The God Who Celebrates: Understanding God’s Heart for the Lost
Introduction: When was the last time you were lost? The disorientation, frustration, and anxiety that come with being lost are universal experiences. These are not only feelings we have when we are physically lost but these are feelings we have when we are spiritually lost. However, God does not want us to stay lost! Look at who Jesus came to save and how this shows us the heart and desires of God.
I. The Scandalous Company Jesus Keeps (Luke 15:1-2): The Pharisees were upset with Jesus for associating with tax collectors and sinners. Eating with them meant befriending them, challenging the Pharisees' perception of holiness. This scandalous act sets the stage for a series of parables illustrating God's heart for the lost.
II. The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7): Jesus tells a story of a shepherd with 100 sheep. When one goes missing, the shepherd leaves the 99 to search for the lost one. This illustrates God as a relentless searcher for the lost. Just as the shepherd rejoices when he finds the lost sheep, God celebrates when a sinner repents.
III. The Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10): In the next scene, a woman with ten coins loses one. She diligently searches until she finds it, symbolizing God's persistent search for the lost. The joy expressed in finding the lost coin mirrors the joy in heaven when one sinner repents.
IV. God Who Searches and Rejoices:
God Searches: Just as the shepherd and the woman searched for the lost, God actively seeks us out in our spiritual wandering. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep, exemplifying a profound love for the lost.
God Rejoices: God's joy over one sinner's repentance is a recurring theme in Luke 15.
Here are some steps you can take to learn to celebrate the lost being found!
Rejoice in God's Search: God seeks and saves the lost. Without faith in Jesus, there is separation from God, leading to eternal consequences. Embrace the joy of being found by God.
Rejoice in Repentance: The Pharisees missed the joy found in the repentance of the lost. Let us not find our joy in moral efforts but in a God who redeems sinners.
Rejoice in Salvation: Reflect on the salvation you have found in Jesus. Remember the great salvation you have in Jesus. You once were lost but now are found!
Conclusion: In understanding God's heart for the lost, we discover a God who actively searches, rejoices over repentance, and celebrates the salvation of sinners. As a community of believers, let us rejoice in the God who saves and reflect His attitude and actions towards the lost in our midst.
