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[0:00] Thank you for choosing to listen to today's message by Reverend Dr. David Etchley. We know you will be blessed as you seek and serve God. We believe that this message will stir up a desire for more of God even as you listen.

[0:14] Be blessed. Last Sunday, I spoke about the heavenly Jesus. I started talking about the heavenly Jesus. And I quoted from Hebrews chapter 12. The well foreseen we are surrounded, compassed about with so great a cloud of witness.

[0:28] Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which does easily beset us. And let us run with patience or perseverance. The race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.

[0:39] You remember, Christian life, Christian race is the only race we run not looking on the track, but unto something else and unto the author and finisher of our faith.

[0:49] Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

[1:02] So I spoke about Jesus is seated in heaven. But when you read the epistles, we also find out that Christ is in us. So Christ is in heaven and Christ is in us.

[1:13] At the same time, he's in heaven. He's in heaven, but at the same time, he's in us. Hallelujah. And I spoke about the portrait of Christ in the epistles. How Christ is portrayed in the epistles.

[1:26] And then I came to Hebrews and I spoke about, I didn't finish it, I spoke about 13 or 14, where Jesus is portrayed, the heavenly Jesus is portrayed in Hebrews.

[1:37] Because Hebrews focuses on the Christ in heaven. His heavenly role as he's in heaven. So we found out that in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 5, he's portrayed as God.

[1:52] He's portrayed as man in Hebrews 2 verse 6. He's portrayed as son of God in Hebrews 1 verse 5. As son of man in Hebrews 2 verse 6.

[2:04] And in Hebrews 2 verse 6, he's portrayed as God. And in Hebrews 1 verse 8, he's portrayed as son of man and man. And then he's portrayed as God in Hebrews 1 verse 8.

[2:17] In Hebrews 1 verse 8. He is the appointed heir of all things. Hallelujah. And then in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 9, he's the anointed one.

[2:29] So he's the appointed heir of all things. He is the anointed one. He is the captain of our salvation. Hebrews 2 verse 10. And he is the sanctifier.

[2:41] Hebrews 2 verse 11. He is our constant aid. Our constant secur. Hebrews 2 verse 17. He is our instant helper. Hebrews 4 verse 16.

[2:53] It's amazing who Jesus is to us. He is all things to us. Amazing. That's why in Colossians chapter 2 verse 10. It said that we are complete in him.

[3:07] We are complete in Christ. When you are in Christ, you lack nothing. And in Hebrews chapter 3 verse 1. He is portrayed as a high priest.

[3:19] In Hebrews, a high priest. I'll talk a lot about the high priest. So I'll come back to that. In Hebrews chapter 3 verse 1. He's also portrayed as an apostle. The apostle from God.

[3:30] And in Hebrews chapter 8 verse 1. He is our heavenly minister. In the ministry in the true tabernacle.

[3:41] With an excellent ministry. Excellent ministry. So he's our minister. He's our apostle. He's our high priest. In the book of Hebrews chapter 7 verse 22.

[3:52] He's the surety. The guarantor. The bondsman. The bondsman. The bondsman of the new covenant. This new covenant.

[4:04] He's the one who endorses it. He is the sponsor of the new covenant. And at the same time. He is the mediator of the new covenant. Hebrews chapter 8 verse 6.

[4:15] And Hebrews chapter 12 verse 24. It says to Christ. Hebrews 12 verse 24. To Christ. The mediator of the new covenant. You have come to Christ.

[4:26] He is the mediator. The mediator means that he's the negotiator. He is before God negotiating on our behalf. For better things. Hallelujah. He's the negotiator of the new covenant.

[4:37] And it's not just that. He's the testator. He's the executor of the new testament. So the new testament. The will that he has died to live for us. He resurrected to be the enforcer.

[4:51] So he is the testator. He's the testator or executor. He executes the new testament. So he's the testator or the executor of the new testament.

[5:02] Hallelujah. What an amazing Jesus we have. Our heavenly Jesus is amazing. He's supreme. He's all in all. He's all inclusive.

[5:13] He includes everything good that God can ever give to man. He is. And then I continue to speak about how he's our Jesus Christ. In Hebrews.

[5:25] In Hebrews chapter 6 verse 20. He is the forerunner. Our forerunner. Who goes ahead for us. He's our forerunner.

[5:36] Hebrews chapter 12. As I just read. Hebrews chapter 12 verse 2. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. He's the one who the initiator. He's the prince.

[5:46] Author. The same word. Prince. He's the leader. He's the prince. He's the author. He's the inaugurator. The pioneer of our salvation. Hallelujah. So he's the author and the finisher of our faith.

[6:00] And then in the last of it all. In Hebrews chapter 13 verse 20. Bible says that. And may the God. Now the God of peace.

[6:10] Who brought again from the death. Christ Jesus. The great shepherd of the sheep. So he. Hallelujah. Jesus is the great shepherd of the sheep.

[6:24] Who are the sheep. We are the sheep. And he is the shepherd. Yes. He is the true shepherd. In his own words. In John chapter 10 verse 11.

[6:35] He said. I am the good shepherd. Kada. Shekada. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus said I'm the good shepherd.

[6:46] In John chapter 14. Chapter 10 verse 14. He says that. I am the shepherd. I am the shepherd. In John chapter 10 verse 16. He said.

[6:57] Other sheep. I have. They belong to this fold. But they are not yet here. I have other sheep. Who I'm going to bring to this fold. He's talking in his capacity.

[7:08] As the shepherd. And in 1 Peter chapter 2. Verse 25. Oh. Thank you Jesus. Let me read it. It says that. For ye were like sheep going astray.

[7:20] Man. This lockdown time. Don't go astray. Don't go astray. Because we have the propensity as human beings. To go astray. But don't go astray.

[7:30] Why? Because it will cost you. The blessedness of the things God will do for you. It will cost you. It's not that God's hand is short that he cannot save.

[7:41] According to Isaiah. God's hand is not short that he cannot save. But it says your sins. So God can help us. But when you begin to go astray. It makes matters complex.

[7:53] Stay focused. Stay faithful. He says that. We are like sheep. Who have gone astray. But. We have returned. Returning is our responsibility.

[8:06] We have returned to the shepherd. And the overseer of our souls. The word overseer. I think in KJ. He said bishops. This is new. Bishop of our souls. This is new KJ. He is the bishop of our soul.

[8:17] He is the shepherd of our soul. Jesus is the shepherd. A shepherd cares for all our needs. He is the shepherd in the capacity. I'm going to show a bit more.

[8:28] He is the shepherd in the capacity. Of taking care of us. Making sure we are well. That is why Psalm 23 says. Verse 1. The Lord is my shepherd.

[8:40] I shall not want. The Lord. Jehovah Roah. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. The Lord is my shepherd.

[8:52] And he said. I shall not. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads. God. May God make you to lie down in green pastures.

[9:02] As he is leading you. May he make you to lie down. He will make you. If you follow his leadings. Regarding your financial situation. Regarding your ministry. Regarding your marriage.

[9:13] Regarding your career. Regarding your education. Follow his lead. Follow his lead. Not your feelings. Not public opinion.

[9:25] My brother. My sister. Oh may God give us grace. To follow his lead. Not follow our emotions. Our emotions. Because our emotions. Can be very unreliable. You can hear something.

[9:37] And just what you hear. Can change your emotions. Either for good. Or for bad. You can't choose major. You can't make major decisions. You can't choose the course.

[9:48] You want to study. Because of the way you are feeling. At the current moment. That is why we have to let. The Lord play his role. As the shepherd. But Bible calls him. He says that.

[9:58] We are all like sheep. Gone astray. Remember. Gone astray. I probably may touch on it again later. Gone astray. Going astray. But. But have now returned.

[10:10] To the shepherd. And the overseer. Of our souls. Our souls. So. Where your personality is. In our. When I was teaching about the spirit.

[10:22] Soul and body. By spirit. In our spirit. You can only have God consciousness. In your spirit. You contact God with your spirit. John 4.24 says that. God is a spirit.

[10:33] So if you want to contact God. I spoke about it. I just. I think Friday. So. Contact with your spirit. But. So in your spirit. 1 Thessalonians. Chapter 5. Verse 23. It said.

[10:43] May the. May the Lord. Sanctify you. Your whole. Your whole body. Or. Your whole being. The Lord. Sanctify holy. Spirit. Soul and body.

[10:54] And I. And I said. Not soul. Spirit and body. Alright. Not soul. Body and spirit. Or body. Soul and spirit. That's our order. Our order is. Take care of your body. Then.

[11:05] Before your soul. Before your soul. No. It's the spirit that can guarantee. When you die. Your spirit. If you are sharp in your spirit. You can. When people are afraid of death. You can't be afraid of death.

[11:15] Because you know. You are not dying. Jesus said. I lay down my life. And I pick it up again. I will die when I am ready to die. Because he operated. From the spirit man. Alright.

[11:26] So. Soul. Spirit and body. So. If you are spirit. You have God consciousness. In your soul. You have self consciousness. Your soul. Is the seat of your personality.

[11:36] And in your body. You have world consciousness. That is why. Your body is the only means. To be able to. Attach. Or have interaction. With the material world.

[11:47] So. If you don't have this body. You don't take good care of your body. It will affect. How you can interact. With the material world. Even though. Your spirit can be strong. If your body is weak. Because. A weak.

[11:57] A strong spirit. In a. A weak. In a fragile body. Can't do much. You need your body. So that's why. You have to be mindful. Of. What you eat.

[12:09] You're eating. Some things is not good. Don't say. Oh today. I feel like eating. Three bowls. Three bowls of ice cream. No. No. No. No. No. Don't follow your feelings. Your feelings are coming from your soul.

[12:20] And so your personality. Your soul. So if you make major life decisions. Based on your feelings. Or your soul. Because of what somebody has said against you. What somebody has done against you. Please. Get over.

[12:31] Let's get over this victim mentality. Play the. The. The God card. Play the God role. Let him be your shepherd. And you shall. Not want.

[12:41] So. He said. Jesus is playing a role. When he came on earth. He came for an assignment. He. God. Watch this. I'll mention it a little bit more later. God sent him to us.

[12:53] He was sent. To be our apostle. Hebrews chapter 3. Verse 1. He was sent to be an apostle. An apostle. I'll make. I'll make. I'll go into that a little bit. He was sent to be our apostle.

[13:05] He was sent. To be the captain. The author. And the captain. Of our salvation. Hebrews 2. And to be our. Our leader.

[13:16] The one. Who is superior to Moses. Hebrews 3. 3. So Jesus is superior to Moses. According to Hebrews chapter 3. Verse 3. He's superior. He has a more excellent. He's above.

[13:27] Moses. Right. And so we have him. He was sent to be one. Moses was sent. To lead them out of Egypt. And to bring them. To. To bring them. The objective was to get them to the promised land.

[13:39] But. He couldn't make it to the promised land. And. Joshua took them. So Joshua brought them to the promised land. So guess what. Jesus is our real Joshua. He is our real Joshua.

[13:50] Who is bringing us into rest. We are his partners. We are his partners. Hebrews chapter 3. Verse 14. We are partakers with Christ. He is. His partners. He is bringing us.

[14:02] His partners. His partners. He is bringing us into the land. Of rest. Into the place. Of rest. Into the place. Of. Of. Of. The designation.

[14:13] By where the God has designated us to be. You will get there. So he's leading us. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. So he came from heaven. To be.

[14:24] All these things to us. To be. To be. Apostle. To be an apostle. Apostle is simply. Someone who has been sent. Okay. An apostle is someone who has been sent. With delegated.

[14:36] Powers and authority. All right. So he came to be an apostle. He came to be our shepherd. Our the author. Our author. And the captain. Of our salvation. That's exciting.

[14:47] He came to be. The one. Who is supreme to Moses. So for us. So for us. We have someone higher than Moses. Praise God. Amen. And he can.

[14:58] He's our real Joshua. Who is bringing us. So as we follow him. As his partners. We are definitely going to get to the promised land. And get to the place of rest. And place of glory. In the name of Jesus.

[15:09] Hallelujah. So he's our shepherd. Look at what he said. The Bible said in. First Peter chapter five. Verse. Five. It says. No sorry. Verse four. First Peter chapter five.

[15:20] Verse four. It says that. And when. The chief shepherd appears. You will receive. Talking about. He was addressing pastors. Let me start from verse one and two. To the elders. Who are amongst you.

[15:31] I exhort. Elders there. In the Bible. In the New Testament. Meant. People who take care of churches. So leaders of church. So like. In the capacity of a pastor. Elders. Who are.

[15:42] To the Lord amongst you. I exhort. Who are also a fellow elder. And a witness of the sufferings of Christ. And also. A partaker of the glory that will be revealed. Shepherd the flock of God.

[15:54] He said. Elders. Do the work of a pastor. Shepherd. A pastor is a caretaker. A pastor is someone who takes care. Who nourishes. A people like the place of a shepherd.

[16:05] He's making sure the sheep are safe. The sheep are fed. And the sheep are safe. And caring for the sheep. And that's what it means to be a pastor. So he said. Care.

[16:15] So he said. To the pastor amongst you. The pastors amongst you. Shepherd the flock of God. It's God's flock. God's flock. Feed them. Feed them.

[16:28] The work of a pastor. Primary work. Other things. Secondary stuff can come in. But the primary work of a pastor.

[16:41] Is that of shepherding. Which means. That of feeding. John chapter 20. Verse 16. 17. 16. 15. 16. 17. Jesus said. Peter. Peter.

[16:51] Do you love me more than these things? Feed my sheep. Feed my sheep. Shepherd. Poiment is a Greek word. Shepherd the flock. In Acts chapter 20. Verse 28.

[17:01] He said that. The Bible says. In Acts chapter 20. From verse 17. When he got to Melitus. He called. He sent to Ephesus. For the elders. He called for the elders. When they came.

[17:12] He started talking to them. He said. I have not withheld anything from you. I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God to you. And I am not. I am not guilty of anyone's blood. Why? Because I have not shunned.

[17:22] To declare the whole. Verse 26. To declare the whole counsel. So a pastor's job is to declare the whole counsel. Don't say only what the people want to hear. Say what God has showed you in his word.

[17:33] And teach the people. Feed them. Then verse 28 says that. To the pastors amongst you. He said. Take heed to yourself. And to the flock.

[17:43] Over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseer. You wait. I don't appoint anybody that. Okay. I am going to be your man. You are going to be. I am going to be your pastor.

[17:54] No. It is the Holy Spirit who brings people for you. For us pastors. To pastor them. So he says that. Shepherd the flock of God. That means feed the flock of God.

[18:05] Care for them. Look out for their well-being. Look out for their well-being. The work of we pastors. We are there to serve. To serve the people.

[18:16] Take care of the flock. Make sure the flock is doing well. Our first point of call in service is this thing. Feed. So that is why it is very risky for a pastor not to be studying his Bible.

[18:29] It is very not risky. It is bad. In fact. It is bad. It is bad. It is really bad. And a pastor must always teach from the word of God.

[18:44] Because nothing feeds the human spirit. Apart from the word of God. We can talk about nice things. Powerful things. Mighty things.

[18:55] Wise things. Motivational things. To motivate people. To stand them up. And hoo-ha. Hoo-ha. But in the time of coronavirus. They will all begin to crepel.

[19:06] Because there is no word. It is the word of God that nourishes. Man must not live by bread alone. But by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

[19:18] Matthew chapter 4 verse 4. Man must not live by bread. So we live by it. We feed on the word. Jesus said. Unless you are the bread of life. I am the bread from heaven.

[19:29] Anyone who eats me will have life. He is the word. So a pastor's primary assignment. Primary.

[19:40] Primary assignment. Is that of feeding the flock. And caring for the flock. For them to grow in the things of God. And soul.

[19:50] Spirit. And body. Sorry. Spirit. Soul. And body. So we take care of your spirits. And as we take care of your feelings. We get interested in taking care of your souls.

[20:01] So when you are down. We want to lift you up. Encourage you. But we cannot do that at the expense of your spirituality. So as a pastor. I am more interested in the spirituality.

[20:14] And the spiritual soundness. Of the people God has assigned to me to take care of. First and foremost. I am more interested in that. And when they are spiritually sound.

[20:24] It is easy for it to flow over into the soul and the body. If you are spiritually sound. It is easy for us all to grow together in all areas of life.

[20:36] So spiritual soundness is essential. If we abdicate the responsibility of strengthening people spiritually. And begin to get into.

[20:48] Just all that we do is. Things people want to hear. And other things that may not necessarily build people's spirit. The only thing that builds people's spirit.

[20:59] Is when we teach God's word. And we speak God's word. As it is. To people. And break the text. And explain. So. That is the primary job of a pastor.

[21:10] Is not to be. Praying for people. Per se. Not to be. Primary job. Is to feed. Then. We can take care. By praying. The elders. When anyone is.

[21:21] Let them call for the elders of the church. James 5 verse 14. Let them call for the elders of the church. And they will pray for him. But the primary thing is. We feed people. And.

[21:31] A pastor's assignment. Is not to the community. Primary assignment. I mean. Is not to the community. Is to the flock. I will say that again.

[21:42] A pastor's chief. Assignment. Primary assignment. Is not to the community. Is to the flock. Over which God has made him. Overseer.

[21:53] The Holy Spirit has made him. Which God purchased. With his own blood. According to Acts chapter 20. Verse 28. So that is. And Jesus is the chief shepherd. So. Going back to the text.

[22:04] Oh. I'm taking so much time on this one. Is that. Shepherd the flock of God. Which is amongst you. Serving as overseer. Not by compulsion. But willingly. Not for dishonest gain.

[22:17] But eagerly. We. We pastors. Are not. It is. We are human beings. So a human being. Can sometimes be distracted. It can lose focus.

[22:28] It can happen to anybody. Right. So we have to guard. That's why I said. Take it to yourself. First. Take it to yourself. And to the flock. Over which the Holy Spirit. Has made you. Overseer. So it says that.

[22:39] Not for dishonest gain. But eagerly. Not as being lords. Over. Those entrusted. You see the word. Entrusted. To you. God.

[22:49] Some. For somebody to be entrusted. For. For him to use entrusted. That means that. There's someone responsible. For making sure. For example. If you are. In. Somebody's in hospital. They entrust them.

[23:02] To the hospital. Family members. So my. My child. Or my. Somebody's here. Please. Nurse. Doctors. You cannot. Mishandle them. And so. We pastors.

[23:13] Cannot. Mishandle members. Sometimes. Especially. Pastors. From. It's easy. For you to be a pastor. With. Anointing. And to begin. To talk like. The people belong to you.

[23:24] Talk like. The church. You. It is you. Who died. To save the church. Because you are working. Powerful miracles. And things like that. It's very easy. And sometimes. When the honor.

[23:35] Is granted. Us. As pastors. Sometimes. The honor. Will get it. Can easily get into our head. It's. It's. Our safety. Net. Of safety. Safe zone. Is when we stay more.

[23:47] In scripture. Because. We don't carry honor. In ourselves. Is the scripture. Is what brings the honor. No. You don't carry. Power in yourself. It is the word of God. That determines the power.

[23:59] You are operating. Because the word. Once the word of God. Is not there. Nobody is powerful. But God. So he said. That not for filthy liquor. But listen to this. Listen to. Best. Not.

[24:10] For filthy liquor. Those entrusted. To your. Lord. Over those who are entrusted to you. But. Being examples. To the flock. Those of us.

[24:20] Who. Want to be pastors. Please. Listen to this. You don't become a pastor. So people can say. Oh yes sir. Yes sir. Oh pastor. Yes sir. Pastor. Oh yes sir. That's not why you became a pastor. Or that's not why you become a pastor.

[24:32] Suit doesn't make you a pastor. Even Bible college does not make you. Does not give you a calling. It doesn't make you a pastor. It doesn't make you a church leader. Um.

[24:43] And let me get straight to the point. And when the chief shepherd. Talking about Jesus Christ. So here. He said. Jesus is the chief shepherd. So he's the chief. Chief shepherd. Who. We. Pastors.

[24:54] Are under shepherds. But the point. What brought me here. Is that. Jesus. Is. Gone to heaven. As our shepherd. So. He's not just.

[25:06] He didn't just. Redeem us. On the cross. But he. He rose from the dead. He died. Rose from the dead. Bible says.

[25:17] Colossians chapter 2. Verse 15. He made an. He spoiled principalities. And powers. He made them nothing. He made them like. Piece of meat.

[25:27] In his death. And. In Acts chapter 2. Verse 24. Verse 24. But God. Raised him from the dead. Because. It was not possible. That grave. The grave should hold him. Verse 27.

[25:38] It says. That grave. Couldn't contain him. That death. Could not hold him. Corruption. Could not hold him. He. He made a public show. He made them nothing. He made the death.

[25:48] Grave. Nothing. He made principalities. And powers. Nothing. Triumphed over them. In his death. Hallelujah. He triumphed over them. Colossians chapter 2. Verse 15. He triumphed over them.

[25:59] In his death. Made them as nothing. Made a public show. And then he resurrected. And then passed through the heavens. And went. On our behalf. And he's our shepherd. He's the great shepherd.

[26:12] He's the chief shepherd. Hebrews. Hebrews. 13. 20. He says. The great shepherd of the sheep. That's Jesus. Hallelujah. Thank God. Jesus is our shepherd. Thank God.

[26:23] He's the shepherd of the flock. In the name of Jesus. I want to show you something. In Luke chapter. In the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 34. Verse 23. I will establish one shepherd over them. And he shall feed them.

[26:34] See what the shepherd is supposed to do. He shall feed them. Now. That one shepherd. He said. My servant David. But he. This was typological. In other words.

[26:44] He was saying this to Abbao. It's David. But he was referring to Jesus. Alright. Jesus. The one shepherd. He said. I will establish. I will establish one shepherd.

[26:55] Over them. And he. That shepherd. Will feed them. My servant David. He shall feed them. And be their shepherd. And I.

[27:06] The Lord. Will be their God. And my servant David. A prince. Amongst them. I. The Lord. Have spoken. I. I said. I will set a shepherd. And who will feed them.

[27:18] Jesus. Is our shepherd. In heaven today. Because the Bible says that. He. We are all like sheep. Going astray. But we have returned. To the shepherd. And the bishop. Over our souls.

[27:28] Of us. Bishop simply means. Overseer. Overseer of our souls. Watch this. This is interesting. Verse 25 says that. I will make a covenant. Because of this.

[27:39] Shepardorial role. Of Jesus. It's very important. As a shepherd. This is the benefits. We. Sheep. Enjoy from the shepherd. Now watch this. This is what we are going to enjoy. From God. Because of. A shepherd.

[27:50] Being put in place. I will make a covenant. Of peace with them. And cause. Cause wild beasts. To seize from their land. And they will dwell safely. In the wilderness.

[28:02] And sleep. In the woods. You will dwell safely. In this wilderness. Of coronavirus. Lockdown. You will dwell safely. Why? Because you have. A shepherd.

[28:13] Over your soul. See the benefits. Of having a shepherd. And so. When we are. When we return. To Jesus. As shepherd. You will not fear. When drought comes. You will not fear. When evil comes.

[28:24] It says that. There shall be showers. Of blessings. When the Lord is your shepherd. Blessings flow. Over your life. That will be your testimony. That will be your portion. Verse 27 says that. Then the trees.

[28:36] Of the field. Shall yield their fruit. You see. You will not. That means that. Career wise. You will. You will. You will. You will be doing well. In your career. Carnival. Shakaia. You will do well.

[28:46] In your career. In the name of Jesus. He said that. The trees. Then the trees. Of the field. Of the field. Shall yield their fruit. And the earth. Shall yield her.

[28:57] Increase. The earth. Shall yield her. Increase. You will not be working. And struggling. And nothing is coming in. And you don't have anything. To show for. God.

[29:08] Will cause the earth. To yield its increase. Whatever your hands. Find to do. Will be blessed. In the name of Jesus. They shall be safe. In their land. And they shall. Know that.

[29:19] I am the Lord. And I have broken. The bands of their yoke. And delivered them. From the hand. Of those who. Enslave them. Every yoke. Of your life. Yoke.

[29:29] Something on you. Are not free. Addiction is a yoke. Addiction is a yoke. Emotional. Enslavement. You are not free. In your emotions. Every time.

[29:40] There is bitterness. Every time. There is stress. You are not free. It's a yoke. I prophesied. That yoke. Broken. You are not free. To live. To live your. Your life.

[29:51] In full. As God has. Ordained it. I pray. That every yoke. Over your life. Be broken. In the name of Jesus. Under the auspicious. Of our great shepherd.

[30:01] In Jesus name. I think I will leave it. So. When you have it. Please you can read it later. I think it's a very. A blessing. I like it all the way. To the end. That you want. But. It's such a blessing.

[30:12] When you have a shepherd. These things follow you. Blessings follow you. You will dwell safely. In this time. Of coronavirus. Virus. It will come near you. At all. It will come near you. Your family.

[30:23] Is secured. Your family. Is safe. And if it has money. To find its way. Into your house. I command it. To leave that house. I command it. To leave your territory. I command that. Demonic virus.

[30:33] To leave your territory. I speak. Healing over your body. I speak. Peace over your body. In the name of Jesus. So. Jesus. Is in heaven. As our. Chief.

[30:43] High. Priest. Or our. Great. Sorry. Our great shepherd. He is the great shepherd. Of the sheep. But that's not all. In Hebrews. I spoke about. He is our high priest.

[30:55] In Hebrews chapter. Chapter 2. Verse. Let's go to chapter 3. Verse 1. Let me start from chapter 3. Verse 1. Hebrews chapter 3. Verse 1. I like it. I like it. I like it.

[31:05] I like it. I like it. Hallelujah. Hebrews chapter 3. Verse 1. Wherefore. Holy brethren. Partakers. We are partakers.

[31:16] Partners. We are shareholders. Maybe shareholders. Is not even the right word. We are. We are. We are part of it. Partakers. Who is a partaker?

[31:26] Someone who takes part of something. So. We are partakers. Of the. Holy brethren. Partakers. Of the heavenly calling. This calling.

[31:37] On our life. Is heavenly. Is heavenly. Is not earthly. Is not earthly. So. Don't compare it to natural things. You are. It doesn't matter. What you don't have.

[31:48] And it does not matter. Your. Social status. Guess what. You are. You. You. You are. A partaker. Of a heavenly calling. Hallelujah. You are not an ordinary person.

[31:59] In the name of Jesus. Holy brethren. Partaker. Of the heavenly calling. Heavenly calling. Watch this. Consider. The apostle. And the high priest. Of our confession. Christ Jesus.

[32:09] Christ Jesus. He is an apostle. And he is the high priest. Of our confession. As I said earlier. Apostle. Is someone. Who is a saint.

[32:20] Okay. So. Someone. Who is a saint. With delegate. With. Has been. Authority. Has been delegated. To that saint person. To go.

[32:31] And carry out. A function. Most of the time. In the new testament. Is to declare. A word. To speak. So. An apostle. Is a saint. One. That's very important.

[32:41] And. How about a high priest. So. God. Sends. Him. As a. High. Apostle. A saint. One. A high priest. Is also. A called. One.

[32:52] That's an interesting one. An apostle. Is a saint. One. A high priest. Is a called. One. So. Jesus. Is the one. Who was sent. To us. And is the one. Who was. Who. Who. Who.

[33:03] Who. Who. Called. Look at. Chapter 5. Verse. One. For every. High priest. Watch this. Taking from. Amongst.

[33:14] Men. You. Ought. To be. A man. In order. To qualify. To be. A high priest. Because. A high priest. Must be taken. From. Amongst. Men. So.

[33:24] Jesus. God. Picked. Jesus. From. Amongst. Men. The human. Jesus. We. Pick. Bible. Says. In. I'm going to go. To the. But let me. Just go there. And come back. Hebrews. Chapter 2.

[33:35] Verse. 17. It says that. But. Verse 17. Wherefore. In all things. It's. Behooved. Him.

[33:45] To be made. Like. Unto his brethren. He had to be like us. Look at verse 14. Verse 14. For as much. For. For as much. Sorry. For as much. Then. As the children.

[33:55] Are partakers. This is the word. Partaker. Partakers. Of flesh. And blood. That's humanity. Okay. The children of God. We are humanity. For as much. As we are partakers. Of flesh. And blood. He himself.

[34:06] Likewise. Took part. Of the same. That through death. He might destroy him. Him that had the power. Of death. That is the devil. And deliver them. Who through fear. Of death. Were all their lifetime. Subject to bondage.

[34:17] For. For verily. He took not. On him. The nature of angels. So the angels. Have a nature. But I didn't take that one. Because he is not coming. To save angels. Jesus is not an angel.

[34:28] He is more than an angel. He is God. But he became man. Hebrews 2.16. For verily. He took not. On him. The nature of angels. But he took on him. The seed of Abraham.

[34:39] Human beings. The seed of Abraham. Wherefore. Wherefore. In all things. It behooved him. To be made. Like unto his brethren. Why? That he might be. A merciful.

[34:50] And a faithful. High priest. In things. Pertaining to God. Watch this. In things. To make. Reconciliation. For the sins. Of the people. So he. In all things.

[35:02] He had to be like us. So that he might. The reason why. He had to be like us. So that he can be. A faithful. Two. Two adjectives there. A faithful. And. Sorry.

[35:13] A merciful. A merciful. A merciful. A merciful. A merciful. High priest. So. In his humanity. He is merciful to us. In his. So long as we are concerned. He is merciful to us.

[35:24] So long as God is concerned. He is faithful. Because he has been sent by God. To carry out an assignment. So he is faithful to God. So long as God. But he is merciful to us. When he.

[35:35] When you look at who you are. And some of the things that you have been able to do. Or sometimes we do as human beings. You know that God shouldn't give you a second chance. But he is merciful. We have a merciful high priest.

[35:46] Hallelujah. We have a merciful high priest. We have a merciful. I will say a little bit more about that as I go on. Look. Verse. So five again. He says that. For every high priest. Hebrews chapter five.

[35:57] Verse one. For every high priest. Is taken from amongst men. And. Sorry. Every high priest. Taken from amongst men. Among men. Is ordained. For men.

[36:08] The high priest. Is ordained for men. By taking from among men. Who takes him. A high authority. Takes him from amongst men. Ordained for men. In things pertaining to God.

[36:19] That he may offer. Both gifts. And sacrifices. Gifts is to please God. Sacrifices. Is to cover our sins. Two things. Gifts is to please God. So. The high priest.

[36:30] Is to offer gifts. And sacrifices. For sins. Offer gifts. And sacrifices. For sins. Watch this verse two. This is a serious one. I'm getting into. Who can have compassion.

[36:42] On the ignorant. And on them. That are. Out of the way. Astray. Astray. For. That he himself.

[36:52] Also. Is compares. With infirmity. This one. I think. New King James. Please permit me. Bear with me. Verse. Chapter five. Rather.

[37:03] I'm not ready. Hebrews chapter five. Verse. Verse one. Let me start from verse one again. For every high priest. Is taken from among men. Every high priest. Take him from among men. Is appointed for men.

[37:13] In things pertaining to God. That he may. Offer both gifts. And sacrifices. He can. He can have compassion. On those who are ignorant.

[37:24] And going astray. Since he himself. Is also subject to weakness. Subject to. He himself. Is also subject to weakness. Humanity. Means.

[37:35] Not perfect. Humanity means. You'll be tired. You'll cry. Temptation will come. Weakness. There even means. Inability to do things. As you are supposed to do them.

[37:46] That is why. When God gave them the law. The law. Actually. Came to expose. Their weaknesses. So that's why. The word of God. Is good to preach. The word of God. To sinners.

[37:57] Preach it. Because. See. The ally. The word of God. Has got an ally. Inside. A sinner. Which is. His sins. Every sinner.

[38:09] Knows. Is a sinner. Every sinner. Knows it. You know it. Every sinner. Knows a sinner. And it's the. That's why. Those who don't want God. They say. Oh. I don't believe in the Bible. Oh. Please don't.

[38:19] And sometimes. People. Sometimes. People can get so animated. And angry. Because you just. Saw you. Saw you holding a Bible. Or they saw you. They got so angry. And it's not.

[38:30] The level of anger. Is not warranted. But you are wondering why. Yeah. It's a. It's a spiritual thing. This thing is spiritual. So. The word of God.

[38:42] Has. An ally. In a sinner. And the sinner. Cannot be saved. Without the word of God. Working with his ally. Inside. So the person. Sin. And the word of God.

[38:52] Comes to convict the sin. And the sin. The sins. Of the sinner. Makes the sinner. No. Man. This word is true. This word. And the sinner. Begins to look for a savior. Salvation.

[39:02] So he came to save us. From our sins. And the consequences. And the repercussions. Of our sins. Now. He says that. A high priest. Can have mercy. Since he. Himself.

[39:13] As also. A human being. Who himself. Has also. Suffered. Suffered weaknesses. So. He himself. I will read again please. Just to make sense. He can have compassion.

[39:23] On those who are. Ignorant. And going astray. Since he himself. Is also subject. To weaknesses. So Jesus Christ. When he came on earth. In Hebrews chapter 4. Verse 15. Just.

[39:34] Just. A few verses down the line. Back. Back of you. Said. For we do not. Watch this. For we do not have. A high priest. Who cannot sympathize. With our weaknesses.

[39:45] You see the weakness. Appeared again. He cannot. Sympathize. We have. In other words. We have a high priest. Who can sympathize. With our weaknesses. The way you are struggling. With some things. He can sympathize.

[39:56] The fact that. He gave you another chance. Say God. Give me another chance. If I do this thing again. Kill me. And he didn't kill you. In fact. You got a new job. Not to endorse.

[40:07] The sin. But. There's room. In God. For you. In John chapter 8. They brought a woman. Who was caught. In adultery. The CCTV caught her. They had the tape. And they brought her.

[40:18] To Jesus. They said. Moses in the law. Said we should. Stone this person. What do you say Rabbi? The Bible says. That he bowed down. John chapter 8. From somewhere verse 6.

[40:29] He was writing on the floor. I've been saying this. Jesus never wrote anything. The only time he wrote. Was when he wrote. On the ground. And that one. Is when he writes on the sand. The sand. The wind clears it.

[40:40] He never wrote anything. And he was writing on the sand. And theologians believe. That he was writing. You know. The finger of God. That wrote the Ten Commandments. He was also writing. With his finger.

[40:51] And he. They were pestering him to answers. And then he lifted his eyes. Verse 8. And he says that. He who is without sin. Let him throw the first stone. Then the rest can join.

[41:02] Now just need one person. One. Only one of you. Who is without sin. Bible says that. After he said that. He bowed. He said. Start the writing again. All of the people. Starting from the senior.

[41:12] Most amongst them. The senior religious leader. He started from them. To the least. He put down a stone. And they all left their stones. And went. Everybody left. Because humanity means weaknesses.

[41:23] Yeah. To be human means. There are weaknesses in your life. That sin lives in this mortal body. That is why Christ came to die. So that he can break the power of sin. In the body. If you are not.

[41:34] See. Sometimes. You know God is calling you. But people will say. Oh I am waiting. If I am able to stop this addiction. I am waiting. If I am able to stop this drinking. Or this alcoholism. This womanizing.

[41:45] This pornography. This stealing. This lying. Or this business. Dodgy business I am doing. I want to stop. When I stop it. Then I can really take God serious. Because I don't want. I am waiting. Listen. God is the one who will empower you to stop it.

[41:59] So don't say. I am too dirty to come to Jesus. When you come and acknowledge that you are a sinner. And you repent of your sins. He will empower you. He will have compassion.

[42:09] This is very important. That he will have compassion on those. So verse 2 again of Acts. Hebrews chapter 5. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray.

[42:22] What does he mean to be ignorant? Let it go. Chapter 4. Verse 2. Speak. Speak unto the children of Israel saying. If a soul shall sin through ignorance.

[42:35] Is there ignorance coming? Through ignorance. Against any of the commandments of the Lord. Concerning things which ought not to be done. And shall do against any of them.

[42:46] So you. We can do something against the law of God. Without knowing we are breaking the law of God. That's when you are ignorant. You are doing the wrong thing.

[42:56] But not with malicious intention. You are doing it because you didn't realize that what you are doing. You are gossiping about the pastor. You didn't realize that what you are doing is a sin.

[43:07] You are gossiping about the other sister. The other church. You say. You have always gossiped. So you became born again. You continue from where you left off. You are born again. And you are still fornicating.

[43:19] You started it. You didn't know that fornicating is a sin. It's against the law of God. And you were living in it comfortably. And so you hear the word of God. And the word of God helps you to know that.

[43:31] But you became born again. So. Now this is not a sinner. It's those who are people of God. When you break the law of God. Ignorantly. Okay. Bible says that. Those who are ignorant.

[43:42] Look at this. Is it verse 13. And verse 13. And then verse 22. And verse 27. Verse 13 says that. If the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance.

[43:54] So you can sin through ignorance. And the thing which be hit from the eyes of the assembly. And they have done something against any of the commandments of the Lord.

[44:04] Concerning things which should not be done. And are guilty. Then he said to them what we should do. Look at verse 22. When a ruler has sinned. And done something through ignorance.

[44:16] Against any of the commandments of the Lord. His God. Concerning things which should not be done. And is guilty. Verse 27. And if any of. Any of the common people sin through ignorance.

[44:29] So. So. There's sinning through ignorance. Now. In Hebrews. As we read. It says that. The high priest will be. Will have compassion. On those who are ignorant. And not only on those who are ignorant.

[44:41] But those who are going astray. Or who have gone astray. So. Those who are going astray. So. Ignorance and going astray. You can be in Christ. But. There may be ignorant moment. Moments where you operated in ignorance.

[44:53] And went astray. The high priest. Our Jesus. Oh boy. Our Jesus. Is compassionate. He is compassionate. He is. Even as you have gone astray.

[45:03] He is still interceding on your behalf. Before the heaven. Before the throne of God. So. He is in heaven. Interceding. Oh. God have mercy. Lord have mercy. God forgive her. God forgive him.

[45:14] God forgive her. Now. It is important. So. It says that. We have a high priest. Hebrews chapter 3 verse 1. Holy brethren. Consider the apostle and the high priest of your calling.

[45:25] And verse 5. Chapter 5 says that. A high priest must be called among from the people. So. An apostle is sent to the people. A high priest is called from the people. In verse 5 of Hebrews. Verse 4 of Hebrews chapter 5.

[45:37] It said. No one takes this honor upon himself. Except him who is called as a rule. So. If you have to be a priest. It must come through a calling. In Hebrews chapter 5.

[45:49] Verse 10. Bible says. And God declared. You are. You are. This day I've called you. Hebrews chapter 5. Verse 10. He said. God called him and proclaimed that you are high priest.

[46:01] After the order of Melchizedek. The point I'm making is that. Jesus is all these things. He's the son of God. Son of man. The anointed man. The anointed one. God. Appointed one of all things.

[46:13] He's the captain of our salvation. The sanctifier. He's the constant help. Constant aid. Our instant help. The mediator of the new covenant.

[46:25] He's the executor. He's the executor. Or the testator. Alright. The executor of the new testament. He is the surety of the new covenant.

[46:36] He is the author and the finisher of our faith. He's our forerunner. He's all these things. But chiefly. He is. So.

[46:48] He. This is what. I want to say. He came down. To be our. The captain of our salvation. And then. He went up to God.

[46:59] Before God. To be our high priest. To bear with us. In the presence of God. And to care for us. Our needs. So he's.

[47:09] Gone up. He came to be. All these things. And now he's gone to heaven. And he is. Before the presence of God. To bear. To bear us before God. So it's like.

[47:20] Here you are. Here you are. And he's holding you before God. He's bearing you. Ignorance. In your. In our ignorance. In our.

[47:30] Going astray. He said. Remember. He says that. Let us come. He says. In 1 Peter. Chapter 2. Verse 25. He says. For we all. As sheep. Are going astray.

[47:41] But we. Let us. We return. To the. The shepherd. Of our soul. So going astray. We come to the shepherd. So the shepherd. There. It cares for us. So. Watch this.

[47:52] In his high priestly role. There is. So. There is. A pastoral dimension. A shepherd. Dorial dimension. Of his high priestly role. And the shepherd. Dorial dimension.

[48:03] Bible calls it. A great shepherd. He is the great shepherd. Of the sheep. So. Jesus Christ. Is now. In heaven. As a high priest. Seated in heaven.

[48:14] Bible says that. He is the shepherd. So. He is the high priest. Interceding. On our behalf. But when you read. Romans 2. He says that. The Holy Spirit. Is interceding.

[48:24] Inside us. So who is doing the intercession. Is it Jesus. Interceding in heaven. Or Holy Spirit. Interceding inside us. Jesus is in heaven. At the same time. Is in us. There is intercession. Going on in heaven.

[48:35] And there is intercession. Going on. On our behalf. Inside us. Which is which. How. Is this. Is the Holy Spirit. Doing one. And Jesus doing one. And how do they correlate. But now. He is the high priest.

[48:46] With the shepherder. Dorial role. That's why. When he appeared to John. In the book of Revelation. Chapter 1. I think verse 16. Or 17. Bible says that. He had his belt.

[48:57] He was wearing a gown. That's depiction of high priest. The priestly robe. He was wearing a gown. With his belt. Not on his waist. But his belt. On his chest. We don't put belt on the chest.

[49:08] We put the belt on our waist. But why is he putting the belt on his chest? Because his chest is the area of love. The chest depicts where your heart is love. So now. He is there caring.

[49:19] As the high priest. Caring for us. Caring for us. So they are caring for us. He is doing intercession. And he is caring. Caring for us. Has a lot to do with his pastoral role.

[49:32] As we are on earth. So we are on earth. And yet. He is shepherding us through pastors. On earth. Caring for us. Showers of blessings coming. Where we are in the wilderness. And yet.

[49:42] No. We are prospering. We are flourishing. No evil comes near us. He is caring for us. He has that care. So I want to tell you. In this season. Of global pandemic.

[49:53] Where everyone. People are afraid. It is minus you. Why? Because you have a heavenly carer. You have.

[50:03] You and your family. You have a heavenly carer. Believe brothers and sisters. You have a heavenly carer. It is. It is. Caring abilities and powers.

[50:15] Come into force. When you believe in him. You may have him. I don't. I don't believe in him. Then you. Bible says that. You. The Bible says that. You are God. But you die as men.

[50:27] So. You suffer what ordinary people suffer. If you fail. To recognize. And put your faith. In the God you know. That he is caring for you. So.

[50:38] Jesus is our great high priest. We thank you for using this servant. Reverend Dr. David Entry. To share this awesome word. If this message has blessed you in any way. Please spread the word by sharing it.

[50:49] And send us an email. To amen. At karis.org Remember to stay connected with us. On Facebook. Instagram. YouTube. And Twitter. For regular updates. On what God is doing here.

[51:00]  At Karis Ministries. Stay blessed. Thank you. Thank you.