Lost Cause, Part 1: Looking for the Lost // Jamie Nunnally

Victory Fellowship Church Podcast

Who are lost people? In this series, we're going to talk about who they are, how we are supposed to relate to them, and what we are supposed to be doing about them.

In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares how we can look for the lost.

Luke 19:10 Jesus' goal is to seek, not separate from the lost. The lost aren't our enemies, they are the mission. The lost aren't our opponents, they are our objective. The lost aren't the problem, they are the point.

The Great Commission:

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, (but they aren't Christians!) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

As Christians, we don't fight against the lost, we fight for the lost.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables about someone finding things that are lost:

Luke 15:1-10

Luke 15:22-24

All three of these stories show the Father's heart toward the lost: He is looking for them, running to them, and when they are found, through their repentance, He rejoices.

How do we look for the lost?

1. Looking for the lost requires that you leave your comfort zone.

They're probably not here. Looking for the lost requires that we take what's in here and export it out there.

Mark 1:16-18

A fisherman doesn't fish in his living room, he goes to a lake—because that's where the fish are. In the same way, the church building is not the primary place where we fish for the lost.

2. Looking for the lost requires that we live a life differently than the lost.

Jesus ate with sinners, not to condone their sinful lifestyle, but so they would no longer be sinners. Seek AND SAVE.

Romans 12:2

We are friends TO the world, but not friends WITH the world.

You cannot affect the world by being like the world. We are supposed to be looking for the lost, but we aren't supposed to be looking like the lost.

3. Looking for the lost requires that we see the inherent value in people.

Luke 15:28-32

4. Looking for the lost requires God's help.

You need a co-laborer to fulfill the great co-mission.

Matthew 28:20 "...And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

God is asking for you to partner with Him in finding the lost.

Evangelism not something you do by FOR God, its something you do WITH God.

Are you looking for the lost?

Homework: Ask the Lord to show you one person and commit to praying for them every day this week.