Sermon On the Net

LOST AND FOUND

 

Luke 15: This is a very appropriate title for today and I’ll share some really great news with you all. A reader wrote me to tell me he read the sinners prayer and asked Jesus into his life. Praise the lord for His grace that abounds mightily. All the angels in Heaven rejoiced when he made his decision, Luke 15:7 says “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.” Let’s join them and rejoice and pray that Joe will grow strong in the Lord.

 

Jesus used three parables in this chapter to communicate how important each person is and how important are those that return after finding themselves lost and miserable in the world; the parable of the one lost sheep even though the owner had ninety-nine others. And the woman who lost one of her silver coins; both rejoiced when they found what they lost.

 

The parable of the lost son has a somewhat different twist because it portrays one who left and returns. I believe this is an excellent example of a saved person who backslides (he was never lost) and then asks God’s forgiveness (which is always available to those who ask) and the Lord is thrilled to accommodate his wish. This parable also points out a bit of jealousy when the other son complains because the father welcomed him back and celebrated his return. The other son should have been happy also, but was jealous over the way the father treated his brother.

 

Are you lost? I pray that if you have yet to accept Jesus as your Savior that you will not wait another minute to pray to the Father, confess your sins and ask for forgiveness and to be your Savior. The Bible’s guarantee (the only lifetime guarantee without any conditions that I know) is He will accept you immediately and you will spend eternity with Him. And you will know that the rest of your life on this earth can be joyful and peaceful, for He will never leave you nor forsake you. You will have fulfilled your purpose in this life, i.e., the reason you were born. I pray for that day for each of you who have not already done so to join Joe and the rest of us in the family of the Father.