The God Who Seeks 寻找人的上帝 Luke 15:1–10 路加福音 15:1–10

The God Who Seeks 寻找人的上帝

Scripture Passage 经文： Luke 15:1–10 路加福音 15:1–10
Preacher 讲员： Rev. Aaron Liu 刘亚伦牧师

Introduction 引言

Rev. Aaron Liu began by reminding the congregation that powerful spiritual encounters—such as healing, freedom, and sensing God’s presence—are not the end, but an invitation into a deeper relationship with God. He emphasized that it is possible to experience God’s movement yet miss His heart behind it. Through Luke 15, Jesus reveals not just what God does, but why He does it—the heart of a God who seeks the lost. Rev. Aaron Liu challenged the church to move beyond viewing evangelism as a program and instead understand it as a lifestyle rooted in God’s heart.

刘亚伦牧师首先提醒会众，属灵的经历——如医治、释放、以及感受到神的同在——并不是终点，而是进入与神更深关系的邀请。他强调，人可能经历神的作为，却忽略了祂背后的心意。在路加福音第15章中，耶稣不仅显明神所做的事，更揭示祂为何如此行——因为祂是一位寻找失丧者的上帝。刘亚伦牧师挑战教会，不要把传福音当作一个项目，而是活出一个以神的心为核心的生活方式。

1. God Moves Toward the Lost 上帝主动走向失丧的人

Bible Scripture 经文： Luke 15:1–2 路加福音 15:1–2

Rev. Aaron Liu highlighted the contrast between two groups: the tax collectors and sinners who were drawn to Jesus, and the Pharisees who were disturbed by Him. He emphasized that Jesus intentionally moved toward those whom society rejected. This reveals the heart of God—a God who does not avoid the broken, but seeks them out. He challenged believers to reflect: do people feel drawn to Christ through us, or distanced from Him because of us? Rev. Aaron Liu warned that it is possible to be close to church activities yet far from the heart of God.

刘亚伦牧师指出两群人的对比：税吏和罪人被耶稣吸引，而法利赛人却对祂感到不满。他强调，耶稣主动走向那些被社会拒绝的人，显明神的心意——祂不是避开破碎的人，而是主动寻找他们。他挑战信徒反思：人们是因我们而更亲近基督，还是因我们而远离祂？刘亚伦牧师提醒，我们可能很接近教会的活动，却远离神的心。

2. God Takes the Initiative 上帝主动寻找（失羊的比喻）

Bible Scripture 经文： Luke 15:3–7 路加福音 15:3–7

Rev. Aaron Liu emphasized that the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to pursue the one lost sheep. He explained that being lost is not merely being far away, but being vulnerable, helpless, and unable to return on one’s own. The sheep does not find its way back—the shepherd must go after it. This illustrates God’s prevenient grace: before we ever seek God, He is already seeking us. Rev. Aaron Liu stressed that evangelism is not passive waiting but active pursuit, reflecting God’s initiating love.

刘亚伦牧师强调，牧人离开九十九只羊，去寻找那一只迷失的羊。他解释，“失丧”不仅是远离，更是脆弱、无助，无法靠自己回归。羊不会自己回来，必须由牧人去寻找。这正显明神的“先行恩典”——在我们寻找神之前，神已经先寻找我们。刘亚伦牧师指出，传福音不是被动等待，而是主动追寻，回应神先主动的爱。

3. God Searches Carefully 上帝细心寻找（失钱的比喻）

Bible Scripture 经文： Luke 15:8–10 路加福音 15:8–10

Rev. Aaron Liu explained the contrast between the lost sheep and the lost coin. The sheep was lost far away and aware, while the coin was lost nearby and unaware. He emphasized that the most dangerous condition is being lost without realizing it—appearing religious but spiritually distant. The woman’s careful and intentional search shows how seriously God values each person. Rev. Aaron Liu reminded the church that evangelism is not only about reaching those far away, but also noticing those near us—family, friends, and even people within the church.

刘亚伦牧师解释失羊与失钱的对比：羊是在远处迷失，并且知道自己迷失；钱却是在近处迷失，却毫无知觉。他强调，最危险的状态是“自己不知道自己已经失丧”——外表宗教化，内心却远离神。妇人点灯、打扫、细心寻找，表明神对每一个人的重视。刘亚伦牧师提醒教会，传福音不仅是去远方，也包括留意身边的人——家人、朋友，甚至教会中的人。

4. God Rejoices Over One 上帝为一个人欢喜

Bible Scripture 经文： Luke 15:7,10 路加福音 15:7,10

Rev. Aaron Liu emphasized that heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. In contrast to the world that values numbers and results, God values restoration. He challenged the consumer mindset within the church and reminded believers that people are not projects, but deeply loved by God. Even one life matters eternally. Rev. Aaron Liu encouraged the congregation to commit to reaching at least one person, trusting that God can use that one life for His greater purpose.

刘亚伦牧师强调，天上会为一个悔改的罪人欢喜。与世界看重人数与成果不同，神看重的是人的恢复。他挑战教会中“消费主义”的心态，提醒信徒，人不是项目，而是神深深爱着的对象。即使只有一个人，也具有永恒的价值。刘亚伦牧师鼓励会众，立志去接触至少一个人，相信神能使用这一个生命成就更大的旨意。

Conclusion 结论

Rev. Aaron Liu concluded by reminding the congregation that we are not here because we found God, but because God found us. The cross is the ultimate expression of God’s seeking heart—He came to pursue and restore us. He called believers not only to receive His grace, but to participate in His mission. As we understand God’s heart, we are invited to reflect His love by intentionally reaching out to others.

刘亚伦牧师总结指出，我们今天能在这里，不是因为我们找到了神，而是因为神先找到了我们。十字架是神寻找之心最极致的表达——祂亲自来寻找并恢复我们。祂呼召信徒，不只是领受恩典，更要参与祂的使命。当我们明白神的心，我们也被邀请去活出祂的爱，主动去接触他人。

Take-away Message 带走的信息

God seeks the lost with intentional love, and we are called to reflect His heart by actively reaching out to at least one person.

神以主动且有目的的爱寻找失丧的人，而我们也被呼召去回应祂的心，主动去接触至少一个人。
______________________________________________________________________

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You this morning with grateful hearts, thanking You for gathering us together once again as brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank You for the gift of fellowship, for the opportunity to meet physically, to worship You, to study Your Word, and to encourage one another in love and faith.

Lord, we thank You especially for last Sunday’s message, “The God Who Seeks,” delivered through Reverend Aaron Liu. Thank You for reminding us that You are the God who lovingly seeks the lost, calls us by name, and never gives up on us. May this truth continue to stir our hearts and transform the way we live each day. Help us not only to hear Your Word, but to live it out faithfully in our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities.

As we discuss the sermon and reflect on our journalling of Isaiah 16 to 20 today, open our hearts and minds to receive Your wisdom. Teach us through Your Holy Spirit. May our sharing be honest, encouraging, and filled with grace. Let Your Word challenge us, strengthen us, and draw us closer to You.

Bless every person who has made the effort to come today. Refresh those who are weary, comfort those who are burdened, and encourage those who need hope. Unite us in love and deepen our walk with You as disciples of Christ.

May this gathering glorify You in every conversation, prayer, and reflection.

In Jesus’ precious name we pray,
Amen.

Closing Prayer with Blessing of Food

Loving and Gracious Father,

Thank You for Your presence with us throughout this discipleship gathering today. Thank You for the meaningful discussions, reflections, encouragement, and fellowship we have shared together. We are grateful for the sermon, “The God Who Seeks,” and for the lessons from Isaiah 16 to 20 that remind us to trust You fully and walk faithfully with You.

Lord, continue to shape us into disciples who not only know Your Word but live it out daily. Help us to seek You wholeheartedly, obey You courageously, and reflect Your love to the people around us. May the truths we have learned today remain in our hearts throughout the week.

We also thank You for every person who contributed their time, effort, and love in making this gathering possible. Bless our church leaders, Reverend Aaron Liu, and all who faithfully serve in ministry. Strengthen and guide them in Your wisdom and grace.

Father, as we now gather around the table for food and fellowship, we ask for Your blessing upon the meal before us. Thank You for Your provision and for the hands that prepared this food. May it nourish and strengthen our bodies. Bless our conversations and fellowship as we continue spending time together in joy and unity.

As we leave later, go before us and keep us safe. May Your peace, love, and presence remain with each one of us.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ we pray,
Amen.

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