I Am the Good Shepherd: John 10
Well, I missed church Sunday due to illness and finally heard the podcast of Sunday’s sermon. As such, my It’s Monday article is getting posted on Saturday. Sigh! Anyway, as typical, the sermon wasn’t typical. Both pastor Bart and pastor Jeff preached portions of the sermon. It was a very challenging sermon. To sum it up: We need to have an intimate relationship with God and follow Him, no matter what or where He would lead. We can do this because we know that the Good Shepherd has laid down His life that we may live.
We were challenged with a lot of questions:
- Do you have a personal relationship with Christ?
- Does Jesus know your name?
- Where is God leading you?
- What does God want you to give up?
- Who would God have you forgive?
- What new thing would God have you do?
Quite frankly, you need to listen to the sermon and let God challenge you for my words are a poor substitute.
So how am I going to respond? I believe this sermon is a continuation of God’s challenges to me. I have had a lot of changes in my life over the past year and I believe God is not finished with those changes. I don’t know necessarily where He is going to lead me next but I am going to do my best to follow His voice and go where I may not want to go but if He is there, I shall follow.
Pastor Bart started his sermon with Psalm 23. It is a good Psalm to commit to memory and apply to one’s heart. For no matter where the Good Shepherd would lead me, I will follow, be it the green pastures, the refreshing waters, or that dark valley where fear and doubt resides. He will be there for me, to protect me, and to provide for all my needs.