Does God Love Lost People? Series

Does God Really Love These Things? Part 2

Does God Love Lost People?

Sr. Pastor Taylor Free Methodist Church

Let’s begin by answering the question, “Does God love lost people?”

For God so loved the world that he gave one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16 -18

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

For, the Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10

He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the good news to all. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16

A few weeks ago I said that people today are following something. What we follow is directly proportional to what we become in life and the eventual outcome of our life.

As Jesus called his disciples he said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17

Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them . Ecclesiastes 9:12

The truth of the matter is we get the impression sometimes that God is not interested in certain kinds of people. That is one of the reasons the Pharisees and teachers of the law had such a difficult time believing in Jesus. Turn with me to Luke chapter 15.

Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. (Jesus) But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2

Here is a radical thought, could the religious leaders of that day be thinking, “How could this be the Son of God if he associates with these people that God cares nothing about?” The answer is yes. They really thought these people were lost and God does not care for those who are lost. Then he tells them three stories (parables) about lost things to drive home three points.

The first story is a familiar one to most Bible students. It is about the shepherd who had 100 sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the 99 in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it does he not rejoice?

The next story is about a woman who has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And after she finds it does she not rejoice?

The final story is about a man who had two sons. The younger of his sons asked for his inheritance, his share of the estate. His Father divided up the assets between his two boys. Not long after that the younger son got together all he had and went to distant country and squandered all he had in wild living. There was a severe famine in that country and the younger son finally found himself feeding pigs. He longed to fill his own growling stomach with what they were feeding the pigs. When he came to his senses he realized that his father’s servants were treated better than this. So he returned to his father saying, “I’ll tell my father, I have sinned father against heaven and against you. I am not worthy to be your son. Please make me one of your hired hands.” But when the Father saw him coming up the road he ran toward his son and hugged him. The father rejoiced and welcomed his son back with a huge feast.

Three Principles These Parables Have in Common

1. In each parable something of great value and importance was missing. None of us have seen the eyes of a person God does not love. Everyone is important to God!

2. The value of each lost thing was worth an all out search.

A. The sheep – left the 99 for the one

B. The coin – Swept the entire house

C. The Son – How often do you think the Father had looked up that road wishing his son would come home?

3. Finding whatever was lost always results in great rejoicing.

What About The Lost Sheep?

1. Sheep usually nibble their way lost.