In Week 2 of the Who’s Your One? series, Pastor Jeff Dye walks through Luke 15 and Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep, reminding believers that God’s heart is always for those who are far from Him. While the world often celebrates success based on percentages and statistics, Jesus teaches that even when 99 are safe, the one who is lost is still worth pursuing.
The message begins by highlighting a truth many Christians wrestle with: Is sharing our faith really worth the risk? Fear of rejection, damaged relationships, or uncomfortable conversations can often keep believers silent. Yet Jesus demonstrates that every person matters deeply to God and that eternity hangs in the balance for those who do not know Him.
Jesus Moves Toward the People Others Avoid
Luke 15 opens with tax collectors and sinners gathering around Jesus while religious leaders criticize Him for welcoming them. Rather than distancing Himself from broken people, Jesus intentionally moved toward them. He shared meals with them, built relationships with them, and offered them hope through the gospel.
This challenges the Church today to resist becoming a place where only the “found” feel comfortable. Instead, believers are called to reflect Christ’s heart by creating environments where lost people feel seen, loved, welcomed, and invited to hear the truth of God’s Word.
The Good Shepherd Pursues the Lost
Jesus’ parable describes a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to search for one that has wandered away. The shepherd does not simply wait and hope the sheep returns; he actively pursues it until he finds it.
This paints a powerful picture of the gospel. Humanity, like sheep, has wandered from God. We do not save ourselves or find our own way home. Instead, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came to seek and save the lost through His life, death, and resurrection. When He finds the lost, He does not respond with condemnation but with grace, carrying them home with joy.
Pastor Jeff emphasized that while Jesus alone saves, believers serve as His ambassadors. Followers of Christ are called to intentionally pursue those who are far from God through prayer, relationships, invitations, and gospel conversations.
Value Determines Urgency
A central theme of the sermon is that value determines urgency. When something valuable is lost, people search for it. In the same way, if believers truly value lost souls, they will feel urgency to pray, pursue, and share the gospel.
Every person is made in the image of God and has eternal significance. Lost people are not projects, numbers, or church-growth strategies—they are souls who will spend eternity somewhere. Understanding this reality should shape how Christians view and engage the people God has placed in their lives.
Heaven Rejoices When One Sinner Repents
The parable concludes with celebration. After finding the lost sheep, the shepherd gathers friends and neighbors to rejoice. Jesus explains that heaven experiences even greater joy when one sinner repents and comes to faith.
This heavenly celebration serves as a reminder that salvation is not merely a personal decision—it is an event that echoes into eternity. Every baptism, every testimony, and every transformed life represents a victory worth celebrating because it reflects the heart of God.
Practical Application
Pastor Jeff challenged the congregation to identify one person who needs Jesus and commit to three simple actions:
- Pray for them daily.
- Pursue them intentionally through genuine relationships.
- Personally invite them into community and gospel-centered conversations.
The message closes with a powerful reminder: the one person God has placed in your life matters deeply to Him. Jesus pursued us when we were lost, and now He calls His followers to faithfully pursue others with the hope of the gospel.