• Fourth
Sunday after the Epiphany.
with Luke 12:32-34 and 1 Peter 5:1-4
with Luke 12:32-34 and 1 Peter 5:1-4
www.FirstChurchBville.com
@FirstUMCBville @kerrfunk
• The church is the living body
of Christ – that’s a familiar point.
The Lord is my shepherd, familiar as well.
Perhaps it’s new to consider the different point of views of shepherd and sheep.
The Lord is my shepherd, familiar as well.
Perhaps it’s new to consider the different point of views of shepherd and sheep.
• The flock is not its own, it is the shepherd’s.
The flock is the responsibility of the shepherd.
The flock is not responsible for the shepherd.
The flock is the responsibility of the shepherd.
The flock is not responsible for the shepherd.
God, the chief shepherd, is attentive to the
flock.
God wants to know if there are things bothering the flock or the individual members.
God works to provide the basic necessities, and in such a way that will allow the flock and the individual members to thrive.
God wants to provide nutritious food, life-giving water, protection from elements and critters and disease, wants to nurture and heal and protect.
God wants to know if there are things bothering the flock or the individual members.
God works to provide the basic necessities, and in such a way that will allow the flock and the individual members to thrive.
God wants to provide nutritious food, life-giving water, protection from elements and critters and disease, wants to nurture and heal and protect.
“Your Father delights in giving you the
kingdom.” Luke 12:32
• The flock belongs to the shepherd, and the
chief shepherd / owner has undershepherds
who care for groups in the flock. These are not the owners, but they are heirs
trained in the way of the chief shepherd. As God the chief shepherd cares for,
defends, provides for the flock, so the undershepherds do as well.
Christ has no hands but yours.
Christ has no hands but yours.
• In God’s flock none are isolated: each has
shepherd caring for them
and none are without duty: each has care to give.
and none are without duty: each has care to give.
• God leads and feeds. Go and do likewise.
•
Hymn: In the Breaking of the Bread
Luke 12:32-34
(CEB)
32 “Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out—a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. 34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too. ò
32 “Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out—a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. 34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too. ò
Isaiah
40:10-11 (CEB)
10 Here is the Lord God, coming with strength, with a triumphant arm, bringing his reward with him and his payment before him.
10 Here is the Lord God, coming with strength, with a triumphant arm, bringing his reward with him and his payment before him.
11 Like
a shepherd, God will tend the flock; he will gather lambs in his arms and
lift them onto his lap. He will gently guide the nursing ewes.ò
1 Peter 5:1-4
(CEB)
5 Therefore, I have a request for the elders among you.
(I ask this as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and as one who shares in the glory that is about to be revealed.) I urge the elders: 2 Like shepherds, tend the flock of God among you. Watch over it. Don’t shepherd because you must, but do it voluntarily for God. Don’t shepherd greedily, but do it eagerly. 3 Don’t shepherd by ruling over those entrusted to your care, but become examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory. ò
5 Therefore, I have a request for the elders among you.
(I ask this as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and as one who shares in the glory that is about to be revealed.) I urge the elders: 2 Like shepherds, tend the flock of God among you. Watch over it. Don’t shepherd because you must, but do it voluntarily for God. Don’t shepherd greedily, but do it eagerly. 3 Don’t shepherd by ruling over those entrusted to your care, but become examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory. ò
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