Lost And Found

2023.06.04.Sermon.Lost and Found

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA. GOD loves you and JESUS came to save the lost. HE would have come if there were only just one, even just for you. JESUS Loves you and rejoices in every one who turns to HIS Salvation.

In the first line of Amazing Grace (Song)

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.

I remember visiting a church and they sang the line "that saved a wretch like "I used to be".

SCRIPTURES: Luke 15:3-7

1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 2 Peter 3:14-15; Matthew 18:12-14; 1 Peter 2:10, 1 Peter 2:25; Luke 5:32; Matthew 18:11; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 50:6; Luke 19:10; Deuteronomy 31:8; Luke 15:8-10; Colossians 3:23-24

Allie Giro of the BGEA recently wrote:

Scripture tells us that God’s desire is for all to know Him (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9). In the gospel of Luke Jesus teaches us through parables of the lost coin (Luke 15:8–10) and the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), the value of individuals and that God is a pursuer of people. We are blessed that when our Good Shepherd wants to pursue another lost lamb, the 99 who are in the fold can join together to joyfully serve in the rescue effort!

Hearts are being transformed, prodigals brought home, hope is being shared! God is moving greatly through your time, ministry, guidance and evangelism to callers. Colossians 3:23-24 says Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving..

I told her that she had fueled my message for today.

1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NKJV)

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

2 Peter 3:9, 14-15

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…

2 Peter 3:9, 14-15 (NLT)

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved…

Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 18:11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Luke 15:3-7 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Matthew 18:12-14

12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke 15:3-7

THE SHEEP—vs 4