A Sheep to the Shepherd

Share to

6 October, 2019Pastor Mark SimpfendorferI can relate to that

Dumb, Defenceless, Directionless, Dirty. Sheep often get a bad rap. Sheep are vulnerable. They’re helpless. They have no depth perception. They’re fearful and panic easily. They tend to flock together. They are prone to wander and their reactions to situations are predictable. Who would want to be compared to a sheep? Who wants to be seen as useless? Stupid? Vulnerable? But maybe that's the point. For inside, we often feel worthless, stupid, and directionless. At times we are full of self-loathing and hate; we go along with the crowd when we know it is not the best way. We cry out (bleat) but no-one seems to hear or care. To anyone who has felt that way, Jesus today wants to tell you that sheep to a shepherd is the most beautiful, comforting, secure, life-affirming relationship that you can receive. So today we explore sheep to the Shepherd.

#2 in series: I can relate to that

THEME VERSE:

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28


REMEMBER THIS WEEK

Dumb, Defenceless, Directionless, Dirty? Not in the presence of Jesus, your Good Shepherd. You are gifted, valuable, cherished, protected, led and clean! In his presence there is a place of welcome, community, security and rest where you are intimately known, loved and cared for all the days of your life.


FAITH TALK

1. If you were to rate animals on their level of intelligence (1 = lowest level of intelligence and 10 = highest level of intelligence), where would you rate sheep? Why?

2. If someone were to refer to you as sheepish or sheep-like, would you view that as a compliment or an insult? Why?

3. In what ways have you experienced the care, compassion or leading of the Good Shepherd?

Bible Reading

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

More from 'I can relate to that'

A slave to the Master

27 October, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

Slavery.” The very word causes a gut level revulsion for most of us. It's a dark part of our history; the forced slavery of Aborigines, and the "blackbirds" or "sugar slaves" that came on boats from Melanesia. It's a dark part of our present with an estimated 40.3 million people caught up in modern day slavery. In a world that values independence, freedom and autonomy, the whole notion of being a slave and having a master is abhorrent. But our early Christian ancestors gladly, willingly and boldly named themselves “slaves of Christ.” They lived and died, completely bought and sold into Christ’s life, death and resurrection. They held no other allegiance, offered no other devotion, and answered to no other master than Christ. In being “slaves of Christ” they found a freedom like nowhere else on earth, a power no earthly ruler could match, and a fullness of life and joy that no-one else could offer. So as we celebrate the Reformation today, we discover the radical freedom that comes in being a slave to the master, Jesus Christ.

#5 and final in series: 'I can relate to that.'

THEME VERSE:

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. Romans 6:22

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

Confessing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master means you belong totally to him - absolute ownership, absolute control, absolute subjection, absolute obedience, absolute loyalty, absolute dependence. That changes everything for it means that you need nothing other than what he commands and gives in his grace and mercy. That's when true freedom is found.

View

A Bride to the Groom

20 October, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

THEME

Everyone loves a good wedding. The moment the bride walks down the aisle. The face of the groom as he sees his bride. The joy is infectious. But beyond the pageantry or the spectacle, is the enormous promise that they make to each other - "as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow." These vows are huge. They are also hard. For anything we set our lives on “until death parts us” is just going to test us, stretch us and expose the strengths and especially the weaknesses of our hearts. Today we hear God's vow to us - a vow he is faithful to day after day and a promise that not even death can separate us from. So come, as the Holy God invites us to relate to him as a Bride to a Groom. Hear him renew his vow of love for you; to forgive, to protect, to preserve and to be intimately with us forever. There is no more beautiful moment

#4 in series: I can relate to that

THEME VERSE:

I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord. Hosea 2:19-20 (NLT)

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

God is emotionally, mightily, passionately and whole heartedly into you. He woos you tenderly for all he desires is to have the most intimate and pleasure-filled relationship with you eternally. Today, he renews his vow and gives you again his Son, saying 'Receive my Son as proof of my promise of love and faithfulness.'

FAITH TALK

1. Other than your own if you are married, 'What the best wedding you’ve ever been to? Why was that one “the best”?"

2. When is the last time you simply delighted in God? Describe it. If you can't remember, why do you think that is?

3. How would your relationship with God change if you loved him warmly as a husband rather than just served him dutifully as your Lord?

View

A Branch to the Vine

13 October, 2019 Pastor Mark Simpfendorfer

Remember how easy it was to make friends as a kid? Just show up at the playground, bond over your shared love of football, cricket or chasey and bam! Instant connection. But today it seems you need an App for that. From Facebook to Instagram, WeChat to WhatsApp, LinkedIn to Bizzabo, there are hundreds of Apps designed to connect us with others all over the world. But what does it mean to be connected? Social media may have given us the promise of a connected world but it seems that everyone is feeling a little more isolated. Robin Dunbar, a British anthropologist developed a hypothesis, known as "Dunbar's number", that says human brains can’t healthily maintain more than 150 genuine relationships at a time. Not every connection is equal so what connections are you investing in? Jesus said there is one pivotal connection that can help our lives grow and flourish and the community thrive – the connection of a branch to the vine. We hope you can relate to that!

#3 in series: "I can relate to that"

THEME VERSE:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

There is only one connection that is life-giving in every season. One connection that will not fail you in any circumstance. A connection with Jesus. He is with you, holding onto you, loving you and will not let you go. Even when it feels like you are cut down by life, hang in there, for growth is ahead, and new life will come. That's his promise.

BIBLE READING: John 15:1-8

FAITH TALK

1. How many close friends do you have that you could go and share the deepest parts of your life with?

2 Other than a family member, who is the person in this Church community that you feel most connected to and why?

3 Is your connection with Jesus in a season of fruit bearing, growth, dormancy or pruning at this present time. Explain

View

A son to a Father

29 September, 2019 Alex Duarte

What makes us who we are? Is it our genes, the traits and characteristics we inherit from our parents? Or is it the environment around us and the everyday experiences we have that form and shape us? Science calls this the question of 'nature versus nurture'. Children are often like their parents, a fact that can be embarrassing or encouraging depending on the circumstances. But what about adopted children - who do they resemble? God's answer is clear - as adopted children of the Heavenly Father, created in his image, you are a full heir of his and called to resemble him completely. He wants you to fully live in the intimacy, freedom, spontaneity and affection of the relationship he has given you and to relate to him that way. So today we explore the beauty and love of living as a son and daughter to the Father.

THEME VERSE:

And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:6

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

Nothing of the relationship Jesus had with the Father has been withheld from you. Nothing! You are an heir of his power, his authority, his character, his rule. You are a full heir of his affection and intimacy. God is your loving, caring, all-embracing Father who delights in you and feels enormous pride whe he sees his character reflected in you.

FAITH TALK

- What is one thing, characteristic, or trait, you inherited from your father?

- How does your experience of your father influence the way you see God as a Father?

- "All I have is yours?" That's what the Father says to you. To what degree do you live believing that this is true?

View