Radical Love: Celebrating the Lost and Found

 

Summary

Today’s gathering centered on the radical, even “ridiculous,” love of God—a love that pursues the lost, celebrates their return, and invites both outsiders and insiders into the joy of the kingdom. Through worship and reflection, we explored the parables in Luke 15: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Each story reveals a God who does not see “lost” as a mark of shame or worthlessness, but as a sign of priceless value and deep longing. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one; the woman turns her house upside down for a single coin; the father runs to embrace his wayward son. In each case, the response to what was lost being found is not scolding or shame, but a party—an eruption of joy that seems almost reckless in its extravagance.

We considered how “lostness” is experienced not just by those on the outside—those who feel far from God or community—but also by those on the inside. Even within the house, among the faithful, it’s possible to be lost in bitterness, pride, or a sense of entitlement. The older brother in the parable stands outside the celebration, arms crossed, missing the joy of his father because he cannot celebrate his brother’s return. This is a warning: it’s possible to be close to God in proximity, but far from His heart.

God’s love is not measured or cautious. It is a love that risks public shame, that spends more on the celebration than the value of what was lost, that searches both the wilderness and the pews for those who are missing. Whether you identify as an outsider or an insider, the invitation is the same: step into the Father’s joy, drop the bitterness, and join the search for those still missing. The kingdom of God is a place where the lost are not shamed, but cherished; where every return is met with music, dancing, and a feast. This is the good news: you are worth the pursuit, and heaven itself rejoices over you.

Key Takeaways

- Lostness is not a mark of shame, but a sign of value. In God’s eyes, to be lost is not to be worthless, but to be missed and longed for. The parables show that God’s heart aches for what is missing, and He will not rest until the lost are found. This reframes our understanding of failure and wandering—not as reasons for condemnation, but as invitations to be pursued by divine love. [34:34]

- God’s pursuit is extravagant and sometimes appears reckless. The shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep for one, the woman spends more on a party than the coin’s value, and the father risks public shame to welcome his son. God’s love does not calculate risk or cost; it is willing to appear foolish in the eyes of the world for the sake of restoration. This challenges us to consider whether our own love reflects this same abandon. [38:25]

- Insiders can be just as lost as outsiders. The parable of the lost coin and the older brother remind us that proximity to God or religious activity does not guarantee a heart aligned with God’s joy. It is possible to be in the house, yet far from the Father’s heart—lost in pride, bitterness, or self-righteousness. True belonging is found not in status, but in sharing the Father’s joy over the found. [44:28]

- The invitation is to join the celebration, not to stand apart. The older brother’s refusal to enter the party is a cautionary tale for all who struggle to rejoice in the restoration of others. God calls us to drop our arms, let go of comparison and resentment, and step into the music and dancing of His grace. Joy is found not in exclusivity, but in shared celebration. [46:45]

- The kingdom of God is defined by relentless, pursuing love. Whether you feel like an outsider or an insider, God is searching for you—not to scold, but to embrace, restore, and celebrate. The story ends not with shame, but with a party, and the invitation is open to all. Our calling is to reflect this love, joining in the search and the celebration for every lost one who is found. [47:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:07] - Worship: Yahweh, Holy Is Your Name
[06:37] - Worship: Who Else Can Lead Us
[12:01] - Worship: King of Kings and the Price Jesus Paid
[15:26] - Resurrection and the Birth of the Church
[20:55] - Announcements and Community Updates
[33:44] - The Sting of Losing and Being Lost
[34:34] - Lostness: Not Worthless, But Priceless
[35:26] - The Lost Sheep: Reckless Pursuit
[36:29] - The Lost Coin: Lost Inside the House
[39:59] - The Prodigal Son: Scandalous Grace
[44:28] - The Shadow in Each Story: Insiders and Outsiders
[45:19] - The Reckless Love of God for All
[46:45] - The Challenge to Celebrate Others
[47:58] - The Ridiculous, Relentless Love of God
[48:42] - The Invitation: Step Into the Father’s Joy
[49:24] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[54:53] - Worship: Your Love Is Extravagant
[59:09] - Worship: The Pursuing Love of God

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Ridiculous, Relentless Love of God
*(Based on Luke 15: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son)*

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### Bible Reading

Luke 15:1-32 (ESV)
*(The Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son)*

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### Observation Questions

1. In the parable of the lost sheep, what does the shepherd do when he realizes one sheep is missing? What does he do after finding it? [35:26]
2. In the story of the lost coin, what actions does the woman take to find her lost coin, and how does she respond when she finds it? [38:25]
3. How does the father respond when his lost son returns home? What is the reaction of the older brother? [43:23]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being “lost” in these stories? [34:34]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. What does it say about God’s character that He is willing to leave the ninety-nine to search for the one lost sheep? How does this challenge our ideas of what is “reasonable” or “practical” love? [35:26]
2. The woman spends more on the celebration than the value of the coin she found. What does this tell us about how God values people, even when the world might see them as insignificant? [38:25]
3. The older brother refuses to join the party for his returned brother. What does this reveal about the dangers of pride, bitterness, or entitlement, even among those who are “insiders” in the faith? [44:28]
4. The sermon says that “lostness” is not a mark of shame, but a sign of value. How does this reframe the way we think about our own failures or times we feel far from God? [34:34]

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### Application Questions

1. Have you ever felt like the “lost sheep” or “lost coin”—overlooked, far from God, or unworthy? How did you respond, and what would it look like to believe you are “worth the pursuit” today? [34:34]
2. The shepherd and the woman both go to great lengths to find what is lost. Is there someone in your life who feels “lost” right now? What is one practical step you could take this week to reach out to them? [35:26]
3. The father throws a party for his returning son, even at the risk of public shame. Are there people you struggle to welcome or celebrate because of their past? What would it look like to reflect the father’s heart toward them? [43:23]
4. The older brother stands outside the celebration, arms crossed. Have you ever found yourself unable to celebrate someone else’s restoration or success? What was going on in your heart at that time? [44:28]
5. The sermon challenges us to “drop the bitterness, step into the Father’s joy, and join the search for those still missing.” What is one area of bitterness, pride, or comparison you need to let go of to fully join in God’s joy? [48:42]
6. The kingdom of God is described as a place of music, dancing, and feasting when the lost are found. How can your small group or church become a place that truly celebrates restoration and welcomes both insiders and outsiders? [47:58]
7. Think about a time when you felt “inside” but still distant from God’s heart. What helped you move closer to His joy, and how can you encourage others who might feel the same way? [45:19]

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Closing Thought:
Whether you feel like an outsider or an insider, the invitation is the same: step into the Father’s joy, let go of what holds you back, and join the celebration of God’s relentless, ridiculous love. Heaven itself rejoices over you!

Devotional

Day 1: Lost Does Not Mean Worthless—It Means Priceless

When Jesus speaks of the lost, He is not labeling anyone as hopeless or beyond redemption; instead, He is declaring that those who are lost are so valuable that heaven itself will not rest until they are found. The parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son all reveal a God who searches, pursues, and celebrates the return of what was missing, showing that being lost is not a mark of shame but a sign of how deeply you are loved and sought after. No matter how far you feel from God or how others may label you, you are worth the search, the pursuit, and the party that follows your return. [34:34]

Luke 15:1-7 (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.”

Reflection: When have you felt “lost” or labeled as less-than—by yourself or others? How does it change your perspective to know that, to God, being lost means you are priceless and worth pursuing?


Day 2: God’s Love Is Reckless and Extravagant

God’s love is not measured or cautious; it is extravagant, even to the point of seeming reckless, as He spares no expense or effort to seek and restore those who are missing, whether they are far away or right inside His house. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine for the one, the woman turns her house upside down for a single coin, and the father runs to embrace his wayward son—each act is a picture of God’s over-the-top, joyful love that celebrates every return with a party that far exceeds what was lost. This is the kind of love God has for you: a love that throws a celebration, not because you earned it, but because you are home. [45:19]

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: Can you recall a time when you experienced or witnessed God’s extravagant love—perhaps in a way that seemed “over the top” or undeserved? How might you open your heart to receive and celebrate that love today?


Day 3: You Can Be Lost Even Inside the House

It is possible to be physically present in God’s house, to be counted among the insiders, and yet still be lost—lost in bitterness, pride, or the belief that you have earned your place. The parable of the lost coin reminds us that lostness is not just for those far away, but can be experienced by those who are close, who participate in the life of the church, but whose hearts are distant from the Father’s joy. God’s search is not only for the obvious outsider, but also for the insider whose heart has grown cold or who stands on the edge, missing the celebration. [38:25]

Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Reflection: Are there ways you have been “in the house” but distant from God’s joy or love? What would it look like for you to open the door of your heart to Him today?


Day 4: The Father’s Heart Welcomes and Restores

The story of the prodigal son reveals a Father whose heart is full of compassion, who runs to embrace the returning child, taking on shame and risk to restore and celebrate him. No matter how far you have wandered or how deep your regret, the Father’s arms are open wide, ready to welcome you home, to clothe you in honor, and to throw a party in your name. The invitation is not just to return, but to be fully restored as a beloved child, wrapped in the safety and joy of the Father’s love. [43:23]

Luke 15:20-24 (ESV)
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to return to the Father and let Him restore you? What step can you take today to move toward His embrace?


Day 5: Join the Celebration—Don’t Miss the Joy

The older brother in the parable stands outside the party, arms crossed, missing the joy of his father because he cannot celebrate the return of his brother. The invitation is for all—insiders and outsiders alike—to step into the Father’s joy, to drop bitterness or pride, and to join in the celebration of God’s ridiculous, reckless love for every person. Don’t let comparison, resentment, or self-righteousness keep you from the party; instead, share in the music, the dancing, and the joy that erupts in heaven when the lost are found. [46:45]

Romans 12:15 (ESV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Reflection: Is there someone whose “return” or blessing you have struggled to celebrate? How can you take a step today to rejoice with them and share in the Father’s joy?

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