Trey H. Little

Sermon Text:  John 10:14-21; 27-30

June 12, 2011

Albany, Texas

“Safely Grazing!”

Certainly over the length of our Christian walks and perhaps even prior to coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, we have been comforted by Jesus’ statement “I am the Good Shepherd.”  Together, let’s hear again His magnificent claim.

Turn with me to John 10: 14-21; 27-30.

            The story goes of a preacher that showed up on Sunday morning to find only one man in the congregation.  The preacher said, ‘My friend, you seem to be the only member of the congregation that showed up.  I’m just a young preacher getting started; you know, this is my first sermon.  Should I go through with it?’ 

The man said, ‘Well, I don’t know about that sort of thing, I’m just a little old cowpoke out here in Texas.  BUT I do know this:  If I loaded up a truckload of hay, took it out to the pasture and only one cow showed up, I’d feed her.’ 

            So the young preacher got back up in the pulpit with his carefully prepared sermon, and an hour and a half later said, ‘AMEN.’

            The preacher asked the listener, ‘What did you think?’

            The man replied:  ‘Well, I don’t know about that sort of thing, BUT, I do know this…If I loaded up a truckload of hay, took it out to the pasture, and only one cow showed up, I sure wouldn’t give her the whole load!’ (Forbes, 4-17-86)

            It was August of 2003 when I first stood in this pulpit and shared that story.  It was my first Sunday as pastor of Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church.  It was a day that was filled with so many emotions for me and probably for many of you who were here that morning.  I wondered, “Will there be more than ONE person in the congregation?”  You may have wondered, “Will he preach for an hour and a half?”  But I can honestly say the overwhelming emotion I had then as well as today, is excitement.  I was genuinely excited about what the Lord was going to do in and through MMPC. 

            However, I must also say that on that first Sunday I did have a bit of anxiety.  In fact, I said that to those of you that were here that morning.  I was anxious because in the months leading up to my arrival here person after person would say, “We just needed a shepherd,” “We’ve been without a shepherd for so long,” “We are so glad to have a shepherd again.” 

            Friends, there is only One Good Shepherd and He is Jesus Christ!

And as we gather, once again, in this glorious time of worship, things certainly look a little different than they did eight years ago.  The Good Shepherd has done a mighty work in and through MMPC.  We have shared many laughs together, we have shared several tears together, we have even shared some disagreement together—all of which is part of being sheep—it is part of being the church.  Lives have been transformed; ministry is happening; people are stepping out in faith; the Word of God is being lifted up; all the while we are experiencing the unfathomable love and grace of God—and we are not without a Shepherd, nor will we ever be.

However, today is a tough day.  Although this is not my last Sunday as the pastor of MMPC—as many of you know, I did announce my resignation to the Session this past Wednesday.  And so this morning I pray we will once again, TOGETHER, cling to Jesus’ statement, “I am the Good Shepherd.” 

There has been a picture rolling around in my mind for the past several days—it is a picture of sheep in the midst of a beautiful green pasture.  The sheep are all with their heads down—safely grazing.  They are doing what sheep do—they are not anxious or scared because they know they are safe. 

I wonder, are you and I able to safely graze this morning?

Will we continue to trust in the Good Shepherd this morning with such profoundness that we can continue to do what we know we have been called to do?

Friends, MMPC is a beacon in this community.  MMPC is a bright light in Palo Duro Presbytery.  MMPC shines in far away places like Africa. Why?  Because of the sheep.  Because of people like you who are doing what you are called to do.  And there is no reason for that to end—because it isThe Good Shepherd who has led you here and will continue to lead. 

Jesus tells us He is the Good Shepherd.  He and He alone lays down His life for His sheep.  Everything about Jesus’ life pointed toward this purpose.  Without Christ’s death for us there would be no hope.  It is the essence of the Gospel message and it is the presence of the Good Shepherd that fulfills it in our lives. 

Romans 5: 8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”—and promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

Friends, no matter what—we can “safely graze” because we will always have The Good Shepherd who gave His life for us.

The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and His sheep know Him.  He does not just leave His sheep in the pasture and never care for them.  He knows them by name; He cares for them; He desires to spend time with them; He speaks to them and they recognize His voice.  The Good Shepherd is constantly aware of His sheep and their every need.

Friends, I am convinced that Jesus isn’t done with His sheep in MMPC.  He knows when to cover His sheep with comfort.  He knows when to feed them with assurance. He knows when to move them to another pasture.  He knows when to speak to them.  And one of the most comforting things about this promise of Jesus is that we can come to Him just as we are.  We can trust Him.  Because there is no one who knows us better than Him.  And despite all that He knows about us, He still deeply desires for us to know Him.  He still desires to be in a relationship with us.  He still longs for us to “safely graze” with the confidence that we belong to Him.  Will we?  Will we safely graze?

But you know, The Good Shepherd is to be trusted and followed—Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” 

The first words Charles Spurgeon spoke from the pulpit of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London went like this.  He said, “I would propose that the subject of the ministry of this house, as long as this platform shall stand, and as long as this house shall be frequented by worshipers, shall be the person of Jesus Christ.”

Friends, I want to encourage you to remember your purpose.  Remember, trust, and listen to the voice of Jesus Christ.  It has been and will forever be about Jesus Christ.  We are His sheep and He alone is The Good Shepherd!  And His voice is leading me and my family to another pasture—specificallyFirst Presbyterian Church in San Antonio.  We must follow Him!  However, I am convinced that the Good Shepherd will also continue to speak life and direction into you and this wonderful community.  You too must follow Him!

 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23).

Two men were called on, in a large classroom, to recite Psalm 23.  One was a published orator trained in speech technique and drama. He repeated the Psalm in a powerful way.  When he finished, the audience cheered and even asked for an encore that they might hear his wonderful voice again.  Then the other man, who was much older, repeated the same words—‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…”  But when he finished, no sound came from the large class.  Instead people sat in a deep mood of devotion and prayer.

Then the first man, the orator, stood to his feet.  He said “I have a confession to make.  He said, “The difference between what you have just heard from my old friend and what you heard from me is this:  I know the Psalm, my friend knows the Shepherd! (Alan Carr)! 

It’s not what you know but who you know.

Safely Grazing?—absolutely!  Because we know The Good Shepherd and we will always be in His care! 

AMEN.