13
Good Shepherds
Jon Burgess“I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live.”
Ezekiel 34:12-13
It was a painful reality. A real slap in the face. The leaders that were supposed to be guiding Gods people were leading them astray. Instead of feeding them they were feeding on them. Instead of praying for them they were preying on them. Instead of being useful in the hands of God they were using the sheep for their own ends. What a horrific misuse of authority, power and position. Somewhere along the way they thought Gods money was their money, Gods people belonged to them. Instead of serving them they were served by them. This would not be allowed. Enter the Good Shepherd who would raise up undersherpherds with His heart of service. To heal, not hurt, to search out and bring home, to restore not ruin.
I want to just stop this morning and thank the Son of David, Jesus Christ, for being my Good Shepherd who sought me out and brought me home. I want to thank God for putting me under a good undershepherd in our Senior Pastor Wayne Cordeiro here at New Hope Oahu who for the past 21 years has modeled for me what it means to care for Gods sheep. I want to thank God for the amazing shepherds I am surrounded by here at New Hope Oahu. I have never seen a group of people more fully surrendered to serving Gods sheep then these right here! I don't want to shoot right past the 21 Year Anniversary without acknowledging the privilege and honor I have been given in laying my life down for the sheep. I never want to lose the sense of awe that I feel right now in following Your Lead in leading Your sheep. Let my heart continue to break for the broken and lost who are wandering lost and alone and far from home.
I never want to lose the sense of awe that I feel right now in following Your Lead in leading Your sheep. Let my heart continue to break for the broken and lost who are wandering lost and alone and far from home. Let me never forget that I am here to serve Your sheep and to the find the ones that have gone astray! I pray that You would continue to give me the wisdom in raising up and sending out the shepherds around me until everyone has had the opportunity to come home!
