God’s Lost And Found Series

Parables: God’s Lost and Found

Luke 15

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The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employee’s home telephone number and was greeted with a child’s voice, "Hello?" It was a quiet little voice.

Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, "Is your Daddy home?" "Yes," said the small voice.

"May I talk with him?" the man asked. To the surprise of the boss, he replied, "No."

Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?"

"Yes," came the answer.

"May I talk with her?" Again, the little voice said, "No."

Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child. "Is there anyone there besides you?" the boss asked the child.

"Yes," said the child, "a policeman."

Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked,

"May I speak with the policeman?"

"No, he is busy," said the child.

"Busy doing what?" asked the boss.

"Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman," came the answer.

Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the ear piece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?"

"A hello-copper," answered the tiny voice.

"What is going on there?" asked the boss, now alarmed.

In an awed voice, the child answered, "They just landed the hello-copper!"

Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated, the boss asked, "Why are they there?"

Still whispering, the young voice replied (along with a muffled giggle), "They are looking for me!"

[read text]

We have 3 stories told, but they make up just one parable. [v. 3]

The Lost Sheep represents those who are out in the world, and not saved. They are not part of the ‘count.’ They are in danger, exposed, and helpless. But Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost! And He isn’t just about those that are in the house, but about finding others and bringing them into the fold.

The Lost Silver was not lost out in the elements, but lost in the house. This could represent a saved soul but a lost life. It is good for nothing, and unfit to be used. To be out of the hand of the One to Whom we belong is to be useless. When a piece of money is misplaced it is not only the actual piece of metal that is lost, but all the good that money might do is lost as well. This person may come to church, but they are almost invisible because they don’t do anything. They need to realize we are not saved to sit and soak, but to serve and be useful. Or, this could represent the lost church member, who has “profession without possession” of salvation. This one is lost, though in the house. Remember, going to church doesn’t make you saved anymore than going to Von Maur makes you rich!

The Lost Son represents the backslider. They are saved, but have gotten away from God. They haven’t lost their relationship w/ the Father, but they certainly aren’t in fellowship w/ Him.

3 Stories—and they look at 3 ways we can be lost. And guess what? We can see all 3 Persons of the Trinity in this parable:

The shepherd seeks the Lost Sheep to save it. Jesus, the Son of God is the Shepherd leaves all behind to go after the lost, and at great personal sacrifice He seeks to save that one.

The woman seeks the Lost Silver to Use it. The Holy Spirit of God is pictured here. Why are we sometimes lost to service? 2 reasons: Dust and Darkness…and so just as the woman lights a candle and uses her broom, so the Spirit of God shines the light of truth from without, and the dust of inward corruption is stirred up within, so the lost can be found!

The unsaved is lost because he is outside the fold. But a Christian can be outside of the control and touch of the Spirit and be lost in his own way as well. He is in God’s hand for salvation, but seems to be just out of reach for God to use him. And so he is lost when it comes to service, and opportunities. Lost ministry. Lost blessings. Lost tithes. Lost witnessing. Truly, a lost cause until he gets in touch with the true Spirit of God, and becomes the tool in the hand of the Master that he is intended to be. This is when the lost becomes found.