The Sheeple of the Shepherd Ezekiel 34 31

The Sheeple of the Shepherd Ezekiel 34: 31

It is a Blessing to be labeled “Sheeple” “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. ” (Luke 6: 22 -23). • We should expect derogatory comments from those in the world! (1 Peter 3: 15 -16; 4: 4)

Sheep stray • All have strayed (1 Peter 2: 25). • It is not the herd mentality that causes sheep to stray; it is their desire to choose their own way (Isaiah 53: 6; Psalm 119: 76; Proverbs 16: 25; 21: 2). • Sheep go astray by not staying with the flock and by failing to follow the Shepherd (Jeremiah 16: 12; 18: 11 -12; Psalm 95: 7 -10).

Who is your shepherd? • Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10: 11). • His sheep follow Him and no one else (John 10: 2 -5, 14, 27).

The authority of our shepherd • Jesus has all authority (1 Peter 5: 4; Matthew 28: 18). • Recognizing His authority is not the same thing as submitting to it (Matthew 7: 21; Luke 6: 46; 2 John 9). • We must look to our Shepherd for direction, guidance, and peace. (Jeremiah 50: 6; Ezekiel 34: 15).

We are blessed to be the Lord’s Sheeple “And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid. Thus they shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people, ” says the Lord GOD. ’ “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God, ” says the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 34: 28, 30 -31)