​​In a world where foolish pride and stubborn independence seem to prevail, it is good to remind ourselves that true joy and freedom can only be found when we lay aside our willful wandering and choose to follow the only One who can actually lead us through this life safely and on into the next…
 
David opens the 23rd Psalm by declaring, “The Lord is MY Shepherd, I lack nothing”!  David identifies (as we should) with sheep who belongs to the Lord.  That said, sheep are apt to wander in search of whatever will satisfy their seemingly insatiable appetite.  They are often foolishly unaware of trouble as they wander and completely helpless to rescue themselves when their wandering brings them to valleys of fear, pain or imminent danger.  Were it not for a shepherd faithfully guiding, providing and protecting them, the sheep would surely perish.  
 
Praise God that Christ is our Good Shepherd who lovingly and sacrificially cares for our EVERY need physically, emotionally, and event spiritually.   Knowing this truth personally “makes it possible” for the Lord’s Sheep to lie down in green pastures and still waters, finding the needed refreshing for our wandering and weary souls.  Even when the sheep cannot see the provision they need, the Good Shepherd faithfully guides the sheep (who willingly follow), because He cares deeply cares for all the sheep, leading them to exactly what they need, when they need it.  Not always what the sheep want, but always what they need!
 
If we accept the challenge to see ourselves as David did, as Sheep belonging to The Lord, we will not only know His loving care, but we will know the saving grace of the Good Shepherd as well.  We will know the relief and comfort of knowing that our Good Shepherd fights for us.  He will use his rod and staff to beat off our enemy (the devil) and will reach out to us using his wooden staff (like He did on the wooden cross) and draw near to Him all who have wandered astray.
 
Even when the ‘shadow’ of evil and death makes a presence, the sheep can find confidence in the PRESENCE of the Good Shepherd; who is not shaken by a defeated foe.  When the Good Shepherd brings a feast before the sheep and invites them to sit and eat.  We can be still and know that the Good Shepherd is our God.  As the Good Shepherd draws near to bring us the feast, the closer He gets, the less of the enemy we can even see.  Instead of being overwhelmed, the sheep are blessed, anointed by the Good Shepherd.
 
All this to say that, like David, we can know the pursuing love and mercy of God all our days.  As we grow in intimate relationship with the Good Shepherd, we will eventually find ourselves following Him right into eternity; where we can dwell in the house of Lord ~ forever!
 
The big question we all face is “HAVE WE ENCOUNTERED THE GOOD SHEPHERD”?  Or are we still foolishly wandering, unaware that we face both physical and eternal danger.   Maybe today is a good day to lay down our stubborn pride and independence and choose to follow the GOOD SHEPHERD….


Bless You,
   Pastor Sherry
   (aka "One of His SHEEP) 

This time we are looking at another passage from the gospel of John.  This blog is drawn from the Sunday morning sermon at CCC for March 17, 2019.  We’re looking at some big questions: what is truth?  What is the opposite of truth?  The passage is John 8:31-36

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”  34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 
 
Truth is a difficult concept to talk about.  Some people believe that what is true for me might not be true for you.  Jesus however, says that we CAN know the truth. How do we find truth and freedom in a crazy world?
Let’s start by looking at the context of this passage.  Jesus is speaking to a group of Jews who believed in him and is explaining the meaning of truth.  Based on their responses to Jesus in this passage and his responses to them, it appears that this group of Jews have a rather shallow faith based on Jesus’ miracles, rather than a deep desire to obey and follow him.  They are interested in the show but their faith is ultimately superficial.  With the context of the group Jesus is speaking to let’s look into the passage.

In this passage Jesus makes a seemingly straightforward statement: if people will abide in his word, they are his disciples, they will know the truth and the truth will set them free.  Jesus is talking about spiritual freedom, but the Jews misunderstand him and take his comment in the sense of political freedom. The Jews took a political tack on this question because as descendants of Abraham and children of the covenant between God and Israel, they did not consider themselves to be in any spiritual danger.[1] They probably believed they were more or less guaranteed a place in heaven simply through their heritage. 

As I was working through this passage I wonder, how often do people rely on external factors for their relationship with Jesus? For example as a child it is normal and natural to rely on the faith of one’s parents, but as one gets older one must make their own decisions about faith. 

To move away from the misunderstanding about heritage, Jesus makes his teaching more obvious.  He is explaining the difference between true freedom and slavery to sin.  Slavery to sin is often not immediately obvious; however anyone who consistently and willfully practices sin is a slave to sin.  Sin and truth are set as opposites. Sin takes one captive and makes one a slave, but truth sets a person free. 

Jesus goes to the concept of slavery to illustrate his point.  A slave has no standing in a household, they are at the whim of others and have no inheritance from the family.  On the other hand a son of the family has a permanent standing in that family.  In spiritual terms, slavery and freedom are not determined by heritage or family lineage; they are determined by our choices.  The devil and the world dangle the pleasures and rewards of sin in order to entice, but once a person is caught in a lifestyle of sin they find it to be a trap.  “Sin takes you further than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and costs you more than you want to pay.”[2] 

Slavery to sin ultimately leads to death.  There is only one way to be freed from slavery to sin; Jesus sets a person free.  Jesus has conquered death and the freedom that he offers is hope, joy and eternal life.  Jesus paid the ultimate price when he died on the cross, and through his sacrifice, death and resurrection he offers freedom and eternal life to any who would choose to follow him![3]  (See read Romans 8:31-39)
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Jesus offers a new perspective on the world.  No longer are people slaves to sin, bound by the power structures and dominant people of the world or the spiritual forces of evil.  We are free in the gift of grace that Jesus offers!  To wrap up, what kind of saviour are you looking for?   Many of the Jews at Jesus’ time were looking for a saviour, but when they encountered the saviour they found him to be a savior they did not want.  They wanted a superhero, a military general, a king, a political leader, not a servant who offered his life in exchange for freedom from sin.  If you encounter Jesus offering you freedom what is your response to him? True freedom in Jesus is the most beautiful and freeing thing you could ever know.  Embrace freedom today!


[1] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds,  Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994 pg 325
[2] Alpha Youth Film Series
[3] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary 1999,  pg 56

This blog is drawn from the Sunday morning sermon at CCC for March 3,  2019.  Unfortunately as we were still out of our building due to the church fire there is no audio recording.

This time we are going to look at a great passage about abiding in Jesus.  One dictionary definition of abiding reads: “continuing without change; enduring; steadfast” [1] 

The passage is John 15:1-11: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

This passage uses a common farming analogy.  The imagery Jesus uses is drawn from the Old Testament and so would be a familiar one to Jesus’ listeners, both historically and physically.

Jesus emphasizes first that he is the true vine.  Of course there are many types of vines and seeds in the world, but only the true vine in this case produces the desired fruit.  The fruit produced by the vine cannot be any greater than the vine itself, thus only in Jesus, the true vine, can his followers be fruitful and producing the right kind of fruit.  The only way people make any impact in the kingdom of heaven is by remaining vitally connected to Jesus.  Without being connected to Jesus people may be busy and even seemingly productive without actually accomplishing anything important.  Without being vitally connected to Jesus people can build good organizations, but it is impossible to build the church without being connected to Jesus.  It’s like an amateur builder trying to build a house without blueprints or knowledge of what the design plan is.  Maybe he will produce something, but it cannot be what was intended.  Without looking to Jesus people cannot build the plans he has for them.

The second feature of the story is that God is the gardener or farmer.  The responsible farmer cares for the vines in his vineyard to ensure they produce the most and best fruit possible: “He tends it, waters it, and endeavors to protect it and cultivate it so that it will produce its maximum yield.”[2] Have you ever imagined God as a caring farmer, looking out for his people as he helps them to grow? The farmer always has the best interests of his plants in mind. Does this change your perspective on God?

The third feature of the parable is that the farmer must prune the vines in order to maximize the fruit.  Without pruning vines would run and ramble in every direction and would produce little fruit.  Some of the shoots must be cut back and dead pieces must be trimmed away.  Pruning is not always pleasant while in process, but it is absolutely necessary for the final result to be produced.

Notice in this parable that the outcome of the branches that remain in the vine is never in doubt.  Jesus teaches his disciples that if they keep his commandments they remain in his love, just as he obeys his Father and remains in his love.  Abiding is about a relationship.  We can see from the passage that Jesus calls for his disciples to obey him.  If people trust Jesus, they will trust in his authority and commands.  Secondly, people must remain in contact with Jesus through prayer.  In short it is not a one sided relationship.  In this relationship the promise that those who remain in Jesus will bear fruit.  The ‘fruit’ is the outcome of their entire life and ministry as they remain in fellowship with Jesus by keeping his commands and experiencing his presence with them through the Spirit.[3] In this passage fruitfulness is the mark of a disciple.   As they bear this ‘fruit’, Jesus said to them, you are showing yourselves to be my disciples.”[4] 
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The result of this fruitful circle is joy.  Jesus’ joy is in his disciples and his disciples are full of joy.  Abide in Jesus and your life will grow through Jesus. 


[1] Dictionary.com
[2] Expositors New Testament Commentary Abridged edition pg 350
[3] Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 314). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[4] Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 315). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.