April 29 Sermon – “Three Simple Rules: Do No Harm”
Galatians
5:13-21
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This is a scripture about how to use our
freedom, which is the main purpose of Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
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Verse 13 - Freedom is so that we can be
loving and not selfish. When we have
fights and squabbles, we are not free. We are enslaved to our old way of
living.
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Verse 16 - What’s the alternative to the
old way of living? Allow the Spirit of
God to direct your life.
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Focus on the list of selfish things
(verses 19-21). Where do we see these
things at work and in our own lives?
John
10:11-18
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Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The word, “good” means “beautiful” meaning
that Jesus’ invitation to be their shepherd is compelling and attractive for
people to follow him. Jesus’ love by
being willing to die for the sheep draws us toward Jesus.
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This passage is similar to a political
debate. Jesus is pointing out why he is
the true Good Shepherd and the others are not.
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Verse 11 - The true shepherd is willing
to die for the sheep!
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Who are the sheep? Jesus has in mind, the people of Israel but
also everyone. It was through Israel that God would bring salvation to the
world.
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Verse 18 – A hint of the resurrection.
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In talking about being the Good
Shepherd, Jesus is probably thinking of Ezekiel 34. It talks about God being the true shepherd of
Israel. But he also speaks of the
Messiah being the shepherd of Israel.
Through Jesus, we see that it is both since Jesus and God are one.
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