ONE Lost Sheep

Every ONE is worth pursuing.

In Luke 15:1–2 Jesus begins a story: “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’”

That's why Jesus tells Luke 15.

This sermon gets to the heart of your entire ONE vision.

The scandal of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine for one sheep is that one matters that much. Jesus refuses to view people as statistics, attendance numbers, demographics, or categories. The Kingdom sees individuals.

And notice the movement: the shepherd doesn't merely hope the sheep wanders home. He goes after it.

That provides a helpful distinction between an attractional church and a sent church. We absolutely want to welcome people when they come—but Jesus also calls us to pursue people who aren't coming.

The ONE vision suddenly becomes intensely personal:

Who is your ONE?

Who are you praying for? Who are you intentionally loving? Who are you inviting? Who are you listening to? Who would notice if you began intentionally moving toward them?

And Luke 15 keeps this from becoming guilt-driven evangelism. The chapter ends its stories with celebration. Finding lost people isn't an obligation Jesus reluctantly hands the church. It's something that brings joy in heaven.