## Four Great Losses

## Luke 19:10

Probably one of the worst feelings that a person can experience is the feeling of loss. You can see it in the faces of those standing helplessly outside of their home watching it burn to ground. We see it in the faces of those who have received the news of a loved one or close friend who has passed away. Recently we saw it the faces of the young people who failed to win their contests at the Olympics.

Certainly all of us have experienced those feelings of loss at some time or another. Yet, as difficult as those losses may be, there are even greater losses that are experienced every day. This morning I want to talk about four of those great losses.

I. THE LOST BOOK: cf 2 Kings 22:8

A. Hilkiah said, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord."

1. Some feel this was the original manuscript of Moses.

2. Probably a copy laid up in the most holy place according to Moses' command.

"And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee." (Deu 31:24-26)

3. The real question is, "Why was it missing?"

a. Or was it carelessly mislaid and neglected.

b. Or was it maliciously concealed by some idolatrous king or his agent.

c. Or was it carefully laid up by some of its friends to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemies.

d. Or was it abandoned during the backslidden condition of the Jews.

4. In any event, the result of it being found was a great religious reformation under Josiah.

5. How tragic to think that God's people had lost "THE BOOK".

B. God's word is lost to many today.

1. Not visibly but practically.

2. It may be on the coffee table or closet shelf, just waiting for us to open it.

3. It may be neglected by those who once held it dear.

C. God's Word is great!

1. It is the power to save.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Rom 1:16)

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21)

2. It is a prevention against sin.

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psa 119:9)

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psa 119:11)

3. It gives direction.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psa 119:105)

4. It gives us all that we need.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim 3:16-17)

II. THE LOST CHRIST: cf Luke 2:41-52

A. The Story of the Lost Boy.

1. This is one of the few times that we read about the childhood of Jesus.

2. He was 12, and His family had been to the Feast of Passover.

3. They headed back home, but after a while His parents couldn't find him.

4. They returned to Jerusalem and searched for Him.

5. They found Him in the temple.

6. There isn't a parent here today who could not relate to the awful feeling of loss they must have had.

B. However, Christ can still be lost today.

1. By misunderstanding and ignorance.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6)

2. By failing to study and learn of Him through the Word.

3. By sin and rebellion.

"Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." (John 8:21)

C. The great news is Christ can be found.

1. By Seeking Him.

2. By surrender to Him.

III. The Lost Opportunity: cf Luke 16:19-31

A. The Rich Man lost much opportunity.

1. For the Bible declares, to him that hath much more is required.

2. He could have ministered to the beggar.

3. He could have been a faithful child of God.

4. He could have blessed the cause of God.

5. But now his position is REVERSED.

a. The Rich Man is now the beggar.

b. Lazarus, the beggar, is now rich.

B. What are we doing with our opportunities.

1. They too can be lost for ever.

2. We have two great realms of opportunity:

a. To serve God.

"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." (Acts 24:25)

"King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." (Acts 26:27-28)

b. To serve others.

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Gal 6:10)

IV. The Lost Soul: cf Luke 12:16-21

A. The story of the rich farmer who lost his soul is one of great seriousness.

1. This is the greatest of all losses.

2. Note this, it is surely to result by the loss of any of the other three things we have mentioned.

3. Mt. 16:26, "...what shall a man give in exchange for his soul."

4. No kind of "reward" could be given God.

B. Sadly, it can be lost by doing nothing.

1. A person does not have to 'do' anything to go to hell.

2. The Bible teaches us that we are condemned already.

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)

- When the lost book is found we have the key to knowledge and revival.
- When the lost Christ is found we have found a Savior.
- When the lost opportunity is found we have found purpose in life.
- When the lost soul is found we have found an eternal home.

This morning, what is our need? Have we lost the Book? Have we forsaken the Christ who loved us so much that He died for us? Have we lost the opportunities that God has given to us to serve? Do you need to trust Christ as Savior this morning? Come today and find all we need in Him.