Pastor's Pastor

Pastor's Pastor: Seeking those who in not appear to be lost

Pastor's Pastor: Seeking those who in not appear to be lost

The condition of those who are lost is not always apparent.

James A. Cress is the Secretary of the Ministerial Association.

The condition of those who are lost is not always apparent. Three parables in Luke 15 deserve a closer study, as several areas of our world field launch an intensive search for former and inactive members.

Although their individual journeys are unique, those represented by the lost sheep, coin, and son all end up the same. Each of them begins as part of the "saved" and ends up lost. They start out as part of the group and end up all alone.

The sheep wandered off alone. It's journey away was not a bold move or a mad dash. If so, it would immediately have been noticed by the shepherd and a rescue mission launched. More likely it was unintentional drifting of such a gradual nature that neither the group nor the shepherd or, for that matter, even the sheep itself realized that it was leaving until that it ended up all alone.

The coin never left the premises. It remained in the general vicinity of the group and was able to be found right where it had remained. Nevertheless, it was alone. I can be lonely even in a group of familiar faces!

The son deliberately chose to leave. He put Palestine in his rear-view mirror and probably slammed the door as he left. His choice was clear, and his exit was announced. Everything but the end result was carefully planned. He did not plan to end up alone!

Alone! Perhaps the worst part of lostness is the separation--from Christ or from His body! Regardless of how people exit our fellowship, far too many are left alone at the very time we should be searching for them.

How to find those who are lost

These same parables offer helpful insights into what it takes to find those who have ended up alone, regardless of why they left!

Count. The shepherd would never have known that one sheep was missing if he had never counted the others. A careful record of those who are regular in attendance and participative in fellowship is essential in order to deter mine who is missing or inactive.

Risk. The shepherd risked the safety of the 99 in order to search for one. Somehow the picture of the group safely protected within the sheepfold had been firmly established in my mind. My perception was that the shepherd ventured out into the wilderness only after every thing possible had been done to assure security and comfort for the group. But the text says the shepherd left the 99 exposed to the dangers of wild places while he sought the lost.

Labor. When the woman determined to find the coin, she went to work! Nothing of value comes without effort. The greater the value, the greater the effort that is demanded. In order to find her coin, the homemaker stirred up some dust as she cleaned thoroughly. Stirring up dust probably aggravated her allergies. Have you ever noticed that some people are allergic to soul seeking? We need to cure these allergies.

Wait. God's timing is not my timing. The parable of the lost boy reminds us that God never gives up and neither should we. At the very point when all seems hopeless, heaven becomes most patient. How can I know what circumstance or event might trigger an awareness of need.

Pray. Prayer--that key in the hand of faith that unlocks heaven's blessing--is not for the purpose of changing God's attitude toward the lost. Prayer changes my attitude and my efforts toward the lost, as I begin to see them as Jesus sees them. And what a thing to pray for to view every person's potential through heaven's eyes.

Love Unconditionally. Jesus does not picture the father as placing any conditions upon his love for his runaway. Love, acceptance, and forgiveness were always ready. This was what the father also offered the son who remained. In fact, loving those who remain is some times the greater challenge.

Welcome. The whole atmosphere was conditioned to embrace the prodigal. The father not only waited, but ran to meet his son. His boy had nothing to prove except that he understood which direction to head when he wanted to go home. Everything expressed warmth and welcome.

Restore. Much had been squandered by foolishness, but all was restored to the returnee. The robe, the shoes, the ring, declared his status. The prodigal came home expecting to be a servant and discovered he was a son! He expected little; he received everything!

Rejoice. Throw a party when the lost are found. Invite the crowd and celebrate the good news of resurrection. Dead sons and daughters are alive! Lost souls are saved! All of heaven rejoices when one sinner repents. The least the church could do is sponsor a potluck lunch and a special worship service to welcome him or her back. God won't give us more blessings than we are happy to receive!

Yes! We need to seek even those who may appear not to be lost.


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James A. Cress is the Secretary of the Ministerial Association.

February 1993

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