The Good Shepherd Takes Care Of His Flock

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

April 22, 2024

in Spritual Growth

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April 21, 2024

Readings: Ezekiel 34:1-10
1 John 3:1-8
John 10:11-16

4th Sunday of Easter

As God’s people, we are to know how much God’s love is for us in this season of Easter. Having taken away the powers of the enemy, may we learn to live like Him in victory. We must wake up to the reality that He has conquered the enemy. Why do we still live in poverty of spirit when we have been given new life. Christ has restored the holiness and righteousness in us.

Today, we look at Christ being the Shepherd. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. This is his only goal. But Christ came so that we might have life- the life that God has intended us to live.
John 10:1 “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.” The true Shepherd comes to protect us from the wiles of the enemy. The figure of speech that Jesus has spoken of points to one thing, He is the door.

It’s not religion that is the door. Roman Catholicism is not the door. Protestantism is not the door. Only Christ is the door of the sheep. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The shepherd who watches over the sheep is not hired. From childhood, he is already assigned to look after the sheep. He sleeps with them, He protects them, He guides them so that they would not wander off into the wild where there are wild animals. Because he lives with the sheep, they are one community. David, who was a shepherd boy and who was always with the flock, was the one chosen by God for Samuel to anoint Him. This is speaking of Christ, who came to live amongst us. He protects us from the wolves and the bears, from the enemy. Christ has shown us how we should live like Him and not to be afraid of the enemy when he comes to attack us. We should not show fear. The Good Shepherd comes to bring us the ability to be strong, and have the joy and peace when we face difficulties. The Good Shepherd brings us good quality and character. In all His 33 years on earth, Christ has proven how efficient He was, how He was giving Himself to others. 1 John 3:8 “the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” There will be leaders (even religious ones) who pretend to be good, who pretend as if they are after people’s welfare, but are actually feeding themselves and not the flock.

Christ is the Good Shepherd who came to live with us- helping, healing and showing the greatness of God. There are some so-called shepherds who are really hirelings and are just in it for the money. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; watch. Your adversary the devil prowls about as a roaring lion seeking whom to devour.” The Old Testament speaks so many times about the shepherd, and how he takes care of the flock. Joseph was one of those shepherds before his brothers sold him to Egypt as a slave. The Good Shepherd, as written in Psalm 23, leads us to green pastures. Psalm 95:7 “For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice.”

We have fear of many things but if we know that we are with God, we will overcome. There are other sheep who are scattered but Christ will bring them back and there will be one flock. Let Christ, the Good Shepherd be in the center of our lives.