The Heart of God for the Lost
Sermon Overview: “The Heart of God for the Lost”
Text: Luke 15 (KJV)
Introduction: God’s Heart for the Lost
- Luke 15 contains three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son.
- Each story highlights God’s love, patience, and joy in redeeming those who are spiritually lost.
1. The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:4–7)
- Story: A shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one lost sheep.
- Key Point: God’s relentless pursuit of the individual sinner.
- The shepherd symbolizes Christ, who came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
- Application: Every soul matters to God; no one is beyond His reach.
2. The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8–10)
- Story: A woman searches diligently for a single lost coin.
- Key Point: The value God places on every person, even when others may overlook them.
- The rejoicing over finding the coin reflects the joy in heaven over one sinner’s repentance.
- Application: We should adopt God’s perspective, valuing and seeking the spiritually lost.
3. The Lost Son (Luke 15:11–32)
- Story: A son demands his inheritance, wastes it, and returns repentant, met with his father’s forgiveness.
- Key Point: The father’s response reveals God’s heart: loving, forgiving, and welcoming.
- The elder brother represents self-righteousness, contrasting the father’s grace.
- Application:
- Like the prodigal, we must repent and return to the Father.
- As the Father welcomes us, we are called to extend that same grace to others.
Conclusion: The Father’s Longing Heart
- The father in the parable of the prodigal son reflects God the Father, who patiently waits and celebrates when the lost return.
- Each parable emphasizes that God rejoices in restoring broken relationships with His children.
Challenge:
- Trust in God’s pursuit of your heart and others.
- Share the good news of His unrelenting love with the lost.
Let us rejoice with the Father over the redemption of every soul!