Vision & Values: Devoted to the Mission, Part 1
Scripture References: Luke 15:1-32; Psalm 1:1; John 10:11; Isaiah 53:4-6
Intro: Great stories often come in threes – trilogies capture something epic. Today, we explore the greatest trilogy ever told: Jesus's parable in Luke 15. Often broken up, the stories of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost Son(s) form one powerful narrative answering the question posed by religious leaders: "Why do you associate with sinners?"
Key Points:
- Context: Questioning Jesus's Friends: The Pharisees, trained to avoid sinners (Psalm 1), couldn't understand why Jesus welcomed and ate with them. This parable is His explanation.
- Our Condition: Variously Lost: The trilogy reveals different ways people are lost without God:
- Lost Sheep: Wandered off passively, aware but unable to return alone. Needs a shepherd and a flock.
- Lost Coin: Unaware of being lost, inanimate, lifeless. Needs divine light and searching (Holy Spirit).
- Younger Son: Lost through deliberate rebellion, seeking fulfillment elsewhere. Needs to "come to his senses" and trust the Father's grace.
- Elder Son: Lost while in the house; dutiful but disconnected, resentful, angry, unable to celebrate grace. A dangerous, often unseen lostness common among religious people.
- God's Character: The Seeking Trinity: This story beautifully illustrates the Triune God's unified mission:
- Jesus (Good Shepherd): Leaves the 99, seeks the one, bears the burden, restores (cf. John 10, Isa 53). He finds us.
- Holy Spirit (Searching Woman): Lights a lamp (illuminates), sweeps diligently (searches hearts), persists until found.
- Father (Waiting Father): Runs compassionately, embraces, restores honor fully, celebrates lavishly, pleads with the resistant heart.
- God's Urgency: The escalating stakes (1/100 sheep, 1/10 coin, 1/2 sons) reveal God's passionate urgency. He isn't content with any loss, viewing each lost one as uniquely valuable. He pursues because "they're mine, and I want them back."
- God's Celebration: Finding the lost sparks extravagant joy. God Himself rejoices intensely ("in the presence of the angels") when one sinner repents and returns.
Conclusion: Jesus seeks out sinners because they belong to Him, and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are passionately, urgently, and joyfully united in the mission to find and restore every lost person. This parable reveals both our desperate need and God's overwhelming, pursuing grace.
Call to Action:
- Identify your own "lostness" – are you wandering, unaware, rebellious, or resentfully "at home"?
- Surrender to the seeking God. Stop running; receive His embrace.
- Join the mission: Ask God for His heart for the lost around you.
- Practice BLESS for "one" person: Begin praying, Listen, Eat together, Serve, Share your story/the gospel.
- Join the party: Rejoice wholeheartedly when the lost are found.
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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