Jesus used three stories--the lost sheep, the lost coin, the wayward son--to try to drive home to the Pharisees and to us the attitude of God that all people, whatever their standing or their circumstances in life, really matter to him. Lost people matter enough to God that he is willing to search them out and to give them opportunity for reconciliation through Christ. And when any lost soul is retrieved, there is great rejoicing in heaven. This message encourages Christ-followers to not give up on anyone in their sphere of influence, but to go all out in making sure all people know they matter to God.