God's Relentless Love: Seeking the Lost

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Relentless Pursuit of the Lost

No matter how far someone strays, God’s love is relentless in seeking out the lost and bringing them home. The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin reveal a God who does not abandon anyone to their wandering or hiding, but instead actively searches, finds, and rejoices over every person who is restored. This is not a passive waiting but a determined, loving pursuit, showing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and that heaven itself celebrates each return. [07:40]

Luke 15:1-10 (ESV)
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Reflection: Is there a part of your life where you feel lost or hidden away? How might you let God find you and carry you home today?

Day 2: The Wayward Path of Sin

Sin often begins with small, seemingly harmless choices that gradually lead us further from God, others, and our true selves. Like the sheep that wanders off one step at a time, we can find ourselves lost through a series of little decisions—skipping prayer, neglecting worship, or following the crowd—until we realize we are far from where we belong. Recognizing these patterns is the first step to returning to God’s loving embrace. [15:44]

James 1:14-15 (ESV)
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Reflection: What is one small habit or choice that has been leading you away from God lately, and what step can you take today to turn back toward Him?

Day 3: Sin as Separation from God, Others, and Self

Sin is not just breaking rules; it is anything that separates us from God, from one another, from creation, and from our truest selves. This separation can be caused by our actions, our attitudes, or even circumstances beyond our control, such as mental illness or trauma. Yet, God’s desire is always for restoration and wholeness, drawing us back into right relationship with Him and with each other. [18:30]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: Where do you sense separation in your life—whether from God, others, or your own true self—and how can you invite God’s healing presence into that space today?

Day 4: The Dangers of Judgment and Self-Righteousness

Focusing on the faults of others or believing ourselves to be better than those we label as “sinners” leads to division and isolation, just as it did for the Pharisees. True community is found not in competition or comparison, but in humility and the recognition that all are in need of God’s mercy. God’s heart is for the whole flock to be together, not separated by judgment or pride. [22:10]

Matthew 7:1-2 (ESV)
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Reflection: Is there someone you have been judging or holding at a distance? What would it look like to approach them with humility and compassion instead?

Day 5: God’s Desire for Restoration and Rejoicing

God’s ultimate goal is not punishment but restoration—bringing every lost one back into the fold and celebrating their return. The joy in heaven over one sinner who repents is a reminder that God’s love is not limited or conditional, but overflowing and inclusive. Each act of repentance and return is met with divine rejoicing, inviting us to share in that joy and to welcome others home as well. [10:55]

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 join in God’s joy today by celebrating someone’s return, restoration, or growth—either in your own life or in the life of someone around you?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the boundless, searching love of God—a love that refuses to let any one of us remain lost or separated. We began by acknowledging the brokenness of our world, the ways in which our patterns of greed, consumption, and self-will have led to suffering, alienation, and the distortion of God’s good creation. Yet, even as we confess our failures, we are reminded that God does not abandon us to our own devices. Instead, God seeks us out, longing to restore us to life and community.

The Gospel reading from Luke brings this truth into sharp focus through the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. Both stories reveal a God who is not content with the absence of even a single beloved one. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one that has wandered off, and the woman turns her house upside down to recover a single lost coin. These images challenge our assumptions about worthiness and belonging. They remind us that God’s joy is not in the maintenance of the status quo, but in the restoration of what was lost.

Sin, as explored today, is not merely the breaking of rules or commandments. It is anything that separates us from God, from one another, from creation, and even from our truest selves. Sometimes, this separation happens gradually—a series of small choices, distractions, or justifications that lead us away from God’s presence. Other times, it is the result of wounds, betrayals, or traumas that send us into hiding, convinced that we are beyond reach. Yet, the heart of God is relentless in pursuit. God does not rest until the lost are found, until the scattered are gathered, until the broken are restored.

This divine pursuit is not about competition or comparison. There is no hierarchy of righteousness in God’s flock; all are equally in need of grace, and all are equally sought after. The invitation is to recognize our own lostness, to allow ourselves to be found, and to rejoice in the radical, inclusive love that brings us home.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s love is relentless and personal, seeking out each one of us when we are lost—whether through our own choices or through circumstances beyond our control. There is no distance too great, no darkness too deep, that can keep God from pursuing us and carrying us home. [21:44]
2. Sin is not just about breaking rules; it is anything that distorts our relationship with God, others, creation, or our own true selves. This understanding calls us to a deeper self-examination and humility, recognizing how easily we can drift away from the life God intends. [16:55]
3. The wayward path of sin often begins with small, seemingly insignificant steps—neglecting prayer, community, or self-care—until we find ourselves far from where we started. Awareness of these patterns invites us to return, trusting that God is always ready to welcome us back. [19:44]
4. Times of hiding or isolation, whether caused by fear, trauma, or shame, are not places where God abandons us. Even in our darkest corners, God searches for us, bringing light and hope where we thought none could reach. [23:55]
5. There is no room for spiritual pride or comparison in God’s community. All are equally in need of grace, and the joy of heaven is found not in the perfection of the many, but in the restoration of the one who was lost. This calls us to rejoice in the recovery of others and to resist the temptation to judge or exclude. [27:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Opening Prayer and Confession
[02:10] - Prayer for Creation
[04:53] - Gospel Reading: Luke’s Parables
[08:00] - Gathering of Sinners and Pharisees
[10:30] - What is Sin?
[15:44] - Sin as Separation
[16:55] - The Wayward Path of Sin
[19:44] - Gradual Drift from God
[21:44] - God’s Relentless Pursuit
[23:55] - Hiding in Darkness
[25:30] - God’s Desire for Wholeness
[27:44] - No Competition in God’s Flock
[29:00] - Invitation to Peace

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 15:1-10 (ESV) — The Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin
> Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
> So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
> “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Observation Questions

In the parables Jesus tells, what actions do the shepherd and the woman take when something is lost? What do they do once it is found? ([04:53])
According to the sermon, what are some ways people can become “lost” or separated from God? ([19:44])
How do the Pharisees and scribes react to Jesus spending time with “sinners”? What does this reveal about their understanding of God’s love? ([15:44])
What does the sermon say about the difference between breaking rules and the deeper meaning of sin? ([15:44])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus emphasize the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, rather than the ninety-nine who “need no repentance”? What does this say about God’s priorities? ([04:53])
The sermon describes sin as “anything that separates us from God, from one another, from creation, and from our truest selves.” How does this broader definition affect the way we view our own lives and choices? ([15:44])
The sermon mentions that sometimes we drift away from God through small, gradual steps. What are some examples of these “small steps,” and why are they spiritually dangerous? ([19:44])
How does the image of God searching for us in our darkest corners challenge the idea that we can be too far gone or hidden for God to reach? ([23:55])

Application Questions

The sermon talks about God’s relentless and personal love, seeking us out no matter how far we’ve wandered. Is there an area of your life right now where you feel lost or distant from God? What would it look like to let God “find” you in that place? ([21:44])
Think about the “small steps” that can lead us away from God—like neglecting prayer, community, or self-care. Which of these do you struggle with most, and what is one practical step you can take this week to move back toward God? ([19:44])
The sermon says that times of hiding or isolation—caused by fear, trauma, or shame—are not places where God abandons us. Can you recall a time when you felt hidden or isolated? How did you experience (or not experience) God’s presence in that season? ([23:55])
The parables show that God’s joy is in the restoration of the lost, not in maintaining the status quo. How can you cultivate a heart that rejoices when others are restored, rather than feeling threatened or envious? ([27:44])
The sermon warns against spiritual pride and comparison. Are there ways you find yourself comparing your spiritual journey to others, or feeling superior/inferior? How can you practice humility and grace in your relationships this week? ([27:44])
The sermon describes sin as anything that distorts our relationship with God, others, creation, or our true selves. Is there a relationship or area of your life that feels “distorted” right now? What is one step you could take to seek restoration? ([15:44])
God’s pursuit is not about competition or comparison, but about bringing everyone home. How can you be part of God’s work of seeking and welcoming those who feel lost or excluded in your community? ([27:44])

Sermon Clips

What is sin? Is it breaking the Ten Commandments? That seems to be what the Pharisees thought when they were watching Jesus and all these tax collectors and sinners, low life people, gathering around and listening to Jesus. I thought, oh man, these people have the clue. They're breaking the Ten Commandments all over the place and all the rules of the Jewish people, the dietary laws, all of that. So is it not loving God or our neighbor as ourselves? Is that what sin is? Yeah, probably. And maybe even more than that. [00:15:42]

Our prayer book says that sin is putting our will ahead of God's will and thus distorting our relationship with God, one another, and all of creation. That's pretty comprehensive. Can't breathe and move without, you know, making a mistake somewhere, making somebody angry, distorting my relationship somewhere along the line. [00:16:24]

Other theologians just say it's anything that separates us from God, from one another, from all creation, and from our deepest and truest self. Sometimes there's things like mental illness or something that draws us away from who we were created to be in God. That all of that is encompassing what sin is all about. [00:16:56]

Well, Jesus was telling the parables to the people who were listening and gathering around, these tax collectors and sinners, and the Pharisees and the scribes, church leaders, were also there in the crowd. And he says, let me tell you how God sees sin. Let me tell you a couple stories about that. [00:17:24]

So he tells the story, first of all, of the lost sheep who wanders away from the rest of the flock one step at a time. Oh, that great little grass looks spainer. Let's go over there. Let's go to this one. That looks even better. That looks even better. And pretty soon we're lost and can't find its way back. That's the wayward path of sin, isn't it? We all know that. [00:17:45]

You know, we have an extra cookie and we have another one and then we have another one and then it's five pounds later and we can't get it off. Or everybody else is speeding, so let's see if I can just keep up with them, you know, five miles over, ten miles over, twenty miles over. Oops, got a ticket or an accident or worse, right? And we find ourselves on that wayward path. [00:18:15]

Or in our spiritual life, we skip a day of prayer, we skip our quiet time because we're busy doing other things and there's all these other things that are distracting us and calling us away. And then another day goes by and another and another, and then we find ourselves totally out of sorts and we wonder, where is God? And God's going, where are you? [00:18:43]

Or we skip worship one week, another week, another week goes by, and maybe even the whole summer goes by, and we go, oh my gosh, I'm sort of out of step. What happens? What happens here? That wayward path of sin is pretty easy to follow. [00:19:09]

Or like the Pharisees who are so focused and so focused on what they believe is right that their bias, their prejudice, their judgment keeps them separated from the rest of the people, separated from the rest of the flock. All kinds of things lead us down that wayward path of sin. [00:19:30]

And Jesus tells another story about the lost coin. Now in those days, the women would wear a necklace of all the coins that they had around the house. They didn't carry a purse necessarily with all that housework and water carrying and feeding the lambs, all that stuff they had to do. So they had it around their neck, and one of the coins broke off and rolled under the bed or in a dark corner of the house. [00:19:55]

Now we know that path too. When something happens in our lives that severs us, a break in relationship, a fight, a betrayal, a violence, something that sends us rolling into the darkest corner to hide. And we know this and we've experienced this time and time again. [00:20:24]

During COVID we were all hiding in our dark corners and under the bed for fear of this plague. And then, you know, and whenever there's the violence or something else happens, that's where we go, to that place where we can't be found, that we think, that we think is safe. [00:20:48]

That God doesn't leave us there in those spaces. God comes looking for us. That's what the stories are about. God goes, leaves the 99 and goes looking for that one sheep that has gone astray and then carries it home, gently lays it across his own shoulders and carries it back to where it belongs. [00:21:13]

And God is absolutely relentless about that. God wants the whole flock together. That's how God created us to be, not separated out, together as one flock. And God will not stop until we are, until we're back where we belong. [00:21:42]

There's no competition within the flock, with the Pharisees thinking they're better than other people, or us thinking we're better than other people, or whatever. Because we're not. We're all sinners. [00:22:10]

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