John 10
Listening for LIfe
26/04/15 16:49
John 10:7-21 NASB
When we hear the voice of Good Shepherd speaking to us, we should hold on to everything it says
Introduction Passage:
Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them. "'" (Ezekiel 34:1-6 NASB)
Because there is only one voice calling us to life, we must listen carefully
1. Listen with discernment (7-13)
- We need to be aware of the motives of the voices we hear. Are they only looking out for their own benefit or are they seeking out what is best for us?
- When we are the ones serving, we have to be ready to put others before ourself
- We need to make sure that the voice of the world isn't drowning out the voice of the Good Shepherd. Also to make sure that those around us aren't listening to the wrong voice.
2. Listen for unity (14-16)
- Unity is Godly -- Uniformity is sinful
- God's desire for us is togetherness, but that doesn't mean everyone has to be exactly like us before that can happen
- The Good Shepherd laid down His life for everyone, not just you and those like you. Everyone needs to hear that message.
3. Listen for love (17-21)
- We can see that Christ's message for us is of love by His willingness to lose His life for our sake
- Are the decisions that we make concerned with the lives of others or concerned with just our issues? Love is shown when we consider the needs of those around us
Are we listening carefully for the voice of life?
Listening with discernment?
Listening for unity?
Listening for His love? Read More...
When we hear the voice of Good Shepherd speaking to us, we should hold on to everything it says
Introduction Passage:
Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them. "'" (Ezekiel 34:1-6 NASB)
Because there is only one voice calling us to life, we must listen carefully
1. Listen with discernment (7-13)
- We need to be aware of the motives of the voices we hear. Are they only looking out for their own benefit or are they seeking out what is best for us?
- When we are the ones serving, we have to be ready to put others before ourself
- We need to make sure that the voice of the world isn't drowning out the voice of the Good Shepherd. Also to make sure that those around us aren't listening to the wrong voice.
2. Listen for unity (14-16)
- Unity is Godly -- Uniformity is sinful
- God's desire for us is togetherness, but that doesn't mean everyone has to be exactly like us before that can happen
- The Good Shepherd laid down His life for everyone, not just you and those like you. Everyone needs to hear that message.
3. Listen for love (17-21)
- We can see that Christ's message for us is of love by His willingness to lose His life for our sake
- Are the decisions that we make concerned with the lives of others or concerned with just our issues? Love is shown when we consider the needs of those around us
Are we listening carefully for the voice of life?
Listening with discernment?
Listening for unity?
Listening for His love? Read More...