A Sheep In God’s Flock

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Larry Miles | Permalink 0

Why does God compare His people to Sheep?

  • Sheep Are “Clean” Animals. This means that they are acceptable to God. Our acceptancecomes only through the merits of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians. 1:6) The nature of the creature determines its appetite, and it is the nature of the sheep to desire the pasture and not the “garbage dump.” 2 Tim. 2:19, “Let everyone that named the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
  • Sheep Know Their Shepherd. John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and are known of Mine.” The sheep know the shepherd”™s voice and obey it, but they will not follow if they hear another. There are many “voices” calling today, and some sound religious. The child of God will not follow when he hears the voice of strangers (John 10:5) God’s voice to us today is the Word of God, taught by the Spirit of God. It is encouraging to know that Christ knows each of His sheep by name.
  • Sheep Desperately Need A Shepherd. Without the loving care of a shepherd, the sheep would be helpless. Unless we follow our Shepherd, we will go astray (I Peter 2:25)
  • Sheep Are Useful Animals The Good Shepherd has every right to expect His sheep to be useful. In return for all He does for us, we should be useful to Him. We should be giving our all to the Lord (Rom. 12:1-2).
  • Sheep Flock Together. It is the nature of sheep to want to be with the flock; and it is the nature of the believer to want to be with one another The New Testament knows nothing of isolated Christian living. We need to be identified with God’s people. We need to be steadfast. We need to be in the Lord’s house (Heb. 10:25). The isolated sheep is always in danger.

 

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Jude 24-25 (Doxology)

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Larry Miles | Permalink 0

Verses 24-25: Jude now returns to the theme of salvation that he wanted to write about in the first place. He speaks of an omnipotent (all powerful) God. If we stay true to Jesus and His teaching and keep our eyes on Him, we will never fall and can look forward to an eternity with Him! He wants to present you to the Father.

Verse 25: The final “doxology.” Our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus are forever worthy of praise! We remember the words to the hymn ‘Worthy of Praise.”

In Aubrey Johnson’s book, “Spiritual Patriots, Jude’s call To Arms,” he lists Thirteen Steps To Spiritual Victory. I think this is fitting way to end these studies.

To Know Victory, I Must…

  1. Be willing to take a stand.
  2. Adapt my plans to fulfill greater needs
  3. Never use grace as an excuse for disobedience.
  4. Learn from history.
  5. Fill my heart with holy aspirations.
  6. Choose my path carefully.
  7. Make pleasing God my highest aim.
  8. Be content without being complacent.
  9. Never underestimate my enemy.
  10. Prepare daily for Jesus’ return.
  11. Not be easily disheartened.
  12. 12. Accept personal responsibility for my spiritual growth.
  13. 13. Trust God to sustain me through trying times.

 

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How To Stay Near to The Lord (Jude 20-25)

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Larry Miles | Permalink 0

Jude has been talking and writing about the character and motives and aims and desire of these false teachers; now he finishes up his epistle with instruction and admonitions and encouragements to his readers and to us.

Verse 20: “But ‘YOU’” John McArthur writes, “True believers have a sure foundation (I Cor. 3:11).” (Use some thoughts from my article “The Right Foundation.”

Col. 2:7: “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”

Verse 21: “Keep yourselves…” The believers has a responsibility to be obedient and faithful to the teachings of Jesus and His Apostles. We must “keep in shape.” We build upon our faith; we are told to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.”

We are to live our lives in expectation of the coming of Christ (Titus 2:11-15). We must go about it with anticipation “longing” (NIV) for His return.

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