Good day dear friends.
Yesterday we started a new sermon series on "The Truth About..." And the first one was the Truth About Being a Christian. We talked about the origin of the word "Christian" and how it comes from the city of Antioch from Acts 11:26. Those in Antioch were amazed at how believers lived and so called them "litte Christs," which is what the word literally means. We also talked about maturing our faith to living with sacredness, service, and sacrifice.
Here is today's study guide:
Monday: Please read again the passage from yesterday (John 10:7-14) and see there the common day reference Jesus used to compare people’s trust of Him. What little we know of shepherds and sheep, does this passage instruct you to know how Jesus really wants us to live? Keep in mind the complete trust that was placed on those who served as shepherds. They were expected to give their lives to protect the sheep. And the sheep once they knew the shepherd and his/her voice, knew to trust and follow him anywhere.
Here is that passage:
John 10:7 So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away--and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me."
We know so little of about our rural roots anymore. It used to be we could say most of us had some ties to someone in our family who had lived on a farm or ranch. Nellie's mom and my mom both worked as farm workers, and both of us had relatives that either owned or lived on farms and ranches. My grandfather ended his working days working on a huge ranch south of Kingsville, But we had no shepherds in our background. My friends who have served in the San Angelo District have stories about shepherds out there. Our study of shepherds show that a good shepherd makes him/herself known to the sheep. His voice is what helps them know who's taking care of them. And they know to trust him for he is the one who can lead them to the place where they can eat, drink, and rest. He is the one, especially in Jesus' day who would fight off any predator. King David when he would recount his story in the Psalms would remember how God had blessed him with victory over fierce animals and it was those pasture experiences that led him to the battleground with Goliath and later into the palace.
Jesus used this illustration of sheep to describe the care and protection that is ours if we turn ourselves over to God. Jesus' life was a life completely surrendered to God and God's will. Jesus knew He could trust God and instructs us to do the same. Come to know The Shepherd's voice. Let the shepherd speak lovingly and tenderly to you so that you may follow Him. Know, that like David, our "pasture" experiences will one day lead us to the "palace."
PRAYER: Loving Shepherd, speak to us with love today. Let us know where and how we can best serve You. We seek Your face and we want to know your voice. Let it be today that this happens. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
