One Flock – One Shepherd

Dear Brethren,

We recently took a trip across the South to visit some of the scattered brethren.  These days, God’s people are not only scattered, but they are often confused, concerned and oftentimes deceived.  There is an important question that we should ask: “Is God pleased with the divided nature of His flock – His saints?”  The answer is clear from the Holy Scriptures that Jesus Christ desires the unity of His flock.

What we find today is a recalcitrance on the part of all too many ministers who desire to have a following after themselves – rather than have the brethren look to the True Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! Says the Lord.”  (Jeremiah 23:1)

As Jesus completed the earthly ministry that His Father sent Him to accomplish He prayed over and over for the unity of His flock.  “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou have sent me.”   (John 17:21)

Because of the mishandling of God’s congregations that we have all experienced, we do not always like the way men define the role of the shepherd – and we certainly do not like being compared to “dumb” sheep.  So, let’s take a fresh look from a Biblical perspective.  We will see that Jesus Christ is our perfect example of both – the Shepherd and the Lamb.  And we will see that we are the sheep of His pasture.

Throughout the history of the True Church there have always been abuses of God’s perfect will.  Jesus warned us to be on the lookout!  “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”   (Matthew 7:15)  Paul said… “after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”  (Acts 20:29)  Very soon, Jesus Christ is going to return and vanquish the false Shepherds who will not allow His flock to be joined together in unity.  Jesus will do this because He is the Good, Great and Chief Shepherd.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gave His life that we may live.  "I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep…  I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”   (John 10:11, 14)

Jesus is the Great Shepherd because He was resurrected from death.  “Now the God of peace, [that is God the Father] that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever.”   (Hebrews 13:20)

Jesus is the Chief Shepherd because He was raised to Glory and He will return to establish His Father’s Kingdom.  “When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.”  (1 Peter 5:4)

When Christ returns, there will be One Flock and One Shepherd  (John 10:16).

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Sermon:

"One Flock – One Shepherd " Sermonette By: Warren Zehrung

Sermon:

"Bridge-building Revisited" Sermon By: John Plunkett