The Parable of the Lost Sheep; Matthew 18:12-14
When You Feel Lost — God Still Comes Looking for You
Are you spiritually and emotionally lost — either due to sin, doubt, or life struggles? Do you feel disconnected from God and the community? Maybe you feel unworthy of God’s love because you let Him down almost every day. Or perhaps you feel far from God and don’t know how to return to Him. It’s okay to feel that way.
It is a sign that God is calling you back to Him.
The Message of the Parable
The parable of the lost sheep shows how God passionately seeks those who are lost. His heart toward the lost is not to condemn but to find them and transform them like His Son, Christ Jesus.Today’s message is to offer hope for those struggling with guilt, shame, or isolation — assuring them that God loves them the way they are.Let’s dive into the parable and read our text from Matthew 18:
A shepherd has 100 sheep, but one goes missing. He leaves the 99 in the open country (or wilderness, depending on the version) to search for the lost sheep.
When he finds it, he joyfully carries it home on his shoulders and calls his friends and neighbors to celebrate, saying, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep!”
Jesus concludes that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the righteous who need no repentance.The shepherd represents God or Jesus Christ, who relentlessly pursues those who are lost rather than waiting for them to return back to Him. Salvation is God seeking the sinners and saving them through Jesus Christ.
Everyone Matters to God
Everyone is important — no matter how small or unimportant you feel you are. Everyone matters to God.
The heart of God in this parable is to care for the little one and to make sure none perish. The love of God is unconditional, and His love toward us is so deep.So many times in my Christian life I have wandered off and got lost in my sin. Sometimes I have found myself going back to my old sinful nature, my habits, and lifestyle. But one thing for sure — as I got lost, God always pursued me and got me back home.
My Story – When God Found Me
Back in the year 2013, I went away from the church. For one year I never went to church. During that time, it started as an adventure — living in sin, enjoying myself — but slowly it turned to emptiness, pain, and shame. I began to be in need. I lost my house, job, and became desperate. No one was there to help. I had to return back home with shame and with nothing. But all through that time, God whispered, “Go back to church.” Yet I ignored His call. But He never gave up on me until He found me. He kept on searching — it didn’t matter how hard or how long it took — but finally, He found me broken, full of shame, emotionally and spiritually wounded. Yet still, He took a wretch like me. He washed me again and restored my dignity.
The Love That Transforms
When I think of God’s love, I shed my tears. So many times I let Him down, I mess up, and I get into trouble — but every time He helps me. Who am I to deserve His grace and mercy?
Who am I to be loved this way? When I think of His love toward my life, I cry, and His love changes me. It makes me hate my sin, behavior, and habits — and it makes me love and serve Him. I know we love God, but how does His love change you?
The Power of Obedience and Transformation
In John 14:15, Jesus says,
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
And 1 John 5:3 states,
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.”
You can’t taste the goodness and experience His love in your life and keep on sinning. His love transforms our lives and challenges us to live a holy and righteous life.
We All Wander, But God Pursues
Sheep are known to wander and lose their way — and that’s the same with us. So many times, we wander and get lost in the world. In Ephesians 2:3, we were dead and lost. No one searched for God, but God, in His great love, pursued us and made us alive in Christ Jesus. When God finds us, He rejoices. He does not condemn.
Just like the shepherd, He takes the sheep, puts it on His shoulders, and goes away rejoicing. In Romans 8:1, it says,
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Don’t Listen to the Lies of the Enemy
Maybe today you feel ashamed, guilty, and don’t know how to return to God. Maybe you think He will not take you back — that He will judge and condemn you. But that is the lie of Satan.
His work is to accuse us before God and whisper in our ears that God cannot accept us, that our sins are too big, and that we are unworthy before God. Möst of the time he whispers:
“No need to go to church today.
See, you just sinned yesterday.
You can never be a good Christian — just give up.”
If you are listening to this voice today, you need to stop and listen to the voice of God instead:
“I am not here to condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
God Never Gives Up
We see the heart of God — His deep care for each individual, no matter how little they are or what they have done. His pursuit for the lost is motivated by love and mercy. He will keep on pursuing them — no matter how hard or how long it takes.
He never gives up until He finds the lost. Everyone is important to God.
Conclusion:
If today you feel lost — spiritually, emotionally, or even physically — know that God is still searching for you. You may have wandered far, but you are never beyond His reach. His love is patient and relentless; He will not rest until He brings you back home. Don’t let guilt, shame, or the voice of the enemy convince you that you are too far gone.
God is waiting with open arms, ready to forgive, restore, and embrace you as His own. Come back to Him today. Let His love heal your heart, renew your spirit, and give you a fresh start. Just like the shepherd who rejoiced when he found his lost sheep, heaven will rejoice when you return home to your Father.
