We are going to start by talking about the behaviors of sheep. Then we will look at each of the behaviors and see how we can apply them to our own lives as Christians.
- Gregarious - prefer to be with herd or to flock
- Followers - need leadership so they don't go astray (sheep are lead not driven like cattle)
- Timid - run from what frightens them or what will do harm
- Dependent - rely on the shepherd for their needs
I. Gregarious - Learn to flock
- sheep do this because they are very social and it is one of their only forms of defense (protects from predators) besides the shepherd (when they stay grouped up it is harder for their predators to get one)
Ps. 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Heb. 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
- We NEED Christian fellowship - it helps to build us up and encourage us
- It also helps to protect us against the world and sin - it is easier to stand in a crowd than alone
II. Followers - follow your leader whom ever it may be - husband, pastor, boss, or parent and Christ
Eph. 5:22 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
- When we follow our husbands it is like we are doing it to the Lord
Heb. 13:17 - Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
- the pastor will someday give an account for how he watched for your soul and ran the church - there is a lot of responsibility on his shoulders!
Col. 3:20 - Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
- when kids are young they are to obey but when we are grown up we are still to honor them
Eph. 6:5 - Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
- there is a command to obey your boss
John 10:27 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
- if we are one of God's sheep, He knows us and we should know Him and His voice and follow - when the Holy Spirit is tugging at our hearts we should obey
III. Timid - Learn to run from harm - run from sin
- we need to practice running from temptations and evil influences that would only harm us
Prov. 4:14-15 - Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
- don't follow the wicked and partake in their ways
1 Cor. 6:18 - Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Eph. 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
2 Tim. 2:22 - Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- flee or run from ungodly things, resist
IV. Docile - Learn to be peaceful and forgiving
Matt. 6:14 - For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
- when we forgive, God forgives
1 Thess 5:15 - See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Heb. 12:14 - Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
- we are commanded to not get revenge and to live peaceably
V. Dependent - Learn to rely on Jesus
Ps. 34:9-10 - O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
- God loves us and wants to take care of our needs and give us good things!
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