The Nature of the Shepherd

Dr. Hershael York, professor at Southern Seminary and senior pastor at Buck Run Baptist Church, was my preaching professor and a member of my dissertation committee.  God has greatly blessed me with his preaching instruction, pastoral counsel, and friendship.  I highly recommend his book on preaching.

Yesterday, Dr. York shared this excellent personal story on Facebook that is not only good counsel for those in Christian ministry, but also a great illustration for the kind of Shepherd Jesus is to His people.  Dr. York connected the story to John 10:1-18.  He writes,

On one of my trips to Israel I once saw a man behind a flock of sheep, driving them down the road by holding out two long sticks, one on either side, in an attempt to force them to stay together in front of him. Puzzled that I had never seen a shepherd lead his sheep like that, I asked my guide, Zvi, “Why is that shepherd driving his sheep that way? I’ve never seen that before.” “Oh,” he answered. “That’s not a shepherd. That’s a butcher. He has bought those sheep and now he has to drive them to the slaughterhouse. They won’t follow him, because they don’t know him. He can’t lead them, so he has to drive them.” 

Shepherds lead from the front. Butchers drive from behind.

 

This story could illustrate sermons from many passages in addition to John 10, including words to pastors like Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 5 (especially verses 1-4).  It also would fit well with passages that speak of Jesus as the Good Shepherd: Psalm 23, Matthew 2 (verse 6), Matthew 9 (verse 36), Paul’s words to the Ephesians elders in Acts 20, the benediction of Hebrews 13, 1 Peter 2 (verse 25), and Revelation 7 (verse 17).

 

Tags: Jesus, Good Shepherd, Shepherd, Sheep, Psalm 23, Matthew 2, Matthew 9, Mark 6, John 10, Acts 20, Ephesians 4, Hebrews 13, 1 Peter 2, 1 Peter 5, and Revelation 7.

Living Like You’re at War

The twitter account @HistoricalPics posted this a while ago:

Amazing: Temporary rules posted at Britain's Richmond Golf Club after German bombs hit the course in 1940 http://t.co/7iDNBnbDlR—
Historical Pics (@HistoricalPics) February 02, 2014

Of course, this is a phenomenal example of the courage and resolve displayed by countless Brits to try to live normally, avoid panic, and fight on during the war.  It’s the whole “Keep Calm and Carry On” mindset. But even better, it’s a great illustration of Paul’s point in Ephesians 6.

The rules change when you’re living in a war zone.  For the British, it was undeniable: their golf courses were peppered with craters!  We have plenty of evidence of the spiritual war surrounding us, as well, although we are often fooled into ignoring it.  Since we are living in a spiritual war zone, we should live differently, too.  We put on the armor of God.  We pray at all times in the Spirit.  In Christ’s strength, we resist the devil, who is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5).  In World War II, it was a matter of life-and-death.  In our war, the stakes are far higher.

 

Tags: Romans 7, Romans 13, 1 Corinthians 16,  2 Corinthians 10, Ephesians 6, 2 Timothy 2, 1 Peter 2, 1 Peter 5, Spiritual Warfare

The Presidents’ Club – Healing Amidst Tragedy

Still reading The Presidents’ Club.  The book talks a lot about the power of current and former presidents working together, but it also describes disunity and vitriol that has occurred between these men over the years.  One example of this took place between Truman and Eisenhower, despite the fact that they had been friends who greatly respected one another while Truman was Eisenhower’s commander-in-chief.

Truman was a Democrat, Eisenhower a Republican.  Eisenhower was immensely popular because of his heroic record during WWII.  Truman decided not to run again in 1952 and had supported Eisenhower’s candidacy before Ike’s party affiliation became public.  Even after this information was out, Truman was friendly to Ike while remaining loyal to his own party.  But several misunderstandings along the campaign trail combined with the divisive influence of Senator Joe McCarthy, with the result that the men had become bitter enemies by the time Ike’s inauguration rolled around.  The interactions between the two administrations on that day were some of the coldest and most awkward of any Inauguration Day before or since.

The bitter, very public relations between the two men continued all throughout Eisenhower’s eight-year presidency and into the Kennedy administration.  That is, until November 22, 1963, when Kennedy was assassinated.  Tragedy changed everything, and the grievances of the past seemed to pale in comparison with the events of that day.  On the day of Kennedy’s funeral, Ike overheard that Truman, for some reason, did not have a vehicle to transport him to the service.  He quickly reached out to Truman and offered for the two men and their wives to ride together – an invitation Truman accepted.  At the end of that very long, very difficult day, the Eisenhower’s were dropping off the Truman’s and were about to drive back to their farm in Gettysburg, when Truman turned back to the car and said to the Eisenhower’s, “How about coming in for a drink?”  They accepted, and with these two small actions in the wake of a national tragedy, a great presidential healing took place.  The two families spent the afternoon together, eating, drinking coffee, and genuinely enjoying one another’s company.  The bitterness never returned.

 

I’ve given a lot of detail here, but that’s probably because it was a story I was unfamiliar with and really loved learning.  I’m guessing most of your sermon audience would feel the same way.  This could be used to illustrate Habakkuk 3:17-19, Romans 5:3-5, Romans 8:18, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 3:13, 2 Timothy 1:8, James 1:2-4, and 1 Peter 2:19, along with other passages that speak of God growing us and bringing about good in the midst of evil.  I think the story could also illustrate passages that talk about Christians comforting those who are hurting and doing ministry in the midst of crisis, because it demonstrates the human tendency to be open to true change when given a new perspective through tragedy and suffering.  In the midst of suffering, we have opportunities to show Christ’s love.  Example passages of this: Job 1, Job 2, Job 3, Psalm 23:4, Ecclesiastes 4:1, Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 1, and 2 Corinthians 7.  This story could probably also be used for some passages that deal with bitterness, forgiveness, and reconciliation, too – like Matthew 18:15-20 and Hebrews 12:15.

The Songhai of West Africa

Found this in the International Mission Board‘s 10th edition of a prayer guide called “Loving the Lost of the Word Through Prayer.” I can’t find a PDF of it online, but you can order it for free here.  It’s a good resource to order in bulk and distribute to your church to get them thinking and praying missionally.

The Songhai of West Africa, descendants of an old African empire, don’t sing – they think that singing is the work of slaves.  Missionaries are working to reach them, so that the song of Christ may fill their hearts.

The miracle of the gospel leads us to worship through song – there’s a surface-level illustration here.  But not only that, the belief of the Songhai that singing is for slaves is interesting.  Essentially, from the Christian perspective, they’re right; we are slaves to Christ, and we sing in joyful acknowledgement of the slavery that has truly set us free.

 

I think this could illustrate these (and, of course, plenty more) passages: Matthew 25, Romans 6, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 2, Ephesians 6, Galatians 5