrace us even when we have strayed far from Him.
We also discussed the difference between condemnation and conviction. Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it, offering us a path back to Him. The bad news is that we are all like sheep who have gone astray, but the good news is that Jesus laid down His life for us, demonstrating the greatest love possible.
Finally, we are called to emulate this divine pursuit in our own lives. Just as we prayed and searched tirelessly for Lily, we are to pray for and seek out the lost around us, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. God is calling each of us to be an answer to someone's prayer, to be His voice, and to share His love with those who are lost.
### Key Takeaways
1. Proactive Love of Jesus: Jesus' love is not passive; it is proactive. He seeks out the lost with relentless determination, just as a shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. This proactive love is a call to action for us to seek out those who are spiritually lost and bring them back to the fold. [36:51]
2. Difference Between Condemnation and Conviction: Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it. Condemnation drives us away from God, while conviction brings us closer to Him. Understanding this difference helps us to approach others with compassion and a heart for restoration rather than judgment. [38:54]
3. God's Relentless Pursuit: The parable of the lost coin illustrates that God will not rest until He finds us. His pursuit is relentless and filled with love. This should inspire us to never give up on those who are lost, knowing that God is equally committed to their salvation. [44:19]
4. The Father's Compassion: The story of the prodigal son reveals the Father's heart, full of compassion and mercy. When we return to Him, no matter how far we've strayed, He runs to embrace us. This image of God should encourage us to approach Him with confidence and to extend the same compassion to others. [45:32]
5. Our Call to Action: Just as we searched tirelessly for Lily, we are called to pray for and seek out the lost around us. God is calling us to be an answer to someone's prayer, to share the good news of Jesus, and to have a heart for the lost. This mission is not just for pastors or missionaries but for every believer. [47:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[17:31] - Introduction and Prayer
[18:05] - Story of Lily the Dog
[19:15] - The Search Begins
[19:52] - Lily's Injury and Disappearance
[20:30] - Community Effort to Find Lily
[21:11] - Challenges in the Search
[22:18] - Wild Animals and Dangers
[23:33] - First Sighting of Lily
[24:28] - Continued Search Efforts
[25:33] - Emotional Struggles
[26:41] - Rescue Mission Intensifies
[28:00] - Use of Technology in Search
[30:24] - Renewed Hope
[31:05] - Final Efforts and Finding Lily
[34:21] - Transition to Parable of the Lost Sheep
[35:19] - Reading Luke 15:1-7
[36:01] - Jesus' Proactive Love
[36:51] - Memory Verse: Luke 19:10
[38:54] - Condemnation vs. Conviction
[39:33] - The Good News of Jesus
[40:15] - God's Care and Protection
[41:44] - Jesus' Heart for the Lost
[42:23] - God's Commitment to Finding Us
[43:04] - Parable of the Lost Coin
[44:19] - God's Relentless Pursuit
[45:32] - Parable of the Prodigal Son
[46:51] - The Greatest Love
[47:40] - Our Call to Action
[49:09] - Prayer for the Lost
[50:01] - The Lord's Prayer
[58:37] - Confession and Forgiveness
[59:52] - The Lord's Supper
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:1-7: The Parable of the Lost Sheep
2. Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
3. John 3:17: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the shepherd take when he realized one sheep was lost? (Luke 15:4-5)
2. How does Jesus describe His mission in Luke 19:10?
3. According to John 3:17, what was the purpose of God sending His Son into the world?
4. In the sermon, what were some of the efforts made to find Lily the dog? [20:30]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the shepherd's willingness to leave the ninety-nine sheep to find the one lost sheep tell us about God's love for each individual? (Luke 15:4-5)
2. How does understanding the difference between condemnation and conviction help us in our relationships with others? [38:54]
3. What does the parable of the lost coin illustrate about God's pursuit of us? [44:19]
4. How does the story of the prodigal son reveal the nature of the Father's compassion and mercy? [45:32]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt lost or far from God. How did you experience His pursuit and love during that time? [36:51]
2. How can you actively seek out those who are spiritually lost in your community, similar to how the pastor and his family searched for Lily? [47:40]
3. In what ways can you show compassion and mercy to someone who has strayed from their faith, similar to the father in the story of the prodigal son? [45:32]
4. How can you differentiate between feelings of condemnation and conviction in your own life, and how can this understanding help you grow closer to God? [38:54]
5. Think of someone in your life who might be spiritually lost. What specific steps can you take this week to reach out to them and share the love of Jesus? [47:40]
6. How can you be an answer to someone's prayer by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ? What practical steps can you take to be more proactive in this mission? [47:40]
7. Reflect on the proactive love of Jesus. How can you emulate this love in your daily interactions with others, especially those who may not know Him? [36:51]
Devotional
Day 1: The Proactive Love of Jesus
Jesus' love is not passive; it is proactive and relentless. He actively seeks out those who are lost, just as a shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is missing. This proactive love is a call to action for us to seek out those who are spiritually lost and bring them back to the fold. Jesus' mission is encapsulated in Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." This love is not just a feeling but a determined pursuit, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to each of us. [36:51]
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: Think of someone in your life who seems spiritually lost. How can you actively seek them out and show them the love of Jesus this week?
Day 2: Difference Between Condemnation and Conviction
Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it. Understanding the difference between condemnation and conviction is crucial for our spiritual growth and our interactions with others. Condemnation drives us away from God, making us feel unworthy and hopeless. In contrast, conviction is the Holy Spirit's way of drawing us closer to God, showing us our need for repentance and transformation. This understanding helps us approach others with compassion and a heart for restoration rather than judgment. [38:54]
John 3:17-18 (ESV): "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt condemned. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for conviction and growth instead?
Day 3: God's Relentless Pursuit
The parable of the lost coin illustrates that God will not rest until He finds us. His pursuit is relentless and filled with love. This should inspire us to never give up on those who are lost, knowing that God is equally committed to their salvation. Just as the woman in the parable searches every corner of her house to find the lost coin, God searches every corner of our hearts and lives to bring us back to Him. [44:19]
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: Is there someone you have given up on spiritually? How can you renew your efforts to reach out to them, knowing that God is also pursuing them?
Day 4: The Father's Compassion
The story of the prodigal son reveals the Father's heart, full of compassion and mercy. When we return to Him, no matter how far we've strayed, He runs to embrace us. This image of God should encourage us to approach Him with confidence and to extend the same compassion to others. The Father's love is not conditional on our behavior but is always ready to welcome us back with open arms. [45:32]
Psalm 103:13-14 (ESV): "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust."
Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you or strayed from your relationship. How can you show them the same compassion and mercy that the Father shows us?
Day 5: Our Call to Action
Just as we searched tirelessly for Lily, we are called to pray for and seek out the lost around us. God is calling us to be an answer to someone's prayer, to share the good news of Jesus, and to have a heart for the lost. This mission is not just for pastors or missionaries but for every believer. We are all called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, actively participating in His mission to seek and save the lost. [47:40]
Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV): "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the good news of Jesus. What specific steps can you take this week to share His love and message with them?
Quotes
1. "And Jesus says that, No matter the cost, no matter what the cost is, I'll leave my ninety-nine to go find the one that is lost. And it says he will search for it until he finds it. Until he finds it. He's not giving up. Not going to give up. And in your notes, this tells us that, A, the love of Jesus is proactive. He doesn't say, Hey, look, sheep, you lost your way too bad, too sad. You shouldn't stray it off. See what you get for straying off like this? He didn't say that." [36:01] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus' heart and all his strength goes to finding the lost. And when he finds it, he doesn't let it walk home. The shepherd puts it on his shoulders and carries it home. He doesn't want to risk losing it again. And in his joy, he throws a party, invites all his friends, and says, Rejoice with me. I found my lost sheep. And the bad news is the Bible says we are all like sheep. We are all like sheep that have gone astray, and each has turned to his own way." [37:31] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And this is the point he's making to them. And your notes, number eight, A, when the Bible says that we are lost, it literally means we're perishing, being destroyed. That's what it means, perishing. We're being destroyed. Not just wandering around aimlessly, like, hey, this is kind of cool. No, we're perishing. But Jesus searches for us until he finds us. That's why we call Jesus our Savior. He came to save us from our sins." [38:14] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You know, there's a huge difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation is this. It drives you away from God. Conviction brings you to God. And Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but to save the world. And the bad news, good news, is this. First, the bad. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray to way. We have left God's paths to follow our own. That's the bad news. The good news is, even though we did that, yet the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all." [39:33] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have a loving God, the one who created us. God created you. You didn't create yourself. And two, the one who feeds us. What did Jesus say? Consider the birds of the air. Three, the one who protects and watches over us. That's what a good shepherd does. He's not a hired hand. The hired hand, when the wolf comes, will run away, but the good shepherd will not. He protects. He protects. He watches us. And four, the one who will never forsake us. Jesus said, I'm with you always, even to the ends of the age, and the end of the world." [40:15] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God is passionately committed to finding the lost people like you and me. You know, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, what did God do? He went to find them immediately. They're lost. And that's where it all started. And when the world was lost in hopelessness and sin, God sent his son, no matter what the cost. Yeah, I've only got one son, but that's okay. I'll do anything to save those people. And this is why Jesus tells these parables." [43:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus told these parables not only to bring light to the dire straits of man's lostness, but to show us God's heart. Show us God's heart for finding the lost, no matter what the cost. That's what he's saying here. And when he finds the one who was lost, Jesus says, I tell you, there's rejoicing in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents. Rejoicing. God is passionate, very passionate about finding those who are lost." [44:53] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus said that when the son got up and went to his father, while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion ran and embraced him and kissed him. The word compassion. The word compassion literally means the father's heart went out to him. The father's heart went out. I saw compassion. father's heart went out to him. And no one would have expected Jesus to describe a first century father in that way." [45:32] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "There are lost people in this world. Maybe you know them. Maybe you don't. I don't know. But people you see every day, someone somewhere is praying for someone to help in finding them by sharing the good news of Jesus with them. God is calling you not only to pray for the lost, but to search for the lost. And in your search, you're going to find the lost. And in your searching, God says, don't give up. Never give up." [47:40] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "God is calling you to be an answer to someone's prayer, to be his voice, to share his love of the gospel, to have a heart for the lost in your neck of the woods. For all the empty hearts and broken hearts and bitter hearts that are out there, Jesus can give them a new heart. His heart. Your Savior. Your Savior's heart. And I promise you, Jesus and all his angels are with you. They're waiting to celebrate like they celebrated the day they found you." [48:26] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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