Lost And Found

December 06, 1996

I. Introduction:

A. Experiences of those who have experienced being lost

1. An old man who got lost because of Alzheimer disease

2. A young man who got lost wandering in the forest because of mental impairment

3. A young girl lost in a crowded shopping mall

B. Being lost is a terrible and a frightening experience.

C. People experience being lost for various reasons:

1. Mental disability

2. Lack of information

3. Lack of tools that could be used to find direction

D. In Luke 15 we find three types of those who are lost

II. Body

A. The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1. This lost sheep is one of the one hundred sheep.

i. one lost person is as important to God as those other ninety

2. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine and finds the lost one

3. The lost sheep knows that he is lost but could not find the way back

4. There is rejoicing in heaven after the lost sheep is found

B. The Parable of the Lost Coin

1. The lost coin is one among the ten

2. The lost coin does not know that it is lost nor does it know to find the way

3. There is rejoicing when the coin is found

C. The Parable of the Lost Son

1. The lost son is one of the two

2. The lost son knows that he is lost and knows how to find the way back

3. There is rejoicing as a result of his coming back

D. Humanity is lost. Some are lost like a sheep, others like a coin, or like a lost prodigal son.

E. Humanity is found.

1. Jesus lost everything in order to find humanity.

a. He exchanged his heavenly home for a humble earthly home

b. He exchanged his crown of gold with a crown o thorns

c. He exchanged his royal robe with a robe of suffering and scorn

d. His footstool became his home

2. He lost everything so that humanity will find and gain everything

3. He lost his life so that humanity will find life

III. Conclusion and Appeal

A. Without Christ humanity is lost; but with Christ humanity is found

B. Hold on to Christ: the way, the truth, and the life

C. Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my Shield and Portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, Who called me here below,

Shall be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.