Engaging the Community: Following the Good Shepherd
Summary
### Summary
Today, we are on the cusp of launching our new Engage service, a contemporary worship experience aimed at connecting with younger generations, young families, and young adults. This service will begin on September 8th at 9:00 AM, and we are making several adjustments to prepare for it. Starting August 18th, we will hold practice services to fine-tune our logistics. Additionally, our Sunday school time will shift to 9:00 AM to align with the new service schedule. We need volunteers for various roles, including making coffee, assisting in children's ministry, and serving as greeters.
Our upcoming H2O event, a water fun day, will serve as a community outreach to promote Engage. We also have food drives and other activities planned to connect with our community. The essence of our mission is to plant and water seeds, trusting God to bring the increase. We are called to be active participants, not spectators, in this mission.
In today's scripture from John 10, Jesus teaches us about the abundant life. He contrasts the good shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep, with thieves, robbers, and hired hands who do not genuinely care for the sheep. The good shepherd knows his sheep intimately, and they recognize his voice. This relationship is a model for how we should live our lives—listening to and following Jesus, the good shepherd. The abundant life Jesus offers is not about material success or worldly recognition but about aligning ourselves with God's will and purpose.
Jesus emphasizes that He is the only way to enter the fold, the kingdom of heaven. This exclusivity may be challenging for some to accept, but it is a fundamental truth of our faith. We must avoid false teachings and extreme viewpoints, whether legalistic or overly permissive. Instead, we should focus on knowing and following the voice of the good shepherd through scripture, prayer, and being led by the Holy Spirit.
### Key Takeaways
1. Active Participation in God's Mission: We are called to be active participants in God's mission, not mere spectators. This involves volunteering, engaging with the community, and being part of the collective effort to spread God's love and message. By doing so, we plant and water seeds, trusting God to bring the increase. [32:54]
2. The Good Shepherd's Voice: Jesus, the good shepherd, knows His sheep intimately, and they recognize His voice. This relationship is a model for our spiritual lives. We must learn to discern and follow Jesus' voice through scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. [01:00:23]
3. Avoiding False Teachings: We must be vigilant against false teachings and extreme viewpoints, whether they are overly legalistic or permissive. True spiritual maturity involves finding balance and context, aligning our lives with the teachings of Jesus. [01:17:25]
4. The Exclusivity of Jesus: Jesus is the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven. This exclusivity is a fundamental truth of our faith, even if it is challenging for some to accept. We must remain steadfast in this belief and not be swayed by the world's many voices. [01:06:04]
5. Living the Abundant Life: The abundant life Jesus offers is not about material success or worldly recognition but about aligning ourselves with God's will and purpose. This involves laying down our own desires and following Jesus, even when it is difficult. [01:12:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:26] - Introduction to Engage Service
[29:02] - Practice Services and Adjustments
[30:10] - Volunteer Opportunities
[31:52] - Community Outreach Events
[32:54] - Call to Active Participation
[41:12] - Scripture Reading: Psalm 23
[42:26] - Offering and Announcements
[45:32] - Prayer and Worship
[47:33] - The Good Life: Introduction
[49:00] - Cultural Perspectives on the Good Life
[50:18] - Regrets and Reflections on Life
[51:51] - Jesus' Teaching on the Abundant Life
[53:20] - Aligning with God's View of the Good Life
[54:50] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[56:17] - Thieves, Robbers, and Hired Hands
[59:01] - Knowing the Shepherd's Voice
[01:00:23] - Intimacy with the Shepherd
[01:03:12] - Following the Shepherd
[01:06:04] - The Exclusivity of Jesus
[01:07:24] - The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life
[01:10:13] - The Role of Shepherds and Leaders
[01:12:57] - Living the Good Life
[01:17:25] - Avoiding False Teachings
[01:20:16] - Following the Good Shepherd
[01:21:32] - Closing Prayer and Final Hymn
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- John 10:7-11 (NIV): "Therefore Jesus said again, 'Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the adjustments being made to prepare for the new Engage service? ([29:02])
2. According to John 10:7-11, what are the characteristics of the good shepherd compared to thieves and robbers?
3. How does Jesus describe the relationship between the good shepherd and his sheep? ([01:00:23])
4. What are some of the volunteer roles mentioned that are needed for the Engage service? ([31:23])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize that He is the only way to enter the fold, and how might this exclusivity be challenging for some to accept? ([01:06:04])
2. How can we discern the voice of the good shepherd in our daily lives, according to the sermon? ([01:00:23])
3. What does it mean to be an active participant in God's mission, and why is this important? ([32:54])
4. How can we avoid false teachings and extreme viewpoints in our spiritual journey? ([01:17:25])
### Application Questions
1. How can you actively participate in the Engage service or other church activities? What specific role could you volunteer for? ([31:23])
2. Reflect on a time when you felt you recognized the voice of Jesus guiding you. How did you discern it was His voice, and what was the outcome? ([01:00:23])
3. Are there any false teachings or extreme viewpoints you have encountered that challenged your faith? How did you address them? ([01:17:25])
4. Jesus describes the abundant life as aligning with God's will and purpose. What steps can you take this week to align more closely with God's will? ([01:12:57])
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community outreach. How can you engage with your community to spread God's love and message? ([32:23])
6. Think about the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way to the kingdom of heaven. How can you share this truth with someone who might find it challenging to accept? ([01:06:04])
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are listening to and following the voice of the good shepherd in your daily life? ([01:00:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Active Participation in God's Mission
We are called to be active participants in God's mission, not mere spectators. This involves volunteering, engaging with the community, and being part of the collective effort to spread God's love and message. By doing so, we plant and water seeds, trusting God to bring the increase. [32:54]
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."
Reflection: Think of one way you can actively participate in God's mission this week. Can you volunteer at church, help a neighbor, or engage in a community outreach event? How will you take the first step today?
Day 2: The Good Shepherd's Voice
Jesus, the good shepherd, knows His sheep intimately, and they recognize His voice. This relationship is a model for our spiritual lives. We must learn to discern and follow Jesus' voice through scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. [01:00:23]
John 10:27-28 (ESV): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Reflection: Spend time in prayer and scripture today, asking God to help you discern His voice more clearly. What steps can you take to ensure you are listening to and following the Good Shepherd's voice in your daily life?
Day 3: Avoiding False Teachings
We must be vigilant against false teachings and extreme viewpoints, whether they are overly legalistic or permissive. True spiritual maturity involves finding balance and context, aligning our lives with the teachings of Jesus. [01:17:25]
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
Reflection: Reflect on the sources of spiritual teaching you are currently following. Are they aligned with the teachings of Jesus? How can you ensure that you are not swayed by false teachings or extreme viewpoints?
Day 4: The Exclusivity of Jesus
Jesus is the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven. This exclusivity is a fundamental truth of our faith, even if it is challenging for some to accept. We must remain steadfast in this belief and not be swayed by the world's many voices. [01:06:04]
Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Reflection: Consider how you can lovingly share the truth of Jesus' exclusivity with someone who may struggle with this concept. How can you remain steadfast in your own faith while being a compassionate witness to others?
Day 5: Living the Abundant Life
The abundant life Jesus offers is not about material success or worldly recognition but about aligning ourselves with God's will and purpose. This involves laying down our own desires and following Jesus, even when it is difficult. [01:12:57]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: Reflect on areas of your life where you may be seeking material success or worldly recognition over God's will. What changes can you make to align more closely with the abundant life Jesus offers? How can you lay down your own desires to follow Him more faithfully?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We go back to that scripture, one plants, one waters. We're the waterers and we're the planters. But at the end of the day, God gives the increase. And so we're praying for Engage. We're praying that God does great things. We're believing that God does great things. We're believing that there are people who God has called to be part of his family, and we get to play the role of inviting them into that." [33:01] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's exciting to be in the house of the Lord where we get to worship the creator of all things and give him his due, his honor. My name is John Wilcox. I'm the pastor here at Faith Church, and we're glad that you could be here. If this is your first time here, we're glad that you could be here. We believe that God has brought you here, and I pray that as you are here, you are moved and touched by what God has in store for you." [41:12] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that you may have life and life more abundantly. He goes on and says, I am the good shepherd. And the good shepherd does this. He lays down his life for the sheep." [01:06:04] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The world out there does not have anything good for you. They don't care about you, but the good shepherd does. And when we follow him, we're living according to the abundant life." [01:21:32] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Living the good life means that our lives are in the care of the good shepherd. The abundant life is an alignment living according to the life that the good shepherd has led us to and what he's calling us to." [01:20:16] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The reality is, is that people don't really know what a fulfilling life should look like. Now, I know that there's exceptions. I know that there are people that get to the end of their life, and they say, you know, there's not a thing I would change. I know that I lived a really good life. I lived a full life. But I think for most people, there are at least some regrets, some things that they would change." [51:51] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The tricky part is, is that we need to align ourselves into what God's view of the good, of what the good life is, and what that looks like. And sometimes that's, that's hard to do, because there again, our expectations, our mindset, a lot of times if we go into life about what's, what's in this for me, how do I make life about myself? We're going to struggle. But what Jesus wants us to know is that when we put him first, and we align ourselves according to what he calls us to, then we, we will experience the good life." [53:20] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The sheep always know the voice of the shepherd. That's one of the things that you'll note when you go into the Middle East is a lot of times shepherds will have their herd of sheep and they're at the watering hole, but there may be three or four other shepherds that are there that have their sheep at the watering hole. But they know the voice of the shepherd that they belong to because when the shepherd will say like a certain word or whistle or do something that is unique to how he communicates to the sheep, they know that voice of the shepherd." [01:00:23] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need to be in the scripture, but we also need to be in prayer. We need to pray. Pray God's leading. Pray God's guidance. Pray illumination and understanding. We also need to be spirit-led. Remember, when we became believers, his spirit fills us. And that spirit isn't there to just take a vacancy. It's there to give us faith, to lead us into sanctification. In other words, leading us to the perfect holiness that God has called us to." [01:18:55] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need to stand faithful and true to God's word. Verse 14, I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. Once again, that deep relationship that he has between him and his Father. Jesus and his Father, he's saying we have that same relationship. We have that same intimacy. He knows us. Intimately, the way that he knows his Father." [01:12:57] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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