Sheep and shepherd Biblical themes - 500 in all. Genesis 22. Psalm 23. Isaiah 40 and 53. Zechariah 13:7 & Mark 14:27. Luke 15. John 10.
"Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."
The Hymn #436 The Lord's My Shepherd
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Introit
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord: by the word of the Lord were the heavens made. Psalm. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
God, who by the humiliation of Thy Son didst raise up the fallen world, grant unto Thy faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom Thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting death do Thou make partakers of eternal joys; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. Then was the Lord Jesus known of the disciples: in the breaking of bread. Hallelujah!
V. I am the Good Shepherd: and know My sheep and am known of Mine. Hallelujah!
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #269 O Lord Our Father Shall We Be Confounded
The Good Shepherd
The Communion Hymn #409 Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #628 Shepherd of Tender Youth
Prayers and Announcements
- Pastor James Shrader and his wife Chris, Kermit Way, Sarah Buck.
- The Meyer Family attended Enzo's GCU graduation.
Second Sunday After Easter
Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness hast been mindful of us poor, miserable sinners, and hast given Thy beloved Son to be our shepherd, not only to nourish us by His word, but also to defend us from sin, death, and the devil: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that, even as this Shepherd doth know us and succor us in every affliction, we also may know Him, and, trusting in Him, seek help and comfort in Him, from our hearts obey His voice, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
KJV 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
The Good Shepherd
KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
In Koine Greek, Jesus' statement is "I AM the Shepherd the Noble," which means in modern translation - I am the Noble Shepherd, or I am the Shepherd above all shepherds. John 10:11 εγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος, ο ποιμην ο καλος την ψυχην αυτου τιθησιν υπερ των προβατων.
"I AM" is simple and yet is the Name of God in Exodus 3 and in Exodus 20. "2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."
This micro-lesson shows us that the greatest from all Jesus' titles is simple in words but overwhelming in its meaning. Therefore He states His role for all people on earth and expresses it in the simplest words, far more complex than Matthew, Mark, and Luke. That is why NT Greek students start (as I did) with John in Koine Greek.
Jesus - as the noble Shepherd - guides and protects us but also has laid down His life for that purpose. When people think, talk, or write about God, they can end up falling into condemnation under the Law, overwhelming guilt, fears and guilt. How many church additions have been built from people demanding that felt need? How many people avoid worship because it causes guilt? How many look at the numbers and fall into worries and depression?
12 But he that is an hireling [hired hand], and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Jesus first expressed His love for his sheep and His willingness to take care of them, based on His own title as the Good Shepherd. His description cannot be overturned by anything contrary, so everyone can be helped and strengthened no matter how weak and alone they might feel. As one person wrote, anguish is not obvious. If someone has a broken bone or a bad cut, sympathy is quick and obvious. However, whatever is inside of us is far more difficult with emotions and past experiences.
The hired hand is the snake oil salesman of every age. They always have the right thing to offer for a generous price in their own pockets (nasty pockets, in Lord of the Rings). When the victims find out it is a scam, they are doubly hurt. There is an ocean of difference between man's cleverness and God's work through the Good Shepherd.
The earliest era of Christian growth came from the Apostles teaching and writing the New Testament Scriptures. Those sacred writings were from the Holy Spirit and kept with astonishing persistence in many languages. Note that scallywags from each generation will try to replace the divine Word with their own opinions. Even that is horrible because they are being fed man's opinions instead of the Word of God. The hired hands get tired quickly and run away.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
I was baptized as a baby and taught in Sunday School, VBS, etc. My mother taught school all week and Sunday School on Sunday. When I went home from the bakery late at night, I stopped at Salem Lutheran Church and looked at the stained glass window lit up all night, shining in the darkness. It is the message of Christ that binds us to the Good Shepherd, who binds Himself to us.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
It is wrong to think God the Father is angry and harsh but the Son is merciful and loving. The Father/Son statement shows how they work together through the Holy Spirit, with an emphasis on the atoning death of Jesus, His mercy and love for each and every one of us.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
They shall have a comfortable church on a busy street near housing. They will look to their neighbors and say - Look at how well we have done with pop music, merch, and a grinning minister of enthusiasm.
Only the Word of God can accomplish His will. It is always effective, as the Scriptures teach, and never fails. That is an emphasis on the love of the Good Shepherd for us. The Gospel draws people to Him, and they know from the Spirit in the Word that the Savior is with them, guiding them, absolving sin, and thanking the Shepherd.
One of our regulars is a shepherd with a flock of sheep. They need him to stay alive, and the shepherd does that - even to help the ewe give birth and feed the lambs. The shepherd becomes the wet nurse to save mother and newborn lamb. The dog Ringo looks out for predators, too. Thus our modern day repeats the story of the Good Shepherd, not just in John 10 but throughout the Scriptures, so we have confidence and trust in Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment