It’s Like This

The Great Pursuit
November 17, 2024
Chris Seidman, Lead Minister, The Branch

“Lost” implies that …

• We all have somewhere we belong.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human
heart … .

Augustine Quote
… our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.

• We matter so much to Him.

Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 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.”

Luke 14:35b (NIV)
“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Luke 15:1 (NIV)
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

Ways We Wind Up Lost

• Some gradually wander away (lost sheep).

• Some are “dropped” (lost coin).

• Some rebel (lost son).

Dallas Willard Quote
God’s address is at the end of our rope.

• Some steep in self-righteousness and resentment (the other lost son).

Luke 15:4 (NIV)
Doesn’t he … go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

Luke 15:5-6 (NIV)
“… he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.”

Isaiah 53:4-6 (NIV)
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering … he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Jesus … . For the joy set before him endured the cross … .

Luke 15:6 (NIV)
“… calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’”

Hebrews 2:11-12 (NIV)
Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.”