Closer to God, a Lenten sermon series from Luke, Week 3 of 5
Preached March 7, 2021 for the 9:30am Worship
For the Children
Hello younger ones, present or at home! Have you ever lost any money? I remember one time being given a gift card for one of my favorite stores for Christmas when I was much younger. The next day, I looked and looked for that gift card, but never found it. I guess I threw it away with all the wrapping paper.
Have you ever lost a pet? My first pet, when I was really little, was a cat named GONE. She wasn’t our cat really, just a neighborhood stray that occasionally came to our house for a treat. And her name probably wan’t GONE. When I asked mama “Where’s kitty?” She was say, “Kitty’s gone.” So I started calling her GONE. It showed us occasionally and let me pet her.
Today, Jesus is talking about some lost things, a lost coin, a lost pet, and saying these lost things tell us something about the way God wants us to do family and community. Let’s listen for the word of the Lord…
Scripture Luke 15:4-10
4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
(This is the word of the Lord… Thanks be to God)
Children’s Moment
I like these parables. They tell me lost things get found.
If you’re a younger one, or not so younger one, and you ever wonder, “Have I lost God? Has God lost me? Have I lost my way?,” the god of these parables will come find you, will not give up searching for you, and when God finds you, will throw a part for you with all your community.
As you grow, you may find a time when you think, “I don’t know about God… Where is God? I can’t find God. God doesn’t feel close or right lately.” That will be a lost moment. But know this, God is looking for you and is going to find you, and bring you home to the party.
Will you pray with me?
Thank you God, for searching for us, for finding us, for bringing us home, and throwing a party. Amen
Rev. Joel L. Tolbert
Pastor, Presbyterian Church of Chestertown