One Flock - One Shepherd
When I was a kid in our small-town Protestant church, a fresh wind blew through. His name was David Hoffman. He'd trained at some seminary in the States, not from our denomination (a Nazarene, whatever that meant; I'd never heard of it). But he loved Jesus fiercely and loved our little town just as much.
To my ten-year-old eyes, he seemed old (probably late twenties or early thirties). He quickly married a woman from the local Mennonite church, revived our sleepy congregation, and soon the higher-ups whisked him away to lead a bigger church in Regina, SK. I wanted to be like him. Still do, in a way. He radiated love for people.
Our church had a big oil painting up front: Jesus the Shepherd, bearded and strong, with a lost sheep draped across His shoulders, staff in hand, piercing eyes full of power. David Hoffman was that man to us in many ways in that small church in Northern Saskatchewan. He once hosted an ecumenical Seder dinner, gathering Catholics, Mennonites, and others in a town where such mixing wasn't common. We ate bread, drank real wine (a shock in my teetotaling home), and he seated me at the leaders' table. He had me read part of the script. In him, I saw bold love for Christ, a willingness to try new things, and a heart that built bridges.
Now, older and (ahem) wiser, I'm more convinced than ever: God is who He says He is, the Good Shepherd. There is one flock, one church, one people of God: those who trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
God loves us beyond measure. That truth shattered my heart in 1990 (when I accepted Christ as my Savior) and still brings me to my knees in thankful tears for grace I don't deserve. Jesus came to give us life, abundant, satisfying life (John 10:10). Nothing else can. The world and its toys certainly can't. Even this week, the richest man alive, Elon Musk, posted that money doesn't buy happiness. Jesus proved His love by dying on the cross to pay our unpayable debt and take away our sins.
God will never abandon His sheep. Fearless, He guards us. Stay close to Him, and we are one united flock, safe, secure, well-fed in body and soul. God's message to every sinner is simple: "Come back to Me" (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). All who receive Christ's gift of grace and righteousness will triumph over sin and death (Romans 5:17). Call me crazy, but I believe this Good News.
Lately, I've been reading church history, the expansion through Europe, the UK, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Americas, even the Crusades and battles for the Holy Land. What a story. God's church has grown for 2,000 years, through good popes and bad, faithful kings and failures. God calls us to keep learning, keep growing, to recover the wide-eyed wonder of childhood and become the kind of leaders who pull kids up to the big table, inviting them into the grand adventure with the One True God.
The Bible calls us God's royal priesthood. Scripture declares in 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." This means we're set apart not just to receive blessings, but to advance His kingdom, proclaiming His goodness in a dark world.
Reinforced in Revelation 1:6: "He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen." And Revelation 5:10: "And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth." Through Christ, we're a royal, priestly people, empowered to serve, intercede, and reign with Him, pushing back evil and extending God's rule.
Spiritual warfare takes courage and discipline. It demands a daily battle against the evil one and the powers of darkness. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Our foes are spiritual forces.
So each of us, as royal priests, must fight every day. Ephesians 6:10-11, 13 urges: "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil... Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." Put on truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word as your sword. Pray without ceasing. Fight well. Advance the kingdom today.
Evil cares nothing for truly helping people. Godly men, however, fear and revere God, heed His counsel, and obey. Without discipline, we lose honor and all we've gained in Christ (Proverbs 5:9). God is patient, kind, and full of grace, but He sees every path we take. Show your faith by what you do and help people today.
James drives this home in James 2:14-26 ("Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead"). James 2:17: "So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." James 2:18: "How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds." Abraham's faith was completed by his actions (James 2:21-22). James 2:24: "We are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone." James 2:26: "Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works." True faith overflows into obedient, loving action, not to earn salvation (that's grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8-9), but to prove it's alive.
Lord Jesus, Your way is perfect and pleases You when we put faith into action with self-control and discipline. Help us be good shepherds to those in our care. Make us wise in word and deed by the power of Your blood.
God wants His church to prosper, and the true church will. As people believe, obey Jesus, make disciples, and grow in the Holy Spirit, the refined, pure church grows. We are a holy nation, citizens of heaven, worshiping in spirit and truth.
Be honest: Who controls us? Sinful nature, quarreling, jealousy, dysfunction? Or harmony as one flock under one Shepherd? Do we mimic the world like King Ahaz, who copied pagan ways and even sacrificed his son (2 Kings 16)? Or are we humble servants, living out faith in the Good News by what we do (1 Corinthians 3:5)? Mixed worship (worshiping God and the world at the same time) is a rejection of God’s command for loyalty and faithfulness to Him (2 Kings 17:36). Will our trophies or Bar admissions save us? Heck no!
Our work for Jesus matters, planting, watering. We labor together as God works through us, and we'll be rewarded (1 Corinthians 3:8). But never build on any foundation but Christ. No new religion, no rearranged altar like Ahaz.
God is faithful. He patiently calls us to holiness, sending prophets to warn Israel and Judah (2 Kings 17:13-17). They refused, despised His warnings. Our value, dignity, and hope all come from Jesus Christ alone.
If we reject His way for selfish ambition, idols, or worldly projects, we become like what we worship, worthless. But God stands knocking, longing for a deep relationship with His sheep. He'll pursue us to the ends of the earth, hoist us on His shoulders, and carry us home. Thank Him. Love Him. Accept His rescue.
Jesus never leaves us waiting or abandons us. He is the Messiah, one with the Father (John 10:30). He gives eternal life, protection, peace, and hope. We have far more evidence for Him than for any worldly promise of happiness. Believe what He says and what He's done. God saves. He cleanses.
Have a great weekend! Take on the day, trusting and working hard for our Shepherd. Amen.
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