Virtual 30th April. Good Shepherd Sunday
Reading: Book of Micah, chapter 2: verse 12
It may seem strange singing a Christmas hymn in April but Christ's life starts with the first visitors to came see see Jesus as a baby the shepherds
Hymn: There’s a star in the East on Christmas morn;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mrVegEnAZM
Prayer written by Richard Herman
God our Father, Lord our Shepherd,
Spirit of the Living God, One in Three … and Three in One:
We praise You our Creator, Saviour, and Provider.
By Your grace, we lack nothing. You feed us in body and in soul.
You give us rest when we are weary. You direct us on ways that are good and right.
You go with us through the dark times so we will not walk them alone.
You protect us in Your goodness with Your strength.
You spread before us a banquet in the wilderness and a feast in the face of whoever
and whatever threatens us. You pour over us Your oils of cleansing grace, of healing, and of gladness. And no matter where we have wandered, You open wide Your arms to welcome us home. That is why we praise You; That is why we love You;
That is why we are here to worship You today,
our God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the One in Three and the Three in One. AMEN.
Hymn: The King of love my Shephard is,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcCwUF0s_-Y
King David, Shepherd Boy
The second King of Israel was David, the youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem. Jesse had eight sons. Seven of them were brought to Samuel to anoint as King of Israel, but none of them was the son God had chosen. Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other children. Jesse had one more son, the youngest who cared for the sheep. When Samuel saw David coming across the field, God revealed to him that David was indeed the one God has chosen. Samuel immediately anointed David to be the next King of Israel.
Why would God choose a shepherd boy, a young man with little experience in the political arena-not old enough to have much experience in the adult world? David had never been in a battle with another country. Instead, he was a hard worker and had a heart for God. Whatever his hands found to do, he did unto the Lord.
We might ask what qualities would a shepherd have that would cause God to believe David this shepherd boy would make a good King? Let’s look at the responsibilities of a good shepherd.
Sheep are pretty helpless animals. Goats have a good since of direction. Should they wander off, they can find food and shelter, but sheep cannot. They wander off and can’t find their way home. The shepherd has to lead them to food and water everyday even to a place to rest.
A shepherd must continually be aware of his sheep and their needs because they have no sense of danger or what their needs are. Even when eating his lunch, the shepherd keeps his eyes on the sheep, making sure his sling is nearby. He protects them from wandering away or the attack of animals. He even builds a shelter when needed for the sheep to sleep in with only one way in and one way out. The shepherd is the gate.
A good shepherd has expertise with a sling. He spends many hours practising to become excellent at hitting his targets, whether it is an animal or just to scare a sheep wandering off. I am sure David must have sat and watched the sheep thinking how much people are like sheep needing a shepherd.
Our God knows people are like sheep — they need someone to lead them to food, water, and show them where to go. People need daily guidance they are easily persuaded to make poor choices.
God chose this young man who loved God and was obedient to God’s Word. He loved the sheep; he was kind, gentle, and caring, many times he risk his own life to save his sheep. He named each one and each evening checked each one for any abrasions that needed oil for healing. The sheep knew his voice and stayed close to him because they knew he loved and cared for them. David was a very talented young man who could play the harp and was an excellent marksman. He was a poet and had a very kind heart. He loved to sing praises to God as he cared for his sheep.
David Played the harp and wrote some of our psalms we will now sing one of the most famous the 23rd psalm
Hymn: The Lords my Shepherd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3hNZT6ddJg
Copyright 2023 Wholesome Words.org.
"The Ninety and Nine": Story Behind the Hymn by Ira D. Sankey
https://enjoyingthejourney.org/hymn-history-the-ninety-and-nine/
Taken From My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns by Ira D. Sankey. Philadelphia: The Sunday School Times Company, ©1907.
HYMN There were ninety and Nine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaB7V89Wi4Q
Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 15: verses 1 to 7
The other day I lost the car keys I looked where I thought they we so I looked in the shopping bag, then in my hand bag. I looked where they should have been put.
I went to see the car was still parked up, It was. I was about to give up looking then I put my loss to the Lord but there was still no response. Then a family member came in and I told them of my loss. He too started to look then he looked at me sheepishly then went to his coat and pulled out my keys with an apology, he said he went to the car last night to fetch something had left in the car. I was so happy that all was forgiven.
I must admit I am not good at finding my way when travelling the satnav is a help. I try to map read. But I have help from my husband he navigates and I trust him. I have taken many a wrong turn in my life but Jesus has guided me to where I should be. All we need to is ask for help. He will show you just follow his instructions listening to his voice. Just like the sheep who listen to their shepherd.
Bible reading John’s gospel, chapter 10: verses 1 to 28
Hymn: I will sing the wondrous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDPCFbAysBc
Sermon on the second verse of the last hymn
I
was lost, but Jesus found me, How and where do we get lost?
The sat nav, atlas, street plan, or A-Z can be confusing. Also by
taking a wrong path, or falling in with people who seem to know their
way, but you end up in trouble.
Found the sheep that went
astray, How do we go astray there are temptations of
life Gambling, money, drugs, alcohol. Maybe it is a wild life
style.
Raised me up and gently led me If an
animal/person is hurt you handle them with care. You show by your
own example of care, and take tentative steps. A mother elephant, a
huge great beast, helps her baby take its steps with her trunk and
will guide it nurturing it.
God
as great as he is, As powerful and almighty will tenderly lead you.
Back into the narrow way. Back on the right trail .
Days of darkness still may meet you but you have a friend who will go through them with you
sorrows path you oft may tread; being a Christian doese not mean that we are exempt from pain, it gives us empathy, sympathy, compassion. We feel life's sorrows. Jesus did; he cried at the grave of Lazarus. He was moved when he saw his sister’s grief, he understands our sorrows
but his presence still is with you We have to listen and respond to His voice.
Where ever Jesus leads us we will like his sheep follow on,
So we give thanks to God for What a wonderful Good Shephard Jesus our Lord and saviour
HYMN
Down in the valley with my Saviour I
would go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAI6ufzwHQM
Benediction
Hebrews 13: 20- 21
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen
God Bless you.
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