“You Cannot Do It Alone!” Why Every Church Needs Multiple Shepherds

“You Cannot Do It Alone!” 

Why Every Church Needs Multiple Shepherds: 

Exodus 18:13-27; 1 Peter 5:1-4 

“Now these things happened as examples for us. They were written down for our instruction.”

(1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrew 13:7; Romans 15:4) 

Ex. 18:13-27- what was true back then, is true now. This narrative illustrates two important lessons


1)


2)

Sermon Outline of 1 Peter 5:1-4 

I) The _______________________ Shepherding Mandate.

(1 Peter 5:1-3) 

II) The Eternally Glorious ____________________.

(1 Peter 5:4) 

As a humble, battle-tested leader the Apostle Peter empathizes with the lesser known church elders from Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1-2) which is now Turkey.

The Three-fold Basis of Peter’s Shepherding Mandate 

We have:

A) A ______________________ Calling

(1 Peter 5:1a) 

B) A ________________________ Witness

(1 Peter 5:1b) 

C) A _______________________ Reward

(1 Peter 5:1; 1:6-7) 

Is It Sunday Yet?

Is it Sunday yet?  The Lord's Day should be the best day of the week.  By the grace of God, for my family it certainly is.

This coming Sunday we prayerfully anticipate another morning of vibrant Christian fellowship.  Spirit-filled praise.  Edifying, and sometimes humorous and/or tearful, conversations.  And focused expository listening.

The believers that make up Lake Country Bible Church are full of Christian joy and hope.  Our founding pastor worked hard to ensure that this fellowship was Word-centered; without losing our identity of also being a loving family of believers.  Pastor Sal believed that the Lord's Church is to be known for its commitment to Christ-like love (John 13), absolute truth/sound doctrine (1 Tim. 3:15; Jude 3; Eph. 4:11-16), and "good deeds" (Heb. 10:24-25; Eph. 2:10).  It's both/and rather than either/or.

During the 9 AM Sunday School hour our children/teens will be in stage of life focused classes.  Our wonderful teachers will highlight biblical truth using Answers in Genesis material.  One of our elders (Dave) will lead the adults in prayer and then continue his excellent series through Galatians.

At 10:15 AM the entire congregation will come together for our corporate worship service:

1) We will sing a number of praise songs and hymns (Col. 3:16; "Jesus Shall Reign;" "10,000 Reasons;" "His Mercy is More;" "Before the Throne of God Above;" and "By Faith.")

How the Future Impacts the Present

 Revelation 20:1-6 and Matthew 24:36-44

How the Future Impacts the Present

(pt. 10)

INTRO:  How does the disciples’ unpreparedness at Gethsemane tie in with this morning’s sermon text (note Matthew 24:36-44)?

If Jesus' faithful disciples were unprepared after a mere 60 minutes (see Matthew 26:40), how many believers will be caught asleep at the wheel when the King returns (2000+ years later)?  

How should the future impact the present?  Why is biblical eschatology so important?

How many believers today will be unprepared when the King finally returns after 2000+ years?  List 5 reasons why this is so. 

“I want to be more expectant and excited about the 2^nd Coming of Christ but I am struggling to do so.”  How does one foster greater longings for future and eternal things?  Talk with another LCBCer who is “on fire” for Christ.

General Outline of Jesus’ Oliviet Discourse

I) The Horrific Tribulation                              (Matthew 24:4-28)

II) The Glorious 2^nd Coming                            (Matthew 24:29-32)

 

                     (or)

I) End Times (Kingdom) Confusion                (Matthew 24:3)

II) Red Letter Clarification                             (Matthew 24:4-25:46)

The “Horrific Tribulation” and the “Glorious Return of Christ” should impact our lives in a multiplicity of ways.  In view of the prophesied future (per v. 4-31)- 

Jesus’ disciples must be:

1) Well Versed Students of Scripture (especially of biblical prophecy).

(Matthew 24:32-35)

Jesus’ disciples must be:

10 Ways to Show Christian Love to Guests on Easter Sunday

"It will likely be one of the highest attended days of the year for your church...There will be some people you don’t know. Some of them are guests. Others are members who attend infrequently.

You have an opportunity to make a loving Christian impression on these people with a few simple acts. Indeed, you have an opportunity to make an eternal difference.

Here are ten servant actions for you to consider.

1) Pray as you enter the property. Pray for the guests. Pray for the services. Pray for the pastor and the sermon.

2) Park at the most distant spot available. Save the closer parking places for guests.

3) Greet people. They may be guests. They may be members. It’s okay to introduce yourself to either.

4) Look for people to help. You know the place well. Many others will not. Be a guide. Help someone who looks like he or she needs help.

5) Sit as close as possible to the front of the worship center. Save the back rows for guests and late entrants, so they don’t have to walk past so many people.

6) Sit in the middle. Don’t claim that aisle seat where people have to walk over you or past you.