Lost & Found

JUne 22, 2025

Luke 15:1-10
 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.”

3 So he told them this parable: 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 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.

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Parables are short, true to life stories that teach us spiritual truths.

1st Century Audience: Two groups

  • Tax collectors and sinners

  • Pharisees and Scribes

Lost coin: Lost sinner God searches to save

Woman: Represents God (likely the Holy Spirit)

Lamp:The Church and the Gospel message that leads unto salvation

Like sheep, we all desperately need to be rescued

Sheep on mtn.jpg
All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to our own way (Isa 53).


Our rescue is 100% from the good Shepherd


The Search: God seeks sinners


Luke 5:31-32
31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”


Jesus, the shepherd and savior is the one common bond!


Does our heart for the lost, reflect God’s heart for the lost?

The Celebration
- The Lord God celebrates sinners saved by grace


- The Lord God does NOT celebrate the self-righteous

What category are you in?


The Good Shepherd Became a Sheep

John 1:29b “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth;like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

1 Corinthians 5:7 “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”