Pastor’s Page | July 16th, 2026
Sermon Prep (Read Ezekiel 34)
How many of you remember the name Ferdinand Marcos? He was the leader of the Philippines when my dad was stationed in Japan and was making frequent trips to the Philippine islands. When he came to power, he was seen as a servant to the people. He claimed to be a decorated war hero (though that was later discovered to be fraudulent) and that he was going to make everyone’s life better. Instead, he established martial law, led the country through the worst economic collapse in its history, he assassinated political rivals, and led the country to a deep dark depression. Yet, if you had looked at Marcos and his wife, you would have never guessed it. Why? Because they were living in the lap of luxury. They had every pleasure and convenience at the disposal. While their county struggled for their basic needs, Marcos and his wife lived a life of extreme excess. The picture of his wife’s shoe closet was one that came to symbolize how awful things were. They were living high on the hog while at the expense of the people while claiming to be helping the people. Instead of fulfilling their calling and their duties, they were taking advantage of others.
The leaders of Judah were guilty of the same thing. They were supposed to be leading God’s people and helping them glorify God and enrich their lives, but instead they were abusing the people and taking advantage of them. Similar things happened today. Not just in politics (though look at the worth of politicians before they arrive in office and after they leave office…makes you wonder), but also in religion. How many shepherds use the church as their own place of glory, or place to bully people, or to get rich? It is nothing new, and it was what happened on Ezekiel’s day.
That is the bad part of Ezekiel 34. But remember, this is the good half of the book of Ezekiel. What happens is that God Himself declares that not only will He hold these leaders accountable, but that God Himself will be their Shepherd. As you read through Ezekeil 34, notice all the ways that God will lead His people and all that He will do for us. As you do, compare it to Psalm 23 and John 10. How does Jesus match all these promises in Ezekiel 34? Also, as you go through this passage, think about how our earthly shepherds fall short and how God fulfills this role of Shepherd in ways that no human ever possibly could.
We only have 2 more weeks in Ezekiel before we start our new series. I hope you have enjoyed going through this often-neglected book. It is truly a book that is filled with hope when you see how it always points back to Jesus.
June Sermon Series
Crazy Times and a Steady God:
We Smell Like Sheep and Wolves
07/19 - Owning Up To Your Duties - Ezekiel 34
07/26 - God’s Breath Of New Life - Ezekiel 37
What’s Going On This Week
Sunday (07/19)
Worship Services — 9:00am & 10:30am
Monday (07/20)
Alzheimer’s Support Group — 10:00am
Stitching Angels — 1:30pm
Church Council — 6:30pm
Tuesday (07/21)
Men’s Prayer Breakfast — 7:30am
Wednesday (7/22)
Prayer Warriors — 9:00am
Sip And Share — 10:00am
Joke of the Week
There is an old joke told in certain Methodist circles about a legendary coon hound named “Preacher.” Town folks would come from miles around and pay top dollar to hunt with ‘ole Preacher… and book the next year in advance. One such hunter was surprised to arrive and find Preacher with a “for sale” sign around his neck. “How much?” he ventured.
“Gimme five dollars and he’s yours,” was his handler’s gruff reply.
“For a dog like that? Why so cheap?”
“A few weeks ago, some jerk accidentally called him ‘Senior Pastor’ and he hasn’t been worth a lick since.”
Memory Verse of the Week
“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.”
~Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NIV84)
Quote of the Week
"I believe that it is anti-Christian and unholy for any Christian to live with the object of accumulating wealth. You will say, “Are we not to strive all we can to get all the money we can?” You may do so. I cannot doubt but what; in so doing, you may do service to the cause of God. But what I said was that to live with the object of accumulating wealth is anti-Christian.”
~C.H. Spurgeon
