Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to delve into a passage from Luke 15, where Jesus shares the Parable of the Lost Coin. This passage highlights three important themes: The Joy of Finding the Lost, The Value of the Lost, and The Celebration of the Lost.

C.S. Lewis once said, "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." Every person, no matter how 'lost' they may seem, is of immense value in the eyes of God. Each one of us has a great purpose and worth in His kingdom.

Now, let's read the passage together, Luke 15:8-10:

"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Before we dive into our discussion, let's open with a word of prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this opportunity to gather together as a family in Christ. As we explore the themes of this passage, we pray that You would open our hearts and minds to understand the depth of Your love for each of us. May we be inspired to seek the lost and rejoice in their return to You. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Now, let's take a closer look at the joy, value, and celebration of finding the lost in this parable.

The Joy of Finding the Lost

In the parable, Jesus tells the story of a woman who has ten silver coins and loses one. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it. When she finally discovers the lost coin, she is filled with joy and calls her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her.

This joy is not only experienced by the woman in the parable but also by God and the angels in heaven when a sinner repents and is found. Jesus emphasizes this point by saying, "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." The joy of finding the lost is a divine joy, one that is shared by all of heaven when a single soul is brought back into the fold.

One aspect of this joy is the relief that comes from finding something that was once lost. When we lose something valuable, we often experience anxiety, frustration, and even despair. The process of searching can be exhausting and disheartening, especially when our efforts seem fruitless. However, when we finally find what we have been looking for, our negative emotions are replaced with a sense of relief and happiness. This is the joy of finding the lost, a joy that is magnified when applied to the spiritual realm.

This joy is also rooted in the recognition of the value of what has been found. In the parable, the woman does not merely find a random object; she finds a silver coin, something of worth and significance. Similarly, when a sinner repents and is found, it is not just any person who has been found, but a valuable and precious soul created in the image of God.

Moreover, the joy of finding the lost is a communal joy, one that is meant to be shared with others. In the parable, the woman calls her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her, inviting them to share in her happiness. This communal aspect of joy is an essential part of the Christian experience, as we are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). When a sinner repents and is found, the joy is not meant to be kept to oneself but shared with the entire community of believers.

Another aspect of the joy of finding the lost is the transformative power it has on both the one who is found and the one who finds. In the parable, the woman's diligent search for the lost coin leads her to light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully. This process of searching and finding can be transformative, as it often requires us to examine our own hearts and lives in the process. When we engage in the work of seeking the lost, we are often confronted with our own shortcomings and areas in need of growth.

Furthermore, the joy of finding the lost is a joy that is grounded in love. In the parable, the woman's search for the lost coin is motivated by her love for what she has lost. Similarly, God's pursuit of lost sinners is driven by His immense love for each one of us. As it says in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This joy is rooted in the love of God, a love that is willing to go to great lengths to seek and save those who are lost.

As we reflect on the joy of finding the lost, it is important to remember that this joy is not only experienced by God and the angels in heaven but also by each of us as members of the body of Christ. We are called to participate in the work of seeking the lost and to rejoice when they are found. This calling is not only a responsibility but also a privilege, as it allows us to share in the divine joy that comes from finding the lost.

The Value of the Lost

The fact that the woman goes to great lengths to find the lost coin demonstrates its immense value to her ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO