Do you ever "lose" your mind? Sorta like when your car gets out of alignment. Drives a little funny. Steering wheel is crooked. Tires wear out. Stresses the suspension of your car. Hurts gas mileage. Sometimes our mind gets out of alignment. Worry, anxiety, frustration, disappointment, depression, etc. We are reminded of our mistakes, regrets, fears, etc. How do we deal with them? How should we deal with them? Maybe try this plan???? Our biggest battles are the ones nobody else sees.....

Scripture Reading: Psalm 103 Text: Luke 15:11-32

The sermon emphasizes that believers must labor for God's glory rather than personal recognition, utilizing the metaphor of planting and watering found in 1 Corinthians 3. It asserts that effective ministry occurs only within the context of a local church, where individuals are sent out as servants to reach the lost. Pastor Friesen warns against spiritual independence and carnality, urging unity and submission to biblical authority. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to trust in Christ for salvation, recognizing that true success comes from God alone while human effort remains insufficient without His power.

The sermon outlines three primary reasons for fulfilling the Great Commission found in Mark 16:15. First, believers go because it is a direct command from Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, rather than a suggestion. Second, the urgency stems from the spiritual condition of humanity, emphasizing that all people are sinners in need of salvation and cannot be saved without acknowledging their lost state. Third, the imminent return of Christ serves as a motivating factor, with the Holy Spirit currently acting as a restrainer of iniquity through the Church until the rapture occurs. The message contrasts biblical truth with modern trends that deny human sinfulness, urging listeners to preach the gospel to every creature before time runs out.

The story is told about a preacher who was asked to preach the funeral for a stranger in the country. He agreed to do so but got lost on the way. As he was driving along a country road, he saw what appeared to be the workmen shoveling the final clods of dirt onto the man's grave. Not knowing what else to do, the preacher stopped his car and walked toward the men. He apologized to the workmen for being late, but kept his promise to preach the funeral, nonetheless. He read the Bible, preached his sermon, and finally prayed. Then, after shaking hands with the workmen, he got into his car and drove away. The workmen watched as the preacher's car disappeared over the top of the hill. Then one said to the other. "I've been to a lot of funerals in my day. But that's the first funeral service I've ever heard preached for the burial of a septic tank." While we can smile about that preacher's mistake, funerals are usually very difficult for the family. The loss of a loved one is often accompanied by lots of tears because of the good memories of the person who has died. We often say that the only good part of a funeral is being able to see friends and relatives whom we haven't seen for a long time. In our passage today, we will see that a close friend of Jesus got sick and eventually died. By the time Jesus and His disciples arrived, the man had been buried for four days. But the family was still grieving the loss. What would Jesus do to comfort the family?

The sermon exhorts believers to maintain joy and peace through prayer and thanksgiving, regardless of life's hardships. It emphasizes reprogramming one's thoughts to focus on pure and virtuous things rather than negative influences. The speaker shares personal testimonies of salvation and divine provision to illustrate God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Finally, the message calls for active outreach, urging listeners to encourage and support lost or hurting individuals with compassion and practical help.

What does the parable of one lost sheep reveal about Jesus? What does it show about the child of God?