When Something Is Missing

TEXT: Luke 2:41-51

Introduction:

• There are times in serving the Lord when something seems to be quite different – as if our service seems void of power; pleasure; and peace.
• Our service should be motivated by a "love for the Lord"; it should involve a sincere desire to see others saved, edified, and exhorted.
• What causes us to sense something missing? What causes us to wonder what has happened? What causes us to wonder whether anyone else has ever felt this way?
• It is encouraging to me to read the Word of God and find that others have had similar circumstances of life; That’s why God’s Word says, "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable……." (2 Tim. 3:16)
• Let us examine our story found in Luke 2:41-51 and find out how Mary and Joseph felt when they found their Son missing.
• There are 3 Things We Should Do When Something Is Missing Spiritually:
• The Sensing
• The Seeking
• The Securing

I.           The Sensing (Lk. 2:41-44)

A.        Mary and Joseph were good Jews; they went to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of the Passover "every year".

1.      We learn in Like. 2:40, "And the child Jesus grew, and waxed strong in the spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him."

2.      We can no doubt give a great deal of the credit to the godliness of Mary and Joseph, his earthly parents.

3.      Mary and Joseph were "about the Father’s business" in that they were obedient to the Law concerning Passover, yet we find that as they returned from Jerusalem something very "common" occurred.

4.      Notice vs. 43 – "…the child Jesus tarried behind…; and Joseph and his mother KNEW NOT OF IT."

5.      Also notice vs. 44 – "But they, SUPPOSING HIM TO HAVE BEEN IN THE COMPANY, went a day’s journey…"

B.        There are great lessons to be learned in this "Supposing" –

1.      People get cought up in religious activity

a)      What they do is right, but they don’t have the right relationship with God

b)      Ask yourself, “Is my religion an obstacle or an aid to knowing God

2.      How often have Christians "SUPPOSED HIM to have been in their company?"

a)      We need to be sensitive to spiritual matters; especially our actions.

b)      Often we suppose that the Lord is in agreement with our actions, when in actuality we have no divine authority.

c)      Remember Samson – He supposed the Lord to strengthen him, yet was taken captive by Philistines.

d)      Many men of God have endeavored to accomplish great things, yet failed miserably because they were not divinely ordained of God!

e)      Let us seek to know the heart and mind of the Lord in matters of ministry.

3.      No one desires to leave the Lord out – But between kinfolk and our friends – we often feel pressured to go on without making sure!

a)      Is this not an old story? How often has this occurred in our lives?

b)      No one intends to leave the Lord behind – but too often we do.

c)      We find ourselves so busy that we forget WHY we are doing whatever we are doing.

d)      We feel led by "people" and not by "Prayer"!

(1)  "Missionary’s wife told her husband…much work and little prayer makes a hard task!"

e)      It is true that the Lord has said, “I neither will NEVER LEAVE you nor forsake you", but we can hinder the work of the Lord.

f)       Jude 21 – "Keep yourselves in the love of God….."

II.         The Seeking (Luke 2:44-46)

A.        What began as one day without Jesus turned into three days of sorrowful searching!

1.      Such is always the case of finding ourselves without the Lord’s presence in our lives – It is always more difficult to make our way back!

2.      In these few verses, let us consider the lessons concerning "Seeking Jesus":

a)      Notice vs. 44 – Immediately after their discovery that Jesus was not in their midst, they immediately Sought Him.

b)      Such should always be the case in our lives; Whenever we sense His absence, we should immediately seek to secure it again.

c)      Notice Where they sought Him – "among their folks & friends" – (vs. 44)

d)      Is this not the usual case – We go to everyone except God to find why the power and presence of God is not in our lives!

e)      The loss of Christ’s presence in our lives should affect us the same way! It should cause us to have a "Holy Heart-Attack!"

f)       Thank God that we have a "loving Heavenly Father" who enables us to be restored spiritually.

III.       The Securing (Luke 2:46-52)

A.        Jeremiah 29:13 – "And ye shall Seek me, and Find me, WHEN ye shall SEARCH FOR ME with all your heart."

B.        Let us examine the "Where", "When", and the "How" of Seeking & Securing the Lord’s Powerful Presence in our lives:

1.      Where did the parents of Jesus find Him? - "In the temple" – a house of prayer!

a)      Obviously, this is an important aspect of this story; We too shall find the Lord when we seek him with all our hearts in sorrowful, secret prayer.

b)      God help us to PRAY for what is most needful!

2.      When did they find Jesus? "After 3 days of Sorrowful Searching!"

a)      How often people give up on seeking too easily!

b)      Jeremiah 29:13 says that we shall find WHEN we have sought Him with ALL of our hearts!

c)      The fact that they found Him AFTER 3 days is also suggestive of the Resurrection Power of God!

3.      How did they find Jesus? "Sitting in the midst ….hearing and asking…And all that heard him were astonished…."

a)      He was "ABOUT His Father’s Business" – Exactly WHERE we should be also!

b)      If we are in tune with the Lord’s will for our lives, we too shall be about the Father’s business!

c)      God help us to seek the Lord’s will in our lives, and then have the wherewithal to DO IT!

Conclusion

• Maybe somebody here today has never been saved – YOU thought Jesus was with YOU, but you realize that "There is something missing!"
• Why not come to Jesus Christ and be saved right NOW!
• Christian friend, have YOU discovered today that Christ’s presence is missing in YOUR walk? Come and talk to the Lord right now!