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Redeemer Church Mauritius
Look to the Shepherd - Tim Kendon
Like those who have gone before us, we are called to run the race of faith, casting off anything that hinders or distracts us and fixing our eyes on Jesus. He is our help, counsel and shield, guiding and instructing us in the way we should walk.
Locations & Times
Redeemer Church
Sunday 9:30 AM
1. Sin that so easily entangles (Traps and Snares)
Genesis 4:5-7 (NIV)
but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
- The temptation of sin is an ever-present snare and trap for the believer.
- The trap and snare are for the believer’s harm.
- The trap and snare are not hidden from the Good Shepherd.
Genesis 4:5-7 (NIV)
but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
- The temptation of sin is an ever-present snare and trap for the believer.
- The trap and snare are for the believer’s harm.
- The trap and snare are not hidden from the Good Shepherd.
2. Everything that hinders (Part 1)
a) Disabling distraction – Deaf to instruction and correction
1 Kings 22:3; 6; 23 (NIV)
The king of Israel had said to his officials, “Don’t you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?”
So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
“Go,” they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”
“So now the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you.”
- Fixation on a specific course of action.
- Deaf to the truth (instruction & correction).
b) Consuming distraction with immediate consequences
Genesis 3:6 (NIV)
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
- Immediately desirable and accessible.
- Disregard for consequences of actions.
a) Disabling distraction – Deaf to instruction and correction
1 Kings 22:3; 6; 23 (NIV)
The king of Israel had said to his officials, “Don’t you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?”
So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
“Go,” they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”
“So now the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you.”
- Fixation on a specific course of action.
- Deaf to the truth (instruction & correction).
b) Consuming distraction with immediate consequences
Genesis 3:6 (NIV)
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
- Immediately desirable and accessible.
- Disregard for consequences of actions.
3. Everything that hinders (Part 2)
a) Pursuing a path not knowing its end
Acts 19:11-16 (NIV)
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
- Pursuing a path that seemed right to them.
- Outcome appeared guaranteed, but they were unaware of their future trouble and precarious situation.
b) Forcefully taking hold of something that is not for you
1 Samuel 23:17-18 (NIV)
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.
- Jonathan was the heir apparent of Israel, the eldest son of Saul and by human understanding the next king of Israel.
- However, Jonathan was not the Lord’s anointed, and Jonathan knew this — he did not grasp for a crown that was not his to wear.
a) Pursuing a path not knowing its end
Acts 19:11-16 (NIV)
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
- Pursuing a path that seemed right to them.
- Outcome appeared guaranteed, but they were unaware of their future trouble and precarious situation.
b) Forcefully taking hold of something that is not for you
1 Samuel 23:17-18 (NIV)
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.
- Jonathan was the heir apparent of Israel, the eldest son of Saul and by human understanding the next king of Israel.
- However, Jonathan was not the Lord’s anointed, and Jonathan knew this — he did not grasp for a crown that was not his to wear.
4. Look to the Shepherd (Looking to Jesus)
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make straight your paths straight.
- Jesus is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
- He is trustworthy and his counsel is good.
- He will keep us on the path that is marked for us.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make straight your paths straight.
- Jesus is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
- He is trustworthy and his counsel is good.
- He will keep us on the path that is marked for us.
Remember:
Look to the good and trustworthy Shepherd for direction and instruction in your walk of faith.
Look to the good and trustworthy Shepherd for direction and instruction in your walk of faith.
