Winning the Lost — Chair 1

The names we use to describe people who have yet to put their faith in Christ for salvation and eternal life can be unflattering, even offensive, especially if you’re the person who has yet to put your faith in Christ. Calling someone a heathen, pagan, reprobate or damned is no way to win friends and influence people. A little less offensive, but still not flattering are words like unchristian, non-believer and spiritually lost. Perhaps the most positive term we could use for those who have yet to put their faith in Christ is to call them a spiritual seeker. However, not all spiritually lost people would consider themselves spiritual seekers.

Most of these terms find their origin in the Bible and accurately describe the person without Christ. Many of them are in the “red letters” sections of the Bible, coming from the lips of Jesus Himself. And of all of the terms we could use, the one Jesus Himself used the most was “lost.” He came to “seek and to save the lost” and devoted three successive parables in Luke 15 to the joy He finds in rescuing those who are spiritually lost.

The Lost Sheep

“When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” Luke 15:6-7

The Lost Coin

“And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Luke 15:9-10

The Lost Son

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So, the party began.” Luke 15:22-24

By telling three successive stories, Jesus is putting a triple exclamation point at the end of His statement. A few simple observations from these three stories.

Something or someone is LOST… we are to take notice of that which is lost.

What is lost is of great VALUE… the value of that which is lost should motivate us to pursue with an all-out search.

Recovering the lost is a PRIORITY… we must be both intentional and determined, not giving up our search until the lost are found.

Recovering the lost brings GREAT JOY… God throws a party in heaven when those who are spiritually lost become found. There are few greater joys we can experience in the Christian life than seeing a spiritually lost person place their faith in Christ.

Lost people matter to God!!!