40DaysOfCommunity Intro

Lost at Philpott: Is This Community?

We are made for community. However, life together is challenging on every level; we must be prepared for it. The parable of the Prodigal Son describes a new way of perceiving, a new kind of living, a transformation that only God can bring about, which prepares us to live in community.

Who is lost?
How do you know whether you are lost?
How can we know we have been truly found?

Who is lost?
I. In the parables, the Sheep, the coin, and the son were lost.
a. The sheep was lost, helpless, and hopeless.
b. The coin was senseless; lost but didn’t know that.
c. The son was lost by design; found by intent; restored graciously.

How do you know whether you are lost?
II. You know that you are lost if…
a. You are NOT home!
i. You do NOT being home.
ii. You look for any reason to leave home.
iii. You prefer non-family to family.
b. You long to be belong and know you do not.

How can we know we have been truly found?
II. We know that we have been truly found because a celebration occurs when we arrive.
a. Joy
b. Feasting together
c. No one wants to leave again!


APPLICATIONS:
There is a sense that one can be LOST @ Philpott…
We can be “lost” even while we are at home.

Who is lost? The Bad people?
1. The “Bad” son, the Prodigal Son was lost.
2. But the “Good” son proved to just as lost.
1. Lost can mean GOOD:
Rich young ruler:
Mark 10:17–22 NASB
“And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and began asking Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. “You know the commandments, ‘Do Not Murder, Do Not Commit Adultery, Do Not Steal, Do Not Bear False Witness, Do not defraud, Honor Your Father And Mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words his face fell, and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property.”

Obedience always has its limits!

Pharisee & the “sinner”
Luke 18:9–14 NASB
“And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. “The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ “But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted.””

Those who think highly of themselves because of their obedience are in grave danger.
One of my worst nightmares: I stand here commending you at a memorial service, thinking that you had been “found,” while you are NOT enjoying the presence of God in heaven.

How do you know whether you are lost here?
i. Lost:
1. Most attend worship then leave for home.
2. About half the adults are in a small group, more this week perhaps.
3. We live our lives in isolation, we have other friends, this is not our family; that would be Lost At Phillpott. Some have only acquaintances; that would be lost….
ii. Belong:
1. I have learned to entrust my very life with a few believers.
2. I have learned to be a faithful friend to a few people who trust me.
3. My life is enriched by my participation here…
a. My spiritual life.
b. My intellectual life.

How can we know we have been truly found?
1. God seeks us, as the shepherd of the lost sheep persevered until the lost sheep was returned to the fold.
a. God is a seeking God.
b. God is the Seeker of all who are lost, regardless of the nature of their lostness.
c. Where does it say that He seeks the Lost?
iii. Lost Sheep. Luke 15:3-7
iv. Lost Coin. 15:8-10
v. Lost Sons. 15:11-32

a. Why doesn’t God seek me?
vi. But He is!
vii. If there is a God, he would be cruel NOT to show himself to his conscious creatures.

The Grace of God creates true Community among the LOST.

There are pockets in the congregation that are tasting life together. It’s meant for all. That’s our quest in the 40 DAYS OF COMMUNITY Venture …
We are made for community, but…
If we are to experience true community, a tangible LIFE TOGETHER, then we must experience the sort of DEEP CHANGE that God intends for us. That change is described in the parable of the two sons.