WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.440 Probably for us who live in a town we're not aware of what a shepherd actually does. 00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:14.519 It's estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 sheep each year are killed because of attacks by predators or are stolen 00:00:14.519 --> 00:00:20.300 and that roughly equates to about 11 animals that are killed or injured per attack. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:25.719 Being a good shepherd isn't just about sort of floating around on a quad bike 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:29.460 with a whole load of hay bales strapped precariously to the back. 00:00:29.460 --> 00:00:32.859 It's about caring and protecting for your sheep. 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:35.899 Shepherds are passionate about what they do. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:38.579 They are out there in all winds and weathers. 00:00:39.219 --> 00:00:44.460 The people who were hearing this morning's reading knew about shepherds. 00:00:45.160 --> 00:00:47.140 They lived with them. They knew them. 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:51.859 They had already heard Jesus talking about, I am the gate. 00:00:51.859 --> 00:00:55.679 And here in the presence and heart of the religious leaders, 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:59.859 Jesus is saying, I am the good shepherd. 00:01:01.079 --> 00:01:05.219 By saying the good shepherd, I guess probably he's ruffling a few feathers 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:09.200 because he's sort of saying actually, if there are good shepherds, 00:01:09.299 --> 00:01:12.599 there's probably not good shepherds as well, 00:01:12.739 --> 00:01:16.960 which clearly isn't what the Pharisees really wanted to hear at that time. 00:01:16.959 --> 00:01:21.959 So Jesus uses this analogy from everyday life that people would understand. 00:01:22.899 --> 00:01:28.159 You see, the hired hand is not the shepherd and he doesn't own the sheep. 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:33.439 So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:36.619 Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 00:01:36.979 --> 00:01:42.039 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and he cares nothing for the sheep. 00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:46.740 You and I know whether people are going to stand with us. 00:01:47.960 --> 00:01:50.140 You know, whether they're going to stand with us in tough times, 00:01:50.440 --> 00:01:56.500 the good friends that are there with us, the good shepherds that will be there. 00:01:56.580 --> 00:01:57.980 They won't hang us out to dry. 00:01:58.100 --> 00:01:59.880 They won't leave us when trouble comes. 00:02:00.960 --> 00:02:04.040 Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:06.020 I am not going to abandon my flock. 00:02:06.260 --> 00:02:07.900 The good shepherd owns the flock. 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:10.400 He has a strong investment in them. 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:17.860 You see, if it's yours, you stand and protect. 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:20.280 If necessary, with your life. 00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:24.020 The hired hand hasn't got that level of commitment or trust. 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:27.740 And sadly, we know from our own experience in life, don't we, 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:30.340 for many of us that are watching this today, 00:02:30.819 --> 00:02:34.140 that people will step aside and sometimes abandon us 00:02:34.140 --> 00:02:36.020 when the going gets tough. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:44.200 People who we thought cared for us, maybe an employer, our carer, our relative. 00:02:45.200 --> 00:02:49.120 Maybe it's to do with our finance, our pension scheme, our wealth. 00:02:49.360 --> 00:02:52.240 Only to realise that when the going gets tough, 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:56.480 people just disappear and go. 00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:01.259 You realise very quickly that they weren't the shepherd you thought they were. 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:05.259 And when the going gets tough, they're just up and left. 00:03:07.179 --> 00:03:08.060 Not Jesus. 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:12.179 You see, Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:15.479 He promises that he will never leave us or forsake us. 00:03:16.859 --> 00:03:19.719 Take David, for example, in the Bible. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:21.060 David, the shepherd boy. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:22.859 There he is looking after the flock. 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:25.080 No wonder God chose David. 00:03:25.860 --> 00:03:27.400 You know, David has got that commitment. 00:03:27.600 --> 00:03:29.760 He has got that commitment to his sheep. 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:30.820 He's the youngest son. 00:03:31.180 --> 00:03:34.200 He learnt to tend for them from a young age. 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:36.720 And he's fighting off wolves. 00:03:36.860 --> 00:03:38.440 He's fighting off wild animals. 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:42.360 No wonder he wasn't fazed and intimidated by Goliath. 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:46.740 I mean, Goliath was just another predator to be dealt with 00:03:46.740 --> 00:03:52.100 because Goliath was going to come and decimate the flock. 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:53.900 Oh, that's not going to happen. 00:03:54.699 --> 00:03:58.060 God is with me, said David, and dealt with it. 00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:01.539 A good shepherd stands their ground. 00:04:02.919 --> 00:04:04.219 I am the good shepherd. 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:06.959 I know my sheep and my sheep know me. 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:10.180 Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father 00:04:10.180 --> 00:04:12.799 and I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:13.719 It's relational. 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:16.000 Jesus loves me. 00:04:16.100 --> 00:04:18.759 This I know for the Bible tells me so. 00:04:18.839 --> 00:04:19.620 It's a great hymn. 00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:20.839 It's a great song. 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:24.500 It's a great biblical and life-giving truth. 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:27.699 It's no surprise that it appears in the soundtrack 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:29.079 of one of my favourite films, 00:04:29.220 --> 00:04:31.399 which is The Bodyguard for Obvious Reasons. 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:34.639 And in the middle of the film where Kevin Costner 00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:38.219 is doing all that he can to protect Whitney Houston 00:04:38.219 --> 00:04:40.120 as her protection officer, 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:44.699 fighting against all the odds to keep her and her family alive, 00:04:45.219 --> 00:04:47.439 she sings this hymn with her sister, 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:48.599 Jesus loves me. 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:49.459 This I know. 00:04:49.539 --> 00:04:50.459 It's a truth. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:55.199 You see, the shepherd never kicks the sheep. 00:04:55.359 --> 00:04:57.399 I can't emphasise that enough. 00:04:57.399 --> 00:05:00.759 He is there to care and to fight for us. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:03.120 I think we forget that sometimes, 00:05:03.239 --> 00:05:06.000 the fight that is going on with the evil one. 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:09.560 The fact that, you know, Jesus, the good shepherd, 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:11.000 that he engaged with that. 00:05:11.099 --> 00:05:11.779 He knows that. 00:05:12.039 --> 00:05:13.379 He knows what the fight is. 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:15.159 You know, if you're the son of God, 00:05:15.239 --> 00:05:17.319 why don't you come down from the cross? 00:05:17.719 --> 00:05:20.479 It's not what's in our hands. 00:05:21.539 --> 00:05:23.079 It's what's in our hearts. 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:25.899 That's why Jesus took on death and won, 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:27.859 because he is the good shepherd. 00:05:28.739 --> 00:05:29.979 He didn't give up on us. 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:32.699 He fought for us and continues to stand for us 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:33.839 and fight for us. 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:35.979 He is never going to desert us. 00:05:36.039 --> 00:05:36.859 He told us that. 00:05:37.239 --> 00:05:38.919 I am the good shepherd. 00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:42.219 I know my sheep and my sheep know me. 00:05:42.859 --> 00:05:47.539 You know, this relational, deep relational part of scripture 00:05:47.539 --> 00:05:50.919 is something for me that's at the heart of my relationship. 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:53.259 And I have your relationship with Jesus. 00:05:53.460 --> 00:05:55.420 You know, I know my sheep. 00:05:55.500 --> 00:05:56.120 He knows us. 00:05:56.220 --> 00:06:01.120 He knows our finances, our issues, our vices, our joys, 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:03.100 our fears, our flaws. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:05.060 He knows about our honesty. 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:07.139 And when we say that we are for him, 00:06:07.200 --> 00:06:08.660 he knows if we really are. 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:10.439 And the cost that it takes. 00:06:11.100 --> 00:06:14.240 And that it has taken to live that with him. 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:17.280 You know, it's the discipleship principle 00:06:17.280 --> 00:06:19.500 that Jesus surrounded himself with, 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:23.360 that he didn't surround himself with the 18. 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:28.300 You know, he chose people who were the least likely people 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:30.040 to shape the early church. 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:32.579 He uses you and I. 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:34.100 That's why they stuck with him. 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:36.079 That's why he stuck with them. 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:41.620 In the storm, on the cross, he never gives up. 00:06:41.620 --> 00:06:46.920 I've read that Sunday school story time and time again 00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:52.579 about the 99 sheep and Jesus goes off and looks for the one. 00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:57.959 That to me is so powerful, a message of the good shepherd. 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:01.259 You know, sitting on any alpha course 00:07:01.259 --> 00:07:04.800 and hear some gut-wrenching stories from people 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:07.740 how they had experienced addiction 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:09.699 and they had lost everything. 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:12.620 They'd lost their home, their house, their family, 00:07:13.019 --> 00:07:15.699 their dignity, their self-esteem. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:19.039 And then you hear the story of how Jesus came 00:07:19.039 --> 00:07:20.579 and met with them. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:23.480 And perhaps through a person, through a situation, 00:07:24.039 --> 00:07:27.000 through you or I, they found fresh hope. 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:28.000 They found dignity. 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:29.360 They found restoration. 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:30.419 They found new life. 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:32.579 And they found the good shepherd 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:34.699 who came and brought them home. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:38.539 No wonder Jesus tells us and models to us 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:43.260 that we should go after the one time and time again. 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:45.819 The 99 is secure. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.360 We need to go after the one. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:53.700 I pray that to know Jesus is your rescuer and protector, 00:07:54.200 --> 00:07:58.300 rubs off on you and is your passion to go and reach people. 00:07:59.660 --> 00:08:00.920 Going to the one, I believe, 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:03.740 is at the heart of what we're called to do at Christ Church at the moment. 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:06.460 The young person who receives TLG coaching. 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:09.680 The family that is receiving help and make lunch. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:12.280 The person who hopefully you phoned today. 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:15.560 The one that you've had that conversation with. 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:20.319 You know, it's about the one that others gave up on. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:23.500 That Jesus says, go out and find them. 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:24.840 Be with them. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:25.740 Bring them in. 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:27.460 Love them against the odds. 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:30.120 Show them what it means to reach out 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:32.579 and bring them home into a lifelong, 00:08:33.059 --> 00:08:35.840 life-giving relationship with the one who never gives up 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.360 and keeps seeking the lost. 00:08:39.319 --> 00:08:41.639 Nicky Gumbel tells a story on an alpha course 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:45.840 where many people come to know Jesus as the good shepherd. 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:48.840 And Nicky Gumbel tells the story of the Welsh revivals. 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:51.019 I've got a real passion for the Welsh revivals. 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:53.720 High on the moors in the Welsh mountains, 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:56.500 there was two vicars that used to go for a walk, two ministers. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:09:01.639 And they met a shepherd, a young lad who was looking after his sheep. 00:09:02.220 --> 00:09:05.259 And as they met with him, again and again as they walked, 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:06.879 they introduced him to Jesus. 00:09:07.059 --> 00:09:08.139 He couldn't read or write. 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:11.179 So they taught him the 23rd Psalm in the beginning 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:12.720 by using his fingers. 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:16.120 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:18.440 Is my shepherd. 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:20.179 It was about a relational, 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:24.259 a relational thing with Jesus. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:24.460 Jesus. 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:26.000 And he got it. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:27.500 This young lad got it. 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:31.539 And he came to faith through talking with these two people 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:34.480 who he met day by day, week by week, 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:36.419 while he was out tending his sheep. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:39.519 There was a long, hard winter 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:44.659 and the ministers went out for a walk upon the hills. 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:47.159 And they looked for this shepherd. 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:49.019 They couldn't find him, understandably. 00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:50.439 So they went to the nearest village 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:53.579 and they were shown to his mum's cottage. 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:56.000 And she explained during the harsh winter 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.280 that he had died. 00:09:58.460 --> 00:09:59.940 That he had died on the hills. 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:01.340 And she said to them, 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:02.940 can you explain something to me? 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:04.420 Because they found my son 00:10:04.420 --> 00:10:07.320 in a snow drift 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:09.759 but laid over his sheep, 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:12.120 protecting them, 00:10:12.420 --> 00:10:13.460 as he always did. 00:10:13.680 --> 00:10:15.160 But one thing I don't understand 00:10:15.160 --> 00:10:16.800 is when they found his body, 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:19.519 they found his finger 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:22.399 grasped around the fourth finger. 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:25.679 The ministers explained to him 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:27.819 of what they had taught him, 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:33.299 that the Lord is my shepherd. 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:36.699 Jesus was prepared 00:10:36.699 --> 00:10:38.779 and laid down his life for the sheep, 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:39.819 for you and me. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:41.679 That's the good shepherd. 00:10:41.819 --> 00:10:42.839 When he went to the cross, 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:44.639 it wasn't a disaster. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.740 It was a design. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:47.120 It wasn't a tragedy. 00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:48.139 It was a strategy. 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:50.980 He came for those 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:52.600 who were lost from the fold. 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:53.980 And in the time 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:56.139 that Jesus was telling this story, 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:57.399 it was you and me, 00:10:57.699 --> 00:10:58.519 the Gentiles. 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:00.279 We were the lost sheep. 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:01.879 We weren't expected 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:03.840 or even allowed into the fold. 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:06.620 He is the one who came for us 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:08.159 and rescued us 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:09.419 and brought us back. 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:10.980 These sheep I must gather. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:13.519 It's a gospel imperative. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:15.539 That's why he's a good shepherd. 00:11:16.299 --> 00:11:17.639 He isn't worried about the sheep, 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:20.240 what we look like. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:22.019 He's not worried about 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.159 where their sheep are 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:25.179 or what stock they're from, 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.319 whether they are black, 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:27.740 white, grey, green, 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:28.699 pink, blue, 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:30.159 rainbow-coloured, 00:11:30.319 --> 00:11:31.240 smelly, dirty, 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:33.019 beautifully coiffured. 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:34.960 He came for all the sheep, 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:37.000 especially for those 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.120 who have a propensity 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.399 to get lost, 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:41.100 to wander off, 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:42.340 to sin, 00:11:42.560 --> 00:11:43.620 to rebel, 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.960 because that's what 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:47.159 some sheep do. 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.299 The good shepherd 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:51.120 never kicks his sheep. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.299 He carries them home 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:54.019 to safety, 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:57.500 often weighed down 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:58.220 with sin, 00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:00.519 but brings them safely home. 00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:03.899 Jesus said, 00:12:04.199 --> 00:12:06.539 I am the good shepherd. 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.340 He knows his sheep. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:08.840 He loves you, 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:09.600 whether you have been 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.480 with him for years 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.340 or whether you have wandered off. 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:13.600 And whether you have wandered off 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:14.340 now and watching this, 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.100 he is waiting 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:16.879 to come and meet with you 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:19.120 and find you. 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:22.379 He knows his sheep. 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.820 He's committed. 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:26.159 You see, 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.799 his love for us 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:28.620 is sacrificial 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:30.000 and successful. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.700 He doesn't walk away. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.600 He's compassionate. 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:35.399 He knows you 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:37.060 and will guide you 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:38.139 through life's joys 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.060 and struggles 00:12:39.060 --> 00:12:40.580 and fight for you 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:41.259 when you need it. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:43.560 He rescues. 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:45.120 He comes 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.820 and snatches you back 00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:48.019 from safety 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:49.139 when we wander 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.279 into harm's way 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.659 and when we cry out 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.159 for help. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.759 And he protects. 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.620 And when the predators come 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.659 and they will come, 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:58.259 and many of us know that, 00:12:58.659 --> 00:12:59.720 the wolves that come 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.779 to scatter the flock, 00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:02.379 the wolf in sheep's clothing 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.139 that comes 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:04.240 to scatter the church, 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.240 he is ready, 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:05.980 fearless 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:07.720 and doesn't abandon us. 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:09.759 And he cares. 00:13:10.699 --> 00:13:11.519 The love of God 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.220 never ceases. 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:14.179 He knows his sheep. 00:13:15.079 --> 00:13:16.039 He knows you and me. 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:18.599 And most of all, 00:13:19.199 --> 00:13:19.919 for the one, 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:21.279 for the one 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:22.519 that comes back 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.819 every time, 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:25.279 he rejoices. 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.860 And we should be rejoicing too 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:29.899 because there is nothing 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:31.139 more exciting 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.860 than seeing somebody 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:34.139 brought back into the fold 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.579 to know Jesus, 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:37.079 to know him, 00:13:37.579 --> 00:13:38.899 to know the good shepherd. 00:13:39.339 --> 00:13:40.860 The Lord is my shepherd 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:42.179 and he is good. 00:13:42.459 --> 00:13:43.120 Do you relate 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:43.860 to the good shepherd? 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:46.440 Do you love his qualities? 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:48.300 Do you love his values? 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.620 Do you love his grit 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:51.240 and his determination? 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:53.620 You see, 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:55.580 Jesus talks about 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:57.259 the good shepherd 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:59.560 that goes after the one. 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:02.120 And if ever there was a day, 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:02.700 I believe, 00:14:02.800 --> 00:14:03.399 for the church 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.480 in this season 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.840 is to get our eyes 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:06.720 off the 99 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:08.220 and go after the one. 00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:10.160 because there's a lot 00:14:10.160 --> 00:14:11.240 of ones out there 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.680 that we, 00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:13.680 as a church, 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.519 need to reach. 00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:19.220 Perhaps now the Spirit of God 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:20.060 is prompting you. 00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:21.759 Perhaps he's saying 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.680 something to you 00:14:22.680 --> 00:14:23.680 about reaching the lost 00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:24.200 and the least. 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:26.139 Ask him to equip you now. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.180 Ask him to come 00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:28.180 and give you 00:14:28.180 --> 00:14:29.200 that boldness 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:30.300 and courageousness 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:31.460 of the good shepherd 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:33.160 as we go out 00:14:33.160 --> 00:14:33.980 and do 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.100 as he has asked us 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:35.460 to do, 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:36.720 as we see him do 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.879 time and time 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.480 and time again. 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.220 And let's do 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:40.040 as he's commanded, 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.420 like he shows us. 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:47.639 Would you pray with me now? 00:14:48.059 --> 00:14:49.519 And maybe if the Lord, 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.459 the Holy Spirit 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:51.559 is prompting you now, 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.139 maybe you feel that 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.659 burning up inside you 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:54.919 of, 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:55.740 yeah, 00:14:56.339 --> 00:14:57.740 this is my calling. 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.299 This is, 00:14:58.779 --> 00:14:59.819 it's for me to go 00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:00.979 to make that phone call 00:15:00.979 --> 00:15:01.519 to go and get 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.699 alongside that person. 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.519 I pray that the Holy Spirit 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.139 would come 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.139 and encourage us, 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.120 empower us, 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:07.819 enthuse us 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.599 and excite us 00:15:08.599 --> 00:15:09.159 this morning. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.599 Lord Jesus, 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.480 reach out, 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:11.779 Lord. 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:14.799 Lord, 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:16.159 thank you for the times 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:16.879 that you have 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.839 carried us home, 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:20.120 the times that we 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:20.919 needed carrying. 00:15:21.599 --> 00:15:22.439 Encourage us 00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:23.719 to be more adventurous 00:15:23.719 --> 00:15:25.659 in our quest 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:27.179 and our mission, 00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:28.919 knowing that you 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:29.799 are always there 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.339 with us. 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.459 And help us 00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:33.399 to be more like you 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.399 in all that we do 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:34.860 and say. 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.360 And thank you, 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:36.679 Jesus, 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:37.980 that you are 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.719 always there. 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.639 And for all of us, 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:41.879 Lord, 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.319 thank you for carrying me 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:43.679 home 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:45.720 on the time 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.620 that I needed it. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.439 Amen. 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:49.800 Amen. 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.420 Amen. 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:51.380 Amen. 00:15:51.380 --> 00:15:51.780 Amen. 00:15:52.400 --> 00:15:52.500 Amen. 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.500 Amen. 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:54.780 Amen. 00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:55.400 Amen. 00:15:55.400 --> 00:15:56.460 Amen. 00:15:58.660 --> 00:15:59.020 Amen. 00:16:03.020 --> 00:16:03.320 Amen. 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:03.820 Amen. 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:04.000 Amen.