High Voltage Shareware/high1.zip/high1/DIR46/ALPHON_2.ZIP/SHEEP.R02

Text File | 1992-10-31 | 8KB | 147 lines

SHEPHERD and SHEEP

GOD'S PEOPLE ARE THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE.

"Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us and not we
ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture." Psalm 100:3.

The picture of shepherd and sheep is one of the common Biblical illustrations
used to describe our nature, and our relationship to the Lord.  In Bible days,
sheep were totally dependent on the shepherd for their food, water, shelter
and protection, The shepherd was the guardian and owner of the sheep, and they
followed him faithfully - left alone they wandered and were destroyed.  Like
sheep, we have all "gone astray", but Jesus is the good shepherd who searched
for us and brought us to safety in Himself.  No longer do we wander alone, for
when He finds us He places us with other sheep in His flock.  Read Isaiah 53:6;
Luke 15:4-7; John 10; Psalm 23.

THE LORD IS THE GREAT SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP.

1.   He protects.
     "I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down His life for the
     sheep".  John 10:11. (RSV)
     At night, the sheep were taken to shelter in a fold (a stone enclosure).
     The shepherd himself lay across the doorway to protect the sheep from
     wolves and other wild animals.  During the day he constantly watched over
     them and guarded them from attack.  (1 Samuel 17:34,35).  As we stay
     close to God, His protection is ours.  We have a heavenly Father who is
     our refuge and fortress; He has given His angels charge over us, to go
     with us everywhere to defend us and keep us.  Read John 10:28,29; Psalm
     91:11,12.

2.   He leads us to green pastures.

     "I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in
     and out, and find pasture".  John 10:9.(RSV)
     During the day, the shepherd led the sheep out to food and water.  As we
     have a hunger for more of the Lord, for more of His word and His presence
     in our lives, He promises to satisfy that hunger if we are willing to
     follow Him wherever He leads us.  Read Psalm 23:1,2; Ezekiel 34:13-15;
     Psalm 37:3-4; Matthew 5:6.

3.   He guides and directs.

     "He calls His own sheep by name, and leads them out ... He goes before
     them ... and the sheep follow Him for they know His voice".  John
     10:3-5.(RSV)
     In Bible times, the shepherd led the sheep, going before them rather than
     driving them from behind.  Each one was known to the shepherd, and
     followed him as he called it by name.  On their own, sheep wander and
     lose their way.  If we walk independent of God's way, we also wander
     aimlessly, but by allowing Him to lead us we can be confident of His
     continual direction.  Read Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 58:11 ; Psalm 32:8.

     We can know clearly the voice of the Lord, and distinguish between it and
     the voice of Satan.  The devil brings pressure upon people's lives,
     resulting in confusion and frustration.  The Holy Spirit leads gently,
     and brings us into liberty and peace.  Read Psalm 78: 52-53;
     Isaiah 40:11; 48:17.

GOD HAS PLACED UNDERSHEPHERDS OVER HIS FLOCK.

Jesus is the chief shepherd who exercises direct control over our lives, but
He has set men ill leadership over each separate flock or local church as His
undershepherds.  He places every sheep in a local "sheepfold" so they can be
trained and matured.  Christians arE not to wander from church to church, but
need to hear from God as to where He desires to place them, and submit
themselves to the authority there.

          "Lord ... appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and
          come in before who will lead them out and bring them in, that the
          congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no
          shepherd".  Numbers 27:16,17. (NASB)

THE UNDERSHEPHERD.

1.   Is in authority.  Read Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-5.

     He has been set over the flock and is responsible before God to love,
     discipline and correct each one.  To be fully mature, we must be
     submitted to the one over us in authority and be willing to receive
     correction when necessary, as from the Lord.  God will often use the hand
     of His faithful undershepherd to bring the maturity He desires in our
     lives.  Here there is also safety from error, as we submit all guidance
     and spiritual revelation to the shepherd for his confirmation.

2.   Provides food and water.  Read Acts 20:28; Jeremiah 3:15.

     Good pasture and fresh water are essential for strong, healthy sheep.
     Food for the Christian is the Word of God (Matthew 4:4) and water is that
     fresh moving of the Holy Spirit bringing life and refreshing within (John
     7:37-39).  It is the responsibility of the undershepherd to seek from God
     an understanding of the Scriptures and of the moving of the Spirit, and
     bring teaching to his flock.  God will give him a fresh word that will
     continually meet their need.  When the sheep are hungry, they should come
     faithfully to receive food and drink.

3.   Leads the flock.  Read Numbers 27:16,1 7.

     Shepherds must go ahead of the sheep, showing the way, testing the ground
     before them, taking care to guard them from hidden dangers as they lead
     them to higher and higher ground.  As shepherds, the ministries must lead
     the people into the deeper things of God, while the people must stir
     themselves and move on.  The Christian life is a continual walk towards a
     definite goal where all will "come to a perfect man, unto the measure of
     the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

4.   Protects the flock.  Read Jeremiah 23:1-4.

     Sheep are exposed to danger when they follow their own way - they need
     the care and protection of a shepherd.  As a watchman it is his job to be
     alert, guarding against attacks by wild animals and ready to come to the
     aid of any of his flock.

THE SHEEP.

1.   Sheep are born to reproduce other sheep.

God said to man "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth".  Genesis
1 :28.

     It is the responsibility of every Christian, not just the ministers, to
     win others to Christ.  John 15:2,8.  The Christian needs to ensure that
     those won to Christ also receive teaching and instruction in the Word of
     God . . . "that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus".
     Colossians 1:28.

2.   Sheep must give their wool.

     Sheep are usually produced to grow wool.  If it is not shorn regularly,
     the wool dies, and falls out.  As God's sheep we are to give what we
     produce: our time, our money, our lives - everything we have as the Lord
     requires it.  Read Luke 6:38; Malachi 3:10-11 Romans 12:1.
     The sheep must be willing to yield to the shearer's hand as he shears the
     wool.  Christ is our example of one who submitted to the purposes of God
     " ..... He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before
     her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth." Isaiah 53:7.


There is security and care for the sheep as they remain within the sheepfold
under the watchful eye of the shepherd.  It is God's plan for us to be
gathered together in the security and fellowship of the Body of Christ and to
grow in love for one another.  Read Hebrews 10:25; John 13:35; 17:21,23.

THE END