One Flock and One Shepherd

What is the purpose of the Church? Do you suppose that, with all the pain and terrible events in our world today, life would be much better if the Church clearly understood its purpose? This week we will hear Christ describe his Church and its role as his undershepherd to the world.

Scripture: John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Renewing Reflections

It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon The Hand That Holds Me delivered on Christian Crusaders April 29, 2007:
 
Sheep spend the summer in the high country. On their way back to the shepherd’s fold, they eagerly anticipate their homecoming, although they have to go through difficult terrain and storms that make them cold and wet. You can sense in the flock an excitement and enthusiasm as they come nearer and nearer to the shepherd’s fold. The same goes for Christians in the flock of Jesus Christ who know that we will dwell forever in the house of the Lord.
 
 
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On the Light Side
Two guys are walking through the woods and come across a big, deep hole. “Wow! That looks deep,” one of them says.

“Sure does. Toss a few pebbles in there and see how deep it is,” says the other one. So they pick up a few pebbles, throw them in and wait. . . No noise.

“Wow. That is really deep!” the first guy says. “Here, let’s throw one of these great big rocks down there. That should make a noise.” So they pick up a couple football-sized rocks and toss them into the hole. . . And wait. . . And wait. Nothing.

The two guys look at each other in amazement. One gets a determined look on his face and says, “Hey, over there in the weeds, there’s a railroad tie. Help me carry it over here. When we toss that in, it’s got to make some noise!” So the two men drag the heavy tie over to the hole and heave it in. Not a sound comes from the hole.

Suddenly, out of the nearby woods, a sheep appears, running like the wind. It rushes toward the two men, then right past them as fast as its legs will carry it. Suddenly it leaps in the air and into the hole. The two men are astonished with what they’ve just seen.

Then out of the woods comes a farmer who spots the men and ambles over. “Hey, have you two guys seen my sheep out here?”

“You bet we did!” they reply. “Craziest thing we’ve ever seen! It came running like crazy and just jumped into this hole!”

“Nah,” says the farmer. “That couldn’t have been my sheep. My sheep was chained to a railroad tie.”

Jesus' Patience

We have often heard it said, “You can do anything you put your mind to do.” But what about when we can’t do something, like forgive someone who has hurt us deeply, or give up control of our life to God? Please join us as we talk about the patience of Jesus during our times of weakness.

Scripture: Luke 24:36-45
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.


Renewing Reflections:
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Patience! A Sign of Maturity delivered on Christian Crusaders May 6, 2005 by Rev. Larsen:

When I am impatient with God, others, or myself, I look back and see how God has kept his promises, although his timetable does not have to be like mine. I claim the promise that he is faithful and will walk with me. When I see how some new converts to Christ are growing, I stop being impatient and rejoice in the work he is doing in so many hearts. And when I look into my own heart, I see that it is only the Holy Spirit who could have brought me as far as I have come. I still have a long way to go, but his promises are sure. There is no need for me to be impatient with my spiritual progress, as long as I do not become comfortable with my spiritual growth and not be attentive to where He wants me to be.


Mother’s Day Gift Idea
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On the Light Side
Mrs. Leonard, the new kindergarten teacher, was instructing her students to put on their boots. When little Jacob asked for help, she could see why. With her pushing and him pulling, the boots still didn’t want to go on. Finally, when the second boot was on, Mrs. Leonard had worked up a sweat. She almost whimpered when Jacob said, “Teacher, they’re on the wrong feet.” Mrs. Leonard looked and sure enough, they were on the wrong feet.

It wasn’t any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. However, she managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on – this time on the right feet. Jacob then announced, “These aren’t my boots.” Miraculously she bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, “Why didn’t you say so?” like she wanted to.

Once again she struggled to help Jacob pull off the ill-fitting boots. He then said, “They’re my brother’s boots. My mom made me wear them.”

Mrs. Leonard didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. But she mustered up the grace and courage she had left to wrestle the boots on his feet again. Then she said, “Now, where are your mittens?”

Jacob replied, “I stuffed them in the toes of my boots.”