04 True Stories Pt 4: Seeking the Lost

River Church Sermons

True Stories

Pt. 4: Seeking the Lost

By Louie Marsh, 9-1-2024

Intro – 4 slides, Helen Keller last one.

1) If I love the lost I’m going to be CRITICIZED.

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2 (ESV)

· Loving the lost like Jesus means I RELATE with them.

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Luke 5:29-30 (ESV)

2) I need to LEARN HOW to respond to criticism like Jesus did.

· I don’t take personal attacks PERSONALLY.

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39 (ESV)

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

· Use their attacks as a TEACHING MOMENT.

3 So he told them this parable: Luke 15:3 (ESV)

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44-45 (ESV)

3) I need to SEE the lost like Jesus does.

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Luke 15:4-6 (ESV)

· I belong to God by right of CREATION.

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep…

· I am lost by my own CHOICES.

… if he has lost one of them…

· Jesus searched me out and rescued me on the CROSS.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV)

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (ESV)

· He wants me to be in God’s KINGDOM.

6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’

4) I need to understand that EVERYONE needs to change.

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:4-7 (ESV)

· The goal of God’s work in my life is to make me LIKE JESUS.

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)