1 00:00:01,290 --> 00:00:03,650 Gracious Heavenly Father, we praise you as we 2 00:00:03,650 --> 00:00:04,710 gather together today. 3 00:00:05,830 --> 00:00:08,470 These are the days that we reflect back 4 00:00:08,470 --> 00:00:11,510 on the year past and simply say to 5 00:00:11,510 --> 00:00:14,490 you, Lord, receive our thanks. 6 00:00:15,870 --> 00:00:20,710 Receive our praise for your kindness to us 7 00:00:20,710 --> 00:00:23,170 in Christ Jesus. 8 00:00:24,310 --> 00:00:28,930 Receive our praise today through Jesus Christ our 9 00:00:28,930 --> 00:00:29,330 Lord. 10 00:00:29,330 --> 00:00:30,250 Amen. 11 00:00:31,030 --> 00:00:31,850 Please be seated. 12 00:00:32,970 --> 00:00:33,990 Good morning. 13 00:00:34,890 --> 00:00:36,410 I have to tell you, I love this 14 00:00:36,410 --> 00:00:36,850 service. 15 00:00:38,130 --> 00:00:39,790 I mean, there's something about the end of 16 00:00:39,790 --> 00:00:42,830 the year that just makes a time to 17 00:00:42,830 --> 00:00:45,690 be able to reflect on what the Lord 18 00:00:45,690 --> 00:00:49,410 has graciously done in the past and to 19 00:00:49,410 --> 00:00:53,870 come with thanksgiving in our hearts as we 20 00:00:53,870 --> 00:00:56,430 remember what the Lord has done for us. 21 00:00:56,430 --> 00:01:00,250 I say that by remembering the way Paul 22 00:01:00,250 --> 00:01:02,210 said it in Colossians chapter 4. 23 00:01:03,110 --> 00:01:06,530 Devote yourself to prayer, keeping alert in it 24 00:01:06,530 --> 00:01:08,730 with an attitude of thanksgiving. 25 00:01:09,370 --> 00:01:10,890 That attitude of thanksgiving. 26 00:01:11,450 --> 00:01:13,330 Behind Philippians 4, 6. 27 00:01:13,730 --> 00:01:14,830 Be anxious for nothing. 28 00:01:15,190 --> 00:01:19,910 In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. 29 00:01:20,370 --> 00:01:22,210 Let your requests be made known to God. 30 00:01:22,210 --> 00:01:24,850 There's that peace underneath it that is so 31 00:01:24,850 --> 00:01:27,030 essential to us when we look back. 32 00:01:27,210 --> 00:01:29,430 And the problem is, in my judgment. 33 00:01:29,710 --> 00:01:31,710 David, pastor, would you turn me down just 34 00:01:31,710 --> 00:01:32,190 a little bit? 35 00:01:32,310 --> 00:01:33,670 The congregation says, thank you. 36 00:01:34,870 --> 00:01:39,270 Yeah, so the key behind this is that 37 00:01:39,270 --> 00:01:42,570 undergirding it is that we tend to be 38 00:01:42,570 --> 00:01:44,410 a people who look back and think about 39 00:01:44,410 --> 00:01:45,190 what went wrong. 40 00:01:46,790 --> 00:01:48,190 We tend to the negative. 41 00:01:48,550 --> 00:01:49,490 Do you know what I'm talking about? 42 00:01:49,490 --> 00:01:51,510 You go to some event, 90% of 43 00:01:51,510 --> 00:01:51,890 it goes well. 44 00:01:52,170 --> 00:01:53,750 98% of it goes well. 45 00:01:54,010 --> 00:01:55,850 The 2% in which you walk away, 46 00:01:55,930 --> 00:01:57,310 did you see that happen? 47 00:01:58,330 --> 00:01:58,950 The negative. 48 00:01:59,370 --> 00:02:00,350 We stay in the negative. 49 00:02:00,510 --> 00:02:01,090 Why do we do that? 50 00:02:01,150 --> 00:02:03,250 But it does tend to be a tendency 51 00:02:03,250 --> 00:02:05,550 of ours to look back and record the 52 00:02:05,550 --> 00:02:06,590 things that did not go well. 53 00:02:06,930 --> 00:02:09,370 Number two, I think sometimes we don't take 54 00:02:09,370 --> 00:02:11,170 time for perspective and looking back. 55 00:02:11,490 --> 00:02:11,750 Why? 56 00:02:11,930 --> 00:02:13,790 Because we're so caught up in whatever the 57 00:02:13,790 --> 00:02:15,130 present issue is. 58 00:02:15,450 --> 00:02:16,450 The present issue. 59 00:02:16,830 --> 00:02:18,250 The one that's got our heart today. 60 00:02:18,250 --> 00:02:21,010 The one that's concerning us today. 61 00:02:21,930 --> 00:02:23,470 And so it doesn't give us that permission 62 00:02:23,470 --> 00:02:24,130 to look back. 63 00:02:25,030 --> 00:02:26,730 And finally, I would say to you, these 64 00:02:26,730 --> 00:02:27,090 things. 65 00:02:27,250 --> 00:02:27,870 This negativity. 66 00:02:28,230 --> 00:02:30,290 This always in the oppression of the moment. 67 00:02:30,650 --> 00:02:32,690 Always tends to give us a wrong view 68 00:02:32,690 --> 00:02:33,270 of God. 69 00:02:34,390 --> 00:02:36,950 He has not answered my prayers. 70 00:02:37,570 --> 00:02:39,770 And therefore, he doesn't hear me. 71 00:02:39,950 --> 00:02:41,050 He doesn't love me. 72 00:02:41,250 --> 00:02:43,270 We get a wrong perspective of God. 73 00:02:43,490 --> 00:02:45,630 I want to appeal to you this morning. 74 00:02:45,910 --> 00:02:47,290 This is a time for thanksgiving. 75 00:02:47,290 --> 00:02:48,950 And I want to do it to the 76 00:02:48,950 --> 00:02:51,750 place I left you on Wednesday night on 77 00:02:51,750 --> 00:02:52,370 Christmas Eve. 78 00:02:52,550 --> 00:02:54,630 I'd like to return to that passage of 79 00:02:54,630 --> 00:02:57,730 Scripture which was given to us first in 80 00:02:57,730 --> 00:02:58,770 the Gospel of Luke. 81 00:02:59,070 --> 00:03:01,530 Where it clearly says that when the angel 82 00:03:01,530 --> 00:03:03,710 of the Lord came, he came to the 83 00:03:03,710 --> 00:03:04,170 shepherds. 84 00:03:04,390 --> 00:03:06,850 And we hear that wonderful phrase, the shepherds 85 00:03:06,850 --> 00:03:08,590 were out in the field in Luke 2 86 00:03:08,590 --> 00:03:10,630 and verse 8. 87 00:03:10,790 --> 00:03:12,490 They were out in the field and they 88 00:03:12,490 --> 00:03:15,090 were keeping watch over their flock by night. 89 00:03:15,090 --> 00:03:17,630 And what I shared with you on Christmas 90 00:03:17,630 --> 00:03:20,250 Eve is that I think it was purposeful. 91 00:03:20,390 --> 00:03:23,730 Absolutely intentional that the Lord appeared to shepherds. 92 00:03:23,890 --> 00:03:24,730 The first thing. 93 00:03:25,030 --> 00:03:26,750 Because this is a dominant theme in the 94 00:03:26,750 --> 00:03:27,270 Old Testament. 95 00:03:27,630 --> 00:03:29,190 It's a dominant theme in all of Scripture. 96 00:03:29,490 --> 00:03:31,730 That the Lord himself is our shepherd. 97 00:03:32,290 --> 00:03:35,090 And we saw on Wednesday night the complexities 98 00:03:35,090 --> 00:03:36,230 of this job. 99 00:03:36,810 --> 00:03:38,950 It is not an easy task to be 100 00:03:38,950 --> 00:03:39,310 a shepherd. 101 00:03:39,790 --> 00:03:41,690 It is a full time commitment. 102 00:03:41,690 --> 00:03:45,910 It is something that is given tremendous commitment 103 00:03:45,910 --> 00:03:50,910 of soul and expertise that is required of 104 00:03:50,910 --> 00:03:51,110 us. 105 00:03:51,410 --> 00:03:52,450 You've got to be a doctor. 106 00:03:52,750 --> 00:03:54,230 You've got to be an EMT. 107 00:03:54,350 --> 00:03:55,590 You've got to be an obstetrician. 108 00:03:55,670 --> 00:03:57,070 You've got to be a lawyer, a counselor. 109 00:03:57,390 --> 00:03:58,350 You've got to be a policeman. 110 00:03:58,650 --> 00:04:00,130 You've got to be a slave that cleans 111 00:04:00,130 --> 00:04:01,670 up the things you don't want to talk 112 00:04:01,670 --> 00:04:01,910 about. 113 00:04:02,090 --> 00:04:03,550 And you've got to be the chief executive 114 00:04:03,550 --> 00:04:04,930 officer at all times. 115 00:04:05,150 --> 00:04:06,510 It's nothing less than being a mom. 116 00:04:08,770 --> 00:04:09,690 Being a dad. 117 00:04:10,930 --> 00:04:12,390 The thing that was so hard for me 118 00:04:12,390 --> 00:04:14,070 growing up in these last, in the 80s 119 00:04:14,070 --> 00:04:17,510 and 90s, is that the church discovered that 120 00:04:17,510 --> 00:04:19,149 all we need to do to be successful 121 00:04:19,149 --> 00:04:23,350 in the church is to import the knowledge 122 00:04:23,350 --> 00:04:27,790 of secular executive leaders and train pastors to 123 00:04:27,790 --> 00:04:29,690 be like executive businessmen. 124 00:04:30,790 --> 00:04:32,530 It was a great tragedy to the church, 125 00:04:32,550 --> 00:04:33,150 to be honest. 126 00:04:33,790 --> 00:04:36,170 All we needed to do is not study 127 00:04:36,170 --> 00:04:37,390 secular leadership. 128 00:04:37,390 --> 00:04:39,830 All we needed to do was study the 129 00:04:39,830 --> 00:04:40,130 shepherd. 130 00:04:41,410 --> 00:04:44,310 This is the image God gave us to 131 00:04:44,310 --> 00:04:47,470 tell us what true, biblical, godly leadership is 132 00:04:47,470 --> 00:04:48,110 all about. 133 00:04:49,050 --> 00:04:51,750 And this is why the great announcement comes 134 00:04:51,750 --> 00:04:54,050 that we have got, you and I, born 135 00:04:54,050 --> 00:04:56,770 that night at Bethlehem, we have got the 136 00:04:56,770 --> 00:05:00,510 good shepherd who has come to provide, he's 137 00:05:00,510 --> 00:05:03,010 come to protect, and he's come to guide. 138 00:05:03,730 --> 00:05:06,150 In the Old Testament, Professor Gordon Conwell did 139 00:05:06,150 --> 00:05:08,890 a study of shepherds and wrote his journals 140 00:05:08,890 --> 00:05:11,010 on this and a devotional on this that 141 00:05:11,010 --> 00:05:14,010 we might learn the heart of what a 142 00:05:14,010 --> 00:05:17,370 real Israeli Middle East shepherd does and the 143 00:05:17,370 --> 00:05:19,270 complexities behind that job. 144 00:05:19,710 --> 00:05:22,390 He came to the conclusion that these three 145 00:05:22,390 --> 00:05:25,210 areas define us, define all of us in 146 00:05:25,210 --> 00:05:26,470 our job of overseeing. 147 00:05:26,770 --> 00:05:28,890 We are those who provide, we are those 148 00:05:28,890 --> 00:05:31,150 who protect, and we are those who guide. 149 00:05:32,150 --> 00:05:34,550 And you can see that being a comprehensive 150 00:05:34,550 --> 00:05:37,630 job description of all of us who have 151 00:05:37,630 --> 00:05:39,310 oversight in any way. 152 00:05:40,430 --> 00:05:43,090 And nowhere is it tested more than this 153 00:05:43,090 --> 00:05:43,970 passage here. 154 00:05:44,350 --> 00:05:46,690 They watched over their flock by night. 155 00:05:47,770 --> 00:05:49,690 This is a time where a shepherd is 156 00:05:49,690 --> 00:05:50,130 tested. 157 00:05:50,970 --> 00:05:54,890 Tested because this is where the predators come 158 00:05:54,890 --> 00:05:55,090 out. 159 00:05:55,390 --> 00:05:57,470 This is the fact that there are others 160 00:05:57,470 --> 00:05:59,550 who watch over the flock by night who 161 00:05:59,550 --> 00:06:02,110 have a fearsome desire to steal and to 162 00:06:02,110 --> 00:06:03,670 ravage and destroy the flock. 163 00:06:04,650 --> 00:06:06,930 And that expression that comes out of this 164 00:06:06,930 --> 00:06:11,370 New Testament gospel passage, keeping watch over, is 165 00:06:11,370 --> 00:06:13,890 a dominant image of Old Testament. 166 00:06:14,730 --> 00:06:17,910 It's a word, this keeping watch over, is 167 00:06:17,910 --> 00:06:21,350 an image that is used in different ways 168 00:06:21,350 --> 00:06:24,270 through Old Testament, New Testament, perhaps one of 169 00:06:24,270 --> 00:06:29,110 them being the prison guard who watches over 170 00:06:29,110 --> 00:06:29,810 the prisoners. 171 00:06:30,250 --> 00:06:34,050 It's the same word that's used when Joseph 172 00:06:34,050 --> 00:06:36,430 was in the prison guarding over the prisoners, 173 00:06:37,030 --> 00:06:39,470 the jailer that's used in the text of 174 00:06:39,470 --> 00:06:39,930 Acts. 175 00:06:40,370 --> 00:06:42,530 You've got the image in Old Testament of 176 00:06:42,530 --> 00:06:45,050 a watchman who stands upon the gates and 177 00:06:45,050 --> 00:06:46,450 they watch over the city. 178 00:06:46,710 --> 00:06:48,350 And their job is to watch for the 179 00:06:48,350 --> 00:06:50,550 enemy and to cry out if there's ever 180 00:06:50,550 --> 00:06:51,510 a time for battle. 181 00:06:51,510 --> 00:06:55,090 The watchmen are always keeping watch during the 182 00:06:55,090 --> 00:06:56,650 watches of the night. 183 00:06:57,690 --> 00:06:59,450 In Psalm 17, you have the image of 184 00:06:59,450 --> 00:07:02,150 keep me as the apple of the eye. 185 00:07:02,530 --> 00:07:05,570 Hide me in the shadow of your wings. 186 00:07:05,970 --> 00:07:09,110 Both of these images, the eyelid coming down, 187 00:07:09,410 --> 00:07:12,290 protecting the eye, keeping watch over the eye, 188 00:07:12,470 --> 00:07:13,590 it's the same imagery. 189 00:07:14,370 --> 00:07:16,690 The same imagery as the eagle that spreads 190 00:07:16,690 --> 00:07:19,210 the wings and brings in the brood. 191 00:07:19,210 --> 00:07:21,810 Hide me in the shelter, which is where 192 00:07:21,810 --> 00:07:23,730 we get that beautiful Psalm 91. 193 00:07:23,990 --> 00:07:25,890 He will cover you with His pinion. 194 00:07:26,470 --> 00:07:28,530 Under His wings you may seek refuge. 195 00:07:28,810 --> 00:07:30,950 His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 196 00:07:31,310 --> 00:07:33,630 You will not be afraid of the terror 197 00:07:33,630 --> 00:07:34,250 by night. 198 00:07:34,550 --> 00:07:37,470 Psalm 91, verse 9, because you have made 199 00:07:37,470 --> 00:07:39,830 the Lord your dwelling place. 200 00:07:41,010 --> 00:07:44,990 By being in His shelter, under the covering 201 00:07:44,990 --> 00:07:47,850 of His wing, He keeps you, guards you. 202 00:07:47,850 --> 00:07:49,570 He watches over. 203 00:07:49,790 --> 00:07:50,770 It's the same imagery. 204 00:07:51,030 --> 00:07:52,710 He watches over us. 205 00:07:53,030 --> 00:07:55,670 That word is dominant in Psalm 129. 206 00:07:56,350 --> 00:08:00,810 Sorry, Psalm 121, where we hear that beautiful 207 00:08:00,810 --> 00:08:03,410 image of the Lord is your keeper. 208 00:08:04,050 --> 00:08:06,250 He is your shade on your right hand. 209 00:08:06,630 --> 00:08:08,190 The sun will not smite you by day, 210 00:08:08,230 --> 00:08:09,210 nor the moon by night. 211 00:08:09,410 --> 00:08:11,150 The Lord is your keeper. 212 00:08:11,810 --> 00:08:15,350 He will protect you, guard you, watch over 213 00:08:15,350 --> 00:08:16,950 you from all evil. 214 00:08:16,950 --> 00:08:19,250 He will keep your soul. 215 00:08:19,370 --> 00:08:20,210 Same imagery. 216 00:08:20,470 --> 00:08:21,690 He will watch over. 217 00:08:21,950 --> 00:08:24,210 Just as a shepherd watches over the flock. 218 00:08:24,550 --> 00:08:26,810 So the imagery of Old Testament is the 219 00:08:26,810 --> 00:08:28,870 Lord watches over His people. 220 00:08:29,090 --> 00:08:30,510 Like a watchman on the city. 221 00:08:30,870 --> 00:08:35,230 Like an eagle's wings covering and us choosing 222 00:08:35,230 --> 00:08:38,309 Lord to be under your covering. 223 00:08:38,590 --> 00:08:39,870 He watches over us. 224 00:08:40,090 --> 00:08:42,309 And this God of ours does not sleep. 225 00:08:43,430 --> 00:08:44,750 Don't you love that? 226 00:08:44,870 --> 00:08:46,450 I love that in Psalm 121. 227 00:08:46,450 --> 00:08:50,210 The Lord is coming. 228 00:08:50,830 --> 00:08:51,730 The end of the year. 229 00:08:52,430 --> 00:08:54,030 He will not allow your foot to slip. 230 00:08:54,290 --> 00:08:55,750 He who keeps you will not slumber. 231 00:08:56,050 --> 00:08:58,630 He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor 232 00:08:58,630 --> 00:08:59,030 sleep. 233 00:09:00,250 --> 00:09:00,730 I love that. 234 00:09:00,910 --> 00:09:01,790 Because you remember Elijah. 235 00:09:02,530 --> 00:09:03,710 I love that too. 236 00:09:03,970 --> 00:09:05,650 In the time when he's dealing with the 237 00:09:05,650 --> 00:09:06,350 Baal gods. 238 00:09:06,630 --> 00:09:08,010 They're calling on the Baal gods. 239 00:09:08,350 --> 00:09:09,450 On Mount Carmel. 240 00:09:09,690 --> 00:09:11,430 And he's asking the fire to come down. 241 00:09:11,690 --> 00:09:13,370 And the Baal gods don't respond. 242 00:09:13,370 --> 00:09:15,210 And Elijah is sitting there having the best 243 00:09:15,210 --> 00:09:15,710 of times. 244 00:09:16,210 --> 00:09:16,510 Why? 245 00:09:17,010 --> 00:09:17,950 Where is he? 246 00:09:19,130 --> 00:09:20,750 Is he sleeping? 247 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:24,400 Poor Elijah. 248 00:09:24,700 --> 00:09:27,680 He's got that humor deep in his soul 249 00:09:27,680 --> 00:09:30,740 that our God does not sleep. 250 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:33,260 He protects us. 251 00:09:33,580 --> 00:09:34,540 He guards us. 252 00:09:34,820 --> 00:09:38,280 And we, Psalm 91.9. We have made 253 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:40,380 the Lord our dwelling place. 254 00:09:40,680 --> 00:09:42,420 The Lord is our shepherd. 255 00:09:42,420 --> 00:09:46,460 He is the one who guards and provides 256 00:09:46,460 --> 00:09:48,700 and protects and keeps the soul. 257 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,080 He's the one that watches over us. 258 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,440 And in that imagery, what you find throughout 259 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,440 the Old Testament is that this is how 260 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:58,860 the Lord crafted leaders coming up. 261 00:09:59,020 --> 00:10:01,040 This is why he uses that same language 262 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:01,540 with David. 263 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:03,980 David is going to learn how to be 264 00:10:03,980 --> 00:10:06,120 a leader by being a shepherd of the 265 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:06,380 flock. 266 00:10:06,380 --> 00:10:08,840 That's how he's going to learn the principles 267 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:13,240 behind protecting and guarding and laying down his 268 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:14,240 life for the flock. 269 00:10:14,460 --> 00:10:15,560 That's where the test is. 270 00:10:15,700 --> 00:10:18,120 If you've got compassion, is it your job 271 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:19,180 or is it your family? 272 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:21,680 If it's your job, when the wolf comes, 273 00:10:21,820 --> 00:10:22,280 you flee. 274 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:24,320 If it is your family, when the wolf 275 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:25,900 comes, you deal with the wolf. 276 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:27,720 That's what shepherds do. 277 00:10:28,100 --> 00:10:29,680 And when it came time for David to 278 00:10:29,680 --> 00:10:31,680 rise up, this is what the Lord said 279 00:10:31,680 --> 00:10:33,940 in 2 Samuel 5. 280 00:10:33,940 --> 00:10:37,320 He said, I am calling you to shepherd 281 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:38,940 my people Israel. 282 00:10:39,460 --> 00:10:40,900 To shepherd my people. 283 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:42,820 The same imagery is here. 284 00:10:43,460 --> 00:10:46,100 It is both the joy and also the 285 00:10:46,100 --> 00:10:48,060 sorrow behind Old Testament. 286 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:48,920 Why is that? 287 00:10:49,100 --> 00:10:51,300 Well, because what you find are kings that 288 00:10:51,300 --> 00:10:55,700 had risen up, kings of Judah who guarded 289 00:10:55,700 --> 00:10:58,900 and shepherded and were good kings who followed 290 00:10:58,900 --> 00:11:01,180 the Lord and were under the Lord's guidance 291 00:11:01,180 --> 00:11:01,780 and direction. 292 00:11:01,780 --> 00:11:03,780 But then came up the evil kings. 293 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,160 The ones who did not follow the Lord. 294 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,000 And what you end up finding throughout the 295 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:11,940 Old Testament is this rhythm inside. 296 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:15,820 And the Lord speaking against the false shepherds. 297 00:11:16,060 --> 00:11:17,940 The shepherds who care for themselves. 298 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:20,660 This is why that passage from Ezekiel 34 299 00:11:20,660 --> 00:11:23,180 is so dominant and so strong. 300 00:11:23,420 --> 00:11:25,180 And the language so powerful. 301 00:11:26,780 --> 00:11:30,240 Thus says the Lord God, Ezekiel 34 and 302 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:31,200 verse 2. 303 00:11:32,500 --> 00:11:35,140 Shepherds of Israel, you've been feeding yourselves. 304 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:37,560 Should not the shepherds feed the flock? 305 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:39,000 Verse 3. 306 00:11:39,560 --> 00:11:41,780 You eat the fat, you clothe yourself with 307 00:11:41,780 --> 00:11:44,100 the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but 308 00:11:44,100 --> 00:11:45,620 you do not feed the sheep. 309 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:47,300 The weak you have not strengthened. 310 00:11:47,540 --> 00:11:48,800 The sick you have not healed. 311 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:50,540 The injured you have not bound up. 312 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:52,220 The strayed you have not brought back. 313 00:11:52,460 --> 00:11:53,720 The lost you have not sought. 314 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:54,720 With force. 315 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:56,600 With harshness. 316 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:58,460 You have ruled them. 317 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:00,660 Later in that text it says in verse 318 00:12:00,660 --> 00:12:01,640 27. 319 00:12:04,010 --> 00:12:06,430 They were enslaved by these. 320 00:12:06,630 --> 00:12:09,270 They were under the bars of yoke and 321 00:12:09,270 --> 00:12:10,790 enslaved by them. 322 00:12:11,030 --> 00:12:12,690 So that they were scattered. 323 00:12:13,510 --> 00:12:17,950 And this becomes the two-fold horror of 324 00:12:17,950 --> 00:12:19,870 the nature of how the Lord saw this. 325 00:12:19,870 --> 00:12:22,770 One were those shepherds that came and dominated 326 00:12:22,770 --> 00:12:25,730 and became oppressors to the flock. 327 00:12:26,170 --> 00:12:29,070 And the others where they abandoned and neglected 328 00:12:29,070 --> 00:12:29,670 the flock. 329 00:12:30,850 --> 00:12:32,490 And that became the cry, as you know, 330 00:12:32,530 --> 00:12:33,430 of our Lord Jesus. 331 00:12:34,510 --> 00:12:36,290 As He looked over the people and saw 332 00:12:36,290 --> 00:12:40,570 the people as sheep without a shepherd. 333 00:12:41,430 --> 00:12:43,650 Not the ones being dominated or oppressed. 334 00:12:43,910 --> 00:12:44,890 Having no shepherd. 335 00:12:45,210 --> 00:12:46,630 And the sheep without shepherd. 336 00:12:46,950 --> 00:12:47,850 They stray. 337 00:12:48,210 --> 00:12:49,330 That's what we do. 338 00:12:49,330 --> 00:12:50,570 We think we're something. 339 00:12:50,670 --> 00:12:51,610 We go off on our own. 340 00:12:51,690 --> 00:12:52,670 We do what we want to do. 341 00:12:52,830 --> 00:12:53,910 We go where we want to go. 342 00:12:54,070 --> 00:12:55,470 And what ends up happening to us? 343 00:12:55,590 --> 00:12:57,610 We become prey for the wild beasts. 344 00:12:57,910 --> 00:13:00,050 Which is exactly how this passage works. 345 00:13:00,850 --> 00:13:02,890 So they were scattered because there was no 346 00:13:02,890 --> 00:13:03,230 shepherd. 347 00:13:03,590 --> 00:13:06,090 They became food for all the wild beasts. 348 00:13:06,490 --> 00:13:07,930 My sheep were scattered. 349 00:13:08,230 --> 00:13:09,930 They wandered over all the mountains. 350 00:13:10,090 --> 00:13:11,230 On every high hill. 351 00:13:11,490 --> 00:13:14,010 My sheep were scattered over the face of 352 00:13:14,010 --> 00:13:14,290 the earth. 353 00:13:14,510 --> 00:13:16,350 With none to search. 354 00:13:16,350 --> 00:13:18,590 None to seek for them. 355 00:13:19,190 --> 00:13:21,770 You'll find this same sort of passage in 356 00:13:21,770 --> 00:13:23,250 Jeremiah chapter 23. 357 00:13:24,970 --> 00:13:27,470 Where he says, You have scattered my flock. 358 00:13:27,890 --> 00:13:29,030 You have driven them away. 359 00:13:29,410 --> 00:13:31,310 You have not attended to them. 360 00:13:32,250 --> 00:13:33,630 And then comes the promises. 361 00:13:34,290 --> 00:13:35,930 Sitting at the heart of Old Testament. 362 00:13:36,510 --> 00:13:39,190 Here again in Jeremiah 23-4. 363 00:13:39,650 --> 00:13:41,730 I will set my shepherd over them. 364 00:13:42,870 --> 00:13:44,170 Who will care for them. 365 00:13:44,170 --> 00:13:48,930 And they will fear no more. 366 00:13:50,370 --> 00:13:52,170 They will not be dismayed. 367 00:13:53,010 --> 00:13:54,670 Days are coming declares the Lord. 368 00:13:54,750 --> 00:13:56,810 When I will raise up for David a 369 00:13:56,810 --> 00:13:57,790 righteous branch. 370 00:13:58,210 --> 00:14:00,730 And he shall reign as king and deal 371 00:14:00,730 --> 00:14:01,270 wisely. 372 00:14:01,710 --> 00:14:05,230 And shall execute justice and righteousness in the 373 00:14:05,230 --> 00:14:05,490 land. 374 00:14:05,870 --> 00:14:08,030 In his days Judah will be saved. 375 00:14:08,090 --> 00:14:10,050 And Israel will dwell securely. 376 00:14:10,550 --> 00:14:12,150 And this is the name by which he 377 00:14:12,150 --> 00:14:12,770 will be called. 378 00:14:12,770 --> 00:14:15,050 The Lord is our righteousness. 379 00:14:15,790 --> 00:14:19,210 Again in Ezekiel 34-23. 380 00:14:19,330 --> 00:14:23,050 I will set up over them one shepherd. 381 00:14:23,330 --> 00:14:24,390 My servant David. 382 00:14:24,750 --> 00:14:25,990 And he shall feed them. 383 00:14:26,110 --> 00:14:28,090 And he shall feed them and be their 384 00:14:28,090 --> 00:14:28,450 shepherd. 385 00:14:28,770 --> 00:14:30,570 And I the Lord God will be their 386 00:14:30,570 --> 00:14:30,890 God. 387 00:14:31,150 --> 00:14:33,290 My servant David will be prince among them. 388 00:14:33,570 --> 00:14:34,450 I am the Lord. 389 00:14:34,550 --> 00:14:35,410 I have spoken. 390 00:14:35,750 --> 00:14:37,290 I will make a covenant of peace. 391 00:14:37,590 --> 00:14:39,650 And will banish the wild beasts. 392 00:14:40,830 --> 00:14:43,010 From the land so that they will dwell 393 00:14:43,010 --> 00:14:43,910 securely. 394 00:14:44,130 --> 00:14:45,370 And I love this passage. 395 00:14:45,530 --> 00:14:45,790 Listen. 396 00:14:46,590 --> 00:14:48,670 They shall dwell securely. 397 00:14:49,310 --> 00:14:52,330 And none shall make them afraid. 398 00:14:56,070 --> 00:14:58,010 My friends, do you know why the angel 399 00:14:58,010 --> 00:15:00,550 came to shepherds on Christmas night? 400 00:15:01,270 --> 00:15:02,750 Isn't it clear to you? 401 00:15:03,670 --> 00:15:05,450 Isn't the Lord telling us this is everything? 402 00:15:06,390 --> 00:15:08,710 This is what I am for you. 403 00:15:08,710 --> 00:15:12,110 And I Myself will search out. 404 00:15:12,610 --> 00:15:13,870 I Myself will seek. 405 00:15:14,290 --> 00:15:15,790 I Myself will bring back. 406 00:15:16,150 --> 00:15:17,270 I Myself will gather. 407 00:15:17,670 --> 00:15:19,410 I Myself will bind up the broken. 408 00:15:19,770 --> 00:15:20,470 I Myself. 409 00:15:20,750 --> 00:15:22,350 I Myself will do this. 410 00:15:22,610 --> 00:15:25,070 And I will set over them My shepherd. 411 00:15:27,900 --> 00:15:30,020 I bring you good news of great joy. 412 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:34,180 Today in the city of David, there is 413 00:15:34,180 --> 00:15:36,680 born for you a saviour. 414 00:15:37,340 --> 00:15:38,600 A protector. 415 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:41,300 In the hearts of the night. 416 00:15:41,860 --> 00:15:44,220 As the shepherds are watching for the predators 417 00:15:44,220 --> 00:15:44,860 outside. 418 00:15:45,380 --> 00:15:45,960 There it is. 419 00:15:46,180 --> 00:15:46,760 And isn't there? 420 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:47,780 Aren't there not predators? 421 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:49,460 Isn't that the whole point of the Magi 422 00:15:49,460 --> 00:15:49,820 story? 423 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:51,320 Isn't this an amazing story? 424 00:15:51,580 --> 00:15:52,780 The Magi are coming. 425 00:15:53,100 --> 00:15:54,760 The Magi know the story. 426 00:15:55,100 --> 00:15:56,320 They're coming to find out. 427 00:15:56,460 --> 00:15:57,640 They're following a star. 428 00:15:57,940 --> 00:15:58,500 And they're coming. 429 00:15:58,660 --> 00:16:00,220 And they come before the great king. 430 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:01,180 Here he is. 431 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:03,120 A king over Israel. 432 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:04,980 A king in the land of Judah. 433 00:16:05,180 --> 00:16:06,080 Whose name is Herod. 434 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:07,800 Is he a good shepherd or is he 435 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:08,460 a bad shepherd? 436 00:16:11,850 --> 00:16:13,250 They say we've come to worship him. 437 00:16:14,590 --> 00:16:16,390 So, Herod, who clearly does not know his 438 00:16:16,390 --> 00:16:20,740 Bible, gathers the chief priests around him. 439 00:16:20,900 --> 00:16:21,740 And ascribes. 440 00:16:22,020 --> 00:16:23,120 Well, where is he to be born? 441 00:16:24,060 --> 00:16:26,200 And out comes this passage of Micah 5. 442 00:16:26,700 --> 00:16:29,540 This is what they read in Herod's hearing. 443 00:16:29,820 --> 00:16:31,740 From Micah chapter 5. 444 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:35,400 You Bethlehem Ephrathah. 445 00:16:36,180 --> 00:16:38,480 Too little to be among the clans of 446 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:38,660 Judah. 447 00:16:38,660 --> 00:16:42,460 From you shall come forth from me one 448 00:16:42,460 --> 00:16:44,480 who is to be ruler in Israel. 449 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:49,060 Whose coming forth and going forth is from 450 00:16:49,060 --> 00:16:49,540 of old. 451 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:51,080 From ancient days. 452 00:16:51,620 --> 00:16:54,200 In other words, they knew that this eternal 453 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:55,320 shepherd was coming. 454 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:58,120 Not just another king for another day. 455 00:16:58,220 --> 00:16:59,120 For another time. 456 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:01,340 Where kings are born and kings die. 457 00:17:01,780 --> 00:17:04,700 This one is coming out of eternity. 458 00:17:05,420 --> 00:17:06,839 This one is... 459 00:17:06,839 --> 00:17:07,540 And they knew it. 460 00:17:07,540 --> 00:17:07,780 Why? 461 00:17:07,940 --> 00:17:08,680 Because they said it. 462 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:10,260 We've come to worship him. 463 00:17:11,020 --> 00:17:12,700 We've come to worship him. 464 00:17:14,260 --> 00:17:16,260 And out come these words that come into 465 00:17:16,260 --> 00:17:16,660 Herod. 466 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:18,819 And on goes Micah. 467 00:17:19,180 --> 00:17:21,500 He shall stand and he shall shepherd his 468 00:17:21,500 --> 00:17:23,619 flock in the strength of his Lord. 469 00:17:24,660 --> 00:17:26,400 And they shall dwell secure. 470 00:17:27,099 --> 00:17:29,340 For now he shall be great to the 471 00:17:29,340 --> 00:17:30,120 ends of the earth. 472 00:17:30,260 --> 00:17:32,780 And he shall be their peace. 473 00:17:34,300 --> 00:17:35,280 Do you see what he's saying? 474 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:36,480 There's a new king. 475 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:37,520 But he's not just a king. 476 00:17:37,740 --> 00:17:38,700 He's the eternal king. 477 00:17:38,940 --> 00:17:39,620 He's a new... 478 00:17:39,620 --> 00:17:40,260 He's not just a king. 479 00:17:40,380 --> 00:17:41,900 He's shepherd king. 480 00:17:42,220 --> 00:17:43,500 As David was shepherd king. 481 00:17:43,700 --> 00:17:45,100 He is shepherd king. 482 00:17:45,380 --> 00:17:47,020 And we have come to worship him. 483 00:17:47,300 --> 00:17:50,580 And Herod says, well, go find out where 484 00:17:50,580 --> 00:17:52,660 he is so that I might come and 485 00:17:52,660 --> 00:17:52,900 worship. 486 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:56,900 You see the deception. 487 00:17:57,220 --> 00:17:58,080 You see the lies. 488 00:17:58,820 --> 00:18:01,100 This man ruled by force. 489 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:04,640 You have two shepherds in Matthew 2. 490 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:06,580 Perfect imagery. 491 00:18:06,580 --> 00:18:10,300 The shepherd king who's come to dominate and 492 00:18:10,300 --> 00:18:10,980 to oppress. 493 00:18:12,740 --> 00:18:15,680 And you've got the shepherd king born in 494 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:16,180 a manger. 495 00:18:17,120 --> 00:18:20,220 But this one isn't born for a time. 496 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:24,540 This one is born unto us to be 497 00:18:24,540 --> 00:18:27,480 shepherd unto us forever. 498 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:31,900 My friends, what perspective do you have on 499 00:18:31,900 --> 00:18:32,180 this? 500 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:34,500 Are you looking back at the past year? 501 00:18:34,500 --> 00:18:35,400 Are you looking at all the things that 502 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:35,920 went wrong? 503 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:37,880 All the things that have not gone well 504 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:38,380 for you? 505 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:42,400 Can you look back over 2014 and see 506 00:18:42,400 --> 00:18:45,360 where the shepherd has been shepherd to you? 507 00:18:46,780 --> 00:18:47,960 It's a choice, isn't it? 508 00:18:48,440 --> 00:18:49,280 Think about this. 509 00:18:49,500 --> 00:18:50,880 Are you in the valley of the shadow 510 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:51,260 of death? 511 00:18:51,360 --> 00:18:52,660 Are you staring at the dark? 512 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:55,400 Are you staring at the evil? 513 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:57,200 It's the same thing Peter did when he 514 00:18:57,200 --> 00:18:58,280 was walking on the waves. 515 00:18:58,500 --> 00:19:00,640 Are you staring at your shepherd? 516 00:19:00,940 --> 00:19:02,660 Or are you staring at the wind in 517 00:19:02,660 --> 00:19:03,040 the waves? 518 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:04,320 Where are your eyes? 519 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:07,480 For if they're on the shepherd, out will 520 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:08,200 come Thanksgiving. 521 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:11,400 If they're on the wind and the waves, 522 00:19:11,660 --> 00:19:13,220 if they're on the dark and the evil, 523 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:15,100 my friends, you'll be lost in your soul. 524 00:19:15,360 --> 00:19:16,860 All you'll have is negative things to say 525 00:19:16,860 --> 00:19:17,760 about the past year. 526 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:19,720 You will not know the truth behind all 527 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:20,040 these things. 528 00:19:20,420 --> 00:19:21,660 We have a shepherd today. 529 00:19:23,300 --> 00:19:24,560 Now, let me tell you something about this 530 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:25,300 shepherd, if I could. 531 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,160 I really won't be long. 532 00:19:27,260 --> 00:19:28,140 I have till four. 533 00:19:29,420 --> 00:19:30,940 I want to tell you about this shepherd 534 00:19:30,940 --> 00:19:32,020 just for a moment. 535 00:19:32,020 --> 00:19:33,360 I want to tell you about this shepherd 536 00:19:33,360 --> 00:19:35,220 because he's confusing. 537 00:19:37,620 --> 00:19:38,580 He's confusing. 538 00:19:39,660 --> 00:19:40,400 Did you hear me? 539 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:41,080 Did you get it? 540 00:19:41,700 --> 00:19:42,940 Why is he confusing? 541 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:44,180 I can't answer that. 542 00:19:45,540 --> 00:19:46,540 But he is. 543 00:19:47,740 --> 00:19:48,900 Why is he confusing? 544 00:19:49,820 --> 00:19:53,820 You see, he doesn't always answer our prayers. 545 00:19:54,980 --> 00:19:57,760 This woman, this woman, let me tell you 546 00:19:57,760 --> 00:19:58,540 how confusing it is. 547 00:19:58,540 --> 00:20:00,380 This woman comes out to a well. 548 00:20:00,460 --> 00:20:01,120 She's thirsty. 549 00:20:03,120 --> 00:20:04,900 And he says, I'd like a drink too. 550 00:20:05,020 --> 00:20:05,700 Give me a drink. 551 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:09,380 She says, we don't talk, we're not supposed 552 00:20:09,380 --> 00:20:10,020 to talk to women. 553 00:20:11,380 --> 00:20:12,320 That's my translation. 554 00:20:14,120 --> 00:20:17,520 He said, by the way, I have water 555 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:21,140 that when you drink it, you shall never 556 00:20:21,140 --> 00:20:21,920 thirst again. 557 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:24,600 He's confusing. 558 00:20:25,860 --> 00:20:28,560 Everyone who drinks of the water that you've 559 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:29,940 got will thirst again. 560 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:33,380 But the water that I shall give, you 561 00:20:33,380 --> 00:20:34,420 shall never thirst. 562 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:37,580 For the water that I shall give shall 563 00:20:37,580 --> 00:20:41,060 become in him a well of water springing 564 00:20:41,060 --> 00:20:42,200 up to eternal life. 565 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,620 Sir, she says, give me that water. 566 00:20:47,980 --> 00:20:48,900 He's confusing. 567 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:51,800 He showers bread from heaven. 568 00:20:51,800 --> 00:20:53,900 He breaks bread and feeds 5,000. 569 00:20:54,100 --> 00:20:55,480 And he turns to them and says, but 570 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:56,280 you don't understand. 571 00:20:56,860 --> 00:20:59,740 I don't have just bread to give you. 572 00:21:00,660 --> 00:21:02,740 You know, the Old Testament teaches that the 573 00:21:02,740 --> 00:21:05,200 bread, man does not live by bread alone, 574 00:21:05,260 --> 00:21:06,800 but by every word that proceeds from the 575 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:07,360 mouth of God. 576 00:21:07,580 --> 00:21:09,180 But he's saying something different than this. 577 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:11,920 He's saying, I've got bread of life to 578 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:12,320 give you. 579 00:21:12,580 --> 00:21:13,320 Bread of eternal life. 580 00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:14,620 No, no, he doesn't say that. 581 00:21:14,820 --> 00:21:15,800 He doesn't say, I've got it to give 582 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:15,900 you. 583 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:17,220 He says, I am it. 584 00:21:18,180 --> 00:21:19,240 I am the bread of life. 585 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:21,260 Eat of this, eat of me, and you 586 00:21:21,260 --> 00:21:23,580 shall never hunger again. 587 00:21:23,740 --> 00:21:24,640 I'm the bread of life. 588 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:25,960 He is confusing. 589 00:21:29,910 --> 00:21:31,990 And he confused the people because what they 590 00:21:31,990 --> 00:21:35,630 wanted was him to destroy the powers of 591 00:21:35,630 --> 00:21:35,950 Rome. 592 00:21:37,170 --> 00:21:39,410 Rome was the one dominating them. 593 00:21:39,750 --> 00:21:41,010 Rome was the oppressor. 594 00:21:41,390 --> 00:21:42,510 Rome was the government. 595 00:21:42,910 --> 00:21:47,970 Rome, Isis, name that generation's terrifying leaders. 596 00:21:48,230 --> 00:21:49,370 We've got them in our day. 597 00:21:49,550 --> 00:21:51,130 They're only increasing in darkness. 598 00:21:51,130 --> 00:21:53,790 And he comes and does nothing with Rome. 599 00:21:54,910 --> 00:21:55,930 You know why? 600 00:21:56,990 --> 00:21:58,390 Because he's confusing. 601 00:21:59,790 --> 00:22:04,190 He's not shepherd over figuring out the stuff 602 00:22:04,190 --> 00:22:05,270 of this life only. 603 00:22:05,970 --> 00:22:07,350 And he said it to Pilate when he 604 00:22:07,350 --> 00:22:08,390 was being tried. 605 00:22:09,930 --> 00:22:12,950 He said, if this kingdom, the kingdom of 606 00:22:12,950 --> 00:22:16,090 this world, he said, are you king of 607 00:22:16,090 --> 00:22:16,450 Israel? 608 00:22:18,350 --> 00:22:21,770 His response was, my kingdom is not of 609 00:22:21,770 --> 00:22:22,690 this world. 610 00:22:24,470 --> 00:22:26,990 I've come to destroy something far greater than 611 00:22:26,990 --> 00:22:28,030 Rome will ever be. 612 00:22:29,750 --> 00:22:32,010 I've come to deal with the real enemy 613 00:22:32,010 --> 00:22:33,150 of your soul. 614 00:22:34,710 --> 00:22:36,210 That's who I've come to deal with. 615 00:22:37,210 --> 00:22:39,310 I've come to deal with the real story. 616 00:22:39,710 --> 00:22:42,150 The one that breaks into everlasting life. 617 00:22:42,370 --> 00:22:44,570 I've come to be the shepherd here during 618 00:22:44,570 --> 00:22:45,470 your days here. 619 00:22:45,470 --> 00:22:47,350 Stay in the valley of the shadow of 620 00:22:47,350 --> 00:22:48,590 death and feel my rod. 621 00:22:48,750 --> 00:22:49,970 Feel my staff. 622 00:22:50,410 --> 00:22:52,590 Know that I am here and I will 623 00:22:52,590 --> 00:22:53,850 see you through this life. 624 00:22:54,030 --> 00:22:55,250 But I have come to be a shepherd 625 00:22:55,250 --> 00:22:57,330 that will deal with a bigger story. 626 00:22:57,590 --> 00:23:00,090 With death, with sin, with the devil himself. 627 00:23:01,390 --> 00:23:03,150 This is how 1 John 3 says it. 628 00:23:03,210 --> 00:23:04,610 The Son of God appeared for this purpose. 629 00:23:04,970 --> 00:23:07,230 To destroy the works of the devil. 630 00:23:08,250 --> 00:23:09,670 Do you understand the nature behind this? 631 00:23:09,910 --> 00:23:12,090 This cross, this bread, this wine. 632 00:23:12,090 --> 00:23:16,150 He's come for a different purpose than what 633 00:23:16,150 --> 00:23:17,110 we want him to be. 634 00:23:17,370 --> 00:23:18,730 We want him to heal our body now. 635 00:23:18,950 --> 00:23:20,750 We want him to give us food and 636 00:23:20,750 --> 00:23:21,810 provision and all the things. 637 00:23:22,110 --> 00:23:24,510 And sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't. 638 00:23:24,750 --> 00:23:26,470 He's come to be bigger story. 639 00:23:27,010 --> 00:23:29,470 Bigger story because he is real shepherd. 640 00:23:30,230 --> 00:23:31,570 The eternal shepherd. 641 00:23:32,610 --> 00:23:34,350 He is the one and he holds that 642 00:23:34,350 --> 00:23:34,590 name. 643 00:23:34,910 --> 00:23:35,710 Listen to this story. 644 00:23:36,350 --> 00:23:37,710 Listen to how the Bible holds this. 645 00:23:37,710 --> 00:23:39,190 1 Peter chapter 2. 646 00:23:39,590 --> 00:23:41,270 By his wounds you have been healed. 647 00:23:41,710 --> 00:23:43,170 You were straying like sheep. 648 00:23:43,490 --> 00:23:46,110 But now you have returned to the shepherd 649 00:23:46,110 --> 00:23:48,650 and overseer of your soul. 650 00:23:49,690 --> 00:23:51,270 1 Peter ends this way. 651 00:23:52,650 --> 00:23:56,830 When the chief shepherd appears, you will receive 652 00:23:56,830 --> 00:23:59,250 the unfading crown of glory. 653 00:24:01,130 --> 00:24:02,710 He's called the chief shepherd. 654 00:24:04,090 --> 00:24:08,270 When you come to Revelation chapter 7, you've 655 00:24:08,270 --> 00:24:11,610 got the amazing imagery of the lamb who 656 00:24:11,610 --> 00:24:13,470 is at the center of the throne. 657 00:24:14,170 --> 00:24:17,170 And he shall be their shepherd. 658 00:24:18,110 --> 00:24:20,370 And shall guide them to the springs of 659 00:24:20,370 --> 00:24:21,650 the water of life. 660 00:24:22,250 --> 00:24:24,090 They shall hunger no more. 661 00:24:24,190 --> 00:24:25,730 They shall thirst no more. 662 00:24:26,090 --> 00:24:27,930 The sun will not beat down on them 663 00:24:27,930 --> 00:24:28,750 nor any heat. 664 00:24:28,930 --> 00:24:30,650 For the lamb in the center of the 665 00:24:30,650 --> 00:24:31,970 throne shall be their shepherd. 666 00:24:31,970 --> 00:24:34,030 Shall guide them to the springs of the 667 00:24:34,030 --> 00:24:34,590 water of life. 668 00:24:34,690 --> 00:24:37,190 And God shall wipe every tear from their 669 00:24:37,190 --> 00:24:37,370 eyes. 670 00:24:37,490 --> 00:24:38,450 Do you believe it? 671 00:24:39,250 --> 00:24:40,970 See the perspective change. 672 00:24:41,330 --> 00:24:42,690 Let me tell you how simple this is. 673 00:24:42,950 --> 00:24:44,810 Let me tell you the day, Christmas day. 674 00:24:44,910 --> 00:24:45,770 I was a child. 675 00:24:46,030 --> 00:24:48,370 I was 14, 13, 14 years old. 676 00:24:49,650 --> 00:24:51,550 And I had put my Christmas list in. 677 00:24:51,970 --> 00:24:53,050 I wanted two things. 678 00:24:55,460 --> 00:24:57,060 I wanted a full drum set. 679 00:24:57,120 --> 00:24:58,520 I only had a snare and a stupid 680 00:24:58,520 --> 00:24:58,920 cymbal. 681 00:25:02,370 --> 00:25:05,190 And I wanted the best football my parents 682 00:25:05,190 --> 00:25:05,670 could find. 683 00:25:07,370 --> 00:25:09,610 And one day before Christmas, my mother came 684 00:25:09,610 --> 00:25:09,810 in. 685 00:25:12,700 --> 00:25:13,780 Oh, she was so happy. 686 00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:16,500 I've got you the best gift ever. 687 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:18,900 Well, I knew I'd gotten both. 688 00:25:19,560 --> 00:25:20,820 I could see it on her face. 689 00:25:20,860 --> 00:25:21,600 It was radiating. 690 00:25:22,180 --> 00:25:23,600 I'd gotten the football and I'd gotten the 691 00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:24,180 full drum set. 692 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:26,200 I could see it. 693 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:28,420 I could see it in her eyes. 694 00:25:29,860 --> 00:25:32,780 Come Christmas day, there was neither drum set 695 00:25:32,780 --> 00:25:33,220 nor football. 696 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:38,260 And there was some stupid painting she had 697 00:25:38,260 --> 00:25:38,580 gotten. 698 00:25:39,920 --> 00:25:44,140 It was maybe a card by four, five, 699 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:45,400 by five, by five. 700 00:25:46,060 --> 00:25:47,940 From a nun named Sister Corita. 701 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:51,820 And on it, it said in beautiful colors, 702 00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:58,160 beautiful little painting, I love you very. 703 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:03,020 It was stupid. 704 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:06,500 What does a 14-year-old want to 705 00:26:06,500 --> 00:26:06,960 do with that? 706 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:09,000 What does a 14-year-old do with 707 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:09,240 that? 708 00:26:11,780 --> 00:26:13,760 Drum sets come and go and footballs come 709 00:26:13,760 --> 00:26:14,100 and go. 710 00:26:15,620 --> 00:26:17,460 I don't have any presents of my youth 711 00:26:17,460 --> 00:26:21,640 still with me, but that one. 712 00:26:25,290 --> 00:26:29,110 It would be one of our last Christmases 713 00:26:29,110 --> 00:26:34,390 together, for she would die of cancer at 714 00:26:34,390 --> 00:26:36,350 the age of 45 two years later. 715 00:26:37,930 --> 00:26:41,390 And that was her gift to me. 716 00:26:45,360 --> 00:26:46,980 It's called perspective. 717 00:26:48,420 --> 00:26:50,000 It's called perspective. 718 00:26:51,340 --> 00:26:53,180 Do you have an attitude to look back 719 00:26:53,180 --> 00:26:55,580 and say, Lord, it's not what you haven't 720 00:26:55,580 --> 00:26:58,140 done that I wanted. 721 00:26:59,180 --> 00:27:02,440 It's what you've done that I've needed. 722 00:27:03,960 --> 00:27:05,900 And so I've come to give you thanks 723 00:27:05,900 --> 00:27:06,880 at the end of the year. 724 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:09,300 And I've come to give you praise. 725 00:27:10,780 --> 00:27:12,280 Praise for you are my shepherd. 726 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:16,500 You provide for my soul. 727 00:27:18,160 --> 00:27:20,760 You protect me from evil. 728 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:24,860 I have a whole list of prayer requests 729 00:27:24,860 --> 00:27:26,000 that you did not answer. 730 00:27:26,300 --> 00:27:28,420 No footballs and no golf clubs and no 731 00:27:28,420 --> 00:27:30,860 drum sets and no me wanting what I 732 00:27:30,860 --> 00:27:31,180 wanted. 733 00:27:31,300 --> 00:27:33,780 You gave me what you, and I don't 734 00:27:33,780 --> 00:27:34,860 understand it always. 735 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:38,720 As our dearly beloved sister Jen shared with 736 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:41,160 us last Sunday, so many things we do 737 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:45,700 not understand, but He is our shepherd today. 738 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:49,540 He's our chief shepherd today. 739 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:54,080 And today we give Him praise and thanksgiving. 740 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:55,080 It's a choice. 741 00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:56,260 It's a choice. 742 00:27:56,620 --> 00:27:58,300 It's having an attitude of thanksgiving. 743 00:27:58,520 --> 00:27:59,220 It's a choice. 744 00:27:59,380 --> 00:28:00,640 It's a perspective choice. 745 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:02,080 Do you see Him as your shepherd? 746 00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:04,120 Do you see Him in the valley of 747 00:28:04,120 --> 00:28:04,620 the shadow of death? 748 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:05,420 He's got a rod. 749 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:06,060 He's got a staff. 750 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:08,580 We can get through this journey, and when 751 00:28:08,580 --> 00:28:11,020 this journey is done and death comes to 752 00:28:11,020 --> 00:28:13,560 breathe hot air into our faith, it cannot 753 00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:16,080 have us because the shepherd became lamb. 754 00:28:16,280 --> 00:28:18,560 The lamb laid down his life and defeated 755 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:18,940 death. 756 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:20,300 He cannot have us. 757 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:22,600 It never happens because the chief shepherd is 758 00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:23,960 the shepherd forever. 759 00:28:25,500 --> 00:28:27,300 The lamb upon the center of the throne 760 00:28:27,300 --> 00:28:30,220 deserves your praise today and always. 761 00:28:30,220 --> 00:28:32,300 Don't go into the new year without Him. 762 00:28:32,500 --> 00:28:34,400 But before you get there, let's spend the 763 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:35,080 week and reflect. 764 00:28:35,420 --> 00:28:36,120 What has He done? 765 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:38,320 To what do we give Him praise and 766 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:39,260 honor and glory? 767 00:28:39,640 --> 00:28:42,800 The lamb upon the throne, our shepherd, in 768 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:43,560 Jesus' name. 769 00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:44,700 Amen.