God's Lost & Found

Luke 15:4-32

Luke 15:4–32 NIV

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 8 “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? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

How many of us have ever lost something of great importance? Maybe it was a piece of jewelry, your car keys, or a cell phone. Whatever it was that we lost, depending on the importance or value will usually dictate on how hard we will or won’t search for it.

Well, in Luke chapter 15 we find Jesus sharing three parables with the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were questioning His desire to hang with and eat with sinners. Many of us have heard at least one of these parables in our life, but I pray that what God showed me will reveal something new.

Often times when these parables are taught they focus on the man, sheep, woman, coin, or the prodigal son or his older brother. However, I want for us to focus this Sunday on God the Father. In doing so, this morning I want to preach and teach about “God’s Lost & Found.”

I only have three points for us this morning about God’s Lost & Found.

#1 God’s Protection (v. 4-7)

Luke 15:4–7 NIV

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The sheep in verses 4-7 in today’s text represents a sinner separated from God’s protection, and left to to fin for itself. Unlike the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, God’s love for people is such that He will leave the 99 (saved) to go get one that is lost (sinners).

Sheep are one of the most vunerable of animals. Here we see God’s protection for us, because just like sheep, each one of us needs God’s Protection. The Bible makes 500 mentions of sheep. Why? Because sheep need leadership, unity, a shepherd, are innocent people not deserving punishment, helpless, not the smartest animals, and needing God’s protection according to Psalm 78:52 “52 But He made His own people go forth like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;”

Not only is there Protection in God’s Lost & Found, but there is also provision.

#2 God’s Provision (v. 8-10)

Luke 15:8–10 NIV

8 “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? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

In New Testaments times, one silver coin was of the value of one day’s salary. God loves us so much that He provides for us even when we can’t provide for ourselves. This woman lost one silver coin, and even though she had nine others, she still swept her dirt floor diligently until she found that one lost coin.

God desires the very best for His children, and He desires each of us to have a prosperous life. Listen to what 3 John 2 says, 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 3 Jn 2.

So, God’s Lost & Found has His Protection and Provision, but finally, it has His Patience.

#3 God’s Patience (v. 11-32)

Luke 15:11–32 NIV

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

The story of the Parable Son has less to do with the son and older brother, and more to do with God’s patience with us and lost souls. Have you ever wondered why a person that seems to have no care or concern for the things of God lives so long? Have you ever questioned God about why it seems that your prayers are going unanswered? Could it be because of God’s patience?

The Father in this Parable represents God. This father didn’t have to give this son what he asked for, but he did. And after the son had spent all that he had been given and sold himself off to foreigners, God waited patiently for his return.

God even showed patience for the ungrateful older son who complained about not having a party thrown for him. Listen to what these verses say about God’s patience:

Habakkuk 2:3 NIV

3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Romans 2:4 NIV

4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

1 Timothy 2:4 NIV

4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

One Friday night, Jesus showed God’s Protection for us when He went to the cross for our sins. Jesus paid the price for you and my sins. God protected us from the punishment of sin that Friday.

Not only did He Protect us, but He provided Provision for our sins Hebrews 9:22

Hebrews 9:22 NIV

22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

And God showed His Patience for us, as Jesus laid in the grave all Friday and Saturday nights. And early Sunday morning when Christ got up, God showed His Patience for the world to return back to Him!