1 00:00:00,030 --> 00:00:13,589 oh good morning International Baptist 2 00:00:11,939 --> 00:00:15,298 Church ship stuttgart this is pastor 3 00:00:13,589 --> 00:00:19,829 david i'm still drinking drinking 4 00:00:15,298 --> 00:00:21,329 working my coffee this morning I'll try 5 00:00:19,829 --> 00:00:24,358 to finish the message before my coffee 6 00:00:21,329 --> 00:00:25,739 gets cold no promises but I'll at least 7 00:00:24,359 --> 00:00:28,859 try 8 00:00:25,739 --> 00:00:31,709 I felt led this Sunday and next Sunday 9 00:00:28,859 --> 00:00:34,109 to teach on John 10 you have your Bibles 10 00:00:31,710 --> 00:00:38,370 please open them to John 10 this is this 11 00:00:34,109 --> 00:00:41,670 very rich rich passage about Christ as 12 00:00:38,369 --> 00:00:44,369 our Good Shepherd now the shepherding 13 00:00:41,670 --> 00:00:47,280 motif is powerful through Scripture and 14 00:00:44,369 --> 00:00:49,890 motif is is any symbol that is used 15 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:52,350 recurringly in a body of literature and 16 00:00:49,890 --> 00:00:55,109 certainly the concept of God is our 17 00:00:52,350 --> 00:00:57,000 Shepherd a Christ as our Shepherd is she 18 00:00:55,109 --> 00:00:59,759 is repeatedly in Scripture we look at 19 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:01,289 the Old Testament jacob used that but 20 00:00:59,759 --> 00:01:04,048 when he's blessing his children he 21 00:01:01,289 --> 00:01:07,019 described God as the Shepherd the rock 22 00:01:04,049 --> 00:01:09,118 of Israel and then all the way through 23 00:01:07,019 --> 00:01:11,699 the Psalms of course David Psalm 23 the 24 00:01:09,118 --> 00:01:14,579 Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in 25 00:01:11,700 --> 00:01:16,140 want and then we come to John 10 Jesus 26 00:01:14,579 --> 00:01:19,140 says I'm the Good Shepherd but even 27 00:01:16,140 --> 00:01:22,439 through the book of Hebrews it describes 28 00:01:19,140 --> 00:01:25,560 Jesus as the great Shepherd of the Sheep 29 00:01:22,438 --> 00:01:28,798 and then in first Peter it describes 30 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:30,689 Jesus as the chief Shepherd and the 31 00:01:28,799 --> 00:01:34,460 Shepherd and overseer of our souls so 32 00:01:30,688 --> 00:01:37,709 it's a very rich concept used throughout 33 00:01:34,459 --> 00:01:39,419 Scripture and it's funny it speaks to us 34 00:01:37,709 --> 00:01:41,819 even today even though most of us don't 35 00:01:39,420 --> 00:01:44,939 know much about shepherding or sheep 36 00:01:41,819 --> 00:01:47,519 we're at a very urbanized lifestyle 37 00:01:44,938 --> 00:01:50,250 today but still this whole concept of 38 00:01:47,519 --> 00:01:53,099 God being our shepherd speaks to us and 39 00:01:50,250 --> 00:01:54,299 it touches our hearts what did this text 40 00:01:53,099 --> 00:01:56,280 we're going to read we're going to see 41 00:01:54,299 --> 00:01:59,009 many working parts so we see the 42 00:01:56,280 --> 00:02:01,859 Shepherd we see the doorkeeper are the 43 00:01:59,009 --> 00:02:05,489 gatekeeper we also see the Sheep the 44 00:02:01,859 --> 00:02:06,750 wolf they the thief we also see the hard 45 00:02:05,489 --> 00:02:09,750 hand we're not going to get to that 46 00:02:06,750 --> 00:02:12,719 section entirely but we have many 47 00:02:09,750 --> 00:02:15,659 different concepts here and we will 48 00:02:12,719 --> 00:02:17,150 explore now generally speaking when 49 00:02:15,659 --> 00:02:19,818 you're reading a 50 00:02:17,150 --> 00:02:22,310 a passage scripture are you interpreting 51 00:02:19,818 --> 00:02:24,679 a passage of scripture where a parable 52 00:02:22,310 --> 00:02:27,378 is it's best to take the parable as 53 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:29,209 communicating one central truth there 54 00:02:27,378 --> 00:02:32,060 are a few parables and this would be one 55 00:02:29,209 --> 00:02:34,159 of them where it's such a strong motif 56 00:02:32,060 --> 00:02:37,009 through scripture that we can drive a 57 00:02:34,159 --> 00:02:39,199 few more understandings and just one 58 00:02:37,009 --> 00:02:42,079 central truth but we have to be very 59 00:02:39,199 --> 00:02:44,389 careful and make sure our theology our 60 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:46,940 belief system comes not from a parable 61 00:02:44,389 --> 00:02:47,869 but the parable rather illustrates that 62 00:02:46,939 --> 00:02:50,629 supports it 63 00:02:47,870 --> 00:02:52,189 rather understanding comes from the 64 00:02:50,629 --> 00:02:54,650 other passage of Scripture where the 65 00:02:52,189 --> 00:02:57,318 teaching is very very clear and very 66 00:02:54,650 --> 00:02:59,360 plain but you follow me in your Bibles 67 00:02:57,318 --> 00:03:03,530 were in John chapter 10 we're gonna read 68 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:06,980 the first ten verses Jesus is teaching 69 00:03:03,530 --> 00:03:10,180 he says this I tell you the truth the 70 00:03:06,979 --> 00:03:13,340 man who does not enter the Sheep 71 00:03:10,180 --> 00:03:15,920 but climbs in some other way is a thief 72 00:03:13,340 --> 00:03:18,620 and robber the manner interest by the 73 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:20,568 gate is the Shepherd of his sheep the 74 00:03:18,620 --> 00:03:22,789 watchman opens the gate for him and the 75 00:03:20,568 --> 00:03:24,888 sheep listen to his voice he calls his 76 00:03:22,789 --> 00:03:27,439 own sheep by name and leads them out 77 00:03:24,889 --> 00:03:29,450 when he has brought out all his own he 78 00:03:27,439 --> 00:03:31,449 goes on ahead of them and his sheep 79 00:03:29,449 --> 00:03:34,429 follow him because they know his voice 80 00:03:31,449 --> 00:03:36,018 but they will never follow a stranger in 81 00:03:34,430 --> 00:03:38,950 fact they will run away from him because 82 00:03:36,019 --> 00:03:41,239 they do not recognize a stranger's voice 83 00:03:38,949 --> 00:03:43,429 Jesus used this figure of speech 84 00:03:41,239 --> 00:03:46,069 but they did not understand what he was 85 00:03:43,430 --> 00:03:49,310 telling them therefore jesus said again 86 00:03:46,068 --> 00:03:51,768 i tell you the truth i am the gate for 87 00:03:49,310 --> 00:03:53,719 the Sheep all who ever came before me 88 00:03:51,769 --> 00:03:56,150 were thieves and robbers but the Sheep 89 00:03:53,719 --> 00:03:59,209 did not listen to them I am the gate 90 00:03:56,150 --> 00:04:01,159 whoever enters through me will be saved 91 00:03:59,209 --> 00:04:03,769 he will come in and go out and find 92 00:04:01,159 --> 00:04:07,789 pasture the thief comes only to steal 93 00:04:03,769 --> 00:04:09,709 and kill and destroy I have come but 94 00:04:07,789 --> 00:04:10,159 they may have life and have it to the 95 00:04:09,709 --> 00:04:12,049 full 96 00:04:10,159 --> 00:04:14,509 and then the next verse he says I am The 97 00:04:12,049 --> 00:04:17,150 Good Shepherd so this section is called 98 00:04:14,509 --> 00:04:19,819 the Good Shepherd speech of Good 99 00:04:17,149 --> 00:04:21,858 Shepherd message of Christ and it's very 100 00:04:19,819 --> 00:04:24,319 touching to us well today we're looking 101 00:04:21,858 --> 00:04:27,468 at the Shepherd calling how the Shepherd 102 00:04:24,319 --> 00:04:28,759 calls to us and to mark next week rather 103 00:04:27,468 --> 00:04:30,829 not tomorrow but next week 104 00:04:28,759 --> 00:04:32,990 we're look at the Shepherd character 105 00:04:30,829 --> 00:04:35,028 what does the character of our Shepherd 106 00:04:32,990 --> 00:04:37,038 was the character of his mission it 107 00:04:35,028 --> 00:04:39,680 wants me the character of church 108 00:04:37,038 --> 00:04:41,538 leadership so we're going to look at 109 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:44,478 three things this morning first is this 110 00:04:41,538 --> 00:04:46,218 the false access to the flock the second 111 00:04:44,478 --> 00:04:48,438 we want to look at the true access to 112 00:04:46,218 --> 00:04:50,959 the flock and third we want to look at 113 00:04:48,439 --> 00:04:53,659 the nature of Christian ministry first 114 00:04:50,959 --> 00:04:56,688 of all the false access to the flock 115 00:04:53,658 --> 00:04:59,748 Christ was teaching to some doubters 116 00:04:56,689 --> 00:05:02,210 these were religious leaders and and he 117 00:04:59,749 --> 00:05:03,979 knew what was in their hearts for the 118 00:05:02,209 --> 00:05:07,370 most part the religious leaders of 119 00:05:03,978 --> 00:05:10,399 Israel in Jesus day did not accept him 120 00:05:07,370 --> 00:05:12,559 as the Messiah but he was describing 121 00:05:10,399 --> 00:05:15,139 himself as the one who comes and 122 00:05:12,559 --> 00:05:18,110 authority to the Sheep that are his 123 00:05:15,139 --> 00:05:20,838 they're rightfully his and the true 124 00:05:18,110 --> 00:05:21,408 gatekeeper will open it but others will 125 00:05:20,838 --> 00:05:23,538 come 126 00:05:21,408 --> 00:05:25,639 pretending maybe to be the gatekeeper 127 00:05:23,538 --> 00:05:28,399 themselves but others will come and try 128 00:05:25,639 --> 00:05:30,860 to come in an unlawful way an 129 00:05:28,399 --> 00:05:33,319 inappropriate way and he was referring 130 00:05:30,860 --> 00:05:36,259 to simply that they the religious 131 00:05:33,319 --> 00:05:38,560 leaders were rejecting him and trying to 132 00:05:36,259 --> 00:05:41,240 come in themselves unlawfully and 133 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:42,860 inappropriately in the scripture says 134 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:46,819 the stone which the builders rejected 135 00:05:42,860 --> 00:05:48,499 has become the capstone that what they 136 00:05:46,819 --> 00:05:50,509 should have accepted the person they 137 00:05:48,499 --> 00:05:55,278 should have accepted as a messiah Christ 138 00:05:50,509 --> 00:05:58,338 they rejected and it says also that in 139 00:05:55,278 --> 00:06:00,588 Luke nineteen forty four Jesus wept for 140 00:05:58,338 --> 00:06:02,709 the city of Jerusalem and he described 141 00:06:00,588 --> 00:06:05,509 that the time of their visitation 142 00:06:02,709 --> 00:06:07,788 there's the time that God came to them 143 00:06:05,509 --> 00:06:10,580 they did not receive him they did not 144 00:06:07,788 --> 00:06:13,430 recognize him they rejected him instead 145 00:06:10,579 --> 00:06:16,609 and that brought tragedy upon the nation 146 00:06:13,430 --> 00:06:20,088 because of their rejection of him but it 147 00:06:16,610 --> 00:06:23,059 also refers to church leadership it has 148 00:06:20,088 --> 00:06:26,180 an application there it refers to the 149 00:06:23,059 --> 00:06:28,669 false the the rejection of Christ as 150 00:06:26,180 --> 00:06:31,158 Messiah and the false believes and the 151 00:06:28,668 --> 00:06:33,348 false teachers that tried to usurp his 152 00:06:31,158 --> 00:06:36,259 authority become the Shepherd of Israel 153 00:06:33,348 --> 00:06:38,209 themselves and describes also what 154 00:06:36,259 --> 00:06:41,449 should be happening in local churches 155 00:06:38,209 --> 00:06:42,290 now what is this thief dude the thief he 156 00:06:41,449 --> 00:06:44,090 doesn't come in 157 00:06:42,290 --> 00:06:46,670 the right way doesn't come in the way 158 00:06:44,089 --> 00:06:49,369 God intended he comes in away he has 159 00:06:46,670 --> 00:06:51,710 devised another way not through the gate 160 00:06:49,370 --> 00:06:54,350 but thro it another way and he comes in 161 00:06:51,709 --> 00:06:56,930 to steal theirs to take that which does 162 00:06:54,350 --> 00:06:59,800 not belong to him and then to kill it 163 00:06:56,930 --> 00:07:02,930 and to destroy it now this describes 164 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:05,720 chaos and it's very interesting that all 165 00:07:02,930 --> 00:07:07,310 revolutionaries really like chaos in 166 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:09,920 fact they realize you cannot have a 167 00:07:07,310 --> 00:07:12,170 revolution without chaos so they will 168 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:14,840 create the chaos themselves now the 169 00:07:12,170 --> 00:07:17,900 scripture says that God is not a God of 170 00:07:14,839 --> 00:07:21,500 disorder about a piece a very important 171 00:07:17,899 --> 00:07:24,259 passage to to remember to know in order 172 00:07:21,500 --> 00:07:27,230 to know how it should operate and how 173 00:07:24,259 --> 00:07:31,930 Christian ministers sure operate is 1st 174 00:07:27,230 --> 00:07:34,730 Corinthians 14 verses 33 and verses 40 175 00:07:31,930 --> 00:07:37,490 33 says for God is not a god 176 00:07:34,730 --> 00:07:39,890 disorder but a peace and 40 says but all 177 00:07:37,490 --> 00:07:43,040 things should be done in a fitting and 178 00:07:39,889 --> 00:07:45,469 orderly way so God desires peace he 179 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:48,560 desires order he desires appropriate 180 00:07:45,470 --> 00:07:51,410 systems and procedures that's how God 181 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:53,600 desires any established that in the word 182 00:07:51,410 --> 00:07:55,520 with a coming of Christ through the 183 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:57,320 prophets through the fulfillment of 184 00:07:55,519 --> 00:07:59,779 prophecy and the life of Jesus through 185 00:07:57,319 --> 00:08:01,459 the witness of the Spirit in different 186 00:07:59,779 --> 00:08:04,069 people's lives through the forerunner 187 00:08:01,459 --> 00:08:06,739 John the Baptist introducing him through 188 00:08:04,069 --> 00:08:09,290 Christ's miracles and and especially his 189 00:08:06,740 --> 00:08:12,740 resurrection from the dead all these all 190 00:08:09,290 --> 00:08:16,010 these works not were testimonies to the 191 00:08:12,740 --> 00:08:19,250 authenticity of Jesus of Nazareth of him 192 00:08:16,009 --> 00:08:21,560 as the Messiah of God but still the 193 00:08:19,250 --> 00:08:23,680 religious leaders rejected him and they 194 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:26,600 tried to come in not through the gate 195 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:28,970 but through some other way but you 196 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:32,269 nevertheless it comes to also speak 197 00:08:28,970 --> 00:08:36,649 about church leadership this applies to 198 00:08:32,269 --> 00:08:40,039 church leadership also we have different 199 00:08:36,649 --> 00:08:43,699 ways people can try to come into church 200 00:08:40,039 --> 00:08:47,029 leadership or to gain some authority in 201 00:08:43,700 --> 00:08:48,830 the church we had someone not well it's 202 00:08:47,029 --> 00:08:51,079 been several years ago but it was here 203 00:08:48,830 --> 00:08:52,820 in in Stuttgart they were they claim to 204 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:53,230 be missionaries although they didn't 205 00:08:52,820 --> 00:08:56,110 have my 206 00:08:53,230 --> 00:08:58,090 of a mission and they wanted to be 207 00:08:56,110 --> 00:09:01,240 supported by the church but they would 208 00:08:58,090 --> 00:09:03,310 never come and talk to me they wanted to 209 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:04,930 go to this place or that place I told 210 00:09:03,309 --> 00:09:07,449 that won't you come and talk to me first 211 00:09:04,929 --> 00:09:09,759 they never did and they really had no 212 00:09:07,450 --> 00:09:13,120 mission they had no plan they just 213 00:09:09,759 --> 00:09:16,240 wanted support from our church for doing 214 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:19,240 personally doing nothing and I said you 215 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:21,159 know if you want to come there's a there 216 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:23,860 is a pastor here and there's a missions 217 00:09:21,159 --> 00:09:26,439 committee and we'll be glad to sit down 218 00:09:23,860 --> 00:09:28,539 and look at your your request and 219 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:31,480 consider it but it has to be done this 220 00:09:28,539 --> 00:09:34,929 way and they never wanted to do that and 221 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:36,370 finally out of frustration would not be 222 00:09:34,929 --> 00:09:38,439 able to get their way they laughed and 223 00:09:36,370 --> 00:09:40,629 and that was unfortunate but that's just 224 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:43,690 how they were that's example of a thief 225 00:09:40,629 --> 00:09:46,899 not coming through the proper procedures 226 00:09:43,690 --> 00:09:50,680 but trying to come in some other way 227 00:09:46,899 --> 00:09:53,110 well this happens also in cults false 228 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:56,109 cults rise all the time and teach a 229 00:09:53,110 --> 00:09:58,720 false belief and people also even in the 230 00:09:56,110 --> 00:10:01,149 church they come in to try to usurp 231 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:02,769 leadership even though they may be 232 00:10:01,149 --> 00:10:04,990 believers maybe they really are 233 00:10:02,769 --> 00:10:07,569 believers still they come in in an 234 00:10:04,990 --> 00:10:09,669 inappropriate way to try usurp 235 00:10:07,570 --> 00:10:13,300 leadership it happens also in Christian 236 00:10:09,669 --> 00:10:17,110 ministries and it's just as wrong to 237 00:10:13,299 --> 00:10:19,509 lust after someone's position in church 238 00:10:17,110 --> 00:10:22,360 or in a Christian ministry it is to lust 239 00:10:19,509 --> 00:10:24,610 after another man's wife that's still 240 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:27,279 lust and even if you're lusting for 241 00:10:24,610 --> 00:10:30,519 something that looks good it's still 242 00:10:27,279 --> 00:10:33,250 lust red and you have to be careful of 243 00:10:30,519 --> 00:10:36,759 that but the first question you may want 244 00:10:33,250 --> 00:10:39,610 to ask is why would someone want to take 245 00:10:36,759 --> 00:10:42,939 leadership in a Christian organization 246 00:10:39,610 --> 00:10:45,009 that was not properly given to them well 247 00:10:42,940 --> 00:10:47,290 there are many reasons there are many 248 00:10:45,009 --> 00:10:50,019 reasons first of all maybe to gain a 249 00:10:47,289 --> 00:10:52,419 sense of significance they feel like 250 00:10:50,019 --> 00:10:54,730 they have no significance in life maybe 251 00:10:52,419 --> 00:10:56,079 to please their mothers sometimes they 252 00:10:54,730 --> 00:10:58,710 just say well I will be able to tell my 253 00:10:56,080 --> 00:11:01,180 mother I did this or that or maybe 254 00:10:58,710 --> 00:11:03,129 combining those they will only feel 255 00:11:01,179 --> 00:11:03,899 significant if their mother says you've 256 00:11:03,129 --> 00:11:05,970 done well 257 00:11:03,899 --> 00:11:08,250 son or daughter so I won't be able to 258 00:11:05,970 --> 00:11:10,889 tell them I was in this position or 259 00:11:08,250 --> 00:11:13,259 maybe to gain respect again they don't 260 00:11:10,889 --> 00:11:15,899 feel respected so they want to somehow 261 00:11:13,259 --> 00:11:18,929 gain respect and sometimes it's to gain 262 00:11:15,899 --> 00:11:20,970 power over others control over others 263 00:11:18,929 --> 00:11:24,359 and those are people that have felt 264 00:11:20,970 --> 00:11:27,810 powerless have felt abused and maybe 265 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:30,450 they have been abused and they want to 266 00:11:27,809 --> 00:11:32,399 gain power over others because that's 267 00:11:30,450 --> 00:11:34,320 the only way they know their hearts they 268 00:11:32,399 --> 00:11:36,840 can compensate for this what's 269 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:39,110 unfortunate but that does happen it's 270 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:42,450 sad that happens but it does happen and 271 00:11:39,110 --> 00:11:44,639 when they come in sometimes even though 272 00:11:42,450 --> 00:11:47,610 they come in the right way sometimes 273 00:11:44,639 --> 00:11:50,580 people have false assumptions about 274 00:11:47,610 --> 00:11:52,620 leadership let me just give some false 275 00:11:50,580 --> 00:11:54,840 assumptions we find people having in 276 00:11:52,620 --> 00:11:57,299 Scripture first of all they think I 277 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:59,310 should be in charge because I have been 278 00:11:57,299 --> 00:12:03,149 here the longest a friend that's very 279 00:11:59,309 --> 00:12:05,069 very dangerous that's very dangerous the 280 00:12:03,149 --> 00:12:06,299 scripture nowhere says that well if 281 00:12:05,070 --> 00:12:08,430 you've been here the longest that you 282 00:12:06,299 --> 00:12:10,500 should be in charge not at all that's 283 00:12:08,429 --> 00:12:11,339 mr. shusun says just the opposite in 284 00:12:10,500 --> 00:12:14,850 fact 285 00:12:11,340 --> 00:12:17,490 Matthew 21 through 16 remember what 286 00:12:14,850 --> 00:12:19,110 Jesus taught that Jesus taught the 287 00:12:17,490 --> 00:12:21,330 parable of the workers in the vineyard 288 00:12:19,110 --> 00:12:23,460 and the story goes like this 289 00:12:21,330 --> 00:12:25,259 there was a man who needed workers in 290 00:12:23,460 --> 00:12:27,389 his vineyard and he went to the town 291 00:12:25,259 --> 00:12:29,309 square with a young member standing 292 00:12:27,389 --> 00:12:31,379 around waiting to be hired and he hired 293 00:12:29,309 --> 00:12:33,299 them early in the morning and they went 294 00:12:31,379 --> 00:12:35,850 out but he kept going back every hour 295 00:12:33,299 --> 00:12:37,829 throughout the day well at the end of 296 00:12:35,850 --> 00:12:39,990 the day he lined up all the workers to 297 00:12:37,830 --> 00:12:43,259 receive their pay and he paid the ones 298 00:12:39,990 --> 00:12:45,600 who worked all day one amount and he 299 00:12:43,259 --> 00:12:47,519 paid all the others the same amount even 300 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:49,649 to those that only worked one hour it 301 00:12:47,519 --> 00:12:51,480 gave him the same about and of course 302 00:12:49,649 --> 00:12:53,549 the workers it worked all day they 303 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:55,560 complain it's a hey what's this we 304 00:12:53,549 --> 00:12:58,500 worked all day and you're paying those 305 00:12:55,559 --> 00:13:00,869 guys that worked only one hour the same 306 00:12:58,500 --> 00:13:02,730 amount and he said what's your problem 307 00:13:00,870 --> 00:13:05,039 didn't you agree to work for this about 308 00:13:02,730 --> 00:13:07,200 and they had and said is your problem 309 00:13:05,039 --> 00:13:10,589 that I'm generous and that they were 310 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:12,930 jealous that chance generosity and 311 00:13:10,590 --> 00:13:15,120 really is establishing that God will do 312 00:13:12,929 --> 00:13:16,719 what he wants to do but this is the 313 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:19,120 principle Jesus laid down 314 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:22,028 that the last shall be first and the 315 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:25,028 first shall be last the important thing 316 00:13:22,028 --> 00:13:27,610 about a church is that we lift one 317 00:13:25,028 --> 00:13:31,419 another up that we encourage one another 318 00:13:27,610 --> 00:13:34,329 and we strengthen them as an older man 319 00:13:31,419 --> 00:13:37,838 now I am very concerned that I end 320 00:13:34,328 --> 00:13:40,179 graciously I've seen so many of my 321 00:13:37,839 --> 00:13:42,939 friends I've seen so many of my friends 322 00:13:40,179 --> 00:13:45,969 when they get to my age they become 323 00:13:42,938 --> 00:13:48,278 bitter and angry and they can think of 324 00:13:45,970 --> 00:13:51,189 nothing good to say about the younger 325 00:13:48,278 --> 00:13:52,990 generations and I do not want to be that 326 00:13:51,188 --> 00:13:55,509 way I don't think God wants us to be 327 00:13:52,990 --> 00:13:57,879 that way what we ought to be doing is 328 00:13:55,509 --> 00:13:59,019 lifting them up and encouraging them of 329 00:13:57,879 --> 00:14:02,170 course we're going to maintain a 330 00:13:59,019 --> 00:14:03,879 scriptural position but still make sure 331 00:14:02,169 --> 00:14:06,188 that we're not going beyond what is 332 00:14:03,879 --> 00:14:09,310 written but encouraging them and not 333 00:14:06,188 --> 00:14:11,708 become a bitter angry old man or old 334 00:14:09,309 --> 00:14:14,469 woman God ever said let's not go 335 00:14:11,708 --> 00:14:16,958 something become that now some other 336 00:14:14,470 --> 00:14:18,879 false assumptions people have I give 337 00:14:16,958 --> 00:14:20,649 more money so I should be in charge or 338 00:14:18,879 --> 00:14:25,230 I've done more than others so I should 339 00:14:20,649 --> 00:14:27,879 be in charge Luke 17 10 jesus said this 340 00:14:25,230 --> 00:14:30,278 when you have done all that you were 341 00:14:27,879 --> 00:14:33,278 commanded you should say we are unworthy 342 00:14:30,278 --> 00:14:37,629 servants of servants we have only done 343 00:14:33,278 --> 00:14:40,899 what was our duty well if that's all we 344 00:14:37,629 --> 00:14:43,000 do is our duty if we do all of our duty 345 00:14:40,899 --> 00:14:44,500 even if we do everything God commands us 346 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:47,409 that I had not known to anybody there's 347 00:14:44,500 --> 00:14:49,539 never done everything but even if we did 348 00:14:47,409 --> 00:14:51,399 it we'd only have done our duty we have 349 00:14:49,539 --> 00:14:53,169 no right to say well I'm better than 350 00:14:51,399 --> 00:14:55,539 others or I deserve this that's just 351 00:14:53,169 --> 00:14:57,269 pride friend or maybe I've been more 352 00:14:55,539 --> 00:14:59,919 successful alive I should be in charge 353 00:14:57,269 --> 00:15:01,539 well you may be smarter you may be more 354 00:14:59,919 --> 00:15:03,909 successful all of those things and 355 00:15:01,539 --> 00:15:05,799 wisdom is important remember the the 356 00:15:03,909 --> 00:15:07,838 early deacons act sixth and strives 357 00:15:05,799 --> 00:15:10,539 these men they were full of the spirit 358 00:15:07,839 --> 00:15:12,730 and full of wisdom that wisdom does 359 00:15:10,539 --> 00:15:15,219 count for something experienced us count 360 00:15:12,730 --> 00:15:16,930 for something it's it's not just to be 361 00:15:15,220 --> 00:15:19,028 filled with the spirit a ten-year-old 362 00:15:16,929 --> 00:15:20,620 child can be filled with the spirit but 363 00:15:19,028 --> 00:15:23,198 it would not have the wisdom to lead the 364 00:15:20,620 --> 00:15:25,360 church so wisdom and knowledge and 365 00:15:23,198 --> 00:15:27,308 experience is important but that's not 366 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:29,089 the only thing that matters and if we 367 00:15:27,308 --> 00:15:30,860 think we are better 368 00:15:29,089 --> 00:15:33,709 smart and wiser than others that's a 369 00:15:30,860 --> 00:15:35,539 problem with with us under estimating 370 00:15:33,708 --> 00:15:38,808 what God could do in their life and also 371 00:15:35,539 --> 00:15:41,028 a problem of pride in our life or maybe 372 00:15:38,808 --> 00:15:43,100 simply say my family has been in the 373 00:15:41,028 --> 00:15:43,938 church longer than your family oh lord 374 00:15:43,100 --> 00:15:46,040 have mercy 375 00:15:43,938 --> 00:15:48,379 let's don't go there either well we 376 00:15:46,039 --> 00:15:51,289 ought to do is say Lord you will lead us 377 00:15:48,379 --> 00:15:53,058 we are all your children even the newest 378 00:15:51,289 --> 00:15:55,219 believer has come in here the and a 379 00:15:53,058 --> 00:15:57,409 leader should not be a novice but we 380 00:15:55,220 --> 00:15:59,389 should always look to the younger people 381 00:15:57,409 --> 00:16:02,659 and the newer people to build up and 382 00:15:59,389 --> 00:16:05,688 strengthen it's very interesting in the 383 00:16:02,659 --> 00:16:08,419 scripture you do have this word pastor 384 00:16:05,688 --> 00:16:11,120 use for our local church leadership but 385 00:16:08,419 --> 00:16:15,679 only once only once and that's in 386 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:19,578 Ephesians 4:11 it describes the pastor - 387 00:16:15,679 --> 00:16:21,649 teacher or pastor / teacher those two 388 00:16:19,578 --> 00:16:23,838 words pastor teacher they're connectives 389 00:16:21,649 --> 00:16:26,120 the idea of building up the people of 390 00:16:23,839 --> 00:16:28,160 God and teaching them the truth and and 391 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:30,049 setting the right example and and 392 00:16:28,159 --> 00:16:31,730 molding their direction in life that's 393 00:16:30,049 --> 00:16:34,849 the idea feeding them the Word of God 394 00:16:31,730 --> 00:16:37,730 and strengthening them the pastor 395 00:16:34,850 --> 00:16:40,339 teacher role but the only other time 396 00:16:37,730 --> 00:16:44,480 it's used for church leadership is in 397 00:16:40,339 --> 00:16:47,179 1st Peter 5 verse 4 which calls Jesus 398 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:50,808 the chief Shepherd all the other times 399 00:16:47,178 --> 00:16:52,789 that word is used in a verb form as the 400 00:16:50,808 --> 00:16:55,730 one who is doing the shepherding of the 401 00:16:52,789 --> 00:16:58,248 one who is doing the caring but not the 402 00:16:55,730 --> 00:17:00,558 noun form very interesting isn't it they 403 00:16:58,249 --> 00:17:04,250 already says that look Jesus is the real 404 00:17:00,558 --> 00:17:07,009 Shepherd and the one who serves is the 405 00:17:04,250 --> 00:17:09,349 one who's doing the work that he has led 406 00:17:07,009 --> 00:17:12,740 them to do but it is Jesus who is the 407 00:17:09,349 --> 00:17:14,898 real Shepherd so be very careful of 408 00:17:12,740 --> 00:17:17,298 those we have false access to the flock 409 00:17:14,898 --> 00:17:20,208 they may have very smooth words quite 410 00:17:17,298 --> 00:17:22,939 often they're smooth talkers it says in 411 00:17:20,209 --> 00:17:25,909 2nd Timothy 3:5 they have the appearance 412 00:17:22,939 --> 00:17:29,149 of spirituality but are denying the 413 00:17:25,909 --> 00:17:30,890 power and that's something you have to 414 00:17:29,148 --> 00:17:33,949 be careful of be very careful make sure 415 00:17:30,890 --> 00:17:37,240 that you're not encouraging or promoting 416 00:17:33,950 --> 00:17:40,340 someone who is really trying to steal 417 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:41,359 trying to kill and trying to destroy 418 00:17:40,339 --> 00:17:45,769 rather 419 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:48,259 build up the work of God number two the 420 00:17:45,769 --> 00:17:50,420 true access to the flock well the first 421 00:17:48,259 --> 00:17:52,160 thing we notice is the Christ in Ternes 422 00:17:50,420 --> 00:17:55,370 of the church 423 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:57,558 the doorkeeper is mentioned and some 424 00:17:55,369 --> 00:17:59,359 scholars say well the doorkeeper is not 425 00:17:57,558 --> 00:18:01,730 essential in this process but I would 426 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:04,849 say he is essential because we all have 427 00:18:01,730 --> 00:18:06,829 access allowed to us by some people into 428 00:18:04,849 --> 00:18:10,250 the gospel itself to hear the gospel 429 00:18:06,829 --> 00:18:13,730 someone says come someone keeps the door 430 00:18:10,250 --> 00:18:16,359 to open up us to the understanding of 431 00:18:13,730 --> 00:18:19,339 the gospel so it is important I believe 432 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:21,619 but still the important thing more 433 00:18:19,339 --> 00:18:24,048 important issue is the voice of the 434 00:18:21,619 --> 00:18:26,329 Saviour all the gatekeeper does is open 435 00:18:24,048 --> 00:18:30,139 it up but it says this the man who 436 00:18:26,329 --> 00:18:32,960 enters by the gate is the Shepherd of 437 00:18:30,140 --> 00:18:35,380 the sheep the watchman or the gatekeeper 438 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:38,329 opens the gate for him and the sheep 439 00:18:35,380 --> 00:18:41,540 listen to his voice he calls his own 440 00:18:38,329 --> 00:18:43,339 sheep by name and leads them out and 441 00:18:41,539 --> 00:18:45,649 there's a description of this mysterious 442 00:18:43,339 --> 00:18:48,558 event that we call conversion or 443 00:18:45,650 --> 00:18:50,298 salvation where someone has opened the 444 00:18:48,558 --> 00:18:53,779 door for us to hear the gospel and we 445 00:18:50,298 --> 00:18:56,808 heard the gospel and the voice of Christ 446 00:18:53,779 --> 00:18:58,399 oak to our hearts by his Spirit and we 447 00:18:56,808 --> 00:19:00,950 recognize something in this voice 448 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:03,440 calling to our very spirits to come 449 00:19:00,950 --> 00:19:06,650 alive and we put our faith in our trust 450 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:09,529 in him and from that point on we are 451 00:19:06,650 --> 00:19:13,130 marked in our souls with a recognition 452 00:19:09,529 --> 00:19:15,678 of the voice of Christ by his word and 453 00:19:13,130 --> 00:19:18,440 by his spirit sometimes you'll see 454 00:19:15,679 --> 00:19:21,140 Christians mislead maybe they believe 455 00:19:18,440 --> 00:19:23,269 someone who against says very smooth 456 00:19:21,140 --> 00:19:25,790 words or maybe it's an attractive 457 00:19:23,269 --> 00:19:28,789 teaching and they think it's okay and it 458 00:19:25,789 --> 00:19:31,220 sounds good but after a while they will 459 00:19:28,789 --> 00:19:33,168 recognize the voice of Christ is not in 460 00:19:31,220 --> 00:19:35,539 this they don't hear the voice of Christ 461 00:19:33,169 --> 00:19:37,970 coming from that person or from that 462 00:19:35,539 --> 00:19:41,869 movement and they'll come back to the to 463 00:19:37,970 --> 00:19:45,650 the true church so it's description of 464 00:19:41,869 --> 00:19:49,279 this mysterious work of God in our life 465 00:19:45,650 --> 00:19:52,370 and and Christ comes to his people and 466 00:19:49,279 --> 00:19:53,829 the gatekeeper would be John the Baptist 467 00:19:52,369 --> 00:19:56,048 who opened the gate 468 00:19:53,829 --> 00:19:59,230 and others who open the gate mothers 469 00:19:56,048 --> 00:20:02,619 fathers parents who opened the gate to 470 00:19:59,230 --> 00:20:04,538 their families and and other places open 471 00:20:02,619 --> 00:20:07,599 the gate and when Paul went out to 472 00:20:04,538 --> 00:20:10,148 preach the gospel into the synagogues in 473 00:20:07,599 --> 00:20:11,889 the Mediterranean that the leader of the 474 00:20:10,148 --> 00:20:13,389 synagogue would be a gate keeper and he 475 00:20:11,890 --> 00:20:16,120 opened the gate for the people to hear 476 00:20:13,390 --> 00:20:18,250 about Jesus of Nazareth and and all 477 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:21,729 these gatekeepers allow the gospel to be 478 00:20:18,250 --> 00:20:25,210 proclaimed but it also describes a gate 479 00:20:21,730 --> 00:20:27,250 for leadership in the church in fact 480 00:20:25,210 --> 00:20:31,569 there's a description of two concepts 481 00:20:27,250 --> 00:20:33,970 here and verse 7 Jesus said this he said 482 00:20:31,569 --> 00:20:37,960 therefore I say I tell you I am the gate 483 00:20:33,970 --> 00:20:40,630 for the Sheep and he's describing that 484 00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:43,808 at that first that he is the gate for 485 00:20:40,630 --> 00:20:46,240 the leadership to come to the Sheep he 486 00:20:43,808 --> 00:20:49,990 is the gate they come you have to go 487 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:52,778 through him properly in order to have 488 00:20:49,990 --> 00:20:55,120 access to his sheep have to go through 489 00:20:52,778 --> 00:20:57,308 him to have access to his sheep but also 490 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:59,408 in verse 9 he says I am the gate whoever 491 00:20:57,308 --> 00:21:02,079 enters through me will be sane that's 492 00:20:59,409 --> 00:21:03,909 the gate for the Sheep to be saved so 493 00:21:02,079 --> 00:21:06,609 you have the gate for the Sheep and you 494 00:21:03,909 --> 00:21:10,269 have the gate to the Sheep Christ is 495 00:21:06,609 --> 00:21:13,089 both of those no let's talk about the 496 00:21:10,269 --> 00:21:15,880 gate to the Sheep let's talk about the 497 00:21:13,089 --> 00:21:19,089 gate to the Sheep here's what Albert 498 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:22,360 Barnes one of the great New Testament 499 00:21:19,089 --> 00:21:24,609 scholars you know in the 19th century 500 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:26,740 was still a great Scottie said this but 501 00:21:24,609 --> 00:21:28,898 Jesus said I am the door he means I am 502 00:21:26,740 --> 00:21:31,750 the way by which ministers and people 503 00:21:28,898 --> 00:21:34,538 enter the true church it is by his mares 504 00:21:31,750 --> 00:21:37,058 his intercession his aid in his 505 00:21:34,538 --> 00:21:39,669 appointment that they enter now the 506 00:21:37,058 --> 00:21:41,740 church must be Christ centered and the 507 00:21:39,669 --> 00:21:44,110 pastor and the leadership of the church 508 00:21:41,740 --> 00:21:46,528 must be Christ centered in their life in 509 00:21:44,109 --> 00:21:49,119 order that they can communicate 510 00:21:46,528 --> 00:21:51,609 faithfully and accurately the voice of 511 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:53,768 God so the first requirement of 512 00:21:51,609 --> 00:21:56,019 leadership as they say be saved 513 00:21:53,769 --> 00:21:57,759 they have to know the voice of the 514 00:21:56,019 --> 00:22:00,069 Shepherd they have to be able to hear 515 00:21:57,759 --> 00:22:01,778 the voice of the Shepherd and to find 516 00:22:00,069 --> 00:22:04,599 the pasture he provides for them in 517 00:22:01,778 --> 00:22:06,890 order that they may be his voice so that 518 00:22:04,599 --> 00:22:09,409 others may hear the voice of the ship 519 00:22:06,890 --> 00:22:12,980 it has to be his voice coming through us 520 00:22:09,410 --> 00:22:15,800 to them so we need to have that first 521 00:22:12,980 --> 00:22:17,329 know sometimes people again what I've 522 00:22:15,799 --> 00:22:18,919 mentioned sometimes people want the 523 00:22:17,329 --> 00:22:22,639 position of church leadership for the 524 00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:24,110 sake of significance or respect or 525 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:27,650 something like that the friend let me 526 00:22:24,109 --> 00:22:29,839 tell you if you want respect you should 527 00:22:27,650 --> 00:22:31,790 not be a pastor you should not be in 528 00:22:29,839 --> 00:22:34,309 church leadership because the world 529 00:22:31,789 --> 00:22:36,170 won't get you respect some well but most 530 00:22:34,309 --> 00:22:37,899 of them well and even in the church 531 00:22:36,170 --> 00:22:41,450 there'll be enough times you will feel 532 00:22:37,900 --> 00:22:43,550 disrespected and you will be any kind of 533 00:22:41,450 --> 00:22:46,789 leader if your goal is just to be 534 00:22:43,549 --> 00:22:48,919 followed and respected the leader must 535 00:22:46,789 --> 00:22:51,829 lead out of a sense that what God has 536 00:22:48,920 --> 00:22:54,410 called him do is important to do and he 537 00:22:51,829 --> 00:22:56,569 is leading out of his faith not because 538 00:22:54,410 --> 00:22:59,420 he'll be respected but so that Christ 539 00:22:56,569 --> 00:23:01,189 would be obeyed that has to be the 540 00:22:59,420 --> 00:23:04,310 passion of the leader 541 00:23:01,190 --> 00:23:06,350 I love what I've seen the great wrote 542 00:23:04,309 --> 00:23:09,200 Augustine of Hippo Augustine the great 543 00:23:06,349 --> 00:23:11,209 he is the word bishop which of course we 544 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:13,809 know the bishop over the churches but I 545 00:23:11,210 --> 00:23:16,460 believe the word bishop in the Bible 546 00:23:13,809 --> 00:23:18,440 overseers how that we're in the original 547 00:23:16,460 --> 00:23:21,500 language of modern translation shoes but 548 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:22,730 describes the pastor of one church the 549 00:23:21,500 --> 00:23:26,569 bishop of one church but nevertheless 550 00:23:22,730 --> 00:23:30,740 what he says is that for you I am Bishop 551 00:23:26,569 --> 00:23:33,679 but with you I am a Christian the first 552 00:23:30,740 --> 00:23:37,130 is an office accepted the second a grace 553 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:39,920 received one a danger the other safety 554 00:23:37,130 --> 00:23:42,230 if then I'm gladder by far to be 555 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:43,910 redeemed with you then I am to be placed 556 00:23:42,230 --> 00:23:46,940 over you I shall as the LORD commanded 557 00:23:43,910 --> 00:23:49,190 to be more completely your servant o 558 00:23:46,940 --> 00:23:51,559 friend that's good word that really is 559 00:23:49,190 --> 00:23:54,440 it's much more precious to be a 560 00:23:51,559 --> 00:23:56,329 Christian than to be a pastor and all 561 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:59,150 the graces of gods including the concept 562 00:23:56,329 --> 00:24:02,329 of being a Christian if you want to feel 563 00:23:59,150 --> 00:24:04,160 loved or significant don't be a pastor 564 00:24:02,329 --> 00:24:06,169 but you don't need to be either if you 565 00:24:04,160 --> 00:24:08,029 want to be loved and significant all the 566 00:24:06,170 --> 00:24:10,850 love and the significance you won't ever 567 00:24:08,029 --> 00:24:12,980 find is found in the cross when the son 568 00:24:10,849 --> 00:24:15,139 of God comes this earth and dies for 569 00:24:12,980 --> 00:24:17,308 your sin and rises from the day to give 570 00:24:15,140 --> 00:24:19,710 you eternal life and a new and abundant 571 00:24:17,308 --> 00:24:21,509 bread that should be enough for you that 572 00:24:19,710 --> 00:24:23,879 should be enough for all of us and 573 00:24:21,509 --> 00:24:25,409 that's for regain our our assurance 574 00:24:23,878 --> 00:24:27,449 that's for began or under saying that 575 00:24:25,409 --> 00:24:29,549 God loves us not because he was given us 576 00:24:27,450 --> 00:24:31,649 position in the church but because he 577 00:24:29,548 --> 00:24:33,960 died for us on Calvary and that should 578 00:24:31,648 --> 00:24:35,849 be enough that should be enough now 579 00:24:33,960 --> 00:24:38,159 there's a spiritual dimension to the 580 00:24:35,849 --> 00:24:40,949 church body to hear the inter call of 581 00:24:38,159 --> 00:24:43,889 Christ have intimacy with Christ to know 582 00:24:40,950 --> 00:24:47,370 his word to hear his spirit and Christ 583 00:24:43,888 --> 00:24:49,769 is the chief shepherd and the the pastor 584 00:24:47,369 --> 00:24:52,949 is the under Shepherd now let's talk a 585 00:24:49,769 --> 00:24:56,099 little bit more about the gatekeeper the 586 00:24:52,950 --> 00:24:58,788 gatekeeper who are the gatekeepers well 587 00:24:56,099 --> 00:25:01,408 again as I said we all are in some sense 588 00:24:58,788 --> 00:25:03,690 but it's the idea of opening the door 589 00:25:01,409 --> 00:25:05,879 for others to hear Christ and that's 590 00:25:03,690 --> 00:25:08,190 what the that's what the pastor is doing 591 00:25:05,878 --> 00:25:11,428 also he needs to be the gatekeeper that 592 00:25:08,190 --> 00:25:13,830 continually opens the door preaching the 593 00:25:11,429 --> 00:25:16,559 word and encouraging people to draw near 594 00:25:13,829 --> 00:25:18,898 to God of opening that door for Christ 595 00:25:16,558 --> 00:25:21,388 to have access to his people that's what 596 00:25:18,898 --> 00:25:23,428 the pastor's to do but when the church 597 00:25:21,388 --> 00:25:26,969 is looking for a new pastor there should 598 00:25:23,429 --> 00:25:29,278 be an established way that that church 599 00:25:26,970 --> 00:25:31,679 is understands through that new pastor 600 00:25:29,278 --> 00:25:33,240 is to be in our church we have a pastor 601 00:25:31,679 --> 00:25:35,909 search committee those newly elected 602 00:25:33,240 --> 00:25:37,980 that was recommended by the Deacons and 603 00:25:35,909 --> 00:25:40,528 was supported by the vast majority of 604 00:25:37,980 --> 00:25:42,450 our church members and they had process 605 00:25:40,528 --> 00:25:44,940 they had more than a hundred and fifty 606 00:25:42,450 --> 00:25:47,129 applicants for this position they pray 607 00:25:44,940 --> 00:25:49,350 through each of them they seriously 608 00:25:47,128 --> 00:25:52,128 considered each of them and they felt 609 00:25:49,349 --> 00:25:56,819 led by God - pastor Keith la Teigen of 610 00:25:52,128 --> 00:25:58,168 South Africa and things we we did the 611 00:25:56,819 --> 00:26:01,109 meantime we talked to many many 612 00:25:58,169 --> 00:26:03,090 candidates prayed with him they did most 613 00:26:01,109 --> 00:26:06,298 of the work I was there to encourage and 614 00:26:03,089 --> 00:26:09,709 advise as they needed me but but more 615 00:26:06,298 --> 00:26:12,628 than once they said to a pastor a 616 00:26:09,710 --> 00:26:14,579 candidate thank you for your interest 617 00:26:12,628 --> 00:26:17,158 thank you for application we do not feel 618 00:26:14,579 --> 00:26:19,079 led to consider you further and the 619 00:26:17,159 --> 00:26:20,940 candidate would respond back and want to 620 00:26:19,079 --> 00:26:23,638 argue with us about that of course that 621 00:26:20,940 --> 00:26:26,070 says a lot about the candidate if they 622 00:26:23,638 --> 00:26:27,240 can't even hear no you know we're not 623 00:26:26,069 --> 00:26:30,058 wolf them past 624 00:26:27,240 --> 00:26:34,259 here they would have a hard time leading 625 00:26:30,058 --> 00:26:37,829 the church or trying to find out of how 626 00:26:34,259 --> 00:26:39,420 to be supported as a pastor so it was a 627 00:26:37,829 --> 00:26:42,240 very sometimes very difficult 628 00:26:39,420 --> 00:26:46,590 conversations but nevertheless God led 629 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:49,859 in that process and and they decided to 630 00:26:46,589 --> 00:26:52,439 be Church it'd be pipi pastor Keith lot 631 00:26:49,859 --> 00:26:54,990 again for our next senior pastor in the 632 00:26:52,440 --> 00:26:59,370 church has supported them now that's the 633 00:26:54,990 --> 00:27:00,870 proper way that's the proper way and we 634 00:26:59,369 --> 00:27:03,449 should go with the proper ways 635 00:27:00,869 --> 00:27:05,609 established by churches don't try to go 636 00:27:03,450 --> 00:27:08,009 in through the window through the back 637 00:27:05,609 --> 00:27:10,379 door over the fence come through the 638 00:27:08,009 --> 00:27:14,700 front door and trust God in that process 639 00:27:10,380 --> 00:27:16,740 let God has got an order and a God of 640 00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:18,870 peace everything should be done the 641 00:27:16,740 --> 00:27:21,390 fitting and orderly way and we need to 642 00:27:18,869 --> 00:27:24,269 be aware of that a great example this in 643 00:27:21,390 --> 00:27:26,670 Scripture is the sons of Korah 644 00:27:24,269 --> 00:27:29,129 sons of Korah are a very interesting 645 00:27:26,670 --> 00:27:32,789 group of people they they take their 646 00:27:29,130 --> 00:27:34,890 name from a koa fight a Levite of a koa 647 00:27:32,789 --> 00:27:37,500 fight clan named Korah and you go to 648 00:27:34,890 --> 00:27:40,530 numbers chapter 16 you'll see his 649 00:27:37,500 --> 00:27:42,839 rebellion against Moses and they did not 650 00:27:40,529 --> 00:27:44,819 like the task given to them so they 651 00:27:42,839 --> 00:27:46,619 rebelled see all the priests were 652 00:27:44,819 --> 00:27:50,789 Levites but not all the Levites were 653 00:27:46,619 --> 00:27:53,519 priests and the co Knights desperate 654 00:27:50,789 --> 00:27:55,769 Koro was from the chorus for that part 655 00:27:53,519 --> 00:27:58,410 of the Levite family that had to do 656 00:27:55,769 --> 00:28:00,569 certain labor that they did not like and 657 00:27:58,410 --> 00:28:03,360 they wanted to be up in front of people 658 00:28:00,569 --> 00:28:05,339 so they complained about it God I gave a 659 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:07,169 great judgment many of them died but 660 00:28:05,339 --> 00:28:10,259 some of them stayed alive and after that 661 00:28:07,170 --> 00:28:12,630 point the son succour were noted for 662 00:28:10,259 --> 00:28:14,730 their servant attitude and it was the 663 00:28:12,630 --> 00:28:17,640 sons of Korah that are said to have 664 00:28:14,730 --> 00:28:19,950 written Psalm 84 and this is this 665 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:22,020 wonderful verse and verse 10 it says I 666 00:28:19,950 --> 00:28:24,900 would rather be a doorkeeper the house 667 00:28:22,019 --> 00:28:26,429 of the Lord and dwelt in the tips of 668 00:28:24,900 --> 00:28:28,320 wickedness and that's what they were 669 00:28:26,429 --> 00:28:31,080 they were adore keepers at the house of 670 00:28:28,319 --> 00:28:33,240 the Lord and friend that is privileged 671 00:28:31,079 --> 00:28:35,879 enough if we are merely asked to sweep 672 00:28:33,240 --> 00:28:37,870 the floor to clean the toilets or 673 00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:41,200 whatever in the church that is honor and 674 00:28:37,869 --> 00:28:45,789 to be used of God to bless others and to 675 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:47,769 bless his church well we're all to have 676 00:28:45,789 --> 00:28:49,539 this spirit every Christian had the 677 00:28:47,769 --> 00:28:52,029 spirit of servanthood Lord let it be 678 00:28:49,539 --> 00:28:56,200 about you not about me and to let God 679 00:28:52,029 --> 00:28:57,730 use us however he wants to use us now 680 00:28:56,200 --> 00:29:00,250 the third thing you were just touched on 681 00:28:57,730 --> 00:29:02,890 it briefly the task of the shepherd what 682 00:29:00,250 --> 00:29:06,309 is the goal of the shepherd the goal of 683 00:29:02,890 --> 00:29:08,890 the shepherd is to establish Christ's 684 00:29:06,309 --> 00:29:10,809 intimacy with his people that the people 685 00:29:08,890 --> 00:29:14,110 may hear the voice of God that he made 686 00:29:10,809 --> 00:29:16,869 lead them lead them to but gain their 687 00:29:14,109 --> 00:29:19,750 strength as it says in Psalm 23 by green 688 00:29:16,869 --> 00:29:21,759 pepper or Lexus light on a green passion 689 00:29:19,750 --> 00:29:24,880 leads us beside quiet waters and 690 00:29:21,759 --> 00:29:28,359 restores our soul and they may also be 691 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:31,090 led into the freedom of the Spirit the 692 00:29:28,359 --> 00:29:33,240 freedom of being a child of God they may 693 00:29:31,089 --> 00:29:35,230 have true life and have it to the full 694 00:29:33,240 --> 00:29:37,059 open we were missionaries in the 695 00:29:35,230 --> 00:29:40,299 Philippines Philippines is a rich 696 00:29:37,059 --> 00:29:42,369 tropical growth country that's a poor 697 00:29:40,299 --> 00:29:44,349 nation economically but there's still a 698 00:29:42,369 --> 00:29:47,739 rich tropical growth all around it we're 699 00:29:44,349 --> 00:29:50,589 on the island of the Mindanao and even 700 00:29:47,740 --> 00:29:52,539 during a drought time even when there 701 00:29:50,589 --> 00:29:55,899 was not adequate rain for the 702 00:29:52,539 --> 00:29:58,960 agriculture you could see mountain 703 00:29:55,900 --> 00:30:01,870 streams water pouring out of some of 704 00:29:58,960 --> 00:30:03,759 those tropical mountains even in the 705 00:30:01,869 --> 00:30:06,909 midst of a drought and that's a picture 706 00:30:03,759 --> 00:30:09,119 of the life of Christ even when things 707 00:30:06,910 --> 00:30:13,000 are difficult even when things are hard 708 00:30:09,119 --> 00:30:16,479 the Christian has life from God the life 709 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:20,349 is always growing and giving we have 710 00:30:16,480 --> 00:30:22,870 peace we have joy we have love we have 711 00:30:20,349 --> 00:30:24,849 his strength even when things are 712 00:30:22,869 --> 00:30:27,039 difficult and that's what the people of 713 00:30:24,849 --> 00:30:29,980 God are to be reminding one another up 714 00:30:27,039 --> 00:30:33,069 well I pray this messenger bless you if 715 00:30:29,980 --> 00:30:35,319 you are a minister like I am and God US 716 00:30:33,069 --> 00:30:36,879 and open the door you want him to you 717 00:30:35,319 --> 00:30:39,730 have my sympathy brother I have been 718 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:41,890 there too we all have we all have I pray 719 00:30:39,730 --> 00:30:44,259 that God would show you how he wants to 720 00:30:41,890 --> 00:30:47,290 use you and that he would give you joy 721 00:30:44,259 --> 00:30:47,910 as he uses you it's a great privilege to 722 00:30:47,289 --> 00:30:51,480 be used 723 00:30:47,910 --> 00:30:53,550 anyway by God if your are not a believer 724 00:30:51,480 --> 00:30:55,680 in Christ and you'd like to become one 725 00:30:53,549 --> 00:30:57,869 you can trust Christ right now by saying 726 00:30:55,680 --> 00:30:59,970 that Lord I know I'm a sinner I need 727 00:30:57,869 --> 00:31:02,039 your grace I believe you died on the 728 00:30:59,970 --> 00:31:04,079 cross for my sins rose from the grave 729 00:31:02,039 --> 00:31:06,299 you can pray to him right now and he'll 730 00:31:04,079 --> 00:31:08,789 hear you if you like someone to pray 731 00:31:06,299 --> 00:31:12,389 with you you can contact me a pastor at 732 00:31:08,789 --> 00:31:14,789 IVC Stuttgart dot d be glad to encourage 733 00:31:12,390 --> 00:31:17,009 you if you are a believer and you've 734 00:31:14,789 --> 00:31:19,889 been caught in some sin maybe you have 735 00:31:17,009 --> 00:31:21,750 been caught as described here of being 736 00:31:19,890 --> 00:31:24,060 one of those is not going through the 737 00:31:21,750 --> 00:31:26,279 door get access to the Sheep but you're 738 00:31:24,059 --> 00:31:28,230 trying to come in some other way well 739 00:31:26,279 --> 00:31:31,710 first of all God is merciful - God is 740 00:31:28,230 --> 00:31:33,240 gracious and and he can't forgive sin he 741 00:31:31,710 --> 00:31:35,490 can restore us all to the right 742 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:37,620 relationship with him and you have a 743 00:31:35,490 --> 00:31:39,120 great company of people that I've either 744 00:31:37,619 --> 00:31:41,639 been tempted to do that or I've done 745 00:31:39,119 --> 00:31:44,009 that in one way or another in the church 746 00:31:41,640 --> 00:31:46,200 there's plenty of those who have done it 747 00:31:44,009 --> 00:31:48,329 so we prayed that God would minister 748 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:51,750 grace in your life and once you know 749 00:31:48,329 --> 00:31:54,569 you're loved by this church but I pray 750 00:31:51,750 --> 00:31:57,569 that we would also as a body pray for 751 00:31:54,569 --> 00:32:00,509 pastor Keith this is going to come pray 752 00:31:57,569 --> 00:32:03,149 for the process the immigration process 753 00:32:00,509 --> 00:32:05,849 and also all the details have to if 754 00:32:03,150 --> 00:32:07,890 moving is wife and three kids all the 755 00:32:05,849 --> 00:32:10,589 way up here to Germany that God would 756 00:32:07,890 --> 00:32:12,540 provide each step of the way it's just 757 00:32:10,589 --> 00:32:15,209 the knowledge of the encouragement and 758 00:32:12,539 --> 00:32:16,710 the insight that he needs let me lead us 759 00:32:15,210 --> 00:32:18,509 some prayers to close the services 760 00:32:16,710 --> 00:32:20,370 father we thank you for your grace in 761 00:32:18,509 --> 00:32:23,519 your love Lord without you we can do 762 00:32:20,369 --> 00:32:25,559 nothing but with you through you we can 763 00:32:23,519 --> 00:32:28,950 do all things because of your strength 764 00:32:25,559 --> 00:32:31,609 in us what I do pray but you had teach 765 00:32:28,950 --> 00:32:35,759 us patience when the door does not open 766 00:32:31,609 --> 00:32:39,179 properly for us that Lord us let us be 767 00:32:35,759 --> 00:32:41,279 patient and let us trust you and lets 768 00:32:39,180 --> 00:32:43,769 you work out these things in accordance 769 00:32:41,279 --> 00:32:46,920 with your will and Lord we pray that you 770 00:32:43,769 --> 00:32:49,680 would just give us understanding of how 771 00:32:46,920 --> 00:32:52,200 to elect leaders in church let it be 772 00:32:49,680 --> 00:32:53,549 done the proper way and Laurie we pray 773 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:55,830 that you would get all the glory from 774 00:32:53,549 --> 00:32:57,299 this now Lord we we pray again for 775 00:32:55,829 --> 00:32:58,899 pastor Keith and Corinne and their 776 00:32:57,299 --> 00:33:02,619 children bless them in this 777 00:32:58,900 --> 00:33:05,259 we pray for favor with the with the 778 00:33:02,619 --> 00:33:07,839 immigration authorities that this would 779 00:33:05,259 --> 00:33:11,200 go quickly and Lord we pray this in 780 00:33:07,839 --> 00:33:14,009 Jesus name for his sake amen thank you 781 00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:14,009 god bless you