What It Means To Be Lost

Pastor Bud Martenn

Bethel Memorial Baptist Church

LaFayette, GA

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE LOST

Lk.15:1-32

Personal need for Christ

To give clear distinctions between being lost and saved

Key Thought: Luke.19:10

BEGINNING

1. Jesus gives us three parables in this chapter to show us what it is like to be lost

a. The parable of the lost SHEEP (4-7)

b. The parable of the lost SILVER (8-10)

c. The parable of the lost SON (11-32)

2. The message of this Chapter centers around three keywords

a. Lost - (4)(6)(9)(24)(32) See also Lose (4)(8)

b. Found - (5)(6)(9)(9)(24)(32)

c. Rejoice - (5)(6)(9) also Joy (7)(10) and Merry (23)(24)(29)(32)

3. Summarized, we can say, “When that which was LOST is FOUND there is JOY.”

4. Verse ten says it best, "Likewise, I say unto you, there is JOY in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

5. Lost sinners came to Jesus because he cared for them (1)

6. Sinners were alienated from the Pharisees and Scribes (2)(Lk.18:9-14)

7. The three Parables in this chapter are given in response to the Pharisee’s murmuring (2)

BODY

I THE DEFINITION OF BEING LOST

Lost = "To be out of place" "Displaced"

Found = "To be put back in place"

Joy = The result that occurs when that which was out of place is put back into place

A. SHEEP = Out of the Place of Protection (3-7) {DANGER} (Ps.23:1)(Ps.100:1)(Isa.40:11)(Mt.9:36)(Jn.10:11-16)(Isa.53:6)

B. SILVER = Out of the Place of Purpose (8-10) {DARKNNESS}

1. Money is for spending

2. A Coin can only be spent Once

3. Money has value only when it is accessible

C. SON = Out of the Place of Privilege (11-32) {DEATH}

1. God is like a man who lost his son

2. We are like the son who ran away

3. Sin is like living in a pig pen

4. Salvation is like coming home

5. Heaven is like a Homecoming Celebration

II THE DANGERS OF BEING LOST

A. The Harm that can come to the Lost

1. (Sheep) Unprotected from their Predator / the Devil

(II Tim.2:25-26)

2. (Silver) Unavailable for its Purpose

3. (Son) Unsuspected of the Peril they face

B. The Helplessness of the Lost

1. (Sheep) Unaware of condition

2. (Silver) Unable to change it

3. (Son) Unworthy to be called a son

a. The Son knew his own unworthiness

b. The Son knew his Father was Compassionate

c. The Son brought nothing back / He had nothing to offer

d. The Son was described by the Father as being dead (24)

III THE DELIGHT OF THE LOST BEING FOUND

A. The Joy of the one that is found (24)(Acts 3:8)(8:39)

B. The Joy of the one that finds (5)

C. The Joy of Friends (6)(9)(29)

D. The Joy of Heaven (7)(10)

Ps.21:1, 132:16, Isa.12:2-3, Hab.3:18