Jesus tells us that sheep follow their shepherd because they know his voice (John 10:4).
That makes sense for sheep born into the fold, but I wonder what about those adopted into it. There must be some sheep brought into an existing herd that have to adjust to a new voice. We can call that conversion.
Some of us were born into a herd of people listening for the Good Shepherd's voice. Others were adopted into the flock later. However it came to be, listening for the Shepherd, as a sheep, is your job. You're now to listen, be known by him, and follow him. As Jesus says in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me."
That makes sense for sheep born into the fold, but I wonder what about those adopted into it. There must be some sheep brought into an existing herd that have to adjust to a new voice. We can call that conversion.
Some of us were born into a herd of people listening for the Good Shepherd's voice. Others were adopted into the flock later. However it came to be, listening for the Shepherd, as a sheep, is your job. You're now to listen, be known by him, and follow him. As Jesus says in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me."
Part of that following, I think, is to help others learn to hear the Good Shepherd's voice and be known by him. We can call that evangelism.
Our task is to be sheep who listen, who are known, who follow, and who help those new to the fold learn to listen and follow, too. That's what it means to be sheep of the Good Shepherd.
I hope you'll join us this Good Shepherd Sunday, as we reflect on Psalm 23 and John 10:22-30 and listen together to the Good Shepherd's voice.
You can also join us Saturday for the Build-a-Bed project. All skill levels (including complete novice) are invited to be part of this great day of constructing beds for children in the Florence area who have no bed of their own. Meet tomorrow at 9 AM in the Irby Street Parking Lot. Please bring work gloves if you have them.
Our task is to be sheep who listen, who are known, who follow, and who help those new to the fold learn to listen and follow, too. That's what it means to be sheep of the Good Shepherd.
I hope you'll join us this Good Shepherd Sunday, as we reflect on Psalm 23 and John 10:22-30 and listen together to the Good Shepherd's voice.
You can also join us Saturday for the Build-a-Bed project. All skill levels (including complete novice) are invited to be part of this great day of constructing beds for children in the Florence area who have no bed of their own. Meet tomorrow at 9 AM in the Irby Street Parking Lot. Please bring work gloves if you have them.