“This sermon was preached extemporaneously”
3 May 2009
Fourth Sunday of Easter
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Fortress Chapel
Contingency Operation Site (C.O.S.) Sykes
Tall-afar, Iraq
BIG IDEA: Believers should follow pastoral leadership that is Christ-like.
REFERENCES: The door, the provider, and the guide (D, P, G).Enemy of Sheep: Coyotes, Wolves, Wild-dogs, Golden eagles;
John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly; Ephesians 4:11 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ; Acts 6:4 (ESV) But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."; 1 Timothy 5:17-19 (ESV) Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." 19Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses; Psalm 23 (ESV); Ezekiel 34 – When the Sheep Get Scattered (MSG); John 10:11-18 (ESV); 1 Peter 5:1-7 “He’ll promote you at the right time” (MSG); 1 Corinthians 14 “Prayer Language” (MSG); Hosea 4:6a (KJV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; Ezekiel 3:1-21 “ Warn these people” (MSG); Proverbs 26:13 (ESV) The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road!; Proverbs 23:13 (ESV) The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!"; 1 Samuel 17:34-37 (MSG) David said, "I’ve been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I’d go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I’d grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I’ll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. GOD, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine."; James 5:14 (ESV) – Pray for the sick - Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.; 1 Peter 5:1-2 (ESV) – Shepherd the flock - So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; Hebrews 13:7 (KJV) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation; Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV) And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding; John 9:1-12 ESV (Jesus heals a man born blind); John 9:13-34 ESV (The Pharisees Investigate the Healing); John 9:35-41 ESV (Spiritual Blindness);
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: John 10:11-18 (ESV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: John 10:11-18 (ESV)
III. READ THE TEXT: John 10:12-13 (ESV) He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
IV. PURPOSE: To encourage believers to follow Christ-like leadership.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “The Danger of Not following Christ-like Leadership”
VI. INTRODUCTION:
The Hebrew Writer says in Hebrews 13:7 (KJV) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
In reference to Christ-like Leadership - Hebrews 13:17 (KJV) says “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
We are all aware that our Army is in a quagmire (sticky situation). It is facing the largest suicide numbers in years (142 confirmed and 13 unconfirmed in 2008; while already 13 confirmed and 3 unconfirmed in 2009).
Many members of the US Army are currently experiencing their second and third deployment. At the same time, many are also experiencing failed marriages and relationship back on the home front.
Therefore, in the midst of chaos, war, and confusion, I want to speak to you for a few moments about the “danger of Not following Christ-like Leadership”.
The absolute danger of “NOT following Christ-like Leadership.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 1: First and foremost, The Good Book uses lots of metaphors, allegories, and parables in both the Old and New Testaments.
a. As you may recall metaphors are symbols and images used to make a point in communication.
b. In our text today, we find ourselves surveying the language of Eastern Shepherds. Interesting enough the word “Pastor” means Shepherd.
c. So, in other words, the Good Book (today) is giving us instructions on what good pastors do and the consequences of their FLOCK CARE.
d. Therefore, if you don’t mind, allow me to indulge you for a few moments, even to point of boring you if I might …
e. … in order to convey a particular TRUTH of how dangerous it is to be led by “Thieves and robbers” rather than Good Shepherds.
f. There are 3 Symbols (or metaphors) that I want to discuss in order to communicate this truth: The door, the provider, and the guide (D, P, G).
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: The First symbol is D for Door. Leaders that are interested in stealing sheep never come through the door. Because they would be seen and stopped.
a. Here, in the Middle East, sheepfolds are simply designed as a stone wall or shrubs or tall greenery with thickets or wire at the top, perhaps ten feet high. Its opening serves as the door.
b. The shepherds in the village can often be seen driving their sheep into the fold at nightfall and leaving one of the Shepherds to stand guard at the “only entrance” to the fold.
c. The Shepherd would sleep at the opening of the fold and actually become “the door”. Nothing could enter or leave the fold without passing over the Shepherd.
d. In the morning each shepherd can be heard calling his own sheep, which recognizes its shepherd’s voice and in turn comes out of the fold.
e. In verse one of this chapter, Christ points out that the True Shepherd comes through the door, calls his sheep by name, which recognizes him (v. 3),
f. False shepherds and strangers, who are thieves and robbers, try to get into the fold in some subtle way, but the sheep will not recognize or follow them.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 3: As members of the US Army, we are (no doubt) all too familiar with FOLLOWING different models of leadership on a regular basis.
a. In fact, those of us that have been in the military - for a day of two - can attest to the frequency of leadership change.
b. After two to three years, we get new First Sergeants, Command Sergeant Majors, and Commanders. Still, the Army (without missing a beat) keeps rolling and rolling, and rolling along.
c. Change is unavoidable.
d. As members of the military, in general, we quickly grow accustom to Change, and FOLLOWING different models of leadership in this environment.
e. In fact, it has been said that the only thing constant in the Army is Change.
f. As a Clinical Pastoral Educator, I have even conducted seminars and Army hospital training events which were built around Dr. Spencer Johnson’s popular book, “Who Moved My Cheese”.
g. As you may recall, “Who Moved My Cheese” is a book written to assist businesses, and organization – such as the military and churches - in adjusting to the inevitability of change and following new leadership.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 4: On the other hand, our Counterparts in the civilian community - for the most part - aren’t accustomed to chaos, war, leadership change and confusion simultaneously. Usually, Change in the civilian environment is proceeding just before death.
a. Many pastors in the civilian community have been at the same church for 40 or more years.
b. They have been around the same ministry long enough to conduct the Christening, wedding, and funeral of the same members.
c. Leadership Change doesn’t happen in the civilian churches to often unless you are of a particular denomination which rotates every 3-4 years.
d. So, unless the members change ministries; many of them have been FOLLOWING the same leadership – good, bad, or ugly – for their entire lifetime.
e. Likewise, in this culture, some Shepherds die in the task of lying door “as the door”. So, the first symbol is D for the door”.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 5: The Second symbol is P for Protector.
a. The Good Shepherd protects his Sheep from their enemies.
b. Even the coyotes, wolves and eagles of life knows that the Good Shepherd is going to protect the Sheep.
c. So, those enemies of the Sheep prey on them at the risk of being defeated.
d. I’m not sure how true it is, but I’ve often been told by former members, and I quote - “Chaplain Harris, we’re trying to find a church without “drama” that ‘focuses on the family’ like you (and many military chaplains) do.
e. But, it’s rather challenging out here!”
f. In fact, many have shared with me that of the churches they have visited, many pastors seem to focus more on their members’ money than their souls.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 6: All, of which, I believe contributes to our current State of Spiritual Readiness and the maturity of both the new Soldiers and Officers coming into the military today – from our civilian communities.
a. There’s no wonder we have more jails and prison being built than high schools and colleges.
b. It’s not surprising to hear that a great percentage of folks married yesterday, in America, will be divorce within 3 years.
c. It’s no longer alarming to hear of the number of families that have been devastated by what I call the BIG 3: Alcohol, Infidelity, and Pornography.
d. My brothers and sisters there’s a Danger in NOT following Christ-like Leadership, and it has raised its ugly head in both our military and our civilian communities simultaneously.
e. As a human-race, we need to get Back to the Basics of following Christ-like leadership in our Christian Churches.
f. Because when we don’t; we are risking everything!
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 7: Now, one can be a member of a Christ-centered ministry; and not follow the Christ-like leadership examples.
a. We’re living in a day in time when many think they can do the job of their spiritual leader without any formal experience, education or training.
b. And while in some cases this may be true in other fields of services – I submit to you (this morning) that when it comes to Christian Leadership Roles, Duties and Responsibilities - if God hasn’t called you – personally - to a particular area of Christian Service, you are already behind the power-curve.
c. Because, according to the Good Book, Spiritual Success on this side of heaven has everything to do with following Christ-like leadership.
d. If your Christian leader is without a Christ-like Standard; and is not trying to uphold the Christian Blood-stained Banner by his or her conduct or behavior – your growth spiritually is going to leave a lot to be desired.
e. For don’t you remember, Paul says, in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ;
f. In other words, “follow me as I follow Christ”.
g. When you – my brothers and sisters - see behaviors and actions consistently coming from me (or any other leader in the Christian Church) that are unlike Christ – it’s time to … h. … Follow New Christian Leadership because the Sheep under ungodly leadership will eventually get scattered …
i. Because the Coyotes, wolf, and eagle of life cares nothing about the flock.
j. The Ungodly Leadership does what he does only for the wages.
k. He’s interested in making money and in his own self-preservation.
l. He could careless about Protecting the Sheep and the flock of God. So, the Second Symbol is the P for protector.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 8: Now, my brothers and sisters, the Third and final Symbol is G for “Guide”.
a. When farmers are attempting to get horses from one location to another – they get behind them.
b. Usually they have a dog that runs alongside them ensuring that there aren’t any strays. However, Sheep are different.
c. They are peculiar.
d. In order for a Shepherd to get Sheep from one location to another – he has to “go before them”.
e. He has be their Guide.
f. Sheep will follow where their Shepherd leads. Sheep know that their Shepherd has their best interest at heart.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
CELEBRATION: Who can ever forget what David (the Shepherd Boy) says in Psalm 23, when he says:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (in Iraq), I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
