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Summary

Sermon Outline “Until He Comes: Follow the Great Shepherd!” - I Peter 5:1-5 Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Names of God: Great I AM, Jehovah-Jireh (Provider), God Almighty, Father, Bread of Life, Light of the World, Vine & Vinedresser, Spirit of Truth, etc, etc. Knowing who God is is vitally important, if we are to run into Him & be saved. One of the most endearing names of God is Shepherd. Psalm 23:1a - “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Isaiah 40:11 - “He will tend His flock like a shepherd…” John 10:11, 14 - “I am the good shepherd…” Hebrews 13:20 - “…the great shepherd of the sheep…” Revelation 7:17 - “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd…” 2012 Theme: Until He Comes - looking for Jesus to come again & seeking to live according to that perspective. Until He comes, we must follow the Shepherd! I Peter 5:1-5 - Peter addresses 2 specific groups: 1)Elders, 2)Those under the elders’ charge (the “younger”). Foundational truths: The Lord Jesus Christ is the “chief Shepherd.” We who believe are the “flock of God.” I)Christ the Chief Shepherd - Chief Shepherd: One in charge of all the flock, most likely, the owner. Jesus is Lord of the Church, over all the Church, responsible to build His Church & to take care of His Church. - He suffered for His flock (vs1) - John 10:11 - Peter was an eyewitness. - He is coming again in glorious triumph (vs1, 4) - Peter was sure that he would be “a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed,” as will all who are in Christ - I Corinthians 2:9. - He is a caring Shepherd - vs7 - You can be sure of His love! Be humble in your need & cast it before God. - He has appointed “under-shepherds,” through whom He will care for His flock, the Church. What a loving thing to do! II)The Flock of God: the Church worldwide, throughout history, but also the local church - “the flock of God among you.” - Each individual believer is part of the worldwide Church, but also needs to be part of a local church - no “lone rangers!” - We are in need of a shepherd - Matthew 9:36, Isaiah 53:6 - Benefits are great - Salvation - John 10:11 - His tender care - Psalm 23, Isaiah 40:11 - Eternal life in His “fold” - Psalm 23:6, Rev. 7:17 - As sheep must follow the shepherd, so we must follow Christ, for our own good & the good of the flock/church. We are totally dependent. We’re not to go our own way, but God’s way. We must order our lives according to Him. “Christian” means “Christ-follower.” Following means obeying! Are you following Jesus? If you are not following Jesus, can you call yourself a Christian? Humility and submission are essential - vs5. Until He comes, we must follow our Shepherd, depending on Him and obeying Him.