The Miracle of Found Things - Pastor Greg Jones

Devotional

Day 1: The Power and Salvation in the Name of Jesus

There is no other name given among men by which we must be saved, and the name of Jesus carries authority over darkness and brings deliverance to all who call upon it. When you speak the name of Jesus, you are invoking the very power that causes demons to tremble and darkness to flee, for it is the name above every name, given for your salvation and victory. No matter what you face, remember that calling on Jesus is not just a ritual—it is a declaration of faith that brings the presence and power of God into your situation. [00:43]

Acts 4:12 (ESV)
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally called on the name of Jesus in a moment of need or fear? How can you make calling on His name your first response today?

Day 2: Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost

Jesus’ mission is to seek out and save those who are lost, no matter how far they have wandered or how hidden they feel. He pursues the lost with relentless love, not waiting for them to find their way back but going out to meet them where they are, offering restoration and hope. If you feel lost or distant, know that Jesus is actively seeking you, ready to bring you home and give you new life. [02:02]

Luke 19:10 (ESV)
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel lost or distant from God? What would it look like to let Jesus find you there today?

Day 3: Lost Things Have Value to God

No matter how lost or broken you may feel, you are precious and valuable to God, who rejoices over every person who is found. The parables of the lost coin, lost sheep, and lost son show that God’s heart is to search for and celebrate the return of what others might overlook or discard. Your worth is not determined by your mistakes or your past, but by the love of the Father who seeks you and rejoices when you are restored. [19:50]

Luke 15:8-10 (ESV)
"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: Think of a time when you felt overlooked or unworthy—how does knowing your value to God change the way you see yourself today?

Day 4: God’s Mercy Finds and Restores Us

God’s mercy is greater than our failures, and even when we deserve judgment, He runs to meet us, covers us with His love, and restores us to Himself. Like the father who ran to embrace the prodigal son, God intervenes to save us from the consequences of our sin, offering forgiveness and a new beginning instead of condemnation. His mercy is available right now, no matter how far you have strayed or what you have lost—He is ready to restore you. [22:22]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—"

Reflection: Where do you need to receive God’s mercy today? Is there a specific area where you need to let Him restore you instead of hiding in shame?

Day 5: The Miracle of Being Found and Living with Thankfulness

There is a miracle in being found by God, and when He restores what was lost—joy, peace, purpose—it leads to a life of thankfulness and worship. True righteousness is not about doing the bare minimum, but about letting God’s Spirit transform you so that you desire to do what is right, living each day with gratitude for His goodness and mercy. As you let God find and use what is hidden in you, your life becomes a testimony of His grace and a reason to give thanks every day. [34:45]

Psalm 107:1 (ESV)
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"

Reflection: What is one thing God has restored or found in your life that you can thank Him for today? How can you express that thankfulness in a tangible way?

Sermon Summary

There is no name like the name of Jesus. In that name, there is power to save, to deliver, and to restore. When we call on Jesus, darkness flees and demons tremble. The heart of God is revealed in His mission: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” This is not just about lost objects or misplaced things, but about the miracle that happens when what was lost is found—especially when it comes to our souls, our peace, our joy, and our purpose.

We all know what it’s like to lose something—keys, phones, even our dignity at times. But the greater miracle is not in what is lost, but in what is found. God specializes in finding what we cannot recover on our own. Just as Saul was found among the “stuff” before he became king, many of us hide among the distractions and burdens of life. Yet God calls us out, not to remain hidden, but to step into the identity and purpose He has for us.

The parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son remind us that lost things have value. The coin was precious to the woman, the sheep to the shepherd, and the son to the father. In the same way, every person is valuable to God, no matter how far they have wandered or how hidden they feel. The joy in heaven is not over what is lost, but over what is found—over every soul that turns back to God.

The story of the prodigal son also shows us the depth of the Father’s mercy. The son deserved judgment, but the father ran to him, covered him, and restored him. This is a picture of what Jesus has done for us—He took our penalty, covered our shame, and brought us into His family. When we are found, there is rejoicing, restoration, and a new beginning.

Righteousness in God’s kingdom is not about doing the bare minimum, but about a transformed heart that desires to do right. God’s mercy is rich and available to all who will let themselves be found. Even if you feel you’ve lost your thankfulness, your peace, or your joy, God is able to restore what has been lost. There is a miracle in being found by God, and He is calling each of us out of hiding and into His marvelous light.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power and Value of Being Found: God’s heart is not just to point out what is lost, but to actively seek and restore it. When we are found by God, it is a miracle that brings transformation, healing, and purpose. Our value is not diminished by our lostness; in fact, our being found reveals just how precious we are to Him. [08:18]
2. God Calls Us Out of Hiding: Like Saul hiding among the stuff, we often hide behind distractions, shame, or fear. But God’s call is persistent—He wants us to step out from the things that keep us hidden and embrace the identity and calling He has for us. Hiding may feel safe, but true life is found when we allow God to bring us into the open and anoint us for His purpose. [12:56]
3. Lost Things Have Inherent Value: The parables of the lost coin, sheep, and son teach us that what is lost is not worthless. Even when we feel forgotten or insignificant, God sees our value and pursues us relentlessly. Our worth is not determined by our circumstances or failures, but by the love and attention of the One who seeks us. [19:50]
4. Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment: The story of the prodigal son illustrates that, though the penalty for sin is death, God’s mercy intervenes. The Father’s embrace covers our shame and restores us to relationship. Jesus took our place, bore our penalty, and now offers us forgiveness and new life—this is the miracle of grace. [22:03]
5. Righteousness Is More Than the Minimum: In God’s kingdom, righteousness is not about just getting by or doing the least required. It is about a heart transformed by the Spirit, desiring to do what is right out of love and gratitude. God’s mercy and presence empower us to live fully, not barely, in His kingdom—embracing peace, joy, and thankfulness every day. [31:19]
** [31:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - The Power of the Name of Jesus
[02:02] - Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost
[02:37] - The Miracle of Found Things
[04:38] - The Things We Lose Most
[06:32] - Losing and Regaining Dignity
[08:18] - The Joy of Being Found by God
[09:51] - Saul’s Lost Donkeys and Divine Encounters
[12:19] - Hiding Among the Stuff
[14:12] - Hiding from God: Hide and Seek
[16:51] - Parables of Lost Things
[18:44] - The Value of Lost Things
[21:02] - The Prodigal Son and the Father’s Mercy
[23:46] - Rejoicing Over Found Things
[24:15] - Lost Things Are Meant to Be Found
[28:52] - The True Nature of God’s Kingdom
[31:19] - Righteousness: More Than the Minimum
[32:34] - God’s Rich Mercy
[33:50] - Restoring Thankfulness and Joy
[35:32] - Responding to God’s Call to Be Found

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 19:10 (ESV) — > For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 15:1-32 (ESV) (Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Prodigal Son) — > (Read selected verses or summarize as needed for your group.)

1 Samuel 10:20-24 (ESV) (Saul hiding among the baggage) — > (Read selected verses or summarize as needed for your group.)

Observation Questions

According to Luke 19:10, what was the main reason Jesus said He came?
In the parables of Luke 15, what are the three things that were lost, and how did the people respond when each was found?
In the story of Saul (1 Samuel 10), where was Saul found when it was time for him to be anointed king, and what was he doing? [12:19]
The sermon mentioned that lost things have value. What examples did the pastor give to show this? [19:50]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus used stories about lost things (sheep, coin, son) to describe God’s heart for people? How does this help us understand God’s character? [16:51]
What does it mean that “our value is not diminished by our lostness”? How does this challenge the way we sometimes see ourselves or others? [19:50]
The pastor said that Saul was hiding among the “stuff” instead of stepping into his calling. What might “hiding among the stuff” look like in our lives today? [12:56]
The story of the prodigal son shows the father running to meet his son and covering his shame. What does this teach us about God’s mercy and forgiveness? [22:03]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about how we sometimes lose things like our peace, joy, or even our thankfulness. Is there something in your life right now that feels “lost”? What would it look like to let God find and restore it? [33:50]
Are there any “distractions, shame, or fear” that you tend to hide behind, like Saul hiding among the stuff? What is one step you could take this week to step out from hiding and respond to God’s call? [12:56]
The parables show that God values what is lost. Is there someone in your life who feels overlooked or forgotten? How can you show them their value this week? [19:50]
The father in the prodigal son story didn’t wait for his son to clean himself up—he ran to him. How can you reflect that kind of mercy and forgiveness in your relationships? Is there someone you need to forgive or welcome back? [22:03]
The pastor said, “Righteousness is more than just barely making it in.” In what areas of your life have you been doing the bare minimum spiritually? What would it look like to pursue God with a whole heart instead? [31:19]
The sermon mentioned that when lost things are found, there is rejoicing. How can you celebrate and give thanks for what God has restored in your life? Is there a specific way you can express gratitude this week? [23:46]
The pastor encouraged us to let God “pull us out of the stuff” and step into our identity and purpose. What is one area where you sense God calling you to step out in faith or serve others? [12:56]

Sermon Clips

The other thing that I found that really, really began to grab a hold of me is this right here. The lost things have value. Those coins were valuable to the lady that had lost them. Why she swept her house and looked for the coins. The lost sheep has value. To the farmer. To the shepherd. Well, I thought I'd get one. Amen. The prodigal son had value to his dad. Not to his brother. His brother had a bad attitude. But to the dad, he had value. Lost things have value. [00:18:44] (56 seconds) #lostThingsHaveValue

``I'm telling us when we're lost, we have value to God. Man, I feel the Holy Ghost in this. I'm talking to somebody right now. We have value whether we believe it or not. We have value to God. I don't care how old you are. I don't care how young you are. Amen. We have value to God. It doesn't matter what people think. It doesn't matter what people say. It doesn't matter where you've been or where you're going. None of that matters. We have value to God. [00:19:40] (31 seconds) #valuedByGod

That's what happens when we sin. It destroys our life. It kills us. Amen. That's the penalty for sin is death. But oh, is anybody glad that God intervened and robed Himself in flesh. Came to this earth. Allowed the creation to narrow Him to a tree. Stuck a spear in His side and blood and water poured out. Shoved three and four inch thorns into His brain and blood poured out. Come on somebody. He saved us. He brought us out of darkness. And put us in His marvelous love. What He did for us. Even though the penalty was death. He saved us. [00:21:34] (51 seconds) #sinLeadsToDeathGraceSaves

The Bible declares that when we're found. As sinners. The Bible declares that heaven rejoices. The angels rejoice over one sinner that repents. Amen. We rejoice. Anybody glad and rejoiceful? Is that a word? It is now. We're rejoiceful. Because we've been found. Amen. [00:23:36] (33 seconds) #heavenRejoices

One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible come help me one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is the apostle Paul is writing he lets us know that God who is rich in mercy I love mercy if it wasn't for mercy there's no way I'd be here come on y'all his mercy allowed me to be a part of his kingdom his mercy showed me love that I'd never felt before that I'd never felt in my life yes my mom and dad loved me but man there was something about the mercy of God that even when I was a heathen and a backslid sinner that God began to love on me and show me and tell me hey I've got mercy beyond anything you've ever witnessed before it's here for you right. [00:32:16] (65 seconds) #mercyIsHereForYou

Here's a miracle found things there's a miracle in us being found by God there's a miracle in what God does in our lives the things that he finds in us we didn't even know was there but he'll bring them out he'll use them for his glory amen. [00:34:37] (29 seconds)

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