THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Text: Jeremiah 23:1-4

Memory verse: “But hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who
does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep
and flees, and the wolf catches and scatters them”- john 10:12)

Introduction
One crucial aspect of the father’s business (Luke 2:45), is to feed and
care for the flocks of God, the people who are called by his name. God
will do anything to deliver his own and he expected the shepherd (Pastor)
to do the same, that is, feed, care, heal, deliver and seek and gather the
flocks (Ezek.34:5,6)
Lesson outline
1. Benefits of feeding and caring for the flocks
2. Dangers of not caring for the flocks

1. Benefits of feeding and caring for the flocks

i. Unity of the fold – Ezek. 34:14; John 10-16
ii. No fear of insecurity or lack – ps.23:1; II Tim. 1:17; Ezek. 34: 28
iii. The sheep will not be scattered and be carried away – jer.23:2;
Eph.4:14
iv. The flock will be saved and not lost – Jer.32:37; John 10:27
v. The flock will be fruitful and increase – jer.23:3; Ezek.34:25, 26
vi. The good shepherd will have good reward – I cor. 9:7-14; I Tim.
5:18

2. Danger of not caring for the flocks

i. The sheep will become prey to the beats of the field as a result of
being scattered – Ezek. 34:5; john 10:12-13
ii. `The flock will be lost and in constant peril.
iii. The flock will lack abundant life and physical and spiritual health -III
John 2.
iv. The flock will not be fruitful.
v. God will be against the cruel shepherd – Ezek. 34:10; Jer.23:2
vi. The cruel shepherd will lose his place or commission – Ezek. 34: 11-
15
Conclusion: this is a call to repentance, to the irresponsible shepherds
and the recalcitrant flocks because God will judge all. Ezek 34:17
 DWELLING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Text: psalm 91:1-2
Memory verse: “He who dwells in the secret place of the most
high shall, abide under the shadow of the Almighty”. Psalm 91:1
(NKJV)
Introduction
To dwell means to stay in a place for a particular period of time, to abide,
to live in a place. Dwelling or abiding in his presence means to stay in
God’s glory and coverage or protection. The secret place of God is where
his glory abides, where we can encounter Him. Though, God is
everywhere but can only be encountered differently depending on our
relationship and intimacy with God.
Lesson outline
1. Benefits of dwelling in his presence
2. How to enter into his presence
3. How to loose God presence factor
4. Danger of loosing God’s presence

1. Benefits of dwelling in his presence

i. Divine protection: his presence guarantees divine protection from
evil attacks whether physical or spiritual - Ps 91:1-2, Ps 25:5, Ps
31:20, Ps 27:5, Ps 62:-4, Joshua 1:5-6, II Chro. 14:11-12.
ii. Covenants of evil courses are evoked and averted e.g. Is 38:1-8,
king Hezekiah entered into God secret place in prayers and
cancelled death due him((()) by God due to his relationship and
intimacy
iii. You may enjoy perfect peace and comfort- Ex 33:14-15, John 16:33
iv. His presence guarantees Joy and happiness Ps 16:11
v. The presence of God produces the source of power and flow of
anointing, Luke 24:49, act 1:7-8
vi. The secret place is a place of spiritual revelation and judgement. Eli
lost that encounter of his place and could no longer hear from God
his spiritual sight went blind, his hearing went dull and he refuse to
yield to spiritual advice from God prophet. I Sam 2:25-28, I Sam
3:1
vii. God searches and renew your mind- Ps 77:6
2. How to enter into his presence
i. Praises – Ps 100:25
 ii. Constant studying of God’s word and meditation
iii. Deep and intense prayer and fasting
iv. Creating intimacy with God John 15:1-5
v. Genuine repentance and obedient to God leading
3. How to loose God presence factor
i. Sin: immorality, evil thought, lustful desire, worldly ambitions,
fighting, quarrelling, embezzlement e.g. Samuel judges 16:20-30,
Eli, children of Eli- I Sam 4: 20-22, Gehazi, judas Iscariot etc
ii.Lack of the word of God make you to be empty, canal, lukewarm,
Act 6:4, Dan 11:32
iii. Unconfessed sins
iv.Pride
4. Danger of loosing God’s presence
i. Untimely death e.g. cain left the presence of God and died -Gen
4:14 and become a wanderer in the spirit
ii. You go out of his will or presence like prophet Jonah. Jonah 1:3
iii. The glory of God will disappear Ichabod I Sam 4:21
Conclusion
The secret place is where divine relation are released, power of
protection, is guaranteed, prayers are answered, God meet with his
people not everybody. The place is not a place of effulgence of God
grace.