Directions for the Lost

In the early morning hours of Christmas day, 2004, a 22-year old man robbed a Chevron station in Poulsbo, Washington, then led police on a high-speed chase. After cleaning out the cash register, the robber and a passenger took off in a red Honda and soon cops from four towns were in pursuit. The caravan zoomed at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour through the winding roads of western Puget Sound, where the twists and turns can leave even locals disoriented.

After a while the fugitives managed to lose their pursuers in the darkness but they had no idea where they were. That's when the robber pulled his getaway car into a Chevron station to ask for directions to Seattle, unaware that it was the very same establishment he'd just robbed. Police caught up to the Honda soon afterward.

Sometimes you get lost, and need some direction. As we discussed in last Sunday's message, ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden when God asked a hiding Adam, "Where are you"? mankind has been lost. Sin brings us guilt, fear, shame and blame, separates us from God, and ultimately makes us lost. But fortunately the good news of the gospel--even back in Genesis 3--is about us getting found by the One who comes looking for us. Jesus Himself said that He came to seek and to save those who are lost.

So too, that's the "business" we are in at The Church at Shelby Crossings, making sure that the lost are found. Those of us who were lost, and have been found, need to where we are, and why we're here. That gives us purpose as found ones, and that mission is what drives us as a church.

I heard a story about a little boy in a small town who was waiting on his mother to come out of a store. As he waited, he was approached by a man who asked, "Son, can you tell me where the post office is?"

The little boy replied, "Sure, just go straight down the street a couple of blocks and turn to your right."The man thanked the boy kindly and said, "I'm the new preacher in town and I'd like for you to come to church on Sunday. I'll show you how to get to heaven."The little boy replied with a chuckle, "Awww, come on, mister. You don't even know the way to the post office!"

The world is watching to see if we really know the way, and they are in desperate need of someone to give them the right directions. Who among your circle of friends and family need you to point them to Jesus, in whom and by whom they can be found? Prayerfully and humbly Introduce them to the eternal hope and peace they will find only in Christ.

What a blessing it is to be living "on mission" with each of you. I'm praying for you, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.