Sermon Notes – October 20, 2024

Date: October 20, 2024
Theme: “Submitting to Jesus”

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-2
Messenger: Rev. Darren McKoy
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apo_8e6-gWU

Points:

• Two important words to note in the passage:
  • Shepherd
  • Sheep
• Definitions:
  • Shepherd – God
  • Sheep – Who God is speaking to
• Important to note the interaction between the shepherd and sheep
• Shepherds are individuals who:
  • Protect
  • Guide
  • Provide
• If you are a shepherd you have persons who follow you and who look up to you (sheep)
• What does taking care of sheep look like:
  • When you care for sheep they should be lacking nothing
  • Sheep are easily led astray and can wander off easily 
  • Sheep are easily distracted
  • Sheep have to be willing to submit to their shepherd
• What does being a shepherd look like:
  • Shepherds must be consistently there for their sheep
  • Shepherds have authority over their sheep
  • Shepherds have responsibility to care for their sheep
  • Shepherds (in the context of the congregation) are ordained by God to have authority  over and to care for the sheep
  • Shepherds also need to be able to identify wolves
• Wolves are the greatest threat to sheep
• Leaders must equip themselves as God requires so that the sheep are not scattered and driven away
• If we are going to be effective as a people then we must SUBMIT ourselves TOTALLY to God
• God is concerned with everything about us – big and small!
• Leaders must examine themselves:
  • Am I providing nourishment for those I lead?
  • Am I protecting those that I lead from any external force that may want to attack them?
  • Am I offering true and Godly guidance to those I lead?
• Recap points:
  • Sheep must submit to their leader/shepherd
  • Being a leader/shepherd is a great responsibility
  • God will punish you for leading sheep astray
  • God is concerned with all areas of our lives
  • Shepherds must be discerning and identify threats to the sheep
  • Leaders must examine themselves:
    • Am I providing nourishment for those I lead?
    • Am I protecting those that I lead from any external force that may want to attack them?
    • Am I offering true and Godly guidance to those I lead?

Supporting Texts:

• Jeremiah 23:1-2