Lost Things

Luke 15:1-24

There is an instinct each of us has to place great value on an item simply because it is lost. Whether it is your wallet, car keys, glasses, or homework, lost things are never so precious to you as when you can’t find them. God places great value on people and has gone to great lengths to make it possible for those who are lost to be found.

I. The Bad News

A. We do not measure up to God’s standard.

1. What is God’s standard of acceptance? Perfection

You therefore must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is
perfect. Matthew 5:48

2. The natureof God is what sets the characterof God.

B. No matter how hard we try, there is nothing  we can do to measure up to God’s standard.

1. Just as God’s holy and perfect nature sets the standard, our
corrupt  nature is what keeps us from reaching  it. 

C. Not measuring up to God’s standard has consequences.

1. When a person fails to meet God’s standard it is called sin.

2. The consequences of sin are deathand separation. 

For the wages of sin is death…. Romans 6:23a

3. Mankind is in the path of the wrath  of God that
ultimately culminates with physical death and continues with
eternaltormentin a place called hell.

II. The Good News

A. God provided a way for man to measure up to His standard. 

… But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23b

1. Jesus stands in our place before God, offering His perfect
righteousness  in place of our sin  and corruption. 

III. The Parable of Lost Things Luke 15:4-24

▪ Are you longing for restoration with God the Father? 

▪ Like the Prodigal Son, does life seem more like a pig pen
because of your separation from the Father? 

▪ You can come home to the Father! He loves you and has
provided a way for you, through Jesus Christ, to be part of His
family.