Are You Serious? – “Serious About the Lost”
Are You Serious?! – Serious About the Lost
Message Title: Are You Serious?! – Serious About the Lost Scripture: Luke 15:1–10; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 5:12–13; Matthew 18:15–17; 1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9; Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10–11; Matthew 7:15–20; Matthew 7:1–5; Romans 2:1; John 7:24; James 2:1–4; Matthew 7:2; James 2:13; Romans 14:1–13; Galatians 6:1; 2 Corinthians 2:6–8; Ephesians 4:15 Outline / Main Points: Jesus confronts the Pharisees with escalating parables (Sheep 1%, Coin 10%, Son 50%) – every soul matters infinitely to God. 1. The Completion of the Set – we’re all part of the set; losing one matters. 2. The Condition of the Rescue – God’s love is reckless by human standards; He carries us all the way home. 3. The Celebration of the Found – heaven throws a party every time one sinner repents. Big Takeaway: God doesn’t just tolerate sinners—He runs after them, carries them, restores them, and throws a party when they come home.
Sermon Description
Are you serious about the people in your life who don’t know God yet?
This week we’re diving into Luke 15 where Jesus tells three stories that confront the religious people of His day, and challenge us today. Every lost person matters. Every soul has value. And heaven throws a party when just one person comes home.
If you’ve ever wondered if you matter to God… or if you’ve wrestled with how to love people who are far from Him, this message is for you.
Bible References: Luke 15:1–10; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 5:12–13; Matthew 18:15–17; 1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9; Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10–11; Matthew 7:15–20; Matthew 7:1–5; Romans 2:1; John 7:24; James 2:1–4; Matthew 7:2; James 2:13; Romans 14:1–13; Galatians 6:1; 2 Corinthians 2:6–8; Ephesians 4:15
Small Group Discussion Questions
Why do you think Jesus chose to confront the Pharisees’ criticism with stories instead of arguments? (Luke 15:1–10)
How have you experienced being the “one” that God came after, and how does that shape the way you see others? (Luke 15:4–7; Romans 3:23)
Where do we as the church tend to judge wrongly—harsh toward outsiders but soft toward insiders? (1 Corinthians 5:12–13; Matthew 7:1–5)
What does it look like to lovingly confront someone in sin while still reflecting God’s grace? (Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:15)
Why do you think heaven celebrates repentance so joyfully, and how can we reflect that same joy in our community? (Luke 15:7, 10, 32)
2 Deep Journal Questions
If God sees me as worth leaving the 99 for, how would my daily choices change if I really believed that?
What “lost coin” areas of my life do I need to invite God to search out and restore?