Jesus Finds Lost Things! (The Lost Coin) Series

MAIN TEXT - Luke 15:8-10

Well, it is our Month of Missions here at Windham Assembly of God!

So, we are taking some much needed time throughout this month to allow the Lord to renew our heart for Missions by giving extra emphasis to it each week…

→By having a missionary come and share their heart, and by doing Missions!

-Then, we will wrap it up by renewing our MISSIONS FAITH PROMISE together on Sunday; November 3!

-So begin praying now about what the Lord would have you to give – above and beyond the tithe - on a regular basis towards MISSIONS!

Understand this! When we give, we are investing in the Kingdom of God and we are investing in people, and that is NEVER a waste of money!

ILLUSTRATION:

In fact, the story is told of a famous artist who was once asked to paint a picture of a “dying Church…” It was expected that he would paint a small, humble congregation in a dilapidated building. Instead, he painted a stately edifice with a rich pulpit and magnificent windows. However, near the door, someone placed an offering box marked “Missions,” and the slot, which was to receive the contributions, was blocked by cobwebs for lack of use.

Church, my testimony as a Pastor is to the fact that we have seen new life come to each and every Church that has revived her heart for Missions!

-When the Missions giving increased, the finances of the Church increased!

-When people captured the Father’s heart for Missions and gave to Missions, God blessed them!

-As God’s heart began to change the heart of the people to love and participate in Missions, the Church would grow!

How could that be?

Why would that happen?

→Because when you are busy about The Father’s business, He will take care of your business!!!

Once again, I want to repeat to you this statement from last week… It is this!

→God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit each have a HEART FOR MISSIONS!!

-Then us Believers…we are supposed to take on the heart and mind of Christ…

-So, my prayer is that within this month, we will be transformed internally, and adopt for ourselves, a Heart for Missions!

As I shared last week…

→This was God’s heart, and that is why He sent His only Son, Jesus!!

→To SEEK & to SAVE the LOST is one of the primary purposes of Jesus coming to earth in the first place!!

Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

So, we need to capture this thought once again Church!

→JESUS FINDS LOST THINGS!!

ILLUSTRATION:

It is estimated, that every day, 230,000 people die around the world.

Of those 230,000 people, the estimate is that 150,000 die without Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

70,000 of those haven’t even had the chance to hear the Gospel!

Each of them, Lost Sheep. Lost Coins and Prodigal Sons or Daughters.

THAT is why there must be MISSIONARIES and PREACHERS!

THAT is why we must be the AMBASSADORS of God!

THAT is why WE need to have the same heart and God does – to reach the Lost at all cost!

Never forget it Church…

“JESUS FINDS LOST THINGS!”

…The Lost Coin…

STAND & READ - Luke 15:8-10

Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!” In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

PRAYER!

INTRODUCTION:

We started reading this Parable of Jesus last week, here in Luke 15…

Although we read three seemingly different stories, some would say that these parables are not three, but one…

-Reason being, is because they each speak of the heart that God has towards the LOST!

-His heart for MISSIONS!

→Jesus finds lost things!!!

Last week, we focused on the illustration that Jesus initially gave the critical Scribes and Pharisees…

-You remember, they were angry that Jesus received sinners and even ate with them! -Luke 15:2

He started sharing about that ONE FOOLISH SHEEP that wandered off on its own to go where it wanted to go!

-And, it is so true that multitudes have wandered off, foolishly…

In fact, Isaiah 53:6 says that, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.”

-Yet, God loves every single wandering sheep… You and me! NOT because He has a heart for Missions – but because He has a heart for PEOPLE! It is because