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God Loves Lost Sinners — 9/22/2026 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Garrett Kell, Lead Pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. Pastor Kell preaches through Luke 15, where we see God's heart for sinners on display.
Notes
God Loves the Lost and He Seeks to Save Them
Today's chapel speaker was, Pastor Garrett Kell, Lead Pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. He taught from Luke 15 on God's relationship with sinners in light of the parables of the lost sheep, the silver coin, and the prodigal son.
The Sheep and the Coin
From the story of the shepherd seeking the lost sheep, Pastor Kell emphasized the vulnerability of sheep and their inability to defend themselves. He reminded us how heaven rejoices more over the salvation of one sinner than 99 righteous people. From the parable of the silver coin, he shares how joyous God is when sinners are saved. Using these two stories, Kell reminded us how God searches for the sinner, and how heaven celebrates when sinners are found.
The Lost Son's Sin
Pastor Kell spent the most time on the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11–31. By asking for his inheritance early, the young son insults his father and rebels, leaving to live in absolute sin. Kell reminded us, "If you want sin, it's right there ... Satan is always eager and ready to provide a way of temptation into it.” People can see religion and God as "stifling" their fun or way of life. Kell compared parts of his own testimony to the son’s indulgence, warning against the false freedom and masks which sin offers. Sin will corrode your identity and loosen your grip on reality. Eventually, though, you will realize the high cost of sin upon your life.
The "Gracious Wrecking of God"
Pastor Kell asked us to consider the perspective of the father, who saw his child fall apart and fall into sin. When the cost of your sins finally brings you to your lowest point, you look for God again. God lets you learn the cost of your sins by allowing you to choose your own fate — Pastor Kell called this "having a big glass of what you want ... and seeing where it leads." Sin steals everything from you, but God's commandments provide joy.
God Invites Us Back
After everything, the father invites the son back the same way God invites you back from your sinful pattern of life. God's heart is filled with mercy; He will always invite you home. No amount of guilt will stop God from searching for you. You will always be God's child, whether you are like the younger son, returning from rebellion, or the older son, who never left God but lost sight of the relationship in favor of the reward. God does not give sinners what they deserve, because He is loving and filled with mercy.
Application
Pastor Kell teaches about God's relationship with the lost. He reminds us that no matter what, God searches for the lost sheep, coin, and son — God searches for us.
- Do you let sin, or guilt over past sin, stop you from coming home to God?
- Pastor Kell tells us about the “gracious wrecking of God.” How can your lowest points draw you closer to God? Have your past lows motivated you to return home to Him?
- Remember this week that “No matter what you’ve done, the Father loves to give mercy to you.”