Podcast appearances and mentions of shepherd jesus

Bible Reading: John 10:2-5, 14"Oh, look!" Amelia said as her mother parked the car at Grandpa's farm. "I see Grandpa's new sheep! Let's go pet them." The children climbed out of the car and raced toward the sheep, but the animals darted to the far corner of the pen."Oops! We scared them," said Josiah. "Let's try again. Let's pull some grass for them, and this time let's walk, not run."Amelia agreed, and they each pulled a handful of grass and slowly carried it toward the corner where the sheep huddled. But as they approached, the flock spun around and dashed away. Amelia dropped her grass. "I give up.""Me too," said Josiah, throwing his grass on the ground.A moment later, the children saw their grandfather coming. They ran to give him a hug. "Grandpa, why do you have those baby bottles?" Amelia asked."Two of my lambs need these," replied Grandpa. "I feed them because their mother died.""I wish I could feed one of them," said Amelia, "but your sheep don't like us. They run away."Grandpa smiled. "Watch," he said as he led the children to a small pen beside the barn. They saw that it held two little lambs. "Here, Fluffy. Here, Snowball," Grandpa called as he opened the pen. The lambs scampered out and followed him as he crisscrossed the lawn.Josiah laughed. "They're playing follow the leader!" Grandpa handed each of the kids a bottle. "Here," he said. "You can hold these for them.""Cool!" said Amelia, offering her bottle to one of the lambs. She giggled in delight as the lamb eagerly took it. "This one dances while he eats!" Amelia looked at Grandpa. "But why wouldn't your other sheep eat the grass we pulled for them?""Sheep know their shepherd's voice and follow him. They tend to run away from strangers," Grandpa explained. "It reminds me that we are like sheep. We follow our Shepherd--Jesus--by obeying Him and trusting Him to guide us and take care of us. We don't let anything or anyone lead us away from Him because we've heard His voice and know that He is the Good Shepherd who calls us to eternal life with Him." –Margaret M. Primrose How About You?Are you following Jesus, the Good Shepherd? You may not have wool and four legs, but the Bible often refers to Christians as sheep who hear and follow Jesus's voice. He's the one who loves us so much that He gave His life to save us and promises to guide us, care for us, and supply our needs. If you trust in Jesus, you are following Him.Today's Key Verse:My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (NKJV) (John 10:27)Today's Key Thought:Follow your Shepherd--Jesus

The entire old testament is about Jesus of Nazareth, in this study we go through Psalm 95 & connect it to the rest of the books, old & new

GOSPEL PARABLES 13 THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND DOORKEEPERS We are continuing in the Parables today with the narrative of the shepherd and the sheep and we previously discussed the story of the shepherd who goes out to find the lost sheep and bring it back to the sheepfold. All the Gospel parables come from Matthew and Mark and Luke, however John does record this one and only parable of the Good shepherd which is not found in any of the other Gospels. In this parable Jesus tells us that as the Good shepherd he is the only door to the sheepfold.  John 10:1-5 “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the door, must surely be a thief and a robber!  Jesus had said that he was ‘sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel' (Matthew 15:24). And in the first verse in this parable, he is describing the tragic story of how the sheep flock of the house of Israel had been taken into slavery and captivity many times by alien nations like Egypt and Babylon and Assyria, who climbed over or broke down the wall of the sheepfold and robbed and destroyed God's flock. Jesus continues,  But the one who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep, and the doorkeeper opens the door to him, and the sheep recognize the shepherd's voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice. Jesus is talking here to a crowd of Jewish people, some of whom did hear his voice and believe while many others rejected his voice and chose to listen to the voice of legalism and tradition or political power instead of the words of life. But the people were unsure where Jesus was taking this story and they began to express their confusion, so Jesus had to take this story to its fulfillment and reveal himself to them as the Good Shepherd, not only of the house of Israel but of the whole earth. Reading on. Vs.6-14 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the door of the sheep(fold) – for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the door. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief's purpose is to rob and to kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. In the first part of the parable the door is described as the door ‘to' the sheep (eis) that the doorkeeper opens for the one true Shepherd, who is Jesus. But we have now just seen in the second part of the parable that Jesus describes himself as the door ‘of/for' the sheep. Jesus has become our door to the Kingdom of God where we experience life in the family of God with him and the Father and the Holy Spirit and one another - Those who come in through me will be saved.  Jesus continues. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. Jesus then proclaims the awesome prophetic purpose of this parable about the rest of humanity becoming his sheep.  I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd -Israel will come back in. There is one very important character mentioned in the beginning of this story that we must be careful not to overlook -  the doorkeeper. And there are some important doorkeepers in the Bible that need to be known and understood. A doorkeeper is one who gives Jesus access to the sheep as the Good Shepherd who is the door for the sheep into the Kingdom of God. There was a doorkeeper for Jesus from before the very beginning of time and the creation of the earth. And there have been doorkeepers as the door for Jesus right up to his death and resurrection and there have been doorkeepers right up to this present time. I want to list what I believe are seven doorkeepers that give access to the door of our Shepherd Jesus.          The first doorkeeper was Father God who committed his Son to us before the foundation of the world and sent him into the earth for humanity. (Ephesians 1:3-4)          The prophets were doorkeepers anointed by the Holy Spirit to open the ears of God's people to the Messiah Jesus.  And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself (Luke 24:27).          Mary as the human mother of Jesus was the doorkeeper who carried him in her womb for humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 7:14)          John the Baptist as the most anointed of all the prophets was the doorkeeper sent to prepare the way of the Lord and pronounce Jesus as ‘The Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world' where the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove upon Jesus at his baptism. (John 1:6-9,29)          The Holy Spirit was the doorkeeper always within Jesus, who took him into the wilderness to be tempted after his baptism and then accompanied Jesus on the earth throughout his ministry. He was the doorkeeper that opened the eyes and ears of those who beheld Jesus as the Messiah then heard him speak and saw him die and witnessed his resurrection and his ascension into Heaven. (John 6:63)          The Holy spirit who fell upon all of humanity at Pentecost (Acts 2:17) was the doorkeeper for every person that entered the world (John1:9) to reveal Jesus as the shepherd who lives for his sheep and who goes out looking for any lost sheep to carry them home.  ‘For you were like sheep going astray but have now returned to the Shepherd and keeper of your souls.' (1Peter 2:25).          The final doorkeepers are all those who carry the life of Jesus within them and are willing to lay down their souls for the life of Jesus to be seen in them, and the empowerment for us to do that is the gift and grace of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples before he returned to the Father in Heaven, how the Holy Spirit would operate in them to let their lives on earth bear witness to the fact that he was alive and active within them in the earth. He said The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26).  He also said when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth… He will testify of Me (martyre??) and you also will bear witness (martyre??). (John15.26). We saw in the parable we just read that ‘the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.' There are two ways that the Holy Spirit in our lives acts as a doorkeeper Jesus. The first way is for us to keep the door open for people in our lives to find faith in Jesus. We can be consciously aware by our faith and our prayer that we can release the power of the Holy Spirit through our simple obedience to what he directs us to do and to say. Paul spoke about the doorkeeper ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through his own life.  He prayed for a door of utterance to be given to him that he might declare the mystery of Christ (Colossians 4:2). He did not put confidence in his own natural ability to open doors to release the supernatural power of God for peoples' lives. His own testimony of his ministry was For we also are (humanly) weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. The Holy Spirit does things behind the scenes.                                                                   Jesus spoke to his disciples about bearing witness to him and that now applies to us who believe in Jesus, and this means that the life we live is evidence that God lives through us and that we carry the reality of the life of God within us, not just concepts or opinions about God.  The second way that the doorkeeper work of the Holy Spirit occurs is the hidden way he sovereignly works in every person's heart in his unceasing desire to turn their hearts towards faith in God's goodness and love. Jesus explained it this way ‘And when the Helper has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment'. (John 16:8). He reveals the darkness in every human heart and the corruption that is in the world, and he reveals what is upright and in alignment with God's will in every human heart. The Holy Spirit becomes the light of judgement that divides between the light and darkness and he unveils the reward for what is good and the sentence upon what is evil.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        It is good to be aware that the Holy Spirit is the unceasing inner tugging upon the heart of every person on the planet regardless of their religious or cultural background. The soul of mankind opposes and resists this tugging on our conscience concerning God's truth about who we are and who he is. This is because of our self-determined mindset of independence – our own self-serving idea of what is right and wrong, and good and evil.  The Holy Spirit had been the doorkeeper piercing the mind and heart of the apostle Paul to bring him to this encounter with Jesus where he entered through Jesus the door into the Kingdom of Heaven. Our life of faith is our conscious awareness that the Holy Spirit is working in both of these ways in our own circumstances, and we can live in constant hope and expectation of seeing people being drawn to the Kingdom of God and entering through the door into eternal life.

In this devotional message titled "I Shall Not Want", we are reminded that as long as we depend on our Shepherd Jesus, we will lack no go thing.This was aired on Radio HCI Today via the WeLove Radio app.

Pastor Britni leads us into the second part of John chapter 10; as Jesus shows us that He is the Good Shepherd. We are challenged in this passage to be the sheep that listen to our Shepherd (Jesus) and FOLLOW Him. How are you actively responding the voice of the Lord?

To support the ministry of Immanuel Church visit https://tenthgeneration.org

City Slicker Andrea Boyes followed Jesus into radical rural life, mission and ministry to pastor people and shepherd a growing flock of sheep. Tune in for some of Andrea's hilarious, creative, and courageous stories of following ultimate Shepherd Jesus in North West Coast Scotland! Listen in to find out more! Together, Neil Urquhart and Ruth Kennedy explore the stories of struggle and perseverance within the church allowing Jesus to renew our vision & vigour for His New Life. Join us as we discover, faith hope and stories of grief in the Church of Scotland. Come! Emmaus, Emerge from the gloom. Come Holy Spirit Come! Listen to the previous: Episode 20 - Sharing Stories

.

We first hear a short statement about our good friend Margaret who had died on the Wednesday before this Service.This Talk is based on John 10:1-18. Jesus talked in ways that made people sit up and listen. He had authority, but His delivery was also different from the other teachers around Him.Sheep are clever and recognise many voices. A sheepfold is good for protection at night, but they need to go out during the day to get fed. Let us too, follow the voice of our Shepherd - Jesus. We will find pasture through Him. Be aware of the thief too.You can read the script for the whole Service here.

April 21, 2024 Jesus identifies himself as the Good Shepherd using this figure of speech to explain his sacrificial death, his protection of his people, and our relationship to him. Scripture: John 10:11-21

In today's episode, Charlette and David discuss Jesus' role as The Good Shepherd for all of us, regardless of faith tradition or belief system. Charlette shares a God Sighting from Dr. Kathy Wilder, Executive Director of Camp Stevens.Faith to Go is a ministry of The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. Click here to learn more about EDSD's great work in our region and how you can support this ministry.Remember to get in contact with us!Email: faithtogo@edsd.orgInstagram: @faithtogo

Dillon Drouillard shares the message titled, -Harvesters Needed-- from Matthew 9-35-38.-- Jesus as Savior-- Jesus as Shepherd-- Jesus as Sender

Dillon Drouillard shares the message titled, -Harvesters Needed-- from Matthew 9-35-38.-- Jesus as Savior-- Jesus as Shepherd-- Jesus as Sender

Dillon Drouillard shares the message titled, "Harvesters Needed!" from Matthew 9:35-38.• Jesus as Savior• Jesus as Shepherd• Jesus as Sender

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in Labuan Bajo, Diocese of Ruteng, Indonesia. 1 Kings 3: 4-13; Rs psalm 119: 9.10.11.12.13.14; Mark 6: 30-34 RECHARGING ENERGY   Our meditation today has the theme: Recharging Energy. There are many testimonies both directly from the person and through media communication about the danger of using a cellphone while being recharged. People give warnings to one another not to make or receive calls when the mobile phone is being recharged. They say that the cellphone can be burnt and explode. There are already many evidences about this and have gone viral on the digital globe.   The best advice people always give is that the cellphone must be idle or rested, therefore, the process of adding electrical energy to the battery is not interrupted by the use of the same energy for our communication activities. That consideration has a point, because the battery is like a warehouse. It receives the energy first, then later distributing it  for various uses. The battery is not like the hose that receives water and distributing it at once.   The experience of recharging energy is spiritually illustrated by our readings today. King Solomon was graced with such a great and strong kingdom from his father David. But he left behind for a moment the work of governing the kingdom and went to the mountain of sacrifice, called Gibeon. There he prayed and made offerings to God. In response, he received wisdom from God after he was told to make the best wishes for him and his kingdom. A new energy really helps for a new job.   Jesus and the apostles took available times for resting, praying, and strengthening fellowship among them in the midst of their busy ministries to so many people. But in reality the people did not stop their desire to listen and asking healing from the Lord. They continued following Jesus wherever he and the apostles went. After some moments of recharging energy, a renewed strength and enthusiasm was obtained, with great love of a Shepherd Jesus exclaimed that He was "moved by compassion for them, because they are like sheep without a shepherd."   Recharging energy or putting a renewed strength to the existing ones is very important for us in the process of assuming next task, new challenge, ongoing struggle, and various kinds of difficulty that may come any time in our lives. As believers, we have times for examination of conscience, confession, daily and weekly eucharist, fasting, recollection, and retreat; all these are opportunities for us of regaining our spiritual growth. If these are just spiritual activities in our routine style, we might find ourselves like a water hose: accepting energy and let it go at once. It is better for us to fill up our spiritual storehouse with God's power and love, and at an appropriate time we share it to a particular need.   Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, fill us with the same compassion as You always have for the flock who needs a good shepherd. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/media-la-porta/message

As we continue our mini series "Psalms of Summer", we finish studying the famous Psalm 23. The Big Idea this week is the Shepherd (Jesus) will keep us by His side for all times.

We take a pause on our "Pillars of Truth" series and study Psalm 23, arguable the most well known psalm! The Big Idea this week is that our Shepherd (Jesus) gives us exactly what we need, when we need it!

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/10?1. the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/2?20 By his wounds you have been healed. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sofia-fonseca7/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sofia-fonseca7/support

Jesus Lives to Be My Good Shepherd! Scriptures to read along with this message.... Acts 2:42-47 This is a beautiful description of the early Christian church - Christians enjoying one another, devoted to the Word, and under the care of the Good Shepherd Jesus. I Peter 2:19-25 (sermon verses) Sometimes life as a Christian means persecution and suffering. Yet, not even suffering and tragedy can remove us from the care of our Good Shepherd. John 10:1-10 Christ alone is our Good Shepherd, there is no other! Christ alone is the gate for the sheep, there is no other! As sheep, we follow him exclusively. Psalm 23 -  Martin Luther said, "Psalm 23 is a psalm of thanks, in which a Christian praises and thanks God for teaching it and leading it in right ways. Christians recognize that they are sheep, and their true Shepherd Jesus comforts and protects them in every need through his holy Word. With that Word, the Good Shepherd grazes us in fresh grass and at cool waters, while the table, cup and oil are Old Testament references to divine worship."   We hope you enjoy this message!  If you have any questions you can email us at: votl.podcast@gmail.com Instagram: @votlchurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/votl.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbssSY_GyJMabh9W-sSVQpQ  Online: https://votl.org

I am the the shepherd Jesus explain he is the Good Shepherd.Scriptures Taken ESV Bible John Chapter 10.

If you are a survivor of abuse, our Shepherd Jesus sees you. He feels your pain and fear and wants to comfort you and help you experience healing, freedom from shame, and new courage. We want to help you heal and be restored in the care of Jesus.In this episode of Soul Talks, Sr. Spiritual Director and Coach Jessica Stong shares her powerful and personal account of trauma and redemption with Kristi. Her story of healing is an inspiration to bring our painful memories and trauma to a wounded healer who is a conduit of Jesus' healing grace. As we allow the Lord to minister to our sacred wounds, we can experience his beauty, grace, and goodness.Resources for this Episode:Sr. Spiritual Director and Coach, Jessica StongSr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding InstituteSpiritual Direction Training

Jesus visibly appeared to me. Here is what happened.

To feed God's sheep, we have to have the fruit of the Spirit to develop His tenderness, and true concern, ability to empathize, and to enter into the lives of the sheep. Just as partaking of flesh and blood to be able to be touched with the feelings of our infirmities it takes the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit to write the word of God on our hearts.

Jesus Christ who is our Chief Shepherd will gather His sheep that have been scattered, and nurture, feed, and cause them to rest and in peace. He will cause of to be feed by pastors after His own heart, where we will grow and be strengthened through the eternal life that His word gives. We will eat of the fruit of the tree of life, and dwell on His Holy Mountain.

Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v'Shalom in St. Louis, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 25:31-46. We receive a glimpse of what will occur when Jesus returns. He will come and sit on his glorious throne and judge the nations. This judgment is quite troubling when we think about the times we have not fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, visited those in prison, and given clothing to the needy? Yet, God is at work preparing a place for you by Christ's cross (John 14:1-3). We grieve those who might be on the Lord's left hand. May the LORD take that grief and lead us to a faith-filled life of prayer and service to others. “O Holy Spirit, make us sheep of our Shepherd Jesus. As He has given His life for us, we know that the time of judgment will come. Keep us in the narrow way and bring others to Your saving name. In His name, Amen”

Shepherd the ChurchThis morning and next Sunday, we are taking a brief break from our Zechariah study.Instead, we are going to consider the two main church leadership roles established in Scripture – the elder and the deacon. Sometimes we call those “offices.” The office of elder and the office of deacon. Men who serve are called officers. That is just the traditional way to describe the official title and role.The reason we're taking a break from our regular series is that next month, we'll be opening nominations for elders and deacons. Since this will be the first time for nominations and elections, we wanted to be really clear about what Scripture teaches about elders and deacons. And so, we thought it best to have 2 sermons in preparation for the nominations.We'll be using the book of 1 Timothy. 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to Timothy. Timothy was being discipled by Paul. Timothy was a pastor. Paul was giving him guidance about the church, including guidance on elders and deacons. I'll be focusing on chapter 3 verses 1-7 this morning on elders. Next week Jeff Chinery will be focusing on verses 8-13 on deacons. Both sermons will be a little more topical in nature. Our goal is to highlight the qualifications and responsibilities of each role.So, this morning, the elder.Turn in your Bibles to 1 Timothy 3. You'll find that on page 1178 in the church BiblesReading of 1 Timothy 3:1-7Over the last few months, we've found out that there is a seemingly endless to-do list in order to become a self-sufficient established church. Just ask Mary Fraser.It includes incorporating, establishing financials like bookkeeping, bill-pay, bank accounts, payroll, benefits, and online giving systems. Putting in writing different kinds of policies and procedures to protect the church; setting up platforms for church management, and communicating, and document management and file sharing. Then there's the bylaws, incorporating, getting our official 501c3 non-profit status, EIN number, call packages, and other things I have never heard of before...And that's just the organizational side. On the church process side, it involves some of the things you've been hearing about – official church meetings, new membership, elections, petitions, and a worship service with charges and vows which make it all official.Needless to say, it's been a lot to figure out! Thankfully we have some great help and are moving in the right direction with those things.With all of that in mind… the myriad of administration and church related steps to do, there's one step, one part of the process that is far more important than all the rest. I would put it so strongly as to say it this way: the life and spiritual vitality of the church depends on it.• No, it's not making sure we can receive tithes and gifts so we can be financially stable, nor is it that you and I can get our charitable tax write-off with the government.• It's also not having a cool app for communication and community. No, that's not the thing that's vitally important.• Neither is the most important thing safety procedures for emergencies or for the protection of our children.Don't get me wrong, those things matter. Those are in process.No, the one thing that is critical, that rises way above the other tasks for a new church – and really for any church – is the selection of church officers. Elders and deacons. Elders who shepherd our souls and deacons who care for our needs.Churches live and die by the faithfulness of their spiritual leadership. In the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, several churches are evaluated based on their faithfulness to the Gospel and their faithfulness to carry out Scripture's call to the church. For the ones that are failing… God threatens to take away their lampstand. Their lampstand it the Gospel light which the Holy Spirit illuminates through them. In fact, in Zechariah chapter 4, we'll be spending time considering the significance of the lampstand.The point is, for churches that fall away from Biblically faithful beliefs and lives, God removes his blessing and Spirit. They become spiritually starved. And over and over in the scriptures, it's the shepherd leaders of the church who lead churches astray.On the contrary, God blesses churches that faithfully pursue him and his Word in their worship, discipleship, and ministry. Spiritual fruit grows and flourishes. It's not about numbers, it's about spiritual vitality and spiritual growth. And it's the spiritual leaders of the church who set the tone and lead by example.So, what does a faithful leader look like? What qualities and characteristics does he possesses? What role is he fulfilling? Our goal this Sunday and next is to answer those questions.This morning - the elder. If you look at verse 2 of 1 Timothy 3, you will see the word “overseer.” In the Greek, the word is episkopos. It where the word Episcopal or bishop comes from. In multiple places in the New Testament, that word episkopos is used synonymously with the word presbuteros, which is the word for elder. The word Presbyterian comes from the word presbuteros. When we say we are a Presbyterian church, we are saying that we are elder led. One place the words episkopos and presbuteros are used interchangeably is in Acts chapter 20. That's when Paul was speaking to the Ephesian Elders. Those words are also used interchangeably in Titus chapter 1. In the chapter today, 1 Timothy 3, the word overseer is used. But chapters 4 and 5 of 1 Timothy, they reference back to an overseer but use the word elder.The bottom line is this: we believe that the role of elder and overseer is the same.The Character of an ElderAnd that brings us to a very important question. Who is qualified to be an elder? What should his life look like? That is where we need to begin. Because that is where the Scriptures begin.Did you notice here in these verses, it's mostly not about the role of an elder. The role is important and we'll get to that next. It's about his life. This is not the only passage of Scripture that talks about the qualifications of elders. You can also find that teaching in the book of Titus chapter 1. And guess what? It's very similar. It's about an elder's integrity - how he lives out God's Word in his life and interactions and as he serves the church.In one sense, you have experienced this here in our church plant. We have Godly men spiritually leading our congregation. You know them well – Tim, David, Chuck, and Jeff. They are all involved in today's service. And let me say, and you know this, too, we have been blessed by them. Many church plants don't have elders like our elders. I don't mean that to be negative about other elders, rather to be positive about our elders. Furthermore, in many church plants, the elders who oversee a church plant don't even attend the church plant. We have been overwhelmingly blessed to have these dear brothers to shepherd our souls.Before we look specifically at the elder qualifications of 1 Timothy 3. It's important for me to note one thing up-front: we believe the Scriptures clearly teach that officers in a church are to be men. • Besides the description in these verses and other verses about male leadership, all the New Testament examples of spiritual leaders in the church are men. That includes elders but also the disciples and apostles. • That is not popular position to take in our culture today, as you know. That's even an understatement. When we were planting, I posted in one of Tucker's Facebook groups about our new church plant. Someone responded negatively pointing to our view of ordained male leadership. I responded offering to introduce the person to any of our women who serve or lead different ministry teams in our church. As you know, we are blessed by many of you, our women, who serve with the various gifts and talents that the Lord has given you that build up the church. The person who posted never responded to my offer.Let me leave it at that for now. But if you have questions or want to talk through where else the Scriptures teach this or how we believe is should be applied in the church, I would be glad to sit down and talk through it.Ok, back to 1 Timothy chapter 3. The apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy, gets very specific on the characteristics of an elder.Notice verse 2 gives us the qualities that an elder should possess. Verse 3, on the other hand, gives us qualities that an elder should not possess. Notice the word “not” used over and over in verse 3.On the positive side, he is to be “above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, and hospitable.” We're going to come back later to the phrase “able to teach.” Overall, a word that summarizes much of this is the word integrity. An elder seeks to live out in all areas of his life what God's Word teaches.He seeks unity and peace in relationships. He is stable and thoughtful and faithful. He overlooks offences. Expresses his care and concern for people. He is not focused on himself. He is focused on others. He is respected for his wisdom in discerning situations and his sensitivity for the needs of others. The phrase “above reproach” means he is known for his consistent godly character in any situation. He avoids situations that may tempt him or that may lead others to be concerned.Another word used here is “hospitable.” He recognizes that everyone needs God's saving grace… and he welcomes all in the name of Christ.In regard to his family, it says that he is “husband of one wife.” Back when Paul was writing Timothy, in the secular culture, some men had multiple wives. We don't have that in our culture, but we do have other practices that are unbiblical. What this also means for us today is that if he is married – which is not a requirement - he faithfully serves and loves his wife. Part of that, men, whether you are married or not, means not being caught up in the lies and trap of pornography. That is sin against your wife, yourself, other women, and God. No, an elder loves his wife and treats her with dignity all who are created in the image of God. If an elder has children, verse 4 says he is to spiritually lead them and care for them. His love for them is displayed in how he shepherds his family.Jumping down to verse 7… it identifies another positive requirement – that he is well thought of by outsiders. In his work, for example, he is to be known as fair. He follows through on his word; treats people respectfully and kindly. And in that way, he is known by reputation as honoring and thoughtful outside the household of faith.Ok, those are his positive character traits. But we're also given traits that a qualified elder should not have. Verse 3 “not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” This could be a longer list. If we go to other texts like Galatians 5, we read a contrast between the desires of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. So verse 3 here gives us a couple of examples – like not having an active addiction to alcohol or implied in that, other addictions. Or not idolizing money – that's what it means here to be “a lover of money.” In other words, money and other things are not to be the heart desire of an elder.He is also not to be violent or quarrelsome. Someone who has outbursts of anger or who is always picking a fight is not qualified to be an elder.The last thing on the “not” list is verse 6 – he is not to be a new convert to Christ. That is a recognition that maturity in Christ and sanctification takes times. It also takes time for a church to observe and trust that maturity. Being an elder is not about control or power – those are worldly characteristics that may tempt a new believer.Ok, at this point, every one of us should be squirming in our seat! “If these are the qualifications of an elder, then who is qualified?!” As we evaluate this criteria, we have to recognize two things.1.) First, the ability of any man to live his life according to this description only comes through the grace of Christ and in the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in his life. There is no other way. As he pursues Christ and continues to study God's Word, the Holy Spirit will continue to bring a conviction of sin and a desire to further pursue a life pleasing to God.2.) Second, being qualified as an elder doesn't mean a man is sinless. I'm pretty sure you know that. In fact, part of being qualified is being humble - recognizing that the lifelong journey of any Christian is growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. It takes humility to acknowledge failure and sin, but also to ask for forgiveness, and forgive others, and seek God's grace and help. And it's also being humble to recognize that there is always more to learn about the faith and what it means to live out that faith and disciple others.Even with that said, God has set the bar for an elder pretty high. But the spiritual importance of the role requires it.The Role of an ElderOk, let's transition now and talk about the role of elder. What are his responsibilities and does he have the desire to fulfill them? In fact, desiring in the right way, to be an elder, is an important criterion. We skipped over verse 1… in case you notice. It says, “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” It is a worthy desire because God has established it for his church.I remember sitting in a seminary class and the professor said this “If you can do anything else, don't be a pastor.” I got a little mad… just on the inside, of course. I thought, “that statement is not helpful. I can do lots of things. I already have a career.” It's taken a lot of time to work through what he meant. And actually, it took becoming a pastor to fully realize it. That has involved…• Sitting with believers on their deathbed – reading them the Word, praying with them, and singing hymns to them.• Leading funeral services – including very difficult ones. Being with families through the grief.• Counselling married couples who are struggling. Seeking to sew Gospel peace.• Loving God's people in difficult situations, struggling with difficult sin - reminding them of God's grace but being firm through his Word.• Celebrating the Gospel work of God in victory over sin. And celebrating marriage and new life.• Teaching and preaching God's word – week in and week out.You see, when my professor said “If you can do anything else, don't be a pastor.” He wasn't talking about a man's capability to do other things. No, he was talking was about a strong internal sense that God was leading him to be a pastor and all that being a pastor involved. I'm grateful for the Lord to have confirmed that calling in my life.Now, you may say, “well, being a pastor is different from being an elder.” Well, yes and no. Yes in the sense of a pastor dedicating his career to shepherding. But no in the sense that all elders are called to shepherd. Maybe not in leading funerals or preaching every week, but in the sense of being with God's people in difficult times. Praying for them, discipling them, teaching them.The calling of an elder is shepherding. We read from 1 Peter chapter 5 earlier in the service. This is the apostle Peter writing: “I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you.”Those things I listed – the spiritual care and nourishment of God's people. Those things are shepherding. Spiritually caring for the flock to which God has called him. That is the main call of an elder. To be that spiritual shepherd leader.Our church recognizes just 2 offices, elder and deacon. We believe those are the two offices described in the New Testament. We have different titles for elder, a pastor is called a teaching elder meaning he's dedicated to shepherding and teaching. We call lay elders ruling elders. I actually don't prefer that term. The word “ruling” can come with a corporate or business sense. But that is not the role described in Scripture. I'd rather that a ruling elder be called a shepherd elder – because that is his primary calling as an elder.Back to verses 1 and 2. Part of that desire to be an elder is the desire to be a spiritual shepherd. To have that calling in his life to want to care for God's people. Praying for us and praying with us. Being with us through trials, and pain, and in joy. Having hard conversations at times, loving and supporting us in God's Word.Part of that calling means an elder needs to know the Scriptures. It means he is an ongoing student of them. Because it's the Word of God that the shepherd needs to bring to the people. When it says in verse 2, “able to teach,” that doesn't mean teach in a general sense. No, that means able to teach the Bible. To be sure, not every elder has the gift of public teaching, but every elder needs to be able to open the Word and disciple or minister to someone through it.The other part of spiritual shepherding includes the spiritual direction of the church - the spiritual vision of the church. Giving guidance to the priorities of the church. He's called an “overseer” in the sense of overseeing the spiritual ministry and concerns of the church… and spiritually protecting the church. That's part of the job of an actual shepherd – keeping the wolves away from the sheep. As one pastor put it – the role of elder includes both micro-shepherding meaning shepherding and caring for the people individually… and macro-shepherding, shepherding the church as a whole – specifically the spiritual oversight that the body of Christ needs in the local congregation.Do you see now why the life and integrity of an elder is so important? A spiritual shepherd needs a heart and mind spiritually tuned to God's Word and the Gospel.Let me summarize:1.) Faithful Christ-centered officers of the church are critical for the Gospel fidelity and health of a congregation. It's the most important thing for our church over the next few months2.) A qualified elder is a man who pursues a life of integrity and godliness in his heart and mind, which is displayed through his words and actions3.) An elder is called to spiritually shepherd the souls of God's people and His church, which requires an internal call to that role and the ability to bring God's Word to bear in people's livesThe Great ShepherdAs we come to a close, let me add one final note about the role of elder: An elder shepherds God's people according to the servant model of the great Shepherd – Christ Jesus.Let me take us back to 1 Peter. At the end of chapter 2, the apostle Peter reminds the church of the Gospel – that Christ bore our sins on the cross that we might live to righteousness. And then he says this, “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” That's our Lord and Savior Jesus. An elder in the church serves as a shepherd and overseer under the great Shepherd and overseer of our souls. We have a Savior in Jesus who is in the business of shepherding the shepherds and shepherding his people. And the great shepherd laid down his life for his sheep. He served them by dying for them. That is the model. The role of elder then serves the great shepherd and spiritually serves us as God's people by pointing to our great shepherd.So as we take these next steps forward as a church, may we do so seeking faithful, qualified, humble servants, men of integrity, who desire to care for us, teach us, and point us to the great Shepherd – Jesus our Lord.

Churches are led by pastors, elders, and deacons. But what do they do? In this episode, we discuss each of these leadership roles in the church. JOIN the NEWSLETTER SUPPORT Binmin with a tax-deductible gift HERE 0:00 – INTRODUCTIONS 3:00 - HOW THE DIFFERENT CHURCH LEADERSHIP ROLES EVOLVED 2 leadership roles: elders (Acts 14:23) & deacons (Acts 6) 4:35 - DUTIES OF AN ELDER “Elder,” “Pastor,” “Overseer,” or “Shepherd” are interchangeable titles Elders are under-shepherds to the Shepherd Jesus (1 Pet. 5:1-4) Elders are the highest office in the church 6:40 - ELDERS OR SHEPHERDS NEED TO LEAD, FEED & PROTECT THE CHURCH 7:00 - QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME AN ELDER (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9) Elders must live godly lives (1 Pet. 5:3) & have an intimate relationship with God (Titus 2:7) 7:50 - AN ELDER MUST BE: Self-controlled, Able to teach & defend the gospel, Not greedy, Have integrity & good leadership over his family 8:30 - CHURCH MEMBERS SHOULD HONOR & OBEY ELDERS 9:50 - A PASTOR IS A PAID ELDER AT THE CHURCH, PREACHES, AND LEADS MINISTRIES 12:03 - QUALIFICATIONS FOR PASTOR Same as elders. Some teach more. Some churches require pastors to have a bachelor's or master's degree 12:40 - ROLE OF THE “LEAD” PASTOR 14:00 - ADDITIONAL PASTORS HELP LEAD THE MINISTRY 14:15 - WHAT IS A DEACON? Deacon means “to serve" and is “Assistant to the Elder.” The first group of deacons were established in Acts 6:1-6 15:10 - QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACON (1 TIM 3:8-13) Not greedy, sober-minded, faithful to their wife & family 15:35 - DEACONS UNLIKE ELDERS: Can be younger in the faith Do not need to teach or defend Scripture in same ways 16:15 - DEACONS ROLE IN THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH Humbly serve the elders. Tend to practical & logistical church needs 17:20 - SO WHAT? UNDERSTAND THE ENORMOUS RESPONSIBILITIES THESE LEADERS CARRY. 18:42 - “WHAT'S YOUR NEXT STEP?”: PRAY FOR YOUR LEADERS Get a list of your pastors, elders, & deacons: Pick two & pray for them this week! Email them to thank them for leading & ask how you can pray for them! 19:35 - THANK YOU & WRAP UP For more info about Binmin & more resources for your spiritual life, visit www.Binmin.org CONNECT WITH THE BINMIN TEAM Instagram: Binmin Instagram Linkedin: Binmin Linkedin Twitter: Binmin Twitter Ask Questions: info@binmin.org PODCAST RESOURCES More from Binmin: Binmin.org Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on AnchorFM Subscribe on YouTube PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING A REVIEW If this podcast is helping you make your spiritual life more important to you, help share it by leaving an Apple podcast review in the “Ratings & Reviews” section at the bottom of the podcast's page. Thank you for sharing!

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 1 Kings 3: 4-13; Rs psalm 119: 9.10.11.12.13.14; Mark 6: 30-34 RECHARGING ENERGY Our meditation today has the theme: Recharging Energy. There are many testimonies both directly from the person and through social media about the danger of using a cellphone while being recharged. People give warnings to one another not to make or receive calls when the mobile phone is being recharged. They say that the cellphone can be burnt or explode. There is already a lot of evidences about this and gone viral on the digital globe. The best advice people always give is that the cellphone must be idle or rested, therefore, the process of adding electrical energy to the battery is not interrupted by the use of the same energy for our communication activities. That consideration has a point, because the battery is like a warehouse. It receives the energy first, then later distributing it for various uses. The battery is not like the hose that receives water and distributing it at once. The experience of recharging energy is spiritually illustrated by our readings today. King Solomon was graced with such a great and strong kingdom from his father David. But he left behind for a moment the work of governing the kingdom and went to the mountain of sacrifice, called Gibeon. There he prayed and made offerings to God. In response, he received wisdom from God after he was told to make the best wishes for him and his kingdom. A new energy really helps for a new job. Jesus and the apostles took available times for resting, praying, and strengthening fellowship among them in the midst of their busy ministries to so many people. But in reality the people did not stop their desire to listen and asking healing from the Lord. They continued following Jesus wherever he and the apostles went. After some moments of recharging energy, a renewed strength and enthusiasm was obtained, with great love of a Shepherd Jesus exclaimed that He was "moved by compassion for them, because they are like sheep without a shepherd." Recharging energy or putting a renewed strength to the existing ones is very important for us in the process of assuming next task, new challenge, ongoing struggle, and various kinds of difficulty that may come any time in our lives. As believers, we have times for examination of conscience, confession, daily and weekly eucharist, fasting, recollection, and retreat; all these are opportunities for us of regaining our spiritual growth. If these are just spiritual activities in our routine style, we might find ourselves like a water hose: accepting energy and let it go at once. It is better for us to fill up our spiritual storehouse with God's power and love, and at an appropriate time we share it to a particular need. Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, fill us with the same compassion as You always have for the flock who needs a good shepherd . Glory to the Father ... In the name of the Father ... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/media-la-porta/message

How does a person choose a good church? Involvement in a church is an important part of spiritual growth. But which one? There are so many to choose from. It's good to know that Jesus has an answer… “Tell me, O You whom my heart loves, where do You pasture Your sheep?” “If you do not know,... simply follow the tracks of My flock” (Song of Solomon 1.7-8). The text suggests I may ‘Follow those who follow Him.' If finding a good church eludes me, there is another way. I need only to find good sheep who follow their Shepherd Jesus, and then follow their “tracks” to the church they attend. That should get me to a “pasture” worth grazing in. Once I am part of a excellent community of faith, I must endeavor to faithfully follow Jesus each day so others who “follow the tracks” I make, may also happily join us.

#OpenArms #ChurchOnline   Today we hear from Lead Pastor Sean Booth, as we continue with our series; ‘Jesus Is…' looking at the qualities & character of who Jesus is ❤️ Today we explore the 5 truths about our Shepherd Jesus.    _ _  Stay Connected   Visit our website - https://openarms.ie/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/openarms.ie/ Instagram - @openarms_church Donate/Give - https://openarms.ie/give

When you give your life to the Great shepherd, you are safe in this life and the life to come --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/horace-morson/support

Pastor Brandon Miller

Bible Reading: Psalm 23"Get up, Logan!" called Grandpa. "The sheep are coming!"Logan instantly jumped out of bed, pulled on his jeans and shirt, and grabbed his tablet. He was visiting his grandparents in Montana and was fascinated to hear about how shepherds led their sheep up into the mountains. "It's quite a sight to see and hear," Grandpa had told him, so Logan was eager to get some pictures. As soon as Logan opened the front door, he heard the sheep. "It's a sheep choir!" he said with a grin. "Their baaas are all different." He saw a shepherd walking in front of the sheep and two sheepdogs running alongside. Logan quickly ran out into the path and aimed his tablet at the coming sheep to take a picture. "Out of the way!" the shepherd called, motioning for Logan to move."Logan, come back!" Grandpa said. "If a stranger gets in front of the sheep, they can lose their focus on the shepherd and scatter."Logan hurried back to the house and snapped several pictures from the porch. "That was cool," he said after the last sheep was out of sight. "I guess sheep can be easily distracted, can't they? That's why they need to keep their eyes on the shepherd." Logan frowned. "The Bible compares Christians to sheep, doesn't it? Does that mean we're easily distracted too?"Grandpa smiled. "We certainly can be," he said. "That's why we need to stay focused on our Shepherd--Jesus. He saved us from sin and promises to care for us and provide for our needs, and He's the one we should always follow. When you feel distracted and start to look elsewhere for solutions to your problems, let the sheep remind you to keep your eyes on Jesus. Bring all your problems to Him in prayer and trust Him to lead you where He wants you to go." "Okay, Grandpa," said Logan. He pulled up a picture of the sheep and shepherd he had taken on his tablet and showed it to his grandpa. "I'll save this as the background on my tablet to help me remember to keep my focus on Jesus." Linda M. WeddleHow About You?Where's your focus? Are you looking to Jesus to guide you in your daily life? Do you go to Him in prayer and seek His help in tough situations? If you know Him as your Savior, He's your Shepherd, and He promises to take care of you. There's nothing in this world that can give you the peace and joy He does. Keep your eyes on the Shepherd and trust Him to lead you. Today's Key Verse:My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (NKJV) (John 10:27)Today's Key Thought:Keep your focus on Jesus

The team digs deeper into Psalm 23 to talk about being led to green pastures and quiet waters. It is important to be lead by the Shepherd Jesus because then you will truly want for nothing. Remnant Church at Home Sermon (The Valleys) pt.5 Still Waters Giving opportunity for Tithe and offering and other Ministries https://bit.ly/2t9eH8Q +Take some pictures of your "church at home" experience and post them with the hashtag #remnantchurchathome ....... Click the link and go to our YouTube page and Subscribe and click the bell to get Notifications. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC14lNwetzw7hsD3UqMd4FYw  

 Audio RecordingSermon Manuscript:From almost the very beginning of the world there have always been two different kinds of people: believers and unbelievers. Adam and Eve were created as believers. The devil turned them into unbelievers with his lies. God had mercy on them and came to them again. He brought them to repentance. He promised salvation in Jesus, the Seed of the woman. In the first generation after Adam and Eve we see the two different kinds of people. Cain, the firstborn, became jealous of his younger brother Abel because Abel was acceptable in God’s sight whereas Cain was not. Cain was an unbeliever. Abel was a believer. Cain killed his brother. God gave another son to Adam and Eve named Seth. Seth was a believer. With the descendants of Cain and Seth we see that communities are formed. The descendants of Cain were unbelievers. The descendants of Seth were believers. The descendants of Cain are described as great innovators. They worked hard to remove the curses that came with the fall into sin. They tried to make a name for themselves. The Sethites had very different ambitions. They are described as being people who called on the name of the Lord. They listened to God’s Word, prayed, praised, and gave thanks. With both groups of people you have communities, which make them different than isolated individuals. Within communities cultures develop. People are raised and confirmed in a certain way. Members of the community support and encourage one another in their shared objectives. This is true for the worldly Cainites as well as the believing Sethites. This has been the way that things have carried on from that point forward up to the present day. Around the world there are cultures where many things are known and taught. Many things are believed in. But not everyone knows of and believes in the Savior promised to Adam and Eve. The community of believers in Christ is small in comparison to these other cultures. Nonetheless, here, there, and scattered throughout the world congregations of Christians remain. They are congregated by the Holy Spirit. They call on the name of the Lord. They hear God’s Word, pray, praise, and give thanks. Within these little communities children of God are born who will not die, but have eternal life in Jesus their Savior. Believers and unbelievers, Sethites and Cainites, have existed from the beginning. They will exist until the end of the world. But these communities do not have permanent members. As we’ve already mentioned, Adam and Eve went from being believers to being unbelievers and back again. Cain was born into a family of believers, but he became an unbeliever. Some people have been born into an unbelieving family, but God called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. The way that someone is converted as well as the way that faith is sustained is always the same. Barring some extraordinary miracle, it is always by coming into contact with individuals and communities who believes in Christ. The Word of God gets preached by Christians in such a case. The Word of God is preached to believers so that they can continually repent of their sins and believe in Christ. The Word of God is preached to those who are not yet converted, inviting them also to take refuge in the crucified Christ for their salvation. These individuals and communities who have the Word of God are essential for faith. Those places where there are no Christians are wastelands, haunts of the devil, even if they be sophisticated and rich like it was with the Cainites or with Sodom and Gomorrah. Even where there has been the Word of God, however, it can and does and always will happen that the community declines. “Judgment begins at the household of God,” as Peter says. God’s people are punished for their chasing after idols, for their cold-heartedness, for their disobedience. When God punishes with the loss of property or pestilence or some other bodily harm, then things are not so bad. But He can also punish by taking the Holy Spirit away so that people’s ears remain deaf. Eventually, if God does not relent and have mercy, God’s Word and Sacraments will disappear altogether because only believers are interested in coming to Church. If there are no believers, then there will be no Church. Then a place that once was blessed with a people who loved God by the power of the Gospel will become a place where there are jackals and screech owls. It will become a haunted wasteland, spiritually speaking. There is no sadder story that can possibly be told than this one. It is the tragedy of the Garden of Eden all over again. Even the Son of God is saddened by this story as we heard in our Gospel reading. The setting for our Gospel reading is Palm Sunday. The people had just hailed Jesus as the Messiah, the blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord. However, when Jesus looks out over Jerusalem he weeps. Jesus is not a wilting flower by temperament. He does not cry at the drop of a hat. He is moved to tears, however, by the spiritual devastation that is laid before him. That which was so beautiful is ugly, even though the buildings and institutions still glittered and sparkled. What was missing was not money or power or programs or buildings. What Jerusalem lacked was faith. How come? There were a lot of reasons. The Jews had become externally minded, that is, they only cared for achieving those results that could easily be seen with the eyes, instead of the true spiritual riches that can only take place in a person’s soul. Thus the Jews were always courting the Romans and pulling the levers of power. They schemed to get bigger and richer, bigger and richer. At the same time, with all their success, they came to believe in their own greatness. They honored the great teachers of their past and made the teachings of men to be more important than the Word of God. This is why all the higher-ups in the Church bureaucracy were convinced that Jesus could be nothing other than a false teacher. Jesus had healed people on the Sabbath. Jesus had cleared the Temple. He had said that he was God’s Son. That Jesus was no good was as clear to these highly educated men as 2+2=4. While these churchmen were absolutely convinced of their infallibility, they also engaged in wicked things. They were full of jealousy, strife, and covetousness. They went to old widows and convinced them to give all their money to the church in their slick and slimy ways. They cared nothing for the souls of people. All they cared about was themselves, their own comfort, and if there was anyone to blame, it certainly wasn’t them. It had to be the stupid laypeople who hadn’t learned all their special, manmade rules. Thus God’s Word was made of no effect. One of the things that surprised and impressed the people who heard Jesus’s teaching was that he actually had something meaningful to say. He spoke with authority. Jesus’s preaching bit into their lives instead of playing it safe and asking for more money like all the Pharisees and scribes did. Where God’s Word is transformed into a play-thing for the clergy it is no longer God’s Word that is being preached. Instead of God’s Word it becomes the church’s Word. This is a lot more common than you think. The church, however, should be silent in church. The church has no business preaching and teaching her own thing. The church is not the Savior of the body. Only our Lord Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Son of God, is the Savior. The true Church, therefore, doesn’t want to hear the church’s Word. She only has one teacher—Jesus. She only has one Shepherd—Jesus. All the rest are thieves and robbers. In the Ten Commandments God says that those who misuse his name will not go away unpunished. There is no worse way to misuse God’s name than to claim to be speaking his Word, to claim that you are telling people what God’s will is, but to be telling them something that is not true. This is what the leaders of the Jewish people were doing. Therefore they are punished. Jesus says, “If you, yes you, had only known on this day the things that would bring peace to you. But now, it is hidden from your eyes.” Note the one who is doing the hiding. It’s God. Therefore, no amount of searching, no amount of tears, nothing that these people can do can change anything. God won’t let them see the things that will bring them everlasting peace. God has hardened and blinded them so that they could not repent even if they should want to. Every time we sin individually or corporately as a church body we are inviting God’s punishment upon us, the worst of which is the hardening of heart that Jesus curses Jerusalem with. This is the worst thing that can ever happen, for then it becomes totally impossible for people to achieve the end point of what we have been created to be. What I mean is that it is impossible for the person without faith to love the Lord our God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love their neighbor. Instead they will be left in sin, in scratching each other’s eyes out, in hating the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. If this can happen to the Jews—that wonderful chosen race, the apple of God’s eye—then it most certainly can happen to us. The community of God at that time was the Jews. They had God’s Word. They had God’s promises. Salvation was received through those people preaching the Gospel. The Gospel has now come to us, but what is our spiritual state? How are things with us individually? Have we been obedient or have we sinned against our conscience? How are we as a congregation? Have we helped one another, encouraged one another, supported one another? Have we worked to bring about what is helpful for our faith life and removed from our midst whatever is not? How are we as a Synod? Have we brushed under the rug what should be dealt with in the light of day? Have we been filled with fear of the world’s scorn and condemnation? Have we been concerned with only visible, external success? Unless you have been hardened and blinded, you must see that we are as fully deserving of punishment as the Jews were at the time of Jesus. God already seems to be indicating that he is taking the light of his truth away from our people. Whole generations have been lost to unbelief and worldliness. These are our children and our grandchildren. But where are the hearts that are stirred? Who cries in anguish to our God? The tragedy of alienation from God makes little impression on us. Everything is not just fine with us. Do not listen to those lying prophets who say that we are living in the greatest time that has ever been. Do not listen to those lying prophets who say that religion is outdated or unimportant or a private matter or that we all believe in the same thing anyway. Each in his or her own way is saying “Peace, peace,” but there is no peace. They are all saying that there is nothing to be upset about. Life is carrying on as it always has. People are buying and selling, marrying and being given in marriage. They are all overlooking the way that our hearts are far from loving God. We love a lot of things, but God, God’s name, God’s Word. This, of course, is precisely the thing that comes naturally to all of us. Nobody has to try to ignore God or to love and worship other things besides him. We do that naturally. We must therefore become better Christians. Ironically, becoming a better Christian is to discount and despise one’s self—to disbelieve in one’s self with all your heart, and to rely entirely upon your God. The strength of God’s people, the strength of the community of believers, has always been the Holy Spirit who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies us together with Christ in the one true faith. God does not take delight in sacrifices or whole burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart God will not despise. Pray for God’s kingdom to come. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reign and rule in your heart instead of your evil spirit. Let the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be acceptable in God’s sight. Be sanctified in the truth. God’s word is truth. I’ve told you today that there is no sadder story than the story of someone who loses his or her faith. It’s the tragedy of the Garden of Eden all over again. But Jesus tells us something remarkable about the opposite too. He says that the angels in heaven rejoice when just one sinner repents. The angels care more about someone repenting than they do about all the biggest news stories of our day. That is because something divine and eternal is going on in your heart when you believe that God has raised Jesus from the dead, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Therefore I have no doubt that the angels are watching us today, and surely God is taking notice. You who repent today and lift up your hearts unto the Lord—this is not without consequence. Repent of your evil ways and evil deeds. Turn to the Lord and he will heal us.

Episode 10 Scriptures: Mark 5:25-36, John 11:17-21, John 17:11-13, John 10:27-30, John 10:10 The calamity stems from the thief but the restoration comes from the Shepherd Jesus. Join Us! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The future is uncertain. We're just trying to figure what the new normal is. It creates a new level of stress. On top of that no one seems to know how long it's going to last. We've got moments where it feels like we can barely hold it together for one more day. It's why we're leaning into Shepherd Jesus. Get ready for some practical teaching on how to navigate daily decisions when your future is uncertain.

Sermon by Pastor Ryan Strebeck, March 22, 2020, First United Methodist Church - SweetwaterThe Lord is My Shepherd - Jesus is Enough Psalm 23FUMC-Sweetwater is grateful for the opportunity to share the message of our Lord with you today. We encourage you to know his unconditional love and unending hope that can be found only in making the decision to have a personal relationship with Him. Please contact us at info@fumcsweetwater.org to learn how you can meet the Savior of the world.You are always invited to join us at Worship Services at 309 Cedar Street in Sweetwater, Texas. You can also find us online at our website - http://fumcsweetwater.org, or on social media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fumcsw/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/fumcsweetwater.Have a blessed day!( Music provided by spinningmerkaba, Sun Says Yes, under Creative Commons license - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode )

Paulos Djini explores ways in which believers experience the presence of the Shepherd (Jesus) both on the 'mountains' and in the 'valleys'.

Our greatest challenges at Colonial Hills are not financial or logistical. Our greatest challenges are spiritual! We can survive and even thrive through anything, as long as we are all following our Shepherd Jesus as one loving flock; one unified body! So, what does it mean to be one unified body as a Church? Listen or watch as Pastor Luke expounds on this amazing truth.*Video/Audio content will be available on Tuesday (Oct. 12th) at 6pm.*

Our greatest challenges at Colonial Hills are not financial or logistical. Our greatest challenges are spiritual! We can survive and even thrive through anything, as long as we are all following our Shepherd Jesus as one loving flock; one unified body! So, what does it mean to be one unified body as a Church? Listen or watch as Pastor Rick expounds on this amazing truth.*Video/Audio content will be available on Tuesday (Oct. 12th) at 6pm.*

49:09 clean full healingtouchpodcast@gmail.com (Gilead Baptist Church, Taylor MI

Jesus invites us to go with him and bring his compassion to a world of need...

Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth and his behavior afterwards showed evidence of one who not only received physical eyesight, but Spiritual eyesight which freed him from the oppression of the Pharisees. Jesus gave the Parable of the Good Shepherd.MP3 Download SESSION NOTES I. Jesus Gives Sight To A Man Who Was Born Blind.A. John 9:1-71. Was Born Blind: Spiritually & Physically.2. Clay On The Eyes: Symbolic Of The Man's Spiritual Condition.3. Washing In The Pool Of Siloam: Symbolic Of The Clensing & Baptism Of The Holy Spirit.4. But Now I See: Spiritually & Physically. B. Related Passages: 1. Genesis 3:14-152. Exodus 4:1-53. John 2:6-104. John 16:7-13 II. A Change Evidenced By Physical Eyesight.John 9:8-12 III. Intimidation & Interigation From The Pharisees.John 9:13-23 IV. A Change Evidenced By Spiritual Eyesight.John 9:24-33 V. Evidence Of Two Forms Of Blindness In Action.A. John 9:34-41B. A Confessed Blindness Which Saves & Brings New Eyesight.C. An Unconfessed (Stubborn & Willfull) Blindness Which Leaves One In Darkness. VI. Jesus Proclaims, "I Am The Door Of The Sheep".A. John 10:1-10 B. Historical Application = Jesus' 1st Coming 1. Sheepfold = The Nation Of Israel2. Porter/Doorkeeper = The Holy Spirit's Testimony Of The Coming Messiah/The Old Testament3. Shepherd = Jesus4. Sheep = All Jews Who Left The Blindness Of The Pharisees To Follow Jesus C. Personal Application = Spiritual Rebirth 1. Sheepfold = The World 2. Porter/Doorkeeper = The Holy Spirit's Testimony Of Jesus' Atoning Death & Resurrection/The Old & New Testament 3. Shepherd = Jesus 4. Sheep = All Jews & Gentiles Who Leave The Blindness Of The World To Follow Jesus D. Prophetic Application = The Rapture 1. Sheepfold = The Planet Earth 2. Porter/Doorkeeper = The Seal Of The Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13-14 & 2nd Corinthians 1:21-22 3. Shepherd = Jesus 4. Sheep = All Those Sealed By The Holy Spirit Who Leave The Planet Earth To Follow Jesus 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 VII. Jesus Proclaims, "I Am The Good Shepherd".A. John 8:31-32B. He's Called The Good Shepherd in John 10:11 Because He Lays Down His Life For The Sheep. Psalm 22 C. He's Called The Great Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20-21 Because He Protects And Cares For His Sheep. Psalm 23 D. He's Called The Chief Shepherd in 1st Peter 5:4 Because He Will Come Back To Reward His Sheep. Psalm 24

It's March first already?! Pastors Keith Radke and Nathaniel Wall converse over John 10:27. A verse where we are likened to sheep by Jesus when he says, “my sheep know my name and follow me.” Also sprinkled in are some Chuck Norris FACTS that prove his ability to time travel…. If you want to know more listen and find out!

Listen in as Pastor Will explains from 1 Peter 5:1-5 how elders serve God's people to humbly experience the life of their lead Shepherd Jesus!

Can Your Brokenness Really Be Beautiful? Find out what John thinks in this episode. As a therapist I often see and hear stories that would break anyone’s heart. Parent’s weeping over the condition of their child or the state of their family.  A mom sobbing over the fact that her child is depressed and miserable after suffering years of abuse. A dad riddled with guilt for failing to foresee that his own son would attempt suicide. A little seven-year-old boy saying that his life is over because he feels that he must choose sides in a bitter divorce... ...all stem from brokenness. As I talk about this I am struck with the question, “What does it mean to be broken?”  A simple search in a Thesaurus reveal definitions such as “run down”, “kaput”, “out of order”, “not working”, and “wrecked”. I don’t know about you, but when I come across a machine that I rely on for coffee, a restroom, or anything else that I need or want, and it’s “out of order” I’m not happy.  In fact, it could ruin most of my morning, especially if it’s coffee that I can’t get! None of us enjoy things that are broken, how could we? If something doesn’t work it’s a huge inconvenience to our daily lives.  If we buy a product that’s broken we take it back to the store.  If we have a computer that crashes or it’s too old, we are quick to discard it and get a new one. But, what if we are the one that’s “kaput”?  What if someone we love is “wrecked?”  What then?  Unlike a product, we can’t take it back and get a new one, no matter how bad we may want to. The longer I am a therapist the more I am convinced that all of us are broken in some way.  It’s just that some may seem more broken than. No one is perfect, everyone is fallen.  Our brokenness is a result of our sin, and being sinned against. Stop Judging other people’s brokenness Our sinful nature tends to rear its ugly head when we are quick to judge or point out someone else’s weakness doesn’t it? How easy it is to think that you’re thankful that your child doesn’t behave that way, or have feelings of contempt when someone is critical of you. I remember when my wife and I had our first child, Anna.  She was a very content baby, rarely causing trouble . . . her terrible two’s never came. My wife and I would often see other children get out of control, become rowdy, and disrespectful toward their parents, and we would think, “Boy, we must really know how to be good parents.” Then God humbled us with our son, Noah.  We knew that he would be a high maintenance child from his earliest beginnings in the womb! Don’t get me wrong, our son is an awesome child, but I am positive that many parent’s looked at us and thought that we should be better parents because of his impulsiveness and lack of self-control when he was younger. Like I said, we’re all broken, but some people’s brokenness is just a bit clearer! Who is it in your life that you are quick to judge their brokenness?  Maybe you are a teacher and you misinterpret your student’s brokenness as bad behavior or simply as a thorn in your side. Perhaps you have that one co-worker that is always getting on your nerves.  Or maybe, you have a very needy friend or family member that can’t stop calling you. I’m confident that you’re thinking of someone at this very moment – someone that you have a hard time getting past their behavior and seeing their brokenness. Reflect on your own brokenness Think for a moment about your own brokenness.  I know nobody wants to intentionally think about their brokenness, but trust me, I think you may find it helpful. Usually there is an outward behavior that’s masking brokenness.  Is your outward behavior over eating?  Prolific gossip? An addiction of some kind?  Anger? An obsession? Fear of rejection? Whatever your outward behavior may be allow it to enter your mind and stay there for a moment.  Reflect on your brokenness.  Weep over it if you want.  Tell God that you hate it if you want. Don’t beat yourself up.  You may have tremendous guilt and regret over your brokenness, but don’t go there.  God is a God of forgiveness.  God invented forgiveness after all! “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1 This verse includes self-condemnation!  WARNING: I want to offer a warning here.  You may have experienced horrific events in your life and this may become very painful for you to reflect on.  You may want to talk to a close friend that you trust or a counselor before you go on.. Brokenness usually originates from one of three factors; biological, environmental, or situational.   For some, brokenness can be biological or hereditary; such as depression, anxiety, and other disorders.  Or, brokenness can be a result of environmental factors such as poor living conditions and a hostile or chaotic lifestyle. Brokenness can also develop from situational factors such as abuse, neglect, trauma, loss, etc. Whatever the cause, brokenness is still brokenness, and it cut’s deep. The Bible has a lot to say about human brokenness.  Words found in the Bible such as despair, anguish, and suffering poignantly describe brokenness. From Genesis to Revelation the Bible talks about human brokenness.  The moment sin entered the world was the moment that brokenness began to crush the human spirit. You don’t have to read much of the Psalms to see how the writers are broken before God.  The story of Job clearly shows brokenness; how can anyone recover from such loss? James tells us that we should consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds. The apostle Paul says we should “boast” in our weaknesses. How can these men say such things? Where does James get off saying that we should consider it pure joy when we face trials of all kinds? It seems obvious that James does not really know what he is talking about.  Or, what about Paul?  We’re supposed to boast in our weakness – preposterous!  They must not really know that much about brokenness, right? Wrong! The above examples, and countless others found in the Bible, know more about brokenness than we will ever experience, thank God for that! The apostles were tortured beyond comprehension, and they suffered greatly, yet they could still place their hope and confidence in God in the midst of their suffering. I think that this is the key – to be able to place our hope and confidence in God in the midst of our brokenness. This is why, as a therapist, I can say to a young woman who was raped, “There is hope even when all hope seems lost”. This is why I can say to a single mother of two whose life seems to be crumbling around her, “Hang on, this too shall pass”. This is why I can say to the father whose son attempted suicide, “Your son will feel good again.” I can offer, without a shadow of a doubt, the hope of Christ no matter what ones brokenness may be, because Christ himself was broken for us!   “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 Perhaps the best illustration of how Christ sees our brokenness can be found in the book Hinds’ Feet On High Places, written by Hannah Hurnard. In chapter 12 of this allegory, Shepherd (Jesus) is talking to Much-Afraid, a woman walking on her journey of suffering. Isn’t this great news?  Can you believe this truth, that God sees us as what we will be when we are with him in heaven, rather than just as we are today? I for one am glad that God does not give me what I truly deserve.  Isaiah 61:3 says something similar, “ to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”  Now What? At this point there is not much more that I can say about what you can do with your brokenness. You have already admitted that you have weaknesses, you have reflected on those weaknesses and on your brokenness. Now, I would suggest that you take those weaknesses and your brokenness to God.  Let God lighten your burdens and rest in him alone.   This is what Jesus says to you. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29. **** Thanks for listening, I truly feel honored that you tuned in. I would love to hear from you. Your friend, John There are many ways to find me: Website: www.johncordray.com Twitter: @JohnPCordray Instagram: JohnPCordray Periscope: www.periscope.tv/johnpcordray Please leave a review on iTunes or Stitcher Radio it really does help me! For Therapists: I want to help you help others so I have put together this training course just for you if you are interested in starting your own private practice. Use this link to sign up: www.freeprivatepracticecourse.com  

What does it mean to know Jesus as life abundantly!

As Pastor Joe Ferraro wraps up our series in 1 Peter titled, “Immovable,” we learn we are led well by our Shepherd—Jesus—and we should use Him as our model when leading our families and the people we influence.

5/10/15

5/10/15

In John 10, Jesus applies the familiar words of Psalm 23 to himself when he declares that he is the Good Shepherd. This latest message in our series, Psalms of the Passion," looks at how how Psalm 23 informs three other places in the New Testament that speak of what kind of Shepherd Jesus is; not only is he the Good Shepherd, he is also the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd .

In John 10, Jesus applies the familiar words of Psalm 23 to himself when he declares that he is the Good Shepherd. This latest message in our series, Psalms of the Passion," looks at how how Psalm 23 informs three other places in the New Testament that speak of what kind of Shepherd Jesus is; not only is he the Good Shepherd, he is also the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd .