Pastor’s Page | March 26th, 2026
Sermon Prep (Read John 10:11-18)
Have you ever been called something that at first you thought was a compliment and then afterwards you realized it wasn’t quite as uplifting as you had originally thought? I was once with a group of coworkers, and we were trying to come up with some ideas for launching a weather balloon in turbulent conditions. I came up with an idea that I thought was brilliant, and one of my superiors mentioned that I reminded him of that cartoon “Pinky and the Brain”. I thought, wow…he liked my idea and thinks I’m a brain. Afterwards, one of my buddies came up to me and said, “Barry, you do realize that you were Pinky and not the Brain.” Then I realized that my idea had been quickly dismissed, and I had been ignored the rest of the time, so then it sunk in…that guy called me Pinky! What I thought was a compliment was actually an insult.
One of the most tender images in all of scripture is that of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. We all love Psalm 23 and how the Lord is our Shepherd. We love to read Psalm 100 where the Lord says He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep of His pasture. I love Psalm 53 where it says we are like sheep that have gone astray. We are referred to as sheep very often in scripture. It sounds nice and sweet, until you dig a bit deeper and you realize what sheep are really like. Sheep are weak, defenseless, stubborn, dumb, completely dependent on others for their care, and prone to wander and get lost. When scripture says that we are like sheep, it is not a compliment…or is it?
Here is what I mean. In John’s Gospel, John refers to himself by the term, “The disciple that Jesus loved”. I love that. John’s identity was wrapped in the love that Jesus had for him. In today’s text, we learn about Jesus being the Good Shepherd and the one thing that comes through from this text is that the Shepherd loves His sheep. For all the faults a sheep has, the shepherd loves the sheep. As you read this text, I want you to notice all the indications that the Shepherd loves the sheep. And not just any sheep. Remember the story of the one wayward sheep who left the fold? The shepherd left the 99 and went searching for that one lost sheep and when he found it, he rejoiced. That one lost sheep…that’s you, that’s me. We are that beloved sheep that Jesus cares for.
As we enter into Holy Week, let’s focus on the Good Shepherd. Focus on His love for you, how lost we were in the muck and mire of our sins, and the cost to our Shepherd to seek, find, and restore us to the fold. As you focus on this, you will begin to realize why Jesus is not just a Shepherd. He is a Good Shepherd.
Here are some verses to help in your study for Sunday’s message: Psalm 23 Psalm 95:7, Psalm 100: Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah 53:6, Jeremiah 23:1–4, Ezekiel 34:11–16, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 18:12–14, Luke 15:3–, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:4, and Revelation 7:17.
March Sermon Series
“The Great I AM”
03/29 - The Good Shepherd - John 10:11-18
Updates, Thoughts and More
Palm Sunday begin holy week and it will be a very special time for our church. Beginning with Palm Sunday, we will remember the way that Jesus rode into Jerusalem that final week and for at least one day. He was treated the way He ought to be treated. On Thursday, we will have our Maundy Thursday service where we will remember the night that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and set the example for us to follow in loving service. On Friday, we will have a somber service focusing on the cross. Dr. Rawlianne always prepares a deep and reflective service. Make plans to attend all these services and take the time to focus your eyes to Jesus and His cross and resurrection this week.
We will be having a new member luncheon on March 29th after our combined service. This is for all those who have recently joined our church, all those who are considering joining the church, or those who have questions about our church and are interested in learning more. You can sign up either by calling the office or by signing up at the welcome desk.
The Easter season is often the time in the past when people would choose to be baptized or to reaffirm their baptism. If God has been moving in your heart to be baptized or to reaffirm your baptism, please give me a call and I would love to talk to you about it.
How is your brackets? Mine are shot!!! But it is okay because Kentucky is going to rebuild and next year will be the year we hang banner #9. Now, someone please convince me that what I just said was true.
What’s Going On This Week
Sunday (03/29)
Combined Worship (Palm Sunday) - 10:00am
New Member Luncheon - 11:15am
Monday (03/30)
Stitching Angels - 1:30pm
Upward Practice - 4:00-7:00pm
Tuesday (03/31)
Men’s Prayer Breakfast - 7:30am
Bible Study - 10:00am
Upward Practice - 4:00-8:00pm
Wednesday (04/01)
Prayer Warriors - 9:00am
Sip And Share - 10:00am
Youth & Kids - 5:00pm
Choir - 7:00pm
Thursday (04/02)
Psalms Bible Study - 9:30am
Upward Practice - 5:00pm-7:00pm
Maundy Thursday Service - 7:00pm
Friday (04/03)
Good Friday Service - 7:00pm
Saturday (04/04)
Easter Egg Hunt - 12pm (noon)
Joke of the Week
“There will be a meeting of the board immediately following this service.” announced the pastor. After the benediction the group fathered for the called meeting. All looked askance when a visitor who had never attended their church before joined them.
“My friend,” asked the pastor, “did you understand that this is a meeting of the board?” “yes,” said the visitor", “and after that service, I’m about as bored as you can get!”
Memory Verse of the Week
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
~John 10:11 (NIV84)
Quote of the Week
“Jesus, the good shepherd, will not travel at such a rate as to overdrive the lambs. He has tender consideration for the poor and needy. Kings usually look to the interest of the great and the rich, but in the kingdom of our Great Shepherd He cares most for the poor… the weaklings and the sickly of the flock are the special objects of the Savior’s care… You think, dear heart, that you are forgotten, because of your nothingness and weakness and poverty. This is the very reason you are remembered.
~Charles Spurgeon
