Champion of the Lost (Devo)

For the past couple of weeks we have been talking about Jesus the Champion!! The victor of all who would believe in Him.

Luke 4:18–19 NLT

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

This morning I want to remind you in a different way with the help of our youth that Jesus is the Champion of the Lost!

If anyone needed Jesus to fight for them - it is the lost!!! Those who are floundering to find truth and fulfillment. Those who are trying to figure out life and realize that what this world offers is empty!

There are many people in our world today who just don’t care about their sinful lives and indulgent ways and in their complacency and apathy they allow themselves to wallow in their bondages - but God knows those who seek Him and want to find true fulfillment - those who are wanting to be found.

Luke 19:10 NLT

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Jeremiah 29:11–13 NLT

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Jesus told several parables to illustrate just how far he would go to find those who are lost without Him

- Parable of the lost coin

- Parable of the Prodigal son

-Parable of the Lost sheep

Matthew 18:12–14 NLT

12 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.

Jesus loves us this much...

We like “dumb sheep” - you know a sheep cannot even get himself up on his feet if he rolls over? That rebellious sheep likes to wander and finds himself in real trouble… but Christ our Shepherd - OUR CHAMPION will go to whatever length needed to find the lost sheep!!!!

This morning I want us to have a conversation with two young people about how they rediscovered God.

Isabel: After a period of wandering, God made Himself real to her

Jacob: When searching for true joy, challenged God to show up and He did!

Now Jalen is coming to share a story and message of a young man who needed to be championed by the Champion of the Lost and how God wants us to partner with Him as Champion in reaching the lost!

This morning we have several who are being baptized - they once were lost - but now are found - the Champion of the Lost brought them back!

Water Baptism:

Robbie -

Josh Cuzner

Adrian

Isabel

Jacob