When The Lost Are Found

"So Jesus told them this parable: “Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it? Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’" Luke 15:3-5

“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it? Then 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.’" Luke 15:8-9

"Bring the fattened calf and kill it! Let us eat and celebrate, because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate." Luke 15:23-24

Jesus told these three powerful parables to illustrate His attitude toward the lost. He longs for them. He loves them. He looks for them hoping they will receive His love.

Peter said it this way, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Jesus portrays His love for lost people in two ways. First, we see His love demonstrated in the urgency with which He searches for the lost - the sheep, the coin and the son. When we lose something we love it shows!

Second, Jesus' love for the lost is shown in the way He celebrates when the lost is found! When the lost sheep was found and brought back to the fold there was a great celebration! When the lost coin was found and returned to its proper place there was a celebration! And after the lost son returned there was a banquet to celebrate his return!

The three parables also demonstrate what Jesus hopes for those who follow Him.

He wants you to seek lost people with an urgency. If lost people really matter to you it will show. You will intentionally and persistently look for opportunities to win their friendship so you can witness to them so you can win them to faith.

When you do win them there should be a great celebration to match the celebration happening in Heaven! A celebration like we had at FredWes last Sunday when we baptized eight new believers!

From the day FredWes was launched it has been about reaching the lost. Actually, before it was launched it was about reaching the lost. That is what fueled the vision and lead Pastor Gerald and Brenda to Fredericksburg. It has been the driving force in every location and relocation the church has had. It must be the driving force behind our relocation to New Post and the Capital Campaign to help us get there.

If if becomes about anything other than reaching lost people it isn't worth doing.

What is it worth to you to reach a lost family member or friend?

Think about it.