April 13 - Good Shepherd Sunday –

Abundant Life – John 10:1-11

The image of a shepherd and his sheep describes our relationship with Christ – a relationship that has to do with knowing and being known – being known by one who understands and cares.

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out... and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:3,4

To a New Yorker, all sheep look a like. They are anonymous. But not to the shepherd. Each one is unique, has a name, and is valued for itself.

In Palestine, several shepherds may bring their flocks to a pond for water. When one of them is ready to move on, he gathers his flock by calling out each sheep’s name. They recognize his voice, hear their name, and follow their shepherd.

Just as Christ the Good Shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them... Through His Spirit, He has called you by name. Christ knows the good and the bad in us. He knows us and values us for our unique personalities and gifts. He can see what we can become with His guidance.

We don’t serve a dispassionate, disconnected God who sits far away in heaven. Rather we serve Christ who calls us by name, values us and cares for us.

But that should also be true within the church – the community of Christ’s followers. We are His flock in this place. We are not only called by name by Christ, but also by one another. You could say that our church should be a cheery place where “everyone knows your name, and we’re always glad you came”. Maybe not everyone, but at least enough folks that you can feel part of a caring community.

That’s why the church, from New Testament times until today, has placed emphasis on Hospitality and Fellowship. There is an intentional effort to connect members to one another, so that we might be the good shepherd’s flock, the community of Christ, where we know others and are known.

So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of

our fellowship together. Romans 14:19

It’s more of a challenge today, then generations ago. In modern America it is easy to be almost invisible and anonymous. I know my neighbor across the street and the one next door, but to most on my block I’m anonymous. If you work in a big organization, you may only know a few fellow employees. To most, you’re just an anonymous part of the crowd.

Christ’s church, His flock, is called to be different from society. It’s to be a place where you are known by name – valued for who you are. That it takes effort. So we try a variety of things.

For example, Bill Nobiling will again be taking orders for name tags. When you wear your name tag, other members can call you by name, and then learn your name.

Next Sunday we’re celebrating Fiesta with a lunch after the service. While the food will be wonderful, the point is not the food, but the fellowship. The opportunity to sit down and talk to some other members over lunch – to get to know them.

Our first reading describes congregational life in that first Christian church in Jerusalem.

The baptized devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42

Actually, those words also describe what we do on Sundays. In the first part of the service, we listen to and then study readings from the Acts of the Apostles and from Peter and John – the apostles’ teaching. Then in the second half of the service, we have the breaking of bread and prayers -- Holy Communion.

Remember last Sunday on the road to Emmaus? First Jesus discussed scripture with them – opened their minds to understand the scriptures – and second, they were at table and He took the bread, blessed and broke it – and he was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Do you see a pattern here? What we do on Sundays in based on what the first disciples did. Our worship service is not Lutheran nor Catholic. Rather it is Christian and biblical.

So they had a worship service like ours, but that verse also includes the word “fellowship”.

Fellowship associated with worship, but not just on Sundays. A couple of verses later, it says they also met at others times – in the temple courts and in individual homes – for prayer and study – and also just to hang out together -- To get to know one another and build the bonds of fellowship – strengthening the relationships among them.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture… I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:9,10

Of the metaphors that Jesus uses, perhaps the “gate” is the most obtuse. As evening fell, the shepherd brought his flock into a walled enclosure for safety. There was just one opening in the wall, where the sheep could go in and out. But there was no gate or door. Instead, the shepherd laid down in the opening, thus becoming a human gate. No sheep could get out, and more important, no wolf could come in. Thus the gate provides safety and protection for the flock.

Jesus says he is the gate through whom, his sheep, his people would come in and be saved. Sometimes that word “saved” seems only to refer to our future destiny. But here Jesus spells out what he means by “saved”, and it begins right now.

I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full

Christ offers life now -- a life that is abundantly rich and full.

An abundant life embraces a larger vision of our life and our place in the world. We find relevance and purpose when see our connectedness to the purposes of God.

As a congregation, we are called to seek out and welcome all who wish to express their faith in Christ. But maybe sometimes it’s hard to see how what you are asked to volunteer to do connect with God’s purpose. Yet it does.

For example, after church today we’ve invited those who care for the grounds – mow and trim – and those who garden - to have lunch. As a part of the lunch, we’ll develop a schedule for the work. But how does that reflect God’s purpose?

First, we want our church to appear welcoming – attractive to the eye and not an unkempt eyesore. So we want the grass mowed and flowers blooming. You might call that landscape evangelism.

Second, the building and grounds have been entrusted to us. We want to be good stewards by taking care of it. We want our church to bring glory to God.

I know not all of you are interested in that kind of work. As St. Paul wrote:

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but God works in all of them. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

If you’d prefer inside work, Jerry McCarty is recruiting “counters” – members who simply count and record the offering after the Sunday service – all done seated in the air conditioned comfort of the office.

Or you could speak to Mary Ranney about serving on her Evangelism Committee. They are working on the “Seek out and welcome” portion of our mission statement.

If work doesn’t appeal to you, and you just want to have fun, then speak to Carol Reaves after the service. She’s putting together a group that will plan for having fun at our picnic.

What does this list of opportunities to serve have to do with that abundant life Christ promises?.

First, abundant life is fulfilling and meaningful when you can use your talents and abilities as a part of Christ’s mission. Whether it is riding on a lawn mower or planning fun and games at the picnic, it contributes equally to His mission. We find relevance when we are connected to the purposes of God.

Second, abundant life is not solitary; rather a full, satisfying life is found in community with others - in knowing them and being known. If we are going to be a cheery place where “everyone knows your name”, then one of the best ways is to work with them. We are not only called by name by Christ, but also by one another.

Together we are the Good Shepherd’s flock in this place.

The apostles' teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers strengthen and equip us to serve, using the talents and abilities He has given us.

Empowered by His Spirit, we continue His work -- His ministry, and thus we are His church.

There is only one place to go when you can’t make any sense out of your life, when everything is falling apart, and you keep asking “Why, Lord?”

There is only one place to go – to Calvary and the cross. There you behold God’s love expressed in His supreme sacrifice.

On the cross the Lord Jesus stretched out His arms in love, inviting us into His saving embrace.

He offers forgiveness of what is past,

and invites us to new life.

We can turn to Jesus because He knows what we feel and experience...

and therefore we can trust Him to be compassionate,

and call on Him no matter what our circumstance

When you feel weak and beaten down, look to the cross. The crucified was beaten, but the victorious Christ can be your strength.... for His divine power is made perfect in human weakness.

When you are afraid - face trials and troubles, look to the cross. He was afraid, but the victorious Christ can give you courage... for you are not alone and He is at your side.

When your heart is almost breaking, and your head is bowed in sorrow, look at the cross and know Christ suffers with you and will help you make it through.

Look at the cross, and see the love of Christ that can sustain you in every dark and disastrous day, turn burdens into a blessings, and see you through every trial and storm.