Basis= Luke 19:10
                    
 INTRO:
    A.  Certainly we have all experienced feelings of 
        futility, frustration, grief over material losses.
        (1) In Africa I lost 1,500 dollars at the hands of 
            deceitful men.
        (2) Hurricane Betsy.

   B. Yet, every day that of far greater value is lost.
        (1) Four of the greatest losses among humanity:

 I. THE LOST BOOK:
    A. 2 Kings 22:8 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.   Deut.  31:24
       (3) The real question is, "Why was it missing?"
           -- Carelessly mislaid and neglected.
           -- Maliciously concealed by some idolatrous king 
              or his agent.
           -- Carefully laid up by some of its friends to 
              prevent it from falling into the hands of the 
              enemies.
           -- Abandoned during the backslidden condition of 
              the Jews.
           -- THE RESULT WAS a great religious reformation 
              under Josiah.
       (4) 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) God's Word is so great.
          -- Power to save = Rom. 1:16; Jas 1:21
          -- Prevention against sin. Ps. 119:9,11
          -- Direction = Ps 119:105
          -- Should meditate upon it = Ps. 1:1f
          -- Totally furnishes man = 2 Tim. 3:16

 II. THE LOST CHRIST:
     A. Luke 2:41-52 The Story of the Lost Boy.
        (1) Jesus was 12
        (2) It was the Feast of Passover - lasted 7 
            days.
        (3) After a day's journey parents missed him.
        (4) He was found the 3rd day in the temple.

    B. Christ can still be lost today.
       (1) By misunderstanding and ignorance. 
           -- Hosea 4:6
           -- 2 Tim. 2:15 = lack of study.
       (2) By sin and rebellion. John 8:21

    C. The great news is Christ can be found.
       (1) By Seeking
       (2) By surrender

 III. THE LOST OPPORTUNITY:
      A. Luke 16:19-31 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.
             -- The Rich Man is now the beggar.
             -- Lazarus is now rich.

   B. What are we doing with our opportunities.  They too 
      can be lost for ever.
      (1) We have two great realms of opportunity:
          -- To serve God = Acts 24:25; 26:27,28
          -- To serve others = Gal. 6:10, "As we have 
             therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all 
             men, especially unto them who are of the 
             household of faith."

 IV. THE LOST SOUL:
     A. The story of the rich farmer who lost his soul is 
        one of great seriousness.   Lk. 12:16 -21
        (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.
            -- Mat. 16:26, "...what shall a man give in 
               exchange for his soul."
            -- No kind of "reward" could be given God.

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

 CONCLUSION:
     A. When the lost book is found you have the key to 
        knowledge and revival.

     B. When the lost Christ is found you have found a 
        savior.

     C. When the lost opportunity is found you have found 
        happy employment.

    D. When the lost soul is found you have found the 
       eternal home.