A Question Of Priorities Series

“My kids were lost and I didn’t even know it.” ...

ILL #1 “My kids were lost and I didn’t even know it.” ...

When I was in school in Dallas my 2 kids,6 & 9, spent the afternoon with a pastor friend of mine Garris Baggett and his wife. Janet and I were at work and didn’t even know the kids had wandered off until we got home late that night. Evidently the kids had gone for a walk to a small pond out in the country where they lived and had gotten lost. Garris and his wife were frantic. That night Garris came over and we thought it was to bring the kids. He came to the door with the most dreadful look on his face and said the kids were lost. What do you mean we said, not fully realizing what he was talking about. About that time the phone rang and his wife said the kids were found. A police car brought them home after answering a call from a small country store, and he picked them up on the side of the road. Wow, talk about an emotional roller coaster. What an awesome relief for Garris after looking and calling all afternoon. He was devastated. Have you ever lost someone? You did whatever it took didn’t you. Do we have the same passion for our friends and loved ones who could at any moment fall into eternity without Christ?

Luke 15 These parables are not about the lost but those who are looking or not looking for the lost. Are you looking for the lost? -- like Jesus?

Chpt 15 has 3 lost things...

The religious leaders were jealous - they wanted to be heard and seen by Jesus. -- Jesus spent time with the lost!

It is all a question of priorities.

Let’s see what kind of priorities Jesus has for us. This is how you can grow a church. The Sunday School is the church in action, - It is the church!

DEFINITION OF THE SS "Lifeway’s SS for a New Century"

Sunday School is the foundational strategy

in a local church for leading people

to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

and for building Great Commission Christians through Bible Study groups

`that engage people in evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry and worship.

I. Lost sheep.

1. Priority of the Lost. v4 how? Counts his flock (He knows)if he lose one of them, >> Enrollment, prospect, absentee list

2. Priority of leaving w/14:25 Concern over the lost

doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness,and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

3. Priority of leading Carries them home

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

(Prov 11:30 KJV) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

We must carry them home to God, in our car ect.

4. Priority of the party Celebrates the one

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

ILL>> I spoke to 2 people this week that had no contact from their church after salvation!

We must have care contacts! (ministry touches)

5. Priority of heaven Clarifies our Priority

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

What causes more joy for God, the 99 or the 1 ?

ILL #2

You can get lost real easy in west Texas. When I was a child growing up on a ranch in the Big Bend country of Texas I took my 2 brothers on a long walk and got lost. Danny Lee, we called him Danel-lee, was about 2 and in diapers. You remember those cloth diapers with the big safety pins? After about 2 miles we got turned around and every hill looked the same. I was 7 and my other brother Bobby about 6 at the time, was dragging his feet and Danel-lee was dragging his diaper. Finally we recognized a windmill and followed the road home. My mom had been looking for us all over and ran to greet us. She threw her arms around the baby and Bobby, and when she got to me I noticed the little stick in her hand. She was glad to see me but made it real clear with that little switch that I will never do that again. Later my dad reinforced her switch with a belt. Needless to say I don’t think I ever got lost again.

If we love and care for the lost will respond when they come home.