Rediscovering Joy: The Value of the Lost
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound joy and value found in the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin from Luke 15. These stories illustrate the immense worth that God places on each individual, emphasizing that every person is infinitely valuable in His eyes. We began by reflecting on the emotional journey of losing something precious, drawing parallels to the movie "The Sandlot," where a group of boys go to great lengths to retrieve a valuable baseball. This narrative sets the stage for understanding the lengths to which God goes to reclaim what is lost.
The parables highlight two key aspects: the value of the lost and the relentless pursuit of the seeker. The lost sheep and the lost coin symbolize humanity's inherent value, not because of our own merit, but because God attributes worth to us. The shepherd and the woman in the parables represent Jesus, who seeks out the lost with unwavering determination. This pursuit is not out of fear or obligation but flows from a deep-seated love and recognition of our value.
We also examined the contrasting responses to Jesus' message: the Pharisees, who grumbled and distanced themselves, and the tax collectors and sinners, who drew near. This invites us to reflect on our own posture towards God. Are we self-reliant, like the Pharisees, or do we recognize our need for a Savior, like the sinners who drew near to Jesus?
The message calls us to respond with joy, rooted in repentance, worship, and participation in God's community. Repentance involves acknowledging our lost state and turning towards Jesus, the only source of true joy. Worship is more than singing; it is a life lived in intimate relationship with God. Participation involves engaging in biblical community, giving generously, and serving others, reflecting the joy of being found and valued by God.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Value of the Lost: Every person is infinitely valuable to God, not because of their own merit, but because God attributes worth to them. This understanding challenges us to see ourselves and others through the lens of God's love and grace. [49:53]
2. The Seeker's Relentless Pursuit: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seeks out the lost with unwavering determination. His pursuit is driven by love and the recognition of our value, not by obligation or fear. This reflects the heart of God, who desires to reclaim and restore what is lost. [58:36]
3. Contrasting Responses to Jesus: The Pharisees' self-reliance contrasts with the sinners' recognition of their need for a Savior. This invites us to examine our own posture towards God, challenging us to draw near to Him in humility and dependence. [49:53]
4. Joy in Repentance and Worship: True joy is found in repentance, turning away from temporary satisfactions and towards Jesus, the source of lasting joy. Worship is a life lived in intimate relationship with God, beyond mere rituals or songs. [01:08:29]
5. Participation in Community: Engaging in biblical community, giving generously, and serving others are expressions of the joy of being found and valued by God. These actions reflect our response to God's love and our commitment to live out our faith in tangible ways. [01:13:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [40:49] - The Sandlot and the Value of the Lost
- [43:31] - Extreme Measures for What is Lost
- [44:37] - Joy in the Arrival of the King
- [47:18] - Jesus and the Outcasts
- [48:55] - Pharisees' Grumbling and Self-Reliance
- [49:53] - The Lost and Their Value
- [51:17] - Misunderstanding the Parables
- [52:32] - The Gospel vs. Balancing Scales
- [54:10] - The Need for a Savior
- [55:33] - The Seeker's Search
- [57:08] - Infinite Value Attributed by God
- [58:36] - The Shepherd's Love and Power
- [01:00:16] - The Comfort of the Shepherd
- [01:03:51] - The Woman and the Lost Coin
- [01:06:21] - The Seeker's Unending Search
- [01:07:32] - Joy in God's Delight
- [01:08:29] - Joy in Repentance and Worship
- [01:10:38] - Worship as Relationship
- [01:13:35] - Participation in Community
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 15:1-10
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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 these actions reflect their priorities? [58:36]
2. How do the Pharisees and scribes react to Jesus' association with tax collectors and sinners, and what does this reveal about their understanding of righteousness? [48:55]
3. What is the significance of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to find the one lost sheep, and how does this illustrate the value of the lost? [58:36]
4. How does the woman in the parable respond once she finds her lost coin, and what does this tell us about the joy of finding what was lost? [01:03:51]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the relentless pursuit of the shepherd and the woman in the parables suggest about God's nature and His view of humanity? [58:36]
2. How do the contrasting responses of the Pharisees and the sinners to Jesus' message challenge our own perceptions of self-reliance versus dependence on God? [49:53]
3. In what ways does the joy of God over one sinner who repents challenge our understanding of repentance and its significance in our spiritual journey? [01:08:29]
4. How does the concept of infinite value attributed by God to each individual affect our view of ourselves and others in our daily interactions? [57:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt lost or distant from God. How did you experience His pursuit and love during that time? How can this understanding shape your current relationship with Him? [58:36]
2. Consider the Pharisees' self-reliance and the sinners' recognition of their need for a Savior. In what areas of your life might you be relying on your own strength rather than seeking God's help? [49:53]
3. How can you cultivate a lifestyle of worship that goes beyond singing and involves a deeper, intimate relationship with God? What practical steps can you take this week to grow in this area? [01:10:38]
4. Think about your participation in biblical community. Are there ways you can engage more fully, such as giving generously or serving others? What specific actions can you take to reflect the joy of being found and valued by God? [01:13:35]
5. Identify a person in your life who may feel lost or undervalued. How can you demonstrate God's love and value to them this week through your words and actions? [57:08]
6. Reflect on the joy of repentance. Is there an area in your life where you need to turn away from temporary satisfactions and towards Jesus? What steps can you take to make this change? [01:08:29]
7. How can you ensure that your understanding of God's joy in you influences your daily decisions and interactions with others? What reminders can you set for yourself to keep this perspective at the forefront of your mind? [01:07:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Seeing Through God's Eyes
Every person holds infinite value in God's eyes, not because of their own merit, but because God attributes worth to them. This understanding challenges us to see ourselves and others through the lens of God's love and grace. The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin in Luke 15 illustrate this profound truth. Just as the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, and the woman searches diligently for the lost coin, God places immense value on each individual. This perspective invites us to reassess how we view ourselves and others, recognizing that our worth is not determined by our achievements or failures but by God's unwavering love. [49:53]
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone you struggle to see as valuable. How can you begin to view them through the lens of God's love today?
Day 2: The Pursuit of Love
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seeks out the lost with unwavering determination. His pursuit is driven by love and the recognition of our value, not by obligation or fear. This reflects the heart of God, who desires to reclaim and restore what is lost. The parables in Luke 15 reveal the relentless pursuit of the seeker, symbolizing Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost. This pursuit is not a mere duty but a passionate endeavor fueled by love. Understanding this can transform how we perceive God's actions in our lives, recognizing that His pursuit is a testament to our worth in His eyes. [58:36]
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt pursued by God's love. How can you respond to His pursuit in your life today?
Day 3: Posture of the Heart
The Pharisees' self-reliance contrasts with the sinners' recognition of their need for a Savior. This invites us to examine our own posture towards God, challenging us to draw near to Him in humility and dependence. In Luke 15, the contrasting responses to Jesus' message highlight the importance of recognizing our need for Him. The Pharisees grumbled and distanced themselves, while the tax collectors and sinners drew near. This distinction calls us to reflect on our own attitudes, encouraging us to approach God with humility, acknowledging our need for His grace and guidance. [49:53]
"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than God's? How can you shift your posture to one of humility and dependence on Him today?
Day 4: Joy in Turning Back
True joy is found in repentance, turning away from temporary satisfactions and towards Jesus, the source of lasting joy. Worship is a life lived in intimate relationship with God, beyond mere rituals or songs. The parables in Luke 15 emphasize the joy that comes with being found and restored. Repentance is not just about turning away from sin but turning towards the abundant life that Jesus offers. This joy is not fleeting but rooted in a deep, transformative relationship with God, inviting us to live a life of worship that extends beyond Sunday services into every aspect of our lives. [01:08:29]
"Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: What temporary satisfactions are you holding onto that hinder your relationship with Jesus? How can you turn towards Him today to experience true joy?
Day 5: Living in Community
Engaging in biblical community, giving generously, and serving others are expressions of the joy of being found and valued by God. These actions reflect our response to God's love and our commitment to live out our faith in tangible ways. The parables in Luke 15 not only highlight individual worth but also the joy of being part of a community that celebrates restoration. Participation in community is a vital aspect of our faith journey, allowing us to grow, serve, and reflect God's love to others. This communal aspect of faith encourages us to live out our beliefs in practical, meaningful ways. [01:13:35]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in your faith community this week? What steps can you take to serve others and reflect God's love in tangible ways?
Quotes
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. [00:39:45] (19 seconds)
And then once we find what we're looking for, I mean, that's followed by celebration and joy and excitement. And so during Advent, we are walking this journey remembering the arrival of a king who came to rescue what was lost. And then we are anticipating the second coming of that king so he will make all things new, and his arrival should and does bring us joy. [00:43:52] (32 seconds)
But yet, the response of the tax collectors and the sinners was to draw near. To move closer. Closer to Jesus. And so before we even dive into these two stories, I want to ask you the question, which one are you going to be today? Who will you be today? Are you going to be like the religious leaders and the experts in the law where you think for some reason that you don't need Jesus? [00:49:53] (25 seconds)
We approach life in such a way where we think that we just have to outweigh the bad stuff that we do by the good stuff that we do in order to earn God's favor, and that's not the gospel. There's no amount of good work that you or I can do that will balance the scales of our sin. [00:52:32] (22 seconds)
We can't do it on our own. We can't balance our own scales, but here's the beauty of this. Even though all humans are lost, this is a major part of Jesus's parable is that the lost are infinitely valuable. All those that are lost are infinitely valuable. [00:56:22] (24 seconds)
A shepherd cares for his sheep. A shepherd tends his sheep. A shepherd loves his sheep. And he will do whatever is necessary to save his sheep. In this analogy, Jesus is talking about himself, and he's trying to get all of the people around him, the sinners that are drawing near, and the Pharisees that are grumbling, to understand that the shepherd loves his sheep. [00:58:36] (30 seconds)
And so when the lost sheep, who is experiencing this horrific moment of being lost in the midst of the wilderness, sees the shepherd and enters the presence of the shepherd, what do they do? They draw near to the shepherd. And what does the shepherd do? The shepherd picks up that sheep and places them on his shoulders, where the sheep are. The sheep's head would hang close down by the shepherd's heart. [01:00:16] (26 seconds)
The search flowed from value. Because you are infinitely valuable to God. So who is this seeker? Well, he is the one that will never stop searching. And this is the good news of the gospel. He is the one who in verse 4, it says he goes after the one that is lost until what? He finds it. [01:06:21] (28 seconds)
The wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the prince of peace, the everlasting father, who came for you. And the proof that you have value flows from the manger all the way to the cross and beyond. To when he rose again, defeating death, hell, and the grave so that you may have life and have it abundantly. [01:07:32] (25 seconds)
The joy in repentance. What does this look like? Well, there is an admission of our guilt. An admission that we can't balance the scales. An admission that we are lost. And an admission that we need a savior. It's joy in repentance. It's surrendering our ability to earn any kind of favor because we can't. [01:08:29] (23 seconds)
Worship is not just songs that we sing. That's part of it. Worship is our life. That we grow in relationship with God. If you don't have a personal, intimate, interactive relationship with Jesus. Then I want you to know that that's something that you really need to consider. Because this isn't a get out of hell free card. [01:10:38] (22 seconds)
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