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Sermon on the occasion of Easter Sunday 17th April 2022.
Jesus said I am the good shepherd.
Lead song for this Sermon:
I gave my life for thee, what have you given for me?
Sacred Songs and Solos 621.
First reading today :
10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (John,10 : 10 – 13).
ARE YOU A SHEPHERD LIKE OUR MASTER JESUS?
True servants of God must resemble Jesus. As we remember the resurrection of Jesus today, we must develop greater commitment to protect the flock of Jesus from the foes. Servants of God must not be hirelings, but shepherds.
The hireling comes to scatter, but Jesus has come that the sheep may have life and have it more abundantly.
The shepherd must be prepared to give his life for the flock, if that becomes a necessity.
WHAT IS IT THAT DIFFERENTIATES THE HIRELING FROM THE SHEPHERD?
These are what amounts to giving your life:
(1) You must reach out to the backsliders and lead them back to Christ. It will cost you often money and time.
(2) You must evangelise, even reaching out to those in difficult and life threatning circumstances.
(3) You may provide for the hungry at the
expense of yourself.
(4) You may be in a situation to tend to the sick.
(5) You nay have to spend time fasting and praying for the lost.
Jesus said He left heaven for earthly night.
And there are a host of other actions that the servant of God will be exposed to for the sake of his converts. These are to die for Christ.
In the song which we sang today Jesus asked us : ” What have we given for Him.?”
For our sakes Jesus died on the cross at Calvary.
Note this exaltation :
9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9 :62)
Those who plough sweat it out. It could be under rain or sun. The reward comes to sowers that labour and never to those who sit in comfort.
JESUS SAID “I GIVE THEM EVERLASTING LIFE.”
6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6 : 40, 47.)
The Labour done in righteousness gives eternal life. Do not neglect this concern, because for this reason Jesus died on the cross.
At that time many saw Jesus and believed in Him and to them He gave eternal life; there were also many who saw hIm and did not believe, so they were condemned Read John 3 :18, as follows:
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
In our contemporary times, many have heard of this Easter Sunday and what it stands for, but still, continue In their own way.
The verdict is clear : They are condemned already, unless they repent now, for tomorrow is greatly uncertain.
IN CONCLUSION:
There are many shepherds today, but Jesus is the good shepherd and He is leading His hnder – shepherds. Please, when you hear or read this message, give your life to Jesus and He will give you everlasting life.
And if you are already in Christ and sincere to Him in faith, continue steadfastly, do not deviate, for there is no other way to life eternal except Christ Jesus.
Let us pray:
Father we are looking up to Thine Salvation. As You ressurect in our rememberance, may we also resurrect to meet with You in the sky, when you will come back again Amen.
Shalom!
Miracle Valley Sermons.
Easter Sunday, 17th April, 2022.
Email: outreach.mvgm@yahoo.com
Website: www.mvgmng.org.