ONE SMALL STEP- GOD’S CHILDREN ARE COMING HOME

Introduction.

Welcome to our "One Small Step" series.

Today, I am moved to share a prophetic message about creating space for God's lost children as they come home.

God is calling us to make room for newcomers, to connect with them,

To show them love,

To guide them into small groups, growth track

and to witness His transformative power in their lives through our  loving  actions.

God's children are coming home. Let's open our Bibles to:

Luke 15:11–32 (NIV)

11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.

12The 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.

15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.

16He 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!

18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’

20So 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.

2 3 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

2 4 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.

26So 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.

3 0 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.’ ”

Romans 5:17 (NIV)

1  7 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

1.THE PRIORITY OF THE LOST.

Luke 15:20 (NIV) emphasizes the father's compassion and priority for the lost.

"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."

In this parable, the father’s heart reflects God’s priority: the lost.

Our hearts need to beat in sync with God's, who constantly seeks His lost children. When they come home, we are called to celebrate and love them unconditionally.

We see this as well in The Mission of Jesus

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10 NIV)

Jesus’s mission was clear: to find and save the lost.

As Christ  followers, our mission should align with His. We are called to love God, love others, and make disciples.

We make disciples by helping people discover these 4 things,

Know God,Find freedom,Discover,develop your gift, get on a team to make a difference together.

This process begins with reaching out to the lost, guiding them to salvation, and then teaching them to follow Jesus, in small groups, growthtrack.,

The Father's Priority

In the parable, the father’s unwavering focus on his lost son demonstrates the priority God places on those who are lost. We, as the family of God, should embody this priority. Our hearts should reflect the compassion and urgency of the father in the parable, welcoming lost children with open arms.

The Lost Matter to God

What is important to God must become important to us. The lost matter to God, so they should matter to us. When someone who has been lost returns to church, our response should be one of joy and celebration, much like the father who threw a feast for his returning son.

When a lost child comes home, a warm loving welcome is key.

2.A HEART FOR THE LOST ATTRACTS GOD'S PRESENCE.

Luke 15:20 (NIV) illustrates God;s compassion and presence.

20So 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.

Having a heart for the lost draws us closer to God. His presence is felt strongly where there is a genuine concern for those who are far from Him. When our hearts align with God's heart, we experience His presence in powerful ways.

3. A HEART FOR THE LOST ATTRACTS GOD PROVISION.

Luke 15:22–23 (NIV) illustrates God’s provision

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.

God provides abundantly for those who prioritize what He prioritizes. When our efforts are directed towards seeking and saving the lost, we can trust that God will supply all our needs. His provision is evident in resources, opportunities, and the strength to carry out His work.

4 A HEART FOR THE LOST ATTRACTS GOD’S POWER.

Luke 15:22 (NIV)

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.

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 5:17 (NIV)

1  7 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Our mission, like Jesus, is to seek and save the lost.

By prioritizing the lost,

We align our hearts with God's, attract

His presence,

His provision,

and power, and fulfill the Great Commission.

IN CLOSING.

Will you ask God to change your heart so it beats in sync with His? To hate what He hates and love what He loves? To make His priorities your priorities?

Let us take that one small step today. God's children are coming home. Let’s create space for them, connect with them, and witness the transformation God will bring in their lives.