Shepherds, sheep wolves and goats

Psalm 95:7

7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice,

Proverbs 27:23

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

John 10:11

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

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.

13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Pray:

Often the word of God uses animals to describe various people in and around the church. These verses and others like it are an example of how God uses the analogies of shepherds, sheep, wolves and goats to illustrate a point or to teach a lesson. We are all familiar with John 10:27 Where Christ tells us:

“My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.”

It’s important to understand what these analogies mean and what we are to learn from them.

Let’s start this morning with the Shepherd:

Jeremiah 3:15:

Jeremiah 3:15

15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Pastors are sent to a church by God. Now there are a great number of false teachers in our churches today. I submit to you that a Pastor should be able to recall in detail the circumstances surrounding his calling. Just as you remember the details of the day you were saved. A Pastor will have a very clear and detailed memory of his calling to preach.

We see that in the calling of the Apostle Paul that his calling was supernatural. That the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him in person. Today, we are called by the Holy Spirit. And trust me when I say that the calling of the Holy Spirit is also very personal.

I can tell you with 100% certainty that my calling was supernatural. There was just a ray of sunshine coming into that back room where I was reading my bible that day. Yet somehow the words, “HOW CAN THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER, LIT UP AND SEEMED TO BE COMING OFF THE PAGE AS IF SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO ME. And it was.

Professional Pastors are those who are not sent by God. They are sent by grandma or mom or sometimes even the wife. Then there are those who are hirelings. That is the Pastor who says before even going to be called things like: I must be paid at least 75K a year or I am not coming.

Pastoring isn’t about the money it is about a calling from almighty God.

Notice God says here in Jeremiah. “I will give you Pastors.”

The responsibility of the Pastor is to feed his people with knowledge from the word of God. It is his role to lead by example. Yes, the Pastor is the final say in the church. But he should NEVER be a dictator. Leadership should be done from the strongest position. And that is the position of love.

By the way I want to mention this. Paul was a single man and a Pastor.

1 Corinthians 7:8

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.

There are those out there who would twist the scripture to say what it is that they want it to say. But I submit to you that as a single man whether widowed or otherwise. Was one of the greatest Pastors, Evangelists and Missionaries of all time.

When we read the bible without cultural context, we fail to understand its meaning. The culture of polygamy or having multiple wives was a problem in the society and culture of the early church. And Paul was saying that a Pastor could NOT have multiple wives. NOT that he had to be married. Furthermore, it says he is to be blameless. Meaning if he had been married was, he the cause of her death or even her leaving?

Yet we have many legalistic church members today who would openly condemn the apostle Paul and say that he cannot be their Pastor. This is an ignorant position to take as the gifts and callings of God are without repentance.

Jesus is the chief Shepherd according to 1 Peter 5. And us called Pastors are the under shepherds.

Now onto other animals:

Psalm 23: 1,2

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

David here is depicting himself as a sheep.

What do we know about sheep?

1. Sheep love still waters. He leadeth me beside still waters. Sheep love still waters. They do not drink from violent waters. They are not comfortable drinking from waters that are not still.

In other words, if there is someone among the sheep who is constantly causing drama and difficulties. The sheep will not drink. In this situation they will eventually die of thirst.

David was a shepherd from his youth. So, he understood the characteristics of sheep very well. We should have a calm and peaceful church. We have no use for strife and contention. We love peace, tranquility, love and joy.

A true sheep doesn’t like discord, and disharmony and confrontation. They shun those things. I know there are those who would say to me, Pastor, you should get over your hatred for confrontation. To those I say. Plz understand that like you. I am a sheep and Christ is my good shepherd. My distaste for confrontation is a signal to me that we have a wolf in our midst. And is a gift from God.

Goats and wolves will drink anywhere. But not sheep.

2. Sheep love to lay down in green pastures. Gods’ children love to graze and feed upon the word of God. A true sheep cannot get enough of the word of God. They want to know it and learn it and know it. They want the word of God as much as they can have it. True sheep are like brother Aubrey at feeding time. They don’t miss a meal. LOL

If church services are Sunday morning the sheep are here eager and hungry to hear from Gods word. If church services are Sunday night they are here eager and hungry to hear from Gods word. If church services are Wed night then the sheep are here eager and hungry to feed from the green pastures of Gods Holy word. The analogy of feeding the flock is throughout the word of God.

1 Corinthians 3:2-8

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

I very much understand what Paul is saying here. There are many deep meanings within the word of God that go untaught in most of our churches today. When the wolves hoovering around the church get word of growth. They immediately run in and try to scatter the sheep.

When a Pastor hears words like. This really tested my faith. He knows that he will have to go back over several old lessons before progressing to the meat. Because the wolf has done its job. It has successfully hurt the Christians appetite for the word of God.

Never forget the words of Christ in Matthew 4:4

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

When some devil or wolf in sheeps clothing quotes a verse of scripture out of context it is just that. Our job as Christians is to write the word of God on our hearts. I don’t care how many times some wolf mis-quotes the scripture. It will always be a light to my path in a dark world.

That is fundamental to our walk as Christians.

3. A sheep never misses feeding time. Again, like brother Aubrey at feeding time. A sheep loves grazing in the pastor of God’s word. Today the average sermon is under 20 minutes in length. That means that there are a lot of hungry sheep out there. And this is where I agree with brother Don. We need to bring back Sunday nights. And I am working on that. It needs to be done in Gods time.

There is a difference between going to McDonalds and going to Outback Steak house. We don’t need any fast food churches.

4. Sheep love to be sheared. When the wool on the sheep gets too full, they get very uncomfortable. They become slow and unable to run about. They are easily tangled in branches and brush. They collect burs and briars, and it becomes matted. So, the shepherds comes along and sheers the sheep. And if you have ever seen a sheep sheered, they jump up and down in joy. They are happy to have that weight lifted off them. And the wool is the contribution that the sheep makes to the shepherd for feeding, caring for and feeding them. It is a natural contribution for all the shepherds does.

This is what the bible says when it says. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. The sheep are cheerful because they have just been fed and sheered and so they give their tithes and offerings in good cheer. The word cheer in the Greek means hilarious. The Lord loves someone who is hilariously cheerful when they have an opportunity to give. Just as the sheep gives his substance to the shepherd the sheep of the church give of what God has given to them. Our time, our treasure, and our talents.

Have you ever tried to sheer a goat or a wolf? Many Danny has….

If come time to take up the offering, you start to growl. That might indicate a problem with you.

Now to the goats:

Wool is taken from the sheep and milk is taken from the goats.

Goats can be mixed with sheep, but not without turmoil. If you put goats in a herd of sheep and you will have some problems. Because goats are by nature, agitators. They don’t follow instructions easily. They always cause discomfort. Goats can be unpredictable. Goats are like church members who are always going around with the but in their mouths.

I know the pastor said this. BUT.

Goats don’t like green pastors. That is boring to them. A goat will eat just about anything. Put him in a green pastor and he will find the briar patch. As a shepherd you must keep an eye on the goats. The goat can and will destroy the Pastor, given a chance.

Goats like to roam. They are never content with the Pastor. A goat loves to find a way out of a fence. If there is a weakness in the fence, they will find it. If there is a weakness in the Pastor, they will focus on it and find it and try everything they can to exploit it. Why? Because it is just their nature. Goats contribute though. They give milk. But the sheep must be careful about following a goat. Because there is no telling where that goat will take you. Sheep must follow the God appointed Pastor.

Now we come to the wolves: Back to Acts 20:29

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

What do we know about wolves? Well, we know that the wolves love high places. They want to get in as high a position as they can in church so that they can keep an eye on the sheep.

Wolves have no desire for grass. He is a meat eater. He has his eye on the sheep. Because that is what he eats. When the sheep begin to drift away from the shepherd then the wolf sees his opportunity to eat the sheep.

He isn’t looking for water or pastor. He is looking for flesh and blood. The wolf wants to scatter the sheep. Wolves are not Christians. They seek to destroy Christians. They often pretend to be sheep. Thus, the term a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Wolves are by nature aggressive and dominating. They are forceful, intimidating. Weaker people tend to follow strong leaders. These wolves will get themselves in positions of leadership so that they can destroy the flock. They will quickly find out who is the most vulnerable among us.

The wolf will insist that if they are going to come and help your church then they MUST be in a position of leadership.

Next wolves often run-in packs. It is amazing to me how those who are wolves discover each other. A wolf will walk into a new church and have an instant connection with another wolf. Why? Because they serve the same demons. And demons have no problem finding each other. And they will quickly start to work together to destroy Gods people. And if they cannot destroy the sheep they will go after the Pastor.

Signs of a wolf is that they growl and show their teeth. They get angry very easily. A goat may always be trying to but but but you. But a goat will not show you, his teeth. A wolf will.

Pastor, I didn’t like your message today. Pastor you need to get rid of that candy dish. Pastor you need to stop having coffee with the people who show up early. I have even heard. Pastor these people refuse to follow me because you have already bonded with them. Only a wolf would have a problem with a people who loves their pastor.

But a wolf will show their fangs and become angry. They are sly and sneaky and very smart. I remember trying to suggest changing something in VBS and I got the coldest stare and look. It sent chills down my back.

I remember hearing a story of a wolf attack in the wild. These men had set up a camp. And one of the men took a second to walk around and enjoy the natural surroundings and he never came back. When they found what was left of his body. The professionals came to investigate and saw the tracks of the wolves. And the investigators said that the wolves were lying in wait encircling the camp. And the guy who left only made it a few yards from the camp before the wolves fell upon him. They quickly devoured him. The man was unarmed and alone. And was completely devoured in seconds. Folks we know that the devil goeth about seeking to devour us. The bible is telling us that wolves are vicious, cunning, devious and diabolical. And they will attack that one sheep that has strayed.

The devil is crafty, smart, and calculating. He wants to steal your joy. He wants to destroy your faith. He wants you out of church. Making his plans for weeks, months and years in advance.

I ignored all the signs because my heart was set on trying to help a hurt Christian come back into the fold. And I would like to think that I have learned my lesson from it. I am not by nature an authoritarian. But I will be more so in the future. Although I will say this. I am determined to not let any wolf ever change my desire and determination to love those who come walking through that front door.

Sheep are frightened by the wolves and justly so. When we begin to see someone who is a wolf among us, we need to be concerned. This is someone who is going to destroy my faith, my courage, my strength. We should not have anything to do with this person.

Folks I have been in church since 1987. And I must be honest. That was the most vicious attack by a wolf that I have ever witnessed.

1 Peter 5:1

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

These are the guard dogs. Also known as sheep dogs. All Pastors are guard dogs. They are guarding the sheep. The shepherd looks over the sheep constantly. He makes sure that they are safe and protected. If you have ever noticed that real shepherds have guard dogs. They are posted in perimeters around the sheep. These guard dogs are on the lookout for wolves.

The sheep respect the guard dogs. They don’t hang around the shepherd. They are where the shepherd isn’t. They are watching for what the shepherd can’t see or hear. But they are assisting the shepherd in protecting the sheep. Every God called man is gifted with guard dogs.

But there went with Saul a band of men whose hearts God had touched. David has his 300 mighty men.

The last person that you want to complain to the Pastor about is the guard dog. Because there is a good chance you will get bit.

Last Sunday I made the comment that often we will be tried and tested by the very things that we teach from this pulpit. And several months ago, I preached a sermon to you all about the importance of treating others with dignity. And the Holy Spirit has been putting those words on my mind all week. So, I am going to quote myself and the lesson that both myself and all of us need to re-learn.

Psalm 8: 1-9 KJV

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Every human being who crosses your path deserves to be treated properly. Every single person has a right to be treated with dignity.

I believe in the dignity of mankind.

It is time we stop and realized that every time we talk to someone whether they are homeless or whether they are poor they deserve to be treated with dignity. Because God made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. The same Christ who died for the homeless died for you and me.

What is man that thou are mindful of him? What is the sinner that God is mindful of him? What is the criminal that man is mindful of him. What is the beaten down and downtrodden that God is mindful of him? What is your neighbor democrat or republican that God is mindful of him

Who are the little children that God is mindful of them: Thou has made them a little lower than the angles and crowned them with glory and honor.

It is long past time that people in our country learn to have courtesy and respect for one another again. And it must begin in the house of God. We need to kick the world out of our pulpits and our pews. And once again love one another. Because you see God made us all a little lower than the Angels and crowned us all with dignity and honor.

You see, every man is my brother, and every woman is my sister. Because God has made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. We are made in the image of God.

There is an epidemic of hate in this country, and it has found its way into our churches and homes. Jesus Christ left heaven for all of us. That means we are somebody. This hate has found its way into the very heart of our children. It is a hate for everything good and Godly and moral.

What does God hate? A proud look. I’m telling you God hates stuck up people who think they are too good. Why because EVERYONE is made with dignity and honor.

Finally in closing I want us to take something from the recent events. I believe that attacks from the devil occur for two reasons. One because growth is on the way and two because God wants us to learn.

As Pastor I want to have open communication between you and me. I want us to be aware of the wolves that surround us. And I want us to have an ongoing policy to help us with this in the future. Now I have said that I will not change who I am bc of the bad of one person. And I expect us to always love people when they walk through those doors. But we need to keep this one rule in mind.

Christ said this:

By this all men shall know that you are my disciples. That you love one another.

A disciple of Christ isn’t hateful and condescending to people. A disciple of Christ isn’t abusive and mean spirited to people. A disciple of Christ loves others.

In the future I will be handling those who are hateful and disrespectful to others in a biblical way. Three complaints equals three talks with witnesses. If after three talks the person still doesn’t treat others with respect they will be asked nicely to leave. We have got to have balance between loving those who are hurt and in need of love. And recognize the wolf who sneaks in under the guise of needing love. But really seeks to devour, humiliate and hurt.

Let us always be on guard for the wolf. Without losing our love for those who come here in need.

Pray: