Hardening of the heart

1. The lost sheep is one that walks away from the shepherd, the herd and the safety of the flock. This lost one has hardened his heart to the way life and teachings which usually closes the door to everyone and everything he knows.

2. A lost one is one that has never been shown the way, the light, given hope or love. The heart is hard in this one because he has never had a chance to grow and mature with loving kindness.  

Causes to be lost:

1.   Hurt hurt from family and friends.

2.   Fear of being hurt again.

3. Some are even taught that love is supposed to be painful and leave scars and create chaos. 

Jesus came to offer salvation to sinners, to show that God loves them. 

God’s grace does not ask for my permission or your permission before it rescues someone that we would rather see punished. Grace doesn't wait for our approval before it restores someone we think should still be paying a price, a very high price, that we couldn't pay either.

People come and go. God stays. Health and wealth are only temporary. God is eternal. You can enjoy the things of this world, but you can’t cling to them. You can carve out a reasonably steady life, but eventually, something will shake it all up. You can develop wonderfully loving relationships with others, but in the end, people will still be people. They will hurt you, disappoint you, and eventually, by death or choice, they will leave you. All of these things are good things that we are meant to enjoy and embrace. But our HOPE has to be built on something more. Jesus Christ is where we find Hope!

Pastor Steve Chiles said, “God is our Constant. God is our Security. God is the Foundation upon which we build our lives so that when all else comes crashing down, we can still stand on Him.