Four Principles of Stewardship

1. God owns everything, you own nothing.

2. God entrusts you with everything you have.

3. You can either increase or diminish what God has given; He wants you to increase it.

4. God can call you into account at any time, and it may be today.

3 ways to align our heart with Heaven in our care for the lost

I. Marvel at God’s Pursuit of the Lost

A. Contrast to the grumbling of the Pharisees and scribes

Luke 15:1-2 - Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

B. The Lord actively pursues those who are far from Him

Ezekiel 34:6 - My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them.

Ezekiel 34:11 - For thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.”

C. The Lord values people and has great compassion for sinners

Luke 15:20 - So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

II. Rejoice Over Repentance

A. Repentance from legalism or lawlessness

Luke 15:1-2 - Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 15:13 - And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.

Luke 15:28-29 - But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, “Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends…”

B. Rejoice with Heaven

1. Joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents

Luke 15:7 - I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

2. Angels rejoicing

Luke 15:10 - In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

3. Father throwing a feast

Luke 15:32 - But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.

III. Participate In God’s Plan of Redemption

Luke 19:10 - For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

A. Guard your heart from self-righteousness

B. Celebrate passionately regarding salvation

C. Participate personally in God’s rescue plan