A Look at the Father’s Heart

Imagine you’re in an unfamiliar place – and you’re lost. It can be frustrating and scary. That’s what life is like for millions of people.  They’re lost. Some know they’re lost – feel frustrated & scared. Others would take offense if you hinted they didn’t know. When we look at Jesus it is easy to see he cared for the lost. He mingled with people who needed His salvation, who were desperate for His grace/mercy. Jesus has asked us to do what He did. If you’ve ever been lost, you know what a relief it is when someone stops to offer directions.

I.  Evangelism becomes natural when we grow to be like Jesus.

A.    God wants evangelism to come from within because our hearts are taking on the character of Jesus. God doesn’t want pressured performance.

B.    Evangelism motivated by a pep talk or nagging guilt will not be successful.

II. A look at Luke 15.

A.    Lk. 15:1 – tax collectors/sinners came near to listen to Him.

1.     15:2 – receives from Gk WD meaning “to receive as a friend.”

B.    15:2 – Pharisees believed some people weren’t worth the time to save.

III. How far is God willing to go?

A.    The 3 stories in Lk. 15 tell us just how far God will go & why.

B.    Lk. 15:3, 5 – God is willing to go to extreme efforts to save the lost.

1.     God has always made great effort.

a)    Isa. 53:6 – God views us as lost sheep.

b)    Ezek. 34:11-31 (11-16, 31) w/Israel.

c)    Jhn 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10 w/all men.

d)    2 Pet. 3:9 – God wills that none perish.

2.     Lk. 15:4, 8 – that which was lost was sought after with great effort.

a)    We should view reaching the lost in the same way.

3.     What effort can we make?

a)    Significant #’s of prayers should be for the lost.

b)    Use our resources & talents to get the word out that this is a place of healing.

C.    Lk. 15:3, 5 – God is persistent in seeking those who are lost.

1.     Persistence is a needed quality for success.

a)    It is not easy to reach people’s hearts so they receive Jesus.

2.     People spiritually lost are too valuable to give up on.

3.     God is always there. Rev. 3:20 - Is He knocking on the door of your heart?

IV. God will do whatever necessary to find that which is lost.

A.    Each parable in Lk 15 is slightly different.

1.     Each parable tells a story of items with increasing value.

2.     God will do whatever to find the lost!  Lk. 12:6-7

B.    Prodigal Son – story just a little different. Lk. 15:14-24

1.     Until the son decided he was going to return he was still lost.

a)    Father had to wait until lost son wanted to come home.

2.     As much as the father wanted his son to return…he still had to wait till his boy made the decision to return.

Conclusion:

A.    I hope we’ve all be able to see the Father’s heart.  As we grow up in Christ & become imitators of God, we will begin to view the world the way He does.

B.    You are so important to God that He is looking for you!

C.    Maybe that fact has become real to you today.

1.     Your father is anxiously waiting for you to respond.