Leadership

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I AM - Week 3 - "The Good Shepherd"

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Current Series: “I AM: changes who I am” Title: Week 3 – “The Good Shepherd” Main Thought: Security is found in a relationship with Jesus. Scripture: John 10:11-18, 27-29, Psalm 23. 

Message explanation: In England, shepherds were debating methods in how to protect their sheep. They created a cattle guard to protect them. Animals pass over it and can slip into it. Rarely does a sheep outsmart its shepherd. This time they did! One sheep approached the cattle guard and simply laid down and rolled across the bars. Stop, Drop and ROLL! In a matter of minutes all of the sheep, one by one rolled out of the fence. They wanted the greener pastures. As people, we are perfectly compared to sheep.

 “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”

What does Jesus mean when He says, “I AM the good shepherd”

1. Jesus lays down His life for his sheep. - We must lay down our life for others to know Him. (John 10:12-18) 

2. His followers know His voice and follow Him. (John 10:16-18)

How do we know God’s voice? If we are faithful to open up His Word and LISTEN. We have eternal security in salvation. (John 10:27-29).

We are inundated with many voices calling out for our attention. We must learn to discover God’s voice through His Word.

- You are secure in Christ (no more fear, unshakable faith, God pursued you, He died for you, He is FOR you.) 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me…”

Listen to God’s Voice through T.A.G time. (Time Alone with God)  Have a specific time. Have a specific place

Scripture Do not just skim it but meditate and think about each word of the verse(s). Observe: Ask questions about the background of the scripture Apply: How do you live out what the verse(s) in your personal life? Be specific. Memorize specific verses that stick out to you! Pray: Write down specific prayer requests about your personal needs. Keep your prayer requests written down in a journal to go back to in the future. Prayer is aligning your heart with God’s heart.

The best question to ask at the end of your TAG time: “How will I be different today because of what I have just read?”

Psalm 23 (David writes about the security He has in God) The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

 As followers of Christ, we can take comfort in knowing that we have a relationship with Jesus, who leads us and lays down his life for us. 

Parable of the lost sheep: In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus explained how much he cares for the sheep, when one sheep out of a 100 was lost he went and searched and searched for the sheep until he found it. He brought the sheep back and celebrated. Jesus says, “And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

At one point in your life perhaps you were lost yourself, and yet Jesus cared about you enough to come after you.

 Do you know God’s voice? If not, you can respond to His calling to be His follower. If you know His voice, how much are you listening and pursuing His Word?

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Book Review: "Spiritual Life: The Foundation of Preaching and Teaching"

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John Westerhoff is the director of the Institute of Pastoral Studies at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. For twenty years he serves as Professor of Theology and Christian Nurture at Duke University Divinity School. Noted author of “Will Our Children Have Faith?” & “Bringing Up Children in the Christian Faith” he was a key contributor to “Called to Teach and Learn.”

The importance of biblical preaching is needed in today’s culture. Westerhoff gives a clear picture of the importance of the spiritual relationship that one has with God in the ministry. The need for pastors to be close to God in their personal life is paramount in relation to their public life. The book used the example of a “pilgrimage” as an explanation of a Christian’s life. The journey is a life of becoming more dependent upon the power of God than one’s own strength.

The book highlights the importance of preaching and teaching the way Jesus did during his earthly ministry. This highlighted the power of the master teacher and how to apply it to today’s culture. The spiritual truth of discipline is explained in detail for the minister to put in action. The book explains the power that comes when a minister responds with grace to persecution. The heart of the gospel is to be dependent upon God for salvation and this book explains the importance of responding with obedience. Overall, the book was a clear explanation of the importance of spiritual formation for teaching and preaching.

The author gives a clear explanation of the importance for every believer to grow spiritually. The power of a personal life filled with God’s Word, prayer, encouragement and love for people is a priority for longevity in life and ministry. Westerhoff gives practical help to explain that the foundation for preaching is to be an obedient student to God’s Word. The theme is convincing because it focuses upon the internal part of ministry. Ministers have to handle many important aspects of ministry and the focus of this book must be a priority. The secret sins and issues will eventually come out in the light.

The issue that arises when reading this book is the lofty wordage that points to a dictionary more than clear understanding for any lay person. The illustrations at times can become misunderstood due to the irrelevance of current situations. One of the negative issues is the use of a Buddhist quote referring to spirituality. The important part is to fill the book full of scripture and not only quotes from other religions. Although it is important to understand other worldviews, the importance is to find truth from God’s Word. The feeling that comes from reading this book is that the author is not sure there is a certain set of beliefs to adhere to in life. The problem that this opens up is a liberal view of spirituality that is not based upon the original intent of scripture. The author does not use many scriptures in the first sections of the book but highlights many towards the end. It would have been greater to see scripture being the main theme of the entire book and not just the ending. The issue of using imagination was mentioned in the book and this is a weakness that arises. The problem that can come with this teaching is that some can easily make scripture into their own meaning. The truth comes from scripture and it is what makes up the theological beliefs of the Christian. Imagination is wonderful in the meditation upon scripture but it should never take the place of biblical exegesis and clear application of it into today’s culture.

The book teaches the importance of the spiritual health of the believer. If a person’s life is not focused upon the fruit if the spirit, it is devoid of true understanding of the gospel. The book explains the practical ways to lead a growing spiritual life. The essence of spirituality is to not only have disciplines, but also continually listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The search that is explained is that each minister is to lay out the truth and trust the Holy Spirit to bring the growth. It cannot be formulated or coerced, it is a movement of God within the heart of people who have repented and put their full faith and trust in Christ alone for salvation. This book gives clear insights into the importance of being close and clean to God. Without the heart to seek God on a daily basis, the pulpit will become devoid of the power of God. This book reveals the need for a daily time with God that is focused upon listening more than doing. If ministers applied what is taught in this book, the pulpit would be more potent with the gospel. People are searching for meaning in life and this book explains the wonderful pilgrimage of growing spiritually into the likeness of Jesus Christ.