0941 Hitting a Homerun - Sheep Without Shepherd

Sheep Without Shepherd

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”” Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV

People need

Power Pasture Pastors

Pastoring starts with belonging which requires compassion and connection.

God is looking for laborers not more leaders.

We are laborers of love (Her 6:10; 1Th 1:3)

History of Belonging! English language

No translation on the stage

Guests who aren’t Russian

People getting saved

Volunteering who aren’t Russian

Leaders who aren’t Russian

Staff who in’t Russian

Board who isn’t Russian

Marriages between others

Guests are not visitors. Guests are VIP

Every church has a culture.

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast” Peter Drucker

Culture happens by default or design.

[Culture is build by sermons, systems and samples (what important people do)]

BIG IDEA: Many people need to belong before they can believe and everyone who believes needs to belong so that they can become.

Belong Stage involves Life Group, Life Class, and Freedom Weekend.

“And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” And they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.”” Genesis 19:2 NKJV

Lot attracted strangers, Sodom attacked visitors.

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Father was invitational, older son was indifferent toward prodigal

People aren’t looking for friendly church they are looking for friends in church.

If I can’t connect with everyone it shouldn’t stop me from connecting with someone.

Some people will never believe until they belong

Jesus invited followers to follow before they believed (Mt 4:19)

Jesus asked to remove the stone before He spoke the word to dead man.

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” John 11:39

World tests us before trusting in Him

Some people will never become if they don’t belong

“And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”” John 11:44

Isaac and Ishmael had the same father but had were raised by a different mother. They became so different based on who their mother was!

Who is your mother?

Persecuting or persecuted?

On the altar or on the run?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. Galatians 4:22

Ishmael is an example of person who is born again but is not discipled.