LOST, FOUND AND RESTORED
"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." Luke 15:3-7.
A shepherd was out with his sheep when one of them went missing. Out there alone, the lost sheep is not safe and headed for destruction. So he goes in search of it. Bringing back the lost sheep became his mission. The shepherd left ninety-nine sheep in the fold and goes in search of the lost one. He left his home to venture to dangerous places in search of it. He would not rest until he had found his lost sheep. Even the scorching desert sun will not hinder his search. He crosses the raging rivers, climbs slippery hills, and dark valleys. The shepherd could have given up on his search, after all; he still had ninety-nine others in a safe place. But he didn’t! The shepherd went all the way, sacrificing his time, energy, comfort, rest, and happiness, to look for a stray sheep. To him, every sheep is important! Until he finds it, he will not relent nor lose hope. Upon finding the lost sheep, the shepherd is not angry or upset. He carries it home and celebrated it with his friends. In the same way, we often go astray like sheep and wander away from our Shepherd. Yet He doesn't give up on us.
"for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.
The verse above sums up the entire life and ministry of our Lord. Jesus Christ came to seek and to save. The word 'save' means "to make whole and to completely restore." Christ humbled Himself, took the form of a servant, and became obedient to the point of death to save us. He is our Good Shepherd! He restored our lost relationship to the Father. Jesus made a way for us to have access to The Most Holy Place. "All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6. He knows each of us by name. Jesus came to reach out to the outcasts. The sheep may have wandered away from His presence, but it was still precious to Him. He longs for the lost sheep to come home. The Lord actively reaches out to spiritual drifters and backsliders. He promises restoration to those who return.
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26.
God desires that everyone is saved. He values every soul. Every soul is important. Even though there are billions of people in the world. Yet He cares about you. You're precious in His sight. God loves you so much that, He'll not let you wander, go astray, and be lost forever. He will never leave you. Nothing you can do will ever separate you from His love. Every sheep is important to the shepherd. Every person is important to God.
RESTORED:
"He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” John 21:16.
Peter and Judas both sinned. While Peter was remorseful, forgiven, and restored. We are told in Matthew 27:3, that Judas, though regretted his actions. But, was unable to return to Jesus to seek forgiveness. Judas felt bad about what he had done. So bad that he committed suicide. But he never turned back to the Lord. Judas did not humble himself before God. It takes humility to repent.
The Bible says we have all sinned. Romans 3:9-12. So the question is, will we be more like Judas or Peter? Will we react like Peter and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and restoration? Or will we react like Judas and give up? Jesus is calling you. Confess your sins. Let Him forgive you. And let Him use you to be an agent of His grace, forgiveness, and restoration in the lives of others. If you will genuinely turn back to Him, He'll restore.
To 'restore' literally means "to return; recover; put back in order; to adjust; bring to a former position or original condition, or to reinstate." God is willing to welcome us back even when we have disappointed Him. He is interested in seeing a lost child restored. The Lord is not interested in losing anyone. He forgives sins and restores sinners. Don’t think that you are too far gone to be reached. If God forgave and restored Peter, He’ll forgive and restore you too. He offers forgiveness, grace, and restoration today. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9.
1. Admit you need to be found and restored. Restoration starts with an acknowledgment of sins and a remorseful return to the Lord. Don’t be ashamed to confess your mistake and ask God for help. Be humble.
2. Repent. To repent is to turn away from sin, and turn towards God. He will receive you. Luke 22:32.
3. Receive God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself. Don’t wallow in guilt and self-condemnation.
4. Wonk on your relationship with the Lord daily. Identify the biggest distractions in your life and don’t allow them to get in the way of building up your growing relationship with God.
i. Get into God’s Word. Start with a commitment to read Scripture every day. John 8:31.
ii. Maintain a vibrant private prayer life. Luke 18:1; Matthew 7:7-8.
iii. Renew your mind daily. Romans 12:2.
iv. Work on your faith. Look to God. Hebrews 11:6.
v. Don’t neglect fellowship with fellow Christians. Sheep like to stay together. Hebrews 10:25.
vi. Appreciate and give thanks for God's amazing grace.
3. Work with God’s plan to restore the loss. "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." Galatians 6:1-2. What are you doing today to reach lost souls with the Gospel? Soul-winning is the heartbeat of God. We should not look with judgment on those who are wandering, but with love and compassion.
4. Forget the past and look to the future. Our past sins have been forgiven. It is a new beginning.
6. Stand firm. Matthew 10:22. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8. Be rooted and grounded in Christ.
“For this reason we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. Then we won't drift away.” Hebrews 2:1.
Where are you in your relationship with the Shepherd? Are you drifting from the presence of the Lord? Do you need to be rescued today? If so, then you can be saved if you will come to Jesus. Even if you have messed up your faith, God wants to restore you. Like the prodigal son, start your return journey now. Remaining lost has eternal consequences. Jesus is reaching out to you today. He's waiting with open arms for you to come back. Don’t delay. There's no better time than today. You can make a new commitment in your relationship with God today. Please say this: LORD, I come to You now. I know I am a sinner, forgive me. Lord Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. With my new heart, I believe that it is because of me that You came into this world; You died for my sins, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus name. Amen!
"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, I thank You for loving me.
2. O Lord, fill me with Your love and concern for all who are lost and wandering, in Jesus' name.
3. Father, help me to constantly cause more joy in Heaven through soul-winning, in Jesus' name.
4. O Lord, give me a burden to reach souls with the Gospel, in Jesus name.
5. Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayers.
