The Joy of Finding the Lost

Luke 15:1-10

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

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.

8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

9 "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'

10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 15:1-10

Three Eternal Truths

Three Eternal Truths• God Cares

Three Eternal Truths• God Cares

• God Searches

Three Eternal Truths• God Cares

• God Searches

• God Rejoices

Three Eternal Truths• God Cares

• God Searches

• God Rejoices

Two Parables Which Illustrate This

The Parable of the Lost Sheep 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 15:1-7

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

• Helplessness of lost sheep

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

• Helplessness of lost sheep

• Often do not know they are lost

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

• Helplessness of lost sheep

• Often do not know they are lost

• They do not know the way back

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

• Helplessness of lost sheep

• Often do not know they are lost

• They do not know the way back

• The value of one sheep vs. 99 sheep

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

• Helplessness of lost sheep

• Often do not know they are lost

• They do not know the way back

• The value of one sheep vs. 99 sheep

• Must have someone to find them

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

• Helplessness of lost sheep

• Often do not know they are lost

• They do not know the way back

• The value of one sheep vs. 99 sheep

• Must have someone to find them

• The joy of finding the lost!

Parable of the Joyful Shepherd 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 15:1-7

The Parable of the Lost Coin8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

9 "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'

10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 15:8-10

The Parable of the Lost Coin

• First parable: value & compassion

The Parable of the Lost Coin

• First parable: value & compassion

• This parable: value and persistence

The Parable of the Lost Coin

• First parable: value & compassion

• This parable: value and persistence

• Extreme measures to find the lost

The Parable of the Lost Coin

• First parable: value & compassion

• This parable: value and persistence

• Extreme measures to find the lost

• Joy of finding the lost!

Parable of the Joyful Woman8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

9 "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'

10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 15:8-10

Story of the Joyful Church

Story of the Joyful Church

• Value of the lost

Story of the Joyful Church

• Value of the lost

• Effort to seek and find the lost

Story of the Joyful Church

• Value of the lost

• Effort to seek and find the lost

The happiest experience of life

is to be rescued by God

Story of the Joyful Church

• Value of the lost

• Effort to seek and find the lost

We should celebrate what

heaven celebrates!

Story of the Joyful Church

• Value of the lost

• Effort to seek and find the lost

• The rest of the story??

August 15-17, 2008August 15-17, 2008

What We Have What We Have Done to Get Done to Get

the Word Out the Word Out Is Having Is Having SuccessSuccess

1.1. House to House/Heart to HeartHouse to House/Heart to Heart—this month—this month

2.2. Mailings to local churches of ChristMailings to local churches of Christ

3.3. Mailing to local denominationsMailing to local denominations

4.4. Mailing to PBCC Eissey Campus Theatre patronsMailing to PBCC Eissey Campus Theatre patrons

5.5. Mailing to local, state & federal gov’t officialsMailing to local, state & federal gov’t officials

6.6. Listed on online community calendarsListed on online community calendars

7.7. Made cards & flyers available for member’s useMade cards & flyers available for member’s use

8.8. Ordered car magnetsOrdered car magnets

What’s in the What’s in the Works Right Works Right

NowNow

1.1. 1/4 page ad in PB Post – run week b/f 1/4 page ad in PB Post – run week b/f seminarseminar

2.2. 60-second radio ads – run one week b/f 60-second radio ads – run one week b/f seminarseminar

3.3. Banner on side of building – late this weekBanner on side of building – late this week

4.4. Sending flyers & cards to those who Sending flyers & cards to those who register, so that they can let others know register, so that they can let others know about the seminarabout the seminar

What’s Left for What’s Left for USUS to Do to Do

1. INVITE OTHERS!1. INVITE OTHERS!

- Use cards, flyers, e-invitation, email web - Use cards, flyers, e-invitation, email web linklink

2. REGISTER FOR TICKETS YOURSELF!2. REGISTER FOR TICKETS YOURSELF!

- To guarantee your seat, bring someone - To guarantee your seat, bring someone with youwith you

A free seminar that explores the A free seminar that explores the Christian heritage of America from its Christian heritage of America from its very beginning to its dismantling in very beginning to its dismantling in

today’s culturetoday’s culture

Joy in Heaven

Joy in Heaven

• Believe John 3:16

Joy in Heaven

• Believe John 3:16

• Repent Acts 2:38

Joy in Heaven

• Believe John 3:16

• Repent Acts 2:38

• Confess Faith Rom. 10:10

Joy in Heaven

• Believe John 3:16

• Repent Acts 2:38

• Confess Faith Rom. 10:10

• Be Baptized Mark 16:16

Joy in Heaven

• Believe John 3:16

• Repent Acts 2:38

• Confess Faith Rom. 10:10

• Be Baptized Mark 16:16

Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

Joy in Heaven

• Believe John 3:16

• Repent Acts 2:38

• Confess Faith Rom. 10:10

• Be Baptized Mark 16:16

Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

• Be Faithful Rev. 2:10