A Look at the Father’s Heart

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 _________ to be like ______________.

A. God wants evangelism to come from within because our hearts are taking on the character of Jesus. God doesn’t want ___________________ 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 – _______ ___________/__________ came near to listen to Him.

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

B. 15:2 – _____________ 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 _____________ to save the lost.

1. God has always made great effort.

a) Isa. 53:6 – God views us as ________ ______________.

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

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

d) 2 Pet. 3:9 – God wills that ________________ 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 _________________ should be for the lost.

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

C. Lk. 15:3, 5 – God is __________________ 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 ____________________ 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 _______________ ___________.

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 __________ 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 ______________________ 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.



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 _________ to be like ______________. A. God wants evangelism to come from within because our hearts are taking on the character of Jesus. God doesn’t want ___________________ 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 – _______ ___________/__________ came near to listen to Him. 1. 15:2 – receives from Gk WD meaning “to receive as a friend.” B. 15:2 – _____________ 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 _____________ to save the lost. 1. God has always made great effort. a) Isa. 53:6 – God views us as ________ ______________. b) Ezek. 34:11-31 (11-16, 31) w/_______________. c) Jhn 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10 w/____________ men. d) 2 Pet. 3:9 – God wills that ________________ 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 _________________ should be for the lost. b) Use our __________________ & ______________ to get the word out that this is a place of healing. C. Lk. 15:3, 5 – God is __________________ 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 ____________________ 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 _______________ ___________. 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 __________ 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 ______________________ 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.