Last year’s L2L convention was about being lost. No one likes being lost. Lost is defined as being unable to find your way. It’s a horrible feeling to be lost. In Luke chapter 15 verses four through seven Jesus tells the story about a lost sheep. In that story the shepherd leaves 99 sheep to pursue one sheep. One little lost lamb. Why would he take such a risk? One sheep doesn’t seem worth it. Unless, that is, we are that lost sheep. That would make all the difference in the world.
The text says, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”
This year’s convention is about being strong and courageous. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Sometimes we encounter people who are lost in life. They are lost spiritually and they don’t see a purpose to life. Wouldn’t you like to give them a reason to live? That was what Jesus did while He was on the earth. His mission, according to Luke 19:10, was to seek and save the lost. We need to have courage to preach the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16).
In Matthew 16:17, Jesus said to Peter, “On this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Jesus built only one church. Jesus is the only one that can rule it as Lord. Paul talks about this in Ephesians chapters 4 and 5. In Matthew 25, Jesus also teaches that each of us have our own place in the Lord’s church. We all have a special talent to use. Some people easily find their place, while others choose to fall away, just like the lost sheep. Someone has to have the courage to seek them out and try to save them.
These two conventions go hand in hand. In 2020-2021 we tried to understand what it means to be lost and seek salvation. In this 2022 convention we are learning how to be strong and courageous. How will anyone be saved if we are not bold and courageous enough to share the gospel of Jesus Christ? Let’s share the message of the gospel with the world!