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Ask God: When God calls, how do you respond? When we use the Bible, the Holy Spirit and utilize our Spiritual Gifts, we glorify God. Seek Him and Find Him. God is always availble.

Good Evening Reader,

Let us glorify God in all we do. This is our calling. He loves you and extends His hand to all of His children.

May God bless you and keep you in His love.

All Glory to God.

Elvin

Glorify God

The Lost are Found—Rejoice!

Introduction

Life’s most significant question is not “What do I want from life?” but rather, “What does God want from my life?” In Luke 15, Jesus answers this by revealing the heart of God through three parables—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

Each of these parables concludes in joyful celebration, demonstrating that God’s mission is to bring the lost back into fellowship with Him. These parables were told to two very different audiences—sinners who gladly listened to Jesus and Pharisees who criticized Him for welcoming them.

Jesus made it clear that His purpose was to seek and save the lost, just as a shepherd pursues one sheep, a woman searches for one coin, and a father embraces a wayward son. If heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents, then we, too, should rejoice.

Luke 15:1–32 gives us a clear picture of heaven’s joy when the lost are found.

Heaven Rejoices When Even One Lost Person is Found

Through the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, Jesus illustrates that God loves all individuals, whether lost or found. Each story ends with rejoicing, reminding us that our mission is to reach out to those who are lost.

Ultimately, our purpose is to glorify God. As 1 Corinthians 10:31 declares, every act—whether ordinary or spiritual—should honor Him. Isaiah 43:7 reminds us that we were created for His glory, and Revelation 4:11 affirms that all creation exists by His will. True fulfillment comes when our lives reflect His glory and mission.

The Word of God Lights Our Path

God’s Word is the believer’s guide through life. Psalm 119:105 describes it as “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” reminding us that Scripture provides direction in a world often filled with darkness and confusion. Without the light of the Word, we stumble and lose our way, but with it, we walk in clarity and confidence, knowing we are following God’s will.

Paul explains in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 that all Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. The Word is not just informational but transformational—it equips every believer to live out God’s purpose and prepares us for every good work. When we apply it, we grow spiritually and walk in step with the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2 says we are not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds through God’s Word. As we read, meditate, and act on God’s Word, the Holy Spirit reshapes our thoughts and attitudes. The Bible reveals God’s perfect will, enabling us to live our lives in a way that glorifies God.

Ultimately, the Word of God serves as our compass, our teacher, and our source of strength on the journey of faith.

The Holy Spirit—Our Helper

Jesus promised His followers that He would not leave them alone but would send the Holy Spirit, the Helper, to dwell within them forever (John 14:15–18). The Spirit is the very presence of God, guiding and strengthening believers.

The Holy Spirit empowers us for service. Jesus declared in Acts 1:8 that believers would receive power to be His witnesses throughout the world. This strength does not come from human ability but from the Spirit’s presence working through us. The Holy Spirit also leads us into truth, revealing God’s will and directing our steps (John 16:13). Through His guidance, we walk in God’s plan with clarity and purpose.

Beyond guidance and power, the Holy Spirit equips us with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4). These gifts vary. Still, all serve the same purpose: to build up the church and bless others. Furthermore, the Spirit shapes our character by producing the fruit of Christ within us—love, joy, peace, patience, and more (Galatians 5:22–23).

Spiritual Gifts—Gifts From the Holy Spirit

Spiritual gifts are not the same as natural talents or learned skills. While abilities like music, art, or leadership can be developed through practice, spiritual gifts are unique endowments given by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. Paul describes them as “the manifestation of the Spirit… for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Their purpose is not self-promotion but service to God’s kingdom, building up the church, and advancing God’s mission.

The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is the giver of these gifts. Paul emphasizes that, although there are many different kinds of gifts, they all come from the same Spirit, who alone determines the gift each believer should have (1 Corinthians 12:4, 11). Spiritual gifts are not earned or chosen—they are entrusted by God for His glory.

Scripture names a variety of Spiritual Gifts: Romans 12 mentions prophecy, service, teaching, giving, leadership, and mercy; 1 Corinthians 12 adds wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, faith, discernment, tongues, and interpretation; Ephesians 4 highlights roles like apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

This diversity reflects God’s wisdom in creating interdependence within His people. United by one Spirit, different gifts work together, displaying God’s grace and equipping the church to grow strong and healthy in the church’s mission of ministering to the lost.

Summary

Jesus teaches in Luke 15 that God’s purpose is to seek and save the lost. Through the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, we see heaven’s joy when even one sinner returns to God. These stories challenge us to align our lives with God’s mission, rejoicing when the lost are found and living to glorify Him.

The Word of God lights our path and directs our steps (Psalm 119:105). Scripture, inspired by God, teaches, corrects, and equips us for every good work. As we read and obey, our minds are renewed (Romans 12:2), and our lives are transformed to reflect God’s will. The Bible is our compass, keeping us steady and strong in faith.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to empower, guide, and comfort us. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to witness, leads us into truth, and equips us with spiritual gifts, which produce Christlike fruit in our lives.

Spiritual gifts, given by the Holy Spirit, are not earned but entrusted by God for the building up of His church (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11). With diverse gifts—teaching, service, wisdom, healing, leadership, and more—we are united by one Spirit, working together to carry out God’s mission.

Elvin

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The Holy Spirit has Given Each a Spiritual Gift.

Ask God For Help

Christian faith

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin.aycock@AskGodForHelp.net and let me know what you think of the lessons.

Go to: www.AskGodForHelp.net

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