The church of Christ At Granby's video: Bringing The Lost Back

Introduction: It is always sad to lose something precious to us. Jesus told a story once to illustrate this very thing. (Luke 15:1-7) “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.’ So He spoke this parable to them, saying: ‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?’ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost! I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.’ ” NKJV Sin is what causes people to be lost. Sin separates us from God and shuts the door of heaven. It is especially heartbreaking to see a once-faithful Christian leave the fold and cause the church to shrink one soul at a time. The severity of this is illustrated by our Savior in Luke 12:42-47. “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward,’ whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” NKJV Christians have a great responsibility to try and bring the lost sheep back to the fold, to try and restore the erring Christian. http://www.granbychurchofchrist.org/Sermons/pages/2018/bringing%20the%20lost%20back.htm