1. Missing! Such a common word in the world, but used only once in the Bible. This word is very important.

2. INTRODUCTION This will be a lesson that is important to all who want to go to heaven. The word is used only a few times in the Bible. 1 Samuel 25:7 and 1 Kings 20:39 There are many uses of the word in our language, And we want to look at them as used in the world, And at the same time, make a spiritual application for us.

3. MISSING A lot of things are implied when we use this word. To some it means “never was” and to others it means something is not where it is supposed to be. As we will see, most of the world is indifferent when something goes missing. Whatever the object is that is missing, it is important to at least one person. It may be important to many people, but they just do not know it.

4. There is value placed upon what is missing. It may be valuable to only one person. Sometimes we see the signs around town about a missing dog. Sure, we understand that such dog has value to its owners. But when the sign adds the word “reward”, all of a sudden the dog has a greater value to others. If the reward were not offered, most people would just ignore the sign, and even if they saw the dog, they would most likely not do a thing (not even call the people who were missing the dog).

5. Something Is Missing Have you ever stood over the stove and taste what you are cooking, and realize something is missing? What you want is unique and special, and you try to figure out how to get the food to taste just like grandma’s dish. You may have followed a recipe that grandma wrote down years ago. The likely thing a person would do is to begin experimenting with different ingredients until they get it (at least) very close to the original. Maybe you would get another family member to taste it and get their opinion.

6. When we say something is missing, the object we seek is not where it is supposed to be. When that happens, we make some assumptions. If your car is missing, you assume someone stole it. If your jewelry is missing, you assume someone broke into your house and took things. Sometimes you may not readily recognize what is missing, but you know something is missing. Also when we say missing, we assume it is lost. Many people lose things when they move or change things around.

7. To turn this into a spiritual application, we compare the scenario. God wrote down a specific formula or recipe many years ago. This is God’s plan of salvation for man. Over the years, men have changed the formula and added things or left things out. They no longer have the original. Now if they would go back and follow the recipe, they would be on the right track.

8. A Person Is Missing Did you realize according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited children, roughly 800,00 children are reported missing each year in the United States. That’s roughly 2,000 per day. 1,885 are taken by family or friends, 115 are taken by strangers. Some run away from home. Some go do things without letting a parent know where they are going. Is this not important?

9. When a person goes missing, someone has to figure that out. Once they do, they start to show concern for the missing and sometimes panic sets in. There are so many people in this world that do not care about family members that if they did not show up, they would not be missed. It takes an unprepared meal or chores not done to concern others in the household. This is so sad, but it is reality for millions in this country alone. It is worse in other countries.

10. The Most Famous Missing Person As we read in Luke 2:41-50. Jesus accompanied His parents to the Passover feast every year. When He was 12, they went. On the journey home, they realized Jesus was not with the caravan, so they returned to look for the lost boy. Three days later, they found Him in the temple teaching and being taught by spiritual leaders. Yes, Jesus was missing from the parent’s perspective, but not from His or God’s perspective.

11. What Else Is Missing? Most people are missing a moral compass. What is missing from our world is our young people are not taught to respect authority, elders, leaders and the rule of law. What is missing so often in the conversation is common sense. God is missing from our society. Until God is restored, we will be missing civility and fairness.

12. Our society is missing discipline all the way around. The truth is missing just about everywhere. For many people, the truth does not fit the narrative they want to promote. A love for the truth is missing in people’s hearts. Justice is missing for many people. Fairness is missing everywhere; some get away with breaking the law, while others are prosecuted for the same things.

13. Conclusion There are so many more things that are missing from our society and world. There is a solution that would work. Obeying the commands of God would remedy many of our ills in society. Getting people on board is the hard part. Most will reject God and His word. The result will be damnation. Do your part to insure your place in heaven.