Relentless Pursuit: Celebrating the Lost and God's Gifts
Summary
In this sermon, I was introduced to the new lead pastor of the Point Church, T.C. Mooney. He shared his excitement about joining the church and his eagerness to connect with the congregation. He also spoke about the church's mission to help people find and follow Jesus, and how he and his wife felt that God had led them to the Point Church. He also shared his personal experiences and how they relate to the teachings of the Bible, using them to illustrate the love and care that God has for each of us.
Pastor Mooney also spoke about the joy and celebration that occurs in heaven when a sinner turns to God. He emphasized the importance of introducing people to Jesus and helping them take their first steps with God. He also invited those who have not yet accepted Jesus into their lives to do so, and offered a prayer for them to follow. He ended his sermon by expressing his excitement for the future and his eagerness to serve the congregation.
Key Takeaways:
- God is always searching for those who are lost and rejoices when they are found. This is a reminder of His unconditional love for us. #!!21:18!!#
- The joy of introducing people to Jesus and helping them take their first steps with God is unmatched. This is a call to action for believers to actively participate in evangelism. #!!33:38!!#
- God is the ultimate gift giver, freely giving His purpose, peace, wisdom, patience, goodness, kindness, and gentleness. This is a reminder of His generosity and grace. #!!32:42!!#
- Accepting Jesus into one's life is a transformative experience that brings joy not only to the individual but also to heaven. This is an invitation for non-believers to embrace Christianity. #!!35:25!!#
Study Guide
Takeaways from the sermon:
1. Invitations are powerful tools that can change lives and eternities. Inviting someone to experience God's love or to join a Christ-centered community can have a profound impact on their life ([37:04]).
2. The Bible is filled with celebration. When people sincerely follow Jesus, their lives are filled with laughter and life change. This joy and delight should be reflected in our Christian communities ([31:08]).
3. God is the ultimate gift giver. He freely gives his purpose, peace, wisdom, patience, goodness, kindness, and gentleness. His love resulted in the greatest gift he could have given - His one and only son ([33:38]).
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 15:1-7
2. John 1:40-42
3. James 1:17
4. John 3:16
Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 15:1-7, how does Jesus describe the shepherd's reaction to finding his lost sheep?
2. What does John 1:40-42 tell us about the power of invitation?
3. How does James 1:17 describe God's gifts?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the parable in Luke 15:1-7 teach us about God's love for each individual?
2. How does the story of Simon Peter's introduction to Jesus in John 1:40-42 illustrate the power of invitation?
3. How can we understand God as the ultimate gift giver based on James 1:17 and John 3:16?
Application Questions:
1. When was the last time you invited someone to experience God's love or join a Christ-centered community? How did it impact their life?
2. How can we cultivate a spirit of celebration in our Christian community?
3. How have you experienced God as the ultimate gift giver in your life? How can you share this experience with others?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unending Search for the Lost
God's love for us is so profound that He is always in search of those who are lost. This is evident in the parable of the lost sheep where the shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one that is lost. God's relentless pursuit of us is a testament to His unfathomable love and grace. He is not willing to lose even one of His children and will go to great lengths to bring them back into His fold ([35:25]).
Luke 15:4 - "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt lost. How did you experience God's pursuit during this time?
Day 2: The Joy of Finding the Lost
The joy that comes from finding something or someone that was lost is immeasurable. This is the same joy that heaven experiences when a sinner turns to God. Our transformation and return to God is a cause for celebration, not just for us, but for all of heaven ([34:37]).
Luke 15:7 - "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
Reflection: How can you participate in the joy of heaven by helping others find their way back to God?
Day 3: God's Generosity in Giving
God is the ultimate gift giver. He freely gives His purpose, peace, wisdom, patience, goodness, kindness, and gentleness. His love resulted in the greatest gift He could have given - His one and only Son. This gift is a testament to His boundless generosity and love for us ([33:38]).
James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's generosity in your life? How can you extend this generosity to others?
Day 4: The Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with God. It is through prayer that we can express our deepest thoughts, fears, and desires to God. It is also through prayer that we can hear from God and receive His guidance and comfort ([35:25]).
Philippians 4:6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Reflection: How has prayer impacted your relationship with God? How can you incorporate more prayer into your daily life?
Day 5: The Importance of Community
Community is essential in our walk with God. It is through community that we can support, encourage, and uplift each other. It is also through community that we can serve and love others as Christ has loved us ([36:09]).
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How has being part of a community impacted your faith? How can you contribute to building a stronger community?
Quotes
1. "God is the ultimate gift giver. He freely gives his purpose and his peace, His wisdom, his patience as goodness is kindness, his gentleness, the unlimited, all powerful God that created the furthest reaches of the cosmos has created and stitched together every single atom in existence, then knows everything and can do everything also, he loves you." - 33:38
2. "If you've known God for a while and never been a part of helping introduce people to Jesus, then you're missing out on all the fun. There's nothing better than seeing someone take their first steps with God and join our team, help serve and welcome people into the family of God." - 34:37
3. "God loves the same way He has God so loved the world. But he also loves me. He loves you. He cares for and loves every single one of us. That is the heart of God." - 23:38
4. "We were each at one point in our lives that one lost sheep without God living in our brokenness and our son, God and his 99 were focused on finding me at that point in my life. And now it's my turn to join the search for the next one." - 24:38
5. "The point launched 18 years ago today, and God has done so much through this incredible church as it's helped so many people find and follow Jesus. I've told everyone who's asked that it feels like God took the list of what Cody and I wanted in a church and community. And then he made the point and Fort Wayne, it's been so easy, so exciting, so effortless, connecting with the staff team, the leadership board and the search team." - 19:30
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