2026-07-04: Qualities of the Lost Sheep Servant (Nashville Lost Sheep Service)

He is trustworthy

• To the person
  • Many of the Lost Sheep may have sins or struggles and may confide them with you… (Addiction, Homosexuality, Abuses, Atheism, Sins, etc.)
  • In the beginning, they may even test the waters with you - tell you something, then see how you react, see the look on your face, see how you change in your speech or demeanor or behavior, and most importantly… see if you tell anyone!
  • A Lost Sheep servant must be TRUSTWORTHY. Must be able to confide.
    • What you learn about a youth, you keep to yourself except with your coordinator/Abouna
• To the Church and Abouna
  • Your service is on behalf of Abouna and the Church
  • So you must always go back to the Church and Abouna!
  • The service of the Lost Sheep needs much follow-up with Abouna
    • Many times, someone who is far from the Church, will NOT respond to Abouna. It would be very easy for Abouna to say “ok khalas I tried” - but because of Abouna’s great love in this blessed church, he has you go on his behalf. But that means that I bring it back to Abouna after
• “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Cor 4:2)

Always Growing and Learning

• Knowledge of the Biblical Truth
  • “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬)
  • Unless I have knowledge of the Scripture, I will not be “equipped for every good work”
  • The Service of the Lost Sheep is one that requires knowledge of doctrine, knowledge of correction, knowledge of righteousness
  • Arius used bible verses!
    • I need to have the sound interpretation of Scripture because I may be confronted with Bible Verses. And if I don’t know their interpretation, or I don’t have a solid spiritual foundation, I may be led astray
• Apologetics
  • A Lost Sheep may have intellectual barriers
  • It is rarely the ONLY reason that he left the Church, but sometimes it is a barrier put up to protect him from facing the real issues
  • Apologetics is not proof of God. I cannot treat it as proof… it is evidence to help overcome intellectual barriers.
• Practical Ministry skills
• As long as you keep learning faithfully, the Lord will lead you to the right people at the right time

Patient

• “Love suffers long…” (1 Cor 13:4)
• We live in a world now that glorifies immediacy
  • Want food? Button on your phone… food at your door.
  • Want information? Button on your phone… Information about ANYTHING.
  • Want a car to take you somewhere? Button on your phone
  • Want an essay about a certain topic? Button on your phone
  • Not even a button just say “Hey Google, what year did the civil war start?” - “Hey Alexa, order me a new shampoo” - “Hey Siri, order some Butter Chicken from the nearest restaurant”
• The Spiritual Life is NOT like that
  • If I am so used to the immediacy of this world, I will struggle with the Spiritual Life
  • I cannot read a book and acquire a virtue
  • I cannot push a button and overcome a sin
• The Ministry of the Lost Sheep is DEFINITELY not like that
  • I cannot push a button and bring a Lost Sheep back to Church
  • This is unfortunately what people think… I’ll just send him a text message. If he doesn’t respond, then I did my part and that’s on him… No! There is labor involved. There is cultivating a friendship. There is learning about him. There is spending time with him. There is bringing up difficult topics and discussing them with love.
• This is a service that does not always see fruit
  • The Lord Jesus, Himself, had one that He could not win and bring back. If the Lord Jesus couldn’t bring back Judas, what makes me think that I will be able to bring everyone back?

Focused on Eternity

• “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul”
• What is love?
  • What does it mean that God loves you?
  • What does it mean that Abouna loves you?
  • Love means that I desire your salvation. God loves us means He desires our salvation - not necessarily that He wants us to be happy in the moment!
• Able to give hope
  • “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.”‭‭ (Psalm 42:5)
  • “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” (1 Peter 3:15)

Is Not Perfect

• The Lost Sheep will NEVER respond to a servant who is perfect. Rather, they will compare themselves to that servant and say “this is why I don’t belong in the Church. Because I am not perfect like those who are in the Church.
• The reality is that none of us is perfect… but unless I am following up with my Father of Confession REGULARLY, that means I think I am perfect! And this shows!!
• The Lost Sheep servant also needs MORE follow-up with Father of Confession
  • You may see or hear things
  • You may be challenged by some ideas
  • You may find yourself in places of temptation
• Need to be completely open with Father of Confession, lest you lose your salvation

Is Spiritual

• A Lost Sheep will never come back due to human effort alone, but it is the work of God
  • I plant, you water, God gives the increase
  • “No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit”
  • It is the Holy Spirit working in you, working in the Church, and working in that individual, Who will bring him back
• The biggest work that you can do is to pray for each of the Lost Sheep
  • Put their name on the altar in every liturgy, get a new piece of paper, and write their name and remember them
  • Remember them in your personal prayers
  • Remember those who are serving them
  • Pray Psalm 118 (22): “I have gone astray like a lost sheep, seek your servant for I do not forget Your commandments”
    • Also in Tentheeno