Red Letters: Lost & Found - Pastor Josiah Elias

“Elohim, Adonai, Rapha, Nissi, Shaddai, Shaddai

The name of the Lord is my strong tower

The name of the Lord is my hiding place.”

We declared the names of the Lord, for He is worthy of praise. What an incredible way to worship the Creator of the Universe who loves each of us and wants that none should perish.

Joel Munoz then shared verses from Isaiah 43,

”Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you 

by name; you are mine.” 43:1b (NIV)

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

I will bring your children from the east and gather you from 

the west.” 43:5

“I am the LORD, your Holy One,

Israel’s Creator, your King.” 43:15

The Lord is deserving of our full praise and worship in thought, word, and deed.

FC’s mission is to culture like Christ, and its vision is Jesus. Last week’s sermon dealt with the mission mindset, and it recapped the Africa team members’ experiences after saying yes. We need to be on mission whether we go around the world or across the street. Pastor Josiah also mentioned the lost sheep and explored the “lost” topic in more depth.

In Luke 15:1-2, we learned that notorious sinners like tax collectors came to hear the Messiah speak; however, the religious leaders criticized Jesus’ association with such sinners. I am so grateful He came to help the sick and broken instead of only the religious leaders and Pharisees. People who are lost in life crave truth deep within them—if they can find it. "Truth is attractive,” expressed Pastor Josiah.

Jesus shared three parables; the first one was of the lost sheep. He asked, 

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, 

what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in 

the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until 

he finds it?” Luke15:4 (NIV)

When the man discovered the lost sheep, he would celebrate. “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over the ninety-nine who are righteous and have not strayed away.” Luke 15:7 (NIV) 

The shepherd seeks the lost sheep which is lost because of choices made. Just like the Lord Almighty sought after Adam and Eve. He asked,”Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 (NKJV) God did not lose Adam, but Adam lost God. Parable #1: We were lost.

God will carry you when you need to be carried, but He’ll also teach you to stand on your own two feet. Ministers are to equip the congregants to stand so that we can minister to others about Jesus, the risen Savior. We are to lift high the name of Jesus in order for others to see Him, surrender to Him, and learn how to share Him with others. Our connection with Jesus Christ is not a sprint but a marathon of one step in front of the other until we cross the finish line. 

Next was the parable of the lady with ten coins, but one was lost. Jesus asked, ”Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it?” Luke 15:8b (NLT) When she finds the lost coin, won’t she celebrate? “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.” In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Luke 15:9b-10 (NLT) Parable #2 Something was lost. The coin was lost inside the house just like sometimes we as believers can turn our eyes from God and get consumed with our distractions and busyness, but God.... He looks for us and wants us back. 

When the light shines in the house, what once was lost is soon to be found. Don’t miss that He is reaching out to you. You cannot let the enemy win the battle over sin and death. Believe the truth about yourself. You are the daughter or son of the King. You are His beloved. Even if you do not feel like the daughter or son of the king, you are and start declaring that truth so that your heart and ears hear it. Soon you will begin to act like it. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is….” Romans 12:2 (NIV) Behavior follows belief. Come in agreement with what the Lord says about you. Pastor Josiah related about how he did not feel righteous or holy.  Then he began to say it and believed it. Soon he acted like the man of God that he is. Praise the Lord!

The third parable was about the faithful father who had two sons. The younger wanted his inheritance before the dad died. In essence that meant that the dad was dead to the rebellious son. The father complied and gave the second son his half of his inheritance, which he spent frivolously. The second son ended up destitute and feeding pigs even eating their slop. For a Jewish man that was obscene. Finally, the son “finally came to his senses.” Luke 15:17(NLT) “senses-Grk-heautou-himself” Once in a while don’t you “come to your senses” and  see the reality of things? This rebellious son finally saw that he was no longer worthy to be called son but possibly could be his father’s servant.

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (NLT) That father was not looking to punish his lost son but was waiting to love, embrace and kiss his lost son who was found. The father did not follow the law in Deuteronomy that stated the rebellious son could be stoned to death. Instead his wrath is aimed at anything interfering with love winning the day. That is like our heavenly Father for each of us. He cannot wait to welcome His prodigals home. God is running at you with love.

The son repented, and the loving father restored the son with a robe which meant righteousness; a ring which meant authority; sandals which meant sonship; a party which brought honor. If the father is declaring him righteous; giving him His authority; and calling him a son, who is anyone else to say otherwise?

After working in the fields, the older brother returned home, heard the music, and was disgruntled that his wayward brother was honored. For the older brother felt slighted and demanded an answer of when he received a ring or party. It was all about him. His father said that everything he had was his. “For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!” Luke 15:32 (NLT) Parable #3: The revelation was lost. The very fact that you could be in the Father’s house and still be distant from Him is daunting.

The Paramount Point is He make all things right by grace. “And His fullness fills you, even though you were once like corpses, dead in your sins and offenses.” Ephesians 2:1 (TPT)

“But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich 

in compassion and mercy. Even when we were dead and 

doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of 

Christ and saved  us by his wonderful grace!” Ephesians 2:4-5

(TPT)

Let us accept His love, mercy and grace and reflect Him in this dark, lonely world.

Calendar:

11/2 Prayer night, 6:00

**11/24 LB lunch for staff at noon in the Activity Center. Please bring one of your favorite dishes to share with the staff. Note date change.

12/7 Prayer night, 6:00

12/6-Women’s Christmas tea-sign ups are available.

12/12-LB potluck and caroling 6:00 in the Activity Center

Blessings,

Larry and Annette