September 12, 2021
Sunday
Matthew 9:32-38 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”
34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Sheep have to have a shepherd.
2 Timothy 3:1-4 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
People left to themselves will self-destruct. People love themselves, money, and pleasures more than God. He isn’t referring to the people of the church. He is writing about the people of the world. Society teaches to love yourself above all. But the Bible teaches to love God & then to love people before yourself.
2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
We will all have to stand before God. Have a look at what Paul was able to say:
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Nothing you obtain in this life will go with you. At the end, nothing will matter except what you did for God. We live in a society that models a glamourous worldly life. It is a lie! God’s plan for you is far better than the worlds, or even your own plan! Every sheep needs a shepherd. Every Christian needs a church! We need a church to become planted and part of a family so that we can grow and mature. No better place to grow than in an environment of people who are just like you and believe just like you. God puts you in the right environment for growth! We all need someone in our lives to lead and help us. There is no one on planet earth that has God’s word for you like your pastor does. No one can pray for you like your shepherd can. God supernaturally put that in place. You will never understand your pastor until you in your heart make him your pastor. He’s not just your pastor when you are agreeing with him. He’s your pastor even when he does things that you don’t necessarily agree with! We all need guidance! Your pastor keeps you thinking right and tied to your purpose! Like a stake and a tomato plant. People left to themselves self-destruct! God does not call a sheep without a shepherd. God is the one who should pick your shepherd and your church. God knows better of what you need to grow than you do! Growing and maturing is a lifelong journey. There’s always new levels of faith and glory to move into. He always has more prepared for you!
John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
It wouldn’t have specified that He is the TRUE vine if there weren’t other vines. There are many vines you can plug into.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
This verse can revolutionize your life. Jesus is the vine. We are the branches. The result of abiding in Him is the Fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. The branch cannot bear fruit unless it is connected to the vine. The life is in the vine. If you are weak and hopeless, it is because you are not firmly connected to the vine. You will never be able to experience real joy without Him. You cannot live the christian life without Him!
2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life, which is in Christ Jesus,
There is a life that Christ has promised His people that is only found in Him! It is a life of faith! That life can only be found by faith! It must be experienced through union with Christ Jesus. If you look around and are truly honest with yourself, you will see your need for a shepherd. The union is strengthened by your daily communion with Him! Christianity is not a law, it’s a family. It’s not a religion, it’s a life. The faith you are really wanting to experience, is so much better when you have His life added to it. When all hell is breaking loose around you and you are trying to stand in prayer and faith, it is much easier when you have His peace to sustain you. That only comes through union and fellowship with Him. “Give us this day our daily bread.” The bread represents life! Just like food is energy to your natural body, the Word is food to your spirit! It is a necessity! You won’t have what you need for each day if you haven’t sat down with Him. You will run into situations each day when you need help! You’ll reach up on your branch to get the peace or joy, etc. And the fruit will not be there unless you have spent time connected to the True Vine! When you spend time with Him first thing in the morning, you are telling Him that He is more important to you than anything else! If you are not doing this, it is because you are full of pride! Every morning you are presented with a choice. The kingdom of God, or the world system. What you choose in that moment will decide what happens in your life that day.