You shall not steal you shall steward - Discussion
Exodus Sermon Discussion • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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How is everyone processing Charlie Kirk’s assassination? Have you had conversations about it?
7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
Who is Jesus talking about when he talks about thieves and robbers?
Who in our day may seek to deprive of us of our spiritual blessing?
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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We can be deprived of our hope (a spiritual blessing) if our treasure is somewhere other than heaven.
We can be deprived of our comfort if our right standing is placed in someone other than Christ.
We can be deprived of our holiness if our standard of righteousness is in something other than Scripture.
We can be deprived of our unity if our identity is in something other than Christ.
False Doctrine, false prophets, and false gospels all work as thieves to our spiritual blessing.
Pilgrim’s Progress p. 39-40
9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
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Christ is the doorway to the sheep. Anyone who seeks to be apart of the flock, to attain true spiritual blessing must come through Christ and Christ alone. It’s a narrow path into the fold. Some contend that such a narrow way is restrictive. There’s no way true blessing could be found in by such a narrow path.
How might you respond to someone who would contend, “Blessing is found in the broad way.”
10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
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How does faith in Christ as our good shepherd relieve us from that heart of selfish ambition?
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
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Relief from the heart of the thief.
The sheep in the care of the shepherd has no reason for theft. There is nothing lacking for them! The fullness of spiritual blessing is satisfied. Even in this earthly life in all its brokenness we are assured of His constant care for us.
Relief from the thief Himself.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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With thieves and robbers about seeking to deprive us of every good, we can take comfort, we can still be satisfied with cups overflowing! Our eternity in His house is secure should we die.
Stewardship:
What does it mean for Christians to be stewards of God’s grace?
12 “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.
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Modern hired hands? What is the difference between a faithful pastor and a hired hand? What’s the difference between a faithful church member and a hired hand?
What is he committed to?
14 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.
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What’s the character of the flock of Christ? How do we differentiate between the sheep and the wolves?
The sheep know the Shepherds voice and follow him.
What does that look like?
17 “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
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At the end of the day has Jesus lost something that needs to be returned? Has someone stolen something from Him?
At the end of the day no one can take anything away from us, especially if our treasure is stored up in heaven.
Because Christ has given us everything, secure in heaven, we need not fear the thieves and we are free to give up everything for the good of the flock.
