Going Out on a Limb

16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

What have we done lately that was extra ordinary to reach the lost?  I heard a most awesome sermon this weekend while visiting a church and something was said that just hit home…hard!  Our mission is not done until ALL of the sheep are located.  Wow!  So that means a church should not stop inviting people when the space in the pews gets sparse?  Um, we should still be asking friends to church every Sunday?  We shouldn’t stop sharing our testimonies?

I think sometimes we as Christians get it in our heads that we are saved and now we go to church as usual and we hope someone finds all the lost sheep before Jesus comes.  Let’s take a peek at the story of the lost sheep with a different eye.  Now mind you this is only my idea, not to be thought as ultimate truth.  The shepherd left the 99 (already saved) sheep to find the lost.  What do you think those sheep were thinking while the shepherd was gone?  “Man, hope they find him.”  “What’s for dinner?”  “Should we go help?” “What if the Shepard does not come back?”  

There are a million responses to this one plot, however, if the 99 represent the saved in the church, shouldn’t we have been the ones seeking the lost?  Just food for thought.  Our job as Christians is not to stop until all are found.  Don’t turn the church into a resort, let’s make them into healing and equipping stations.  Let’s go search for the lost and let the Shepard do the healing.  Let’s go out on every limb to bring people to know out Jesus.