0287 Dumb Sheep

DUMB SHEEP

God’s Training Station God’s greatest generals were trained through shepherding (Abel, Patriarchs, Moses, and David) Don’t take your work carelessly because your job is your training station

Sheep follow the Shepherd Forsaking is the price for following Christ. You can’t follow without forsaking Those who follow Shepherd, grace and mercy will follow them, things will be added, signs will follow Sheep know the Shepherd Only those who follow Jesus will be able to know Jesus. The crowd knew about Jesus but disciples knew Jesus Heaven is open to those who know God not those who know about God In all your ways acknowledge Him – In all your ways know Him Sheep know the voice There is our voice (gut or God), strangers voice (condemnation, accusation), and Shepherds voice (like His word) The only way to know the voice of Shepherd is to know Shepherd ILL: Australia story & I know Shepherd, you know the Psalm Psalm 23 (when written & how written)

The Lord is my Shepherd - I shall not lack You can’t claim the promise has conditions Everyone has relationship with God Those who have God as their Shepherd will not lack. President George Bush – Laura and Barbara God will meet your need if you realize your need I am a sheep – smell, wonder off (Is.53), dumb, near sided, no home instinct, & needs to be sought after He makes me lay down in green pastures Sheep can’t rest when there is fear – fear paralyzes you and makes you pillar of salt Sheep can’t rest when flies are around Sheep can’t rest when they are in the fight (pick your fights; is smell worth the fight) Sheep can’t rest when they are hungry Rest on the Rock or Rest on the lap All who are heavy laden come to rest (Mt.11) He restores my soul Sheep get lost when they drift away from the herd (Noah’s ark & Naomi & prodigal son) Herding dog helps to keep sheep from drifting away (sides of highway; seat belt; voice of authority) Shepherd will await for sheep to get desperate God is about restoring His creation (prodigal son & Peter) – broken grass He puts back Salvation, healing, deliverance, resurrection, prosperity, restoration of the Earth He leads me through valleys Rod is a weapon to fight but staff is a tool to direct Life has seasons – don’t judge me by my season Rain falls on righteous and unrighteous It takes more faith to get through the valley than to get out of the valley God is the God of valley’s not only God of hills God’s promise is “I will not leave you” not “you will never go through valleys” It’s possible to be in the valley with God, it’s possible to be in fire with God Fire doesn’t remove God and God doesn’t remove the fire Immanuel – God with us