Matthew 18:12-14 The shepherd who finds his sheep 2013 11 24 주일오전

Jesus let the Church be led by the Holy Spirit to become the church he is pleased of.

The characteristics of people led by the Holy Spirit is the fact that they have the ability to make a community that is pleasing to God.

 

In today’s text, Jesus answers us the question of “What kind of community a church should be?” by teaching us the importance of each church members, using the metaphor of sheep.

 

Metaphor(verses 12-13)

In the text of verses 12-13 Jesus tells us to treat small people valuably.

Marks 18:12-13

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.”

The Bible frequently describes the relation of God and his people as “shepherd and sheep”

John 10 : 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. reveals Jesus as shepherd,

Peter I 5:3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. calling church as “flock”,

Peter I 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, and calling The Lord as “the Chief Shepherd”.

 

Today the wanderding sheep can be seen as the ones who are called believers, but yet who cannot hear Lord’s voice and be led by him.

We have to remember the fact that if we go differently from God’s will or live as that think, we may be the wandering sheeps.

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Romans 1:10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened

for me to come to you

 

Reationship with the shepherd

What does it mean that the sheep is in ordinary relationship with the shepherd?

First, the sheep that eats plentifully when fed is the sheep with ordinary relations

Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Psalms 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love

and faithfulness.

Second, even in circumstances like being in the valley of shadow of death, it should be led by the shepherd.

In other words, it should be living among the life of walking with God.

Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are

with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalms 3:5-6 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens

of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

 

 

 

 

Third, it should be under the protection of the shepherd.

being under the protection of the shepherd means to be inside the limits to be able to listen to the voice of the shepherd.

John 10:16 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.

 

 

Think of the Isrealites that had to make bricks out of hay. They were easy to lose their way in the wilderness, but what was the bigger problem? They were not in proper relationship with God because of their disobedience to God’s words, that led to the wandering of not being able to live according to the purpose God called them.

People have to live according to the purpose God called them.

 

Even if you give to the needy like Matthews chapter 6, or pray and even fast, but if it happened regardless of the relationship with God, it is also behaviours that make you become the status of a wandering sheep.

 

The reasons sheeps become wandering

Then, what are the reasons for a sheep to wander its way? There are several factors.

 

First, flirting oneself of having a religious life

 

Second, falling into the glory of this earth and becoming a friend of this world.

 

Third, only persuing my greed but having no concern for the LORD’s will.

 

Four, having no in God’s word.

 

We first have to know God rightly. 시As time goes by we have to be more abundant of the fact of knowing God by experiencing him. And we have to know the purpose he sent me to this life.

We have to walk with God. We have to become find God in this time. And that is the ways of not being a wandering sheep.