DCLM Higher Everyday 12 April 2024 — Follow Your Shepherd
Topic: Follow Your Shepherd
Text: John 10:1-6
1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Key Verse: “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them; and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice” (John 10: 4).
Message
The big farm house appeared cool and calm, having a lot of guests and a few kids around. But the ‘German shepherds’ kept following Mr. Stevenson around even as he entered every room in the farm house, showing the guests around. It became a cause for concern to the guests. “Can’t we have some minutes to ourselves without all these dogs nosing around?” a guest asked, fuming. German shepherds are notorious for following their owners everywhere even to the bathroom. That is how they are bred, to work directly with their owners.
Just like these German shepherds, we are to follow Jesus, our great Shepherd, through the thick and thin of life. When you follow Jesus closely you will never derail because Jesus knows the way through the wilderness of life. All you have to do is to follow Him without asking questions (Mathew 4: 19). For the Christian, following our Shepherd implies living as He lived – doing the will of the Father; obeying His Word, and exemplifying His virtues, such as love, meekness, gentleness, faith and faithfulness.
Quote: Exemplifying His virtues
Challenge: All you have to do is to follow Him.
Prayer for today: Lord, Jesus, help me to follow you closely.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
