Bringing the Lost Back

Bringing the Lost Back

Introduction
It is always sad to lose something precious to us. Jesus told a parable to illustrate this truth in Luke 15:1–7. He described a shepherd with one hundred sheep who, upon losing one, left the ninety-nine to search for the one that was lost until he found it. When he found it, he laid it on his shoulders, rejoicing, and called his friends and neighbors to celebrate with him. Jesus said there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Sin is what causes people to be lost. Sin separates us from God and closes the door of heaven. It is especially heartbreaking when a once-faithful Christian leaves the fold, shrinking the church one soul at a time. Jesus warned of the severe consequences of unfaithfulness in Luke 12:42–47, showing that the servant who knew his master’s will but did not do it would be punished with many stripes. Christians therefore have a great responsibility to restore the erring and bring the lost sheep back to the fold.

Our text is James 5:19–20: “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (NKJV).

Christians Can Become Lost
James makes it clear that wandering from the truth is possible. He explains how it begins in James 1:13–15. Temptation arises from our own desires, and when desire conceives it gives birth to sin. When sin matures, it brings forth death. Temptation is not from God, for He is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). The problem lies in our hearts when we yield to desires that drag us away from God.

Peter also warned that Christians could become entangled again in the world’s corruption after escaping it through the knowledge of Christ. He said the latter end is worse than the beginning, comparing the fallen to a dog returning to vomit and a sow returning to the mire (2 Peter 2:20–22). This can happen when Christians go back to worldly friends, pursue sinful activities, grow bitter toward God, or listen to false teachers.

Scripture warns us repeatedly of the dangers of falling away. Paul warned of those tossed about by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). Paul also wrote that those who reject truth are given over to delusion and condemnation (2 Thessalonians 2:11–12). Peter warned believers to beware lest they fall from steadfastness, led away with the error of the wicked (2 Peter 3:17). These warnings remind us that vigilance is necessary, for Christians can indeed become lost.

The Erring Face Spiritual Death
James depicts the severity of wandering from the truth by calling it death. Sin is not a small matter; it slays the soul and leads to eternal separation from God. Paul described some as enemies of the cross whose end is destruction (Philippians 3:18–19).

This death often begins gradually. It may start with neglect of prayer, a decline in Bible study, or inconsistent attendance in worship. It may deepen when fellowship with faithful Christians is neglected. These small steps lead to a dangerous path away from God.

When a loved one dies physically, we grieve deeply. The same sorrow should fill our hearts when we see a brother or sister wander from the truth. The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:136, “Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law” (NKJV). The disobedience of others broke his heart, and it should break ours as well.

The Lost Are Guilty of Unforgiven Sins
Those who wander remain in unforgiven sin. When sins are forgiven, Scripture calls the person blessed. Psalm 32:1–2 says, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity” (NKJV). Paul applies this passage to salvation in Christ in Romans 4:7–8. In Christ, God does not impute our trespasses to us, reconciling us to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

But when one strays, those sins remain uncovered. That reality should stir us to action. David himself promised in Psalm 51:13 that after receiving forgiveness he would teach transgressors God’s ways so sinners could be converted. We are called to make visits, send messages, and reach out to restore the lost, even if uncomfortable. Jude 23 urges us to save others with fear, pulling them out of the fire, while rejecting the sin that defiles.

Even if our efforts are rejected, we must try. We cannot be indifferent while souls drift into destruction. Doing nothing is not an option.

Conclusion
Many of us know someone who has left the fold. They may be family, friends, or former fellow worshipers. Scripture calls us to do everything we can to bring them back. James assures us that when we turn a sinner from the error of his way, we save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. May we have the courage, compassion, and persistence to restore the lost.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

Sermon Outline:

Bringing the Lost Back

Introduction:

It is always sad to lose something precious to us.  Jesus told a story once to illustrate this very thing.  (Luke 15:1-7) “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.  And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.’  So He spoke this parable to them, saying:  ‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?’  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.’ ” NKJV  Sin is what causes people to be lost.  Sin separates us from God and shuts the door of heaven.  It is especially heartbreaking to see a once-faithful Christian leave the fold and cause the church to shrink one soul at a time.  The severity of this is illustrated by our Savior in Luke 12:42-47.  “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward,’ whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.  Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.  But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.  And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” NKJV  Christians have a great responsibility to try and bring the lost sheep back to the fold, to try and restore the erring Christian.

Text:  James 5:19-20  “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” NKJV

Body:

I.            Christians Can Become Lost

·       James had earlier revealed how this may happen.  (James 1:13-15) “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” NKJV  It begins with temptation which can lead to sin.  Often one may blame God for this but God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. 

(James 1:17) “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” NKJV

·       James was concerned this would lead some to become completely entangled in sin like Peter noted in II Peter 2:20-22.  “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.  For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.  But it has happened to them according to the true proverb:  ‘A dog returns to his own vomit.’ And, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’ ” NKJV  This could be caused by Christians going back to worldly friends or activities, looking for the wrong kind of companions, becoming bitter toward God, or listening to false teacher.

·       God reveals in Scripture how terrible it is to fall away and wander from the truth.  See Ephesians 4:14.  “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,” NKJV  (II Thessalonians 2:11-12) “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” NKJV  (II Peter 3:17) “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;” NKJV

II.           The Erring Face Spiritual Death

·        James depicts the severe consequences of wandering from the truth – death.  Sin slays.  It is 100% fatal!  (Philippians 3:18-19) “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things.” NKJV

·       This death is a process which may begin with a decline in our prayer and Bible study, or a decrease of our church attendance, or possibly not having fellowship with faithful Christians.

·       Just as we cry at the death of a loved one, so should we weep when we see one leave the faith.  (Psalm 119:136) “Rivers of waters run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law.” NKJV  The Psalmist was devastated by their disobedience.

III.        The Lost Are Guilty of Unforgiven Sins

·       Sins not covered by Christ’s blood lead to spiritual death.  When one’s sins are covered, the one is considered blessed.  (Psalm 32:1-2) “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.” NKJV  Paul quotes this verse in Romans 4:7-8. “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” NKJV  He applies it to our salvation in Christ.  Also II Corinthians 5:19.  “that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” NKJV

·       Because these uncovered sins lead to death, we are motivated to try and bring the erring brother back.  (Psalm 51:13) “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” NKJV  We make that visit or phone call, even if we are not comfortable doing so.  We cannot be indifferent to their lost condition.  (Jude 23) “but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” NKJV

·       They may not respond to our pleas and refuse all of our efforts, but we must try.  We cannot be content to do nothing!

Conclusion:

Many of us know a lost sheep in need of saving.  Let’s do all we can to bring them back.

Bobby Stafford  August 25, 2019

Call to Action
Think of the lost sheep you know—the brother or sister who once walked with Christ but has turned back. Do not delay. Pray for them, reach out to them, and make the effort to restore them. Your words, your visit, your love may save a soul from eternal death.

Key Takeaways

• Christians can fall away and become lost (James 1:13–15; 2 Peter 2:20–22).

• Apostasy leads to spiritual death (Philippians 3:18–19).

• Unforgiven sins remain uncovered without Christ (Psalm 32:1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:19).

• Restoring the lost is both a duty and a privilege (James 5:19–20).

Scripture References

• Luke 15:1–7 – Parable of the lost sheep

• Luke 12:42–47 – Warning about unfaithful servants

• James 5:19–20 – Turning back the erring brother

• James 1:13–15, 17 – Temptation, sin, and death

• 2 Peter 2:20–22 – Entanglement in worldliness

• Ephesians 4:14 – Tossed by false doctrine

• 2 Thessalonians 2:11–12 – Delusion and condemnation

• 2 Peter 3:17 – Warning against falling from steadfastness

• Philippians 3:18–19 – End is destruction

• Psalm 119:136 – Grief over disobedience

• Psalm 32:1–2; Romans 4:7–8 – Forgiveness brings blessing

• 2 Corinthians 5:19 – Reconciliation through Christ

• Psalm 51:13 – Teaching transgressors after forgiveness

• Jude 23 – Saving with fear, pulling from fire