Episodes

  • The Body - The Healthy Body - Jackson Wilson

    The Body - The Healthy Body - Jackson Wilson
    Sep 11 2025
    42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.Acts 2:42-47For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.Romans 12:4-5The Healthy BodyGlobal Wellness Economy: $6.3 trillion (2023), projected to $9 trillion by 2028.Pharmaceutical Industry: About $1.6 trillion (2023).Travel & Tourism: Around $5.8 trillion (2023).Technology Industry (global IT): Roughly $5.3 trillion (2023).Global Food & Beverage Industry: Estimated at $9.4 trillion (2023).The wellness economy is larger than pharmaceuticals, IT, and travel, and nearly rivals food and beverage (one of the most essential global markets).“The paradox is that a movement designed to make people healthier sometimes makes them more anxious, isolated, or perfectionistic.”Body Dysmorphia: a mental condition characterized by extreme preoccupation with self-perceived defects in the appearance of the body.Church Dysmorphia: a mental condition characterized by extreme preoccupation with self-perceived defects in the appearance of the Church.Church Dysmorphia leads us to think that:THE CHURCH IS TOO FAR GONE14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”1 Kings 19:14THE CHURCH SHOULD BE FULL OF PERFECT FOLLOWERS27 And the servants[d] of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”Matthew 13:27-30This parable teaches us that the good and evil will always be found together in the professing church, until the end of the world.J.C. RyleThose who are tares today, may be wheat tomorrow.AugustineTHE CHURCH MUST BE IMPRESSIVE38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[d] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[e] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:38-42CHINESE UNDERGROUND CHURCH PICTURE*42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.Acts 2:42-47God’s Word FellowshipLord’s SupperPrayerAs our body is enlivened by the soul, so the Church receives its life from Christ. Hence the Church is called the body of Christ, because it receives life from him, and in turn communicates that life to its members.John CalvinA HEALTHY CHURCH IS CHURCH SOURCED BY THE WORDS OF JESUSA HEALTHY CHURCH SHARES THE LOVE OF JESUS WITH EACH OTHERA HEALTHY CHURCH IS SUSTAINED BY THE CROSS OF JESUSA HEALTHY CHURCH COMMUNICATES WITH JESUS
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    50 mins
  • The Body - The Equipped Body - Molly Ratliff

    The Body - The Equipped Body - Molly Ratliff
    Sep 4 2025
    “4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11#1 We are equipped #2 We are responsible #1 We are equipped: What are these gifts, Who gives them and what for?What are the gifts?“Gracious endowments, leading to miraculous results.”- Clarkegift of wisdom: enables one to speak out the wisdom of God Stephen in Acts 7gift of the word of knowledge: to know what cannot be known apart from revelation. Jesus in John 4gift of faith: ability to trust God is a particular circumstance. Peter in Acts 3 gift of healing: gift to give or receive God’s healing power. Peter in Acts 3 gift of working of miracles: the act of power where the Holy spirit overrides the law of nature working in and through the available person. Feeding 5k in Matthew 14 gift of prophecy: telling God’s message in a particular situation, always in accordance with his word and work. Paul in Acts 27 gift of discerning of spirits: tell the difference between true and false doctrine. Protect the church from deception. Jesus in Matthew 4gift of tongues: when using the gift of tongues, we agree with God that as the Holy Spirit prays through us, though we may not understand what we are praying, God does. Purpose is to communicate with God. Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 gift of interpretation: allows the gift of tongues to be a benefit for those other than the speakerGift (Greek:charis): gracewho gives these gifts? “4 There are diversities of gifts, but it’s the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities in activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6“7 the manifestation of the Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12:7 “The Holy Spirit is always present with believers but at times he is more apparent”- David Guzik3)for what?#1- For His will“11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things (gifts), distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1Corinthians 12:11“18 God has set the members, each one of them in the body just as he pleased.” 1 Corinthians 12:18“Why is the foot a foot and the hand, a hand? Because it please the designer to make it so. So, the hand can take no pride in being the hand, and the foot no shame in being a foot. Each serves the pleasure of the designer.”- David Guzik#2- For unifying His people into one expression#3- For caring for the body.“26 If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, but if one member is honored, all members rejoice with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26The equipping of the body of Christ are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, given in grace by the Holy Spirit as He wills to the unifying care of the body.#2 How are we responsible? We are responsible for the posture we receive the gifts inWe should receive the gifts in a: 1) posture of humility2)posture of desire3)posture of loveCh 12 of 1 Corinthians describes the gifts of the Spirit to the body. Ch 13 of 1 Corinthians depicts the love which gives the ministry of gifts its value“1Though I speak with tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3“When the helper (Holy Spirit) comes…he will bear witness about me.” John 15:26
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    50 mins
  • The Body - One Body - Jackson Wilson

    The Body - One Body - Jackson Wilson
    Aug 28 2025

    As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

    1 Peter 2:4-5


    God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.

    John Piper


    1. What the Church is NOT
    2. What the Church is


    The Church is NOT:


    1. Just a Building


    And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

    Hebrews 10:24-25


    16 But when I thought how to understand this,

    it seemed to me a wearisome task,

    17 until I went into the sanctuary of God;

    then I discerned their end.

    Psalm 73:16-17

    The Psalmist did not merely go to the building, he went to meet with God.

    Martyn Lloyd Jones


    What a wonderful place God’s house is. Often you will find deliverance by merely coming into it… People who neglect attendance at the house of God are not only being unscriptural—let me put it bluntly—they are fools.

    Martyn Lloyd Jones


    1. A Supplement


    1. For Me


    A seeker-sensitive church (or seeker-church) is a model of ministry and worship designed to be especially accessible, welcoming, and understandable to unchurched or spiritually curious people (“seekers”). The goal is to remove barriers that might make non-Christians feel out of place and to present the gospel in a culturally relevant way.


    Stop looking for the perfect church. It does not exist. Even if it did exist, the moment you or I joined it, it would no longer be perfect.

    Nicky Gumble


    1. An organization of minimal impact


    PETER’S CRUCIFIXION*


    DIETRICH BONHOEFFER*


    The Church is:


    1. Christ’s Body

    For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

    Romans 12:4-5


    The Church is not a religious community of worshippers of Christ but is Christ himself who has taken form among people.

    Dietrich Bonhoeffer


    But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

    Acts 9:1-4


    1. Inherited


    So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

    Ephesians 2:19-20


    1. For Jesus


    21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[e] the Spirit.

    Ephesians 2:21-22


    25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

    Ephesians 5:25-27


    1. The Hope of the World


    If the Church is central to God’s purpose, as seen in both history and the gospel, then it must surely also be central to our lives.

    John Stott
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    48 mins
  • Holy Spirit - Power - Jackson Wilson

    Holy Spirit - Power - Jackson Wilson
    Aug 21 2025

    [teaching text]

    4 And while staying[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

    6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

    Acts 1:4-8


    POWER


    1. WHAT DOES THIS POWER LOOK LIKE?
    2. WHAT DOES THIS POWER LEAD TO?
    3. WHAT DOES THIS POWER REQUIRE?


    4 And while staying[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”


    6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

    Acts 1:4-8


    WHAT DOES THIS POWER LOOK LIKE?


    The book of Acts shows us what the Christian church is meant to be. If you want to know what Christianity is, do not go to the church as she often appears; go to the New Testament. Go back to the book of Acts, and there you will see Christianity, the Christian life, and the church in action.

    Martin Lloyd-Jones


    The Acts of the Apostles is above all else the book of the Spirit. It is the Spirit who is the principal actor, and it is he who continues the ministry of Jesus through the apostles. Here is a model of normal Christianity—the Christian life lived in the fullness of the Spirit.

    John Stott


    What we see in Acts is what normal Christian living looks like.


    WHAT DOES THIS POWER LEAD TO?


    8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

    Acts 1:8


    Notice that this really wasn’t a command; it was a simple statement of fact: When the Holy Spirit has come upon you… you shall be witnesses of Me. Jesus didn’t recommend that they become witnesses; He said they would be witnesses.

    David Guzik


    In less than a generation, Christianity had reached the ends of the known world. An uneducated band of fishermen and tax collectors, with no money or power, had transformed history because they carried a message stronger than empires.

    Michael Green


    WHAT DOES THIS POWER REQUIRE?


    4 And while staying[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father,

    Acts 1:4


    Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

    Romans 8:26


    The greatest weakness in a person is trusting in their own strength and avoiding God. The greatest strength in a person is admitting their weakness and drawing strength from God’s.



    42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

    Matthew 26:42
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    45 mins
  • Holy Spirit - Conviction and Comfort

    Holy Spirit - Conviction and Comfort
    Aug 14 2025
    7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.John 16:7-1121 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.James 1:21-25CONVICTION AND COMFORT7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.John 16:7-1126 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,John 14:26 (NIV)26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,John 14:26 (CSB)26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,John 14:26 (KJV)HOW DOES THE COMFORTER COMFORT US?8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.John 16:7-11Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.Proverbs 3:5The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?Jeremiah 17:9Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.Proverbs 28:268 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.1 Peter 5:8MOVIE CLIP***10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers[a] has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.Revelation 12:108 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:John 16:8elegchō: declare (someone) to be guilty of a criminal offense by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.“The Spirit is the ‘advocate’ or helper of those who believe in Jesus, their counsel for the defense. But in relation to unbelievers, to the godless world, he acts as counsel for the prosecution.”F.F. BruceBefore the convicting work of the Holy Spirit one may say, I make a lot of mistakes. Nobody’s perfect. After the convicting work of the Holy Spirit one may say, I’m a lost rebel, fighting against God and His law – I must rely on Jesus to get right with God.David Guzik13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…John 16:138 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.1 Peter 5:8THE ACCUSER LEADS US WITH COMFORTTHE COMFORTER LEADS US WITH TRUTHTHE ACCUSER LEADS WITH COMFORTThe devil will sometimes come to men's souls as a false comforter.Charles SpurgeonIn the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.2 Samuel 11:1THE COMFORTER LEADS US WITH TRUTH“The Holy Spirit never comes merely to make us feel good; He comes to make us holy, and that requires conviction before comfort.”A.W. Tozer“When the Holy Spirit comes, He is like a refiner’s fire. He burns away the dross, but never destroys the gold; He convicts to cleanse, and cleanses to comfort.”Charles Spurgeon5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man!2 Samuel 12:5-7“When He rebukes, He wounds only to heal; when He pierces the ...
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    56 mins
  • Holy Spirit - The Teacher

    Holy Spirit - The Teacher
    Aug 10 2025
    25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:25-26“The idea of the Spirit held by the average church member is so vague as to be nearly nonexistent. When it is thought of at all, it is likely to be misunderstood as an influence or an impersonal power.”A.W. Tozer“From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and, for all practical purposes, forgotten... while no evangelical would deny His existence, I'm willing to bet there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives.”Francis ChanWhat do you believe concerning the “Holy Spirit”?First, that the Spirit, with the Father and the Son, is eternal God. Second, that he is given also to me, so that, through true faith, he makes me share in Christ and all his benefits, comforts me, and will remain with me forever.Heidelberg Catechism, Q.53THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT A PAST/PRESENT POWER APPLIED TO A CHRISTIAN, HE’S THE PERSON OF GOD WHO HAS COME TO MAKE HIS HOME IN A RESURRECTED HEART.25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:25-26THE TEACHERTeacher: someone who helps others learn, understand, and grow in knowledge, skills, character, or wisdom.MATH EQAUTION PIC***Teacher: someone who takes what is formless and void to the student, and brings order to the chaos through words.25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:25-26ONE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PRIMARY ROLES IS TO PARTNER WITH GOD’S WORD TO CREATE ORDER.Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.Acts 2:2-4Modalism: a theological view that posits the Trinity is not three distinct persons within one Godhead, but rather one God who reveals Himself in different "modes" or “manifestations"THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CREATIONIn the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.John 1:1-5THE HOLY SPIRIT IN EZEKIELThe hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley;[a] it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath[b] to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling,[c] and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.Ezekiel 37:1-10THE HOLY SPIRIT IN JESUS31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of ...
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    49 mins
  • MARANATHA '25 - Testimony Night

    MARANATHA '25 - Testimony Night
    Aug 4 2025

    Open-mic testimony night about all God did at camp this summer! 🕊️
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    58 mins
  • Faces of God - Shepherd - Jackson Wilson

    Faces of God - Shepherd - Jackson Wilson
    Jul 3 2025
    The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.Ezekiel 34:1-6Shepherd“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.John 10:1-6Strangers, Sheep, and Shepherds“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.John 10:1A shepherd in scriptures represents any spiritual leader who is called to lead, feed, and care for God’s people.John 10 is Jesus’ response to John 9 and the Man born Blind34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.John 9:34The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.Ezekiel 34:1-2, 4A stranger is anyone who operates in spiritual authority over another person without going through Jesus, with Jesus, and like JesusThe man who makes much of Christ is a pastor after God’s own heart, whom God delights to honor. The minister who makes little of Christ is the one whom God regards as an imposter—as one who has climbed up to his holy office not by the door, but by “some other way”J.C. RyleConfidence in a stranger leads to REJECTION.34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.John 9:34DO I EASILY FEEL REJECTED BY PEOPLE?He that enjoys the favor of the Son of God will not tremble at the frown of the Sanhedrim.Charles Spurgeon2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” John 10:2-5A sheep is anyone who belongs to Jesus, listens to Jesus, and follows JesusConfidence in a sheep leads to PRIDE18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? 19 And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?20 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 22 I will rescue[b] my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep.Ezekiel 34:18-22A true shepherd is anyone who feeds, leads, and cares for the sheepConfidence in Jesus leads to WORSHIP· Jesus is a man (John 9:11).· Jesus is a prophet (John 9:17).· Jesus is my master, I am His disciple (John 9:27).· Jesus is from God (John 9:33).· Jesus is the Son of God (John 9:35-38).· Jesus is who I trust (John 9:38).· Jesus is who I worship (John 9:38).24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” John 9:2438 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he...
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    53 mins