The Gospel Project: Disciples are Found
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Intro Option 1 (2 teams)
Most frequently lost items
Wallet
Headphones
Gloves
Shoes
Book
Water Bottle
Phone
Clothing
Money
Socks
Passport
Keys
Backpack
Camera
Remote controls
Umbrella
Watch
Glasses
The Point:
We have all lost items
Found something lost = relief
God seeks us when lost
Dedicated to pursuing until we respond
Main Point: Jesus expressed God’s heart for the lost.
Big Question: Why does God seek us when we’re lost?
A better question might be, “Why wouldn’t God seek us?” We are His-He created us. He loves us; He sent His Son Jesus to die for us so that we could be with Him forever. So why would He leave us to wander? He doesn’t. God love us too much to let us stray. Instead, He became our Shepherd. He came to find us, placed us on His shoulders, and brought us back to safety. God sweeps out the house, turns on all the lights, and looks until we’re found. He meets us on the road home, welcoming us back. God can’t leave us where we are because we belong to him, and He will go any distance to seek us. He went through the greatest distance through the death of His son, giving us freedom from sin and eternal life with Him.
Lost = Shepherd
Shepherd cares for lost sheep
The Question: What does Jesus seek the lost with?
He seeks the lost with urgency
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that 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 his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Sheep wonder away
Vulnerable to attack
Not intelligent
Depend on shepherd
Gospels = Jesus is Shepherd
In His...
Love
persistence
Joy
Concern
Profound picture in simple terms
Fathers heart = urgency
Jesus carriers us on shoulders > brings into family
Ask: How are we like the one lost sheep? What happens when we are found?
Before salvation = all are the one
Gone astray (Isa.53:6)
Before need realized, Jesus urgently seeks us
His desire = putting their sinful lives behind (realizing they are lost)
Down from Heaven to seek and save
Sometimes wander, but never snatched out of hand
Found = salvation eternally secure
Ask: How does it reveal about God’s character that He is willing to come find us?
Law and Scripture clearly show God’s commands
Yet can’t do alone
Instead of turning back, God came
Sent Jesus = step into our place and meet requirements
God...
Loves us
Cares for us
Sacrificed Himself for us
Compassionate and merciful Shepherd
Transition Statement: Urgency leads to persistence
The Question: What does Jesus seek the lost with?
He seeks the lost with urgency
He seeks the lost with persistence
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Sheds light on persistent pursuit
Never gives up
Turning back = overjoyed
Coin can’t cry out
Inanimate
Sometimes, we don’t cry out
Spiritually lifeless
Pursues us before we call
Ask: What important item have you lost? How did it feel to search for that item?
Anxious and desperate search
Found = joy
Imagine finding a lost soul
Eternally separated = eternally secured
Essential Doctrine: Election.
Election is the gracious purpose of God in which He renews, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with man’s free will and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
Joy in Heaven when we are found
Ask:When did you realize you were spiritually lost? How did it feel to be found?
Being physically lost: panic > relief
How much more when found by God?
When realize lost, choice: call for help or continue on path
Transition Statement: This persistence is accompanied by compassion.
The Question: What does Jesus seek the lost with?
He seeks the lost with urgency
He seeks the lost with persistence
He seeks the lost with compassion
Luke 15:11–24 (ESV)
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Perhaps Jesus’ most popular parable
Reveals Father’s heart
Not so much about the son as it is about the Father
Takes initiative
The merciful father runs
Mirrors God’s response when we run away
Full of compassion, even hurting for us as we wander and waste
Eating pigs = “lowest level of humiliation and shame” in Jewish society.
But when return, meets us on the road
Ask: The Son chose to leave. How would you expect most fathers to react? how is our Heavenly Father different?
Expect discipline
Only interest was bringing son home
Didn’t let son finish apology
A time for discipline, but God desires to welcome, clean, and show compassion
Ask: Does it surprise you that there is a party in Heaven? What does this reveal about God?
God created all emotions
He feels them
If anyone knows how to celebrate, it’s God!
Joy is central
Complete restoration (sonship privileges)
Sinner comes to Him, God celebrates
Dead > life
Celebrates = never separated
Christ Connection
The Pharisees and scribes criticized Jesus for welcoming sinners and dinging with them. In response, Jesus told three stories depicting God’s heart to search for the lost. God rejoices over all sinners who repent and trust in Jesus, the Savior, who came to seek and save the lost.
Head: The lost son went home because He hoped His father would take Him back. Why is it important to know God’s character?
Important to know...
How God feels about sin
How willing He is to forgive
All Scripture points to character
Can trust His word
Heart: How does knowing God seeks you with urgency, diligence, and compassion affect the way you love Him?
He loves us first (1 John 4:19).
Seeks us before we could seek Him
Realize depth = motivate to love in return
Living in obedience and telling others
Not bc rules; gratitude
Sought you with relentless dedication
Extends compassion instead of justice
Didn’t get deserved punishment
Overflow with love for Him
Hands: How can you celebrate others being found? Why is it important to do this?
Can’t celebrate = no different than pharisees
Struggled to accept everyone’s access to God
Place people into sin categories
We place limits, but there are no limits.
If found, you know how great the price
Experience it = desire to celebrate for others
Final Takeaway: Live the found life.