Luke 15:1-7

Joyfully pursue the lost!

1. Share God’s burden

What does your greatest burden reveal about where you seek your joy?
Jesus is the good and compassionate Shepherd (John 10:14–15, Matthew 9:36).
We need God’s shepherding care to restore us (Psalm 119:176, Ezekiel 34:11–12).
The burden moves us to active pursuit (Luke 19:10, Philippians 2:5–8).

2. Spend time together

Who do you spend your time with??
God’s mission for us involves engaging with sinners!

• Go to the people (Matthew 5:14, Mark 16:15)
• Connect personally with them (1 Corinthians 9:22) receive/welcome
• Remember your rescue (Isaiah 53:6)
• Value the lost – hate sin without contempt for the lost!

3. Urge vital repentance

Repentance is vital for life and the essence of our rescue (Luke 13:3)!
Repent – to change one’s mind, heart, direction, behavior
Those with an appearance of godliness can be completely off course (2 Timothy 3:2–5)!
Jesus doesn’t call us to be “good enough” (Luke 5:31–32).
To call others to repentance is our rescue mission (Luke 15:5)!

4. Celebrate God’s victory

Is there joy and celebration in your worship?
We join all of heaven in celebrating what God has done and is doing!
There is cause to rejoice in the God of our salvation (Habakkuk 3:18)!

• Realize the severity of being lost!
• Realize the profound miracle of salvation!
• Realize the sure victory of the cross!

Application Questions for Reflection

1. What questions or reactions do you have? What is one application you will make?
2. Is there anyone weighing on your heart because of their need for salvation? How do you cultivate and respond to that burden (Luke 15:4)?
3. God doesn’t need us to reach the lost, but He does use us! How can we grow in sharing in His desire (1 Timothy 2:4) and His joy (Luke 15:7)?
4. Is it really a good idea for us to bring messy sinners (Luke 15:2) into Grace Baptist Church? Is it worth the trouble and the work?  Why?
5. Why is it hard to tell someone they need to repent (Luke 13:3)? How can we do so with love and urgency?
6. How can we go pursue the lost (Luke 15:4), rather than wait for them to come to us?