The Lost
Ready:
"So Jesus told them this story: 'If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.'"
-Luke 15:3-5
Set
Andrew had an interesting season. He started as the back-up quarterback, and then after four games he became the starter for four games, and then he was moved to receiver where he played the final four games as a receiver/quarterback. His team did not finish as they would have liked and missed a bowl game. During the season, the team suffered through a six-game losing streak. As each week went by with loss after loss, you could see it wearing on most of the team. But Andrew had more on his mind than worrying about the previous week's loss.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells a great story about a shepherd. The shepherd was faithfully watching over 100 sheep. One of the sheep got lost, but the other 99 were safe. What did the shepherd do? Of course, he stayed with the other 99 sheep and forgot about the one who was lost, right? No way! The shepherd loved all his sheep. I bet he probably knew them by name. So, he went to save the sheep that was lost. And Jesus shared that He came to earth to do just that: save the lost.
Andrew did not like to lose, but he knew he had another mission, as well. He knew that the school he was attending was his mission field. Over the season he shared his faith with teammates and others on campus, and at least five student-athletes came to Christ. Andrew was more worried about the lost on his team and campus than the loss of football games. Andrew simply followed Christ's example from Luke 15.
Christ came to earth to seek and save those that are lost. He is so passionate about the lost that He went to the cross for all of us who are lost in sin and shame. And that does include all of us. As we accept Him into our lives we are no longer lost but found in Him and through Him to have new life -- an eternal life -- a glorious life that is awaiting us in heaven. So, ask yourself this question: are you more concerned with a loss in your season or the lost who don't know Christ?
Go
1. Does losing bother you?
2. How many players on your team do not know Christ?
3. Today, what can you do to be more concerned about the lost than the loss from the previous week?
Workout
Psalm 119:175-176
Matthew 10:5-7
Luke 19:10
Bible Reference:
Luke 19
