I have here my camera in its case. Now, most likely that does not seem to you to be a big deal. So Joel brought his camera: what is so special about that? Well, you see, yesterday I did not have my camera. I was on my return trip from Templeton to Kittanning, when I decided to take a picture. You see, often when I go for a long ride, I have my camera case strapped to my bike, in case I see anything interesting or if there is beautiful scenery that would make a nice picture. So, anyway, I stopped to take a picture and I reached down, and there was no camera! Uh oh! I realized that my camera was lost! Now do you see why it's a big deal that I have my camera with me? It was lost. If I had just shrugged my shoulders and kept riding, I wouldn't have a camera anymore and I'd have to buy a new one or something. But when I saw that it was lost, I turned around and backtracked until it was found (some nice people had found it in the middle of the road, picked it up, and flagged me down when they saw me coming back to look for it).
Some of you that read this today are lost. The wonderful thing is, there is a God that loves you very much and He is seeking to save those that are lost. He wants you to come into His house and be His child. He loves you that much. Even though there are some churches full with many Christians, God still puts forth the effort to go out and find you...because He loves you and His family isn't complete without you. Oh, you might be in church and going through the motions, but your heart is lost. It is empty. Maybe you used to love God, but that love just isn't there anymore. Maybe you've been raised in the church, but have never personally surrendered your heart to God. He is looking for you. If I had to ride the whole way back to Templeton, I might have done it to find that camera. Fortunately, I had used the camera fairly recently on the ride, so I knew I didn't have to pedal more than a mile extra. But some of you are so far from God that there's not even a trace of His thoughts in your heart. But God will reach out that extra distance because you're lost. And when something is lost, it needs to be found.
Luke 15:4-10
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Consider also the parable of the lost son. The man had two sons. One of them chose to take his inheritance and ran away into worldly living. He blew all of his money and then lost all of his friends and possessions. His life was a mess. He finally chose to go home. Even though he wasn't worthy of even being a son anymore, his father was waiting for him and came running to greet him and welcome him home. God is calling you to come home. You've been lost and your heart has lost the desire and love for the Lord. But you hear God calling. He is looking for you. He has come to find that which is lost. He is calling you, lost one, to come home.
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