September 14, 2025
LINK TO SERMON ON YOUTUBE
(May expire after about 2 years)
TEXT: Luke 15:1-10
TOPIC: Evangelism
SERMON SUMMARY:
The Joy of Finding the Lost
When Fr. Rob's four-year-old son Benjamin disappeared at the San Juan Capistrano mission, he and his wife panicked. They dropped everything and searched frantically until they found him—he'd simply wandered off to use the restroom. That's what parents do when they lose a precious child: they search until they find them.
This is exactly the heart Jesus revealed when the Pharisees grumbled about him eating with tax collectors and sinners. He told them about the shepherd who left 99 sheep to find the one that was lost, and the woman who searched her entire house for one lost coin. Why? Because "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance."
The Pharisees had completely lost sight of God's heart. They were supposed to be a blessing to all peoples, but instead they shunned fellow Jews for being less righteous. That's a warning for us. When we stand before God saying "Lord, Lord," will he say "well done, good and faithful servant" or "I never knew you"?
Fr. Rob acknowledged it—living as a Christian today is increasingly countercultural. We face conflicts over basic biblical values about gender, marriage, and morality. It's hard to connect across this cultural divide. But Jesus shows us the way. He lived a sinless life while actively seeking out the most reviled people of his day.
As an adult convert, Fr. Rob is grateful for the Christian friend who never gave up on him. She constantly invited him into her social circles, mixing her Christian and non-Christian worlds. He was the lost sheep, and his friends worked at searching after him until they found him.
Every person we meet is precious to God—as precious as that cute four-year-old who runs off at the mission. We need to intercede for those in spiritual darkness, praying for God to open their hearts and minds. And practically, we need to step out and invite friends to church events like Alpha.
God calls us to share his heart for the lost.
