May 11, 2014 - Third Sunday of Easter

Scriptures for May 11th: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25 ;John 10:1-10 Theme: the Good Shepherd; Song: Precious Lord UMH 474 Psalm: This is a classic Psalm that we have all known for years. But do we really take the time to think about what it means for us. What does it mean for the Lord to be your shepherd? If the Lord is a shepherd, then we are sheep. Sheep, who are not able to take care of ourselves, but who do have sense enough to understanding love and care when we see it. Who understand that the Lord can take care of us better then we can take care of ourselves. Life is not always easy for us, but when we look back upon it, we can see that we are indeed being led to a better place. That we were protected from danger. In this life, we get a little glimpse of what life would be like, if we were to take care of ourselves. We even have the power to be independent. In the end, the sheep makes the choice to live in the house of the Lord forever. John: This is mother’s Day, but the Fourth Sunday of Easter is also Good Shepherd Sunday. When we remember that Jesus is the good shepherd. In this verse, Jesus makes it clear that he is the good shepherd. Like a child who asks who is going to take care of me, the disciples are asking who is watching over them. Jesus explains that he is the good shepherd that watches over the sheep and keeps them safe. He also says that he is the gatekeeper. When it is time for the sheep to come home, only those who Jesus allows in will get home. This is to provide a safe environment for the other sheep. The wolf will always try to get in through the gate, and come into the inner sanctuary and destroy. A shepherd develops a special relationship with his sheep, so that even though they are free to roam, they know when it is time to come home. They know when their sheep is calling them. How do you recognize the voice of God in your life? Questions: When have you experienced the Lord delivering you from evil? Do you make a choice to follow God or to follow your own voice? What does it mean for you to be a sheep? What do you have to give up in order to obey God’s voice? How to you recognize when God is speaking to you? Do you actively seek out the voice of God? Do you have to practice in order to give up your will and to follow his? Why do we need to be reminded that we are indeed just sheep in God’s world?