reading for: 18 November

MATTHEW 25:31-46

What is our Shepherd-King looking for in us?

• READ

Is this a sheep or goat? In some parts of the world, it’s hard to tell the difference by their appearance. However, the difference can be seen by their diet and their behaviour. Similarly, our Lord reminds us that God knows who are his and who are not, by our values, desires and actions. More importantly, however, the focus of the passage is on Christ our King. It’s not so much the ‘judgment’ between sheep and goats, but WHO is the Judge sitting on the throne and making judgment. It is the resurrected Jesus of Nazareth, our Shepherd-King who who will return in person.  

This passage about the Shepherd-King who comes back to judge, gives another picture of our returning Lord. Over the last 2 weeks, we have been reflecting on the Bridegroom who returns and the virgins who were unprepared (Matt 25:1-13), the Master of the house who returns to get an account of the fruitful stewardship of his servants (Matt 25:14-30). This passage adds to our understanding of Christ’s return, by reminding us that Christ is present (by his Holy Spirit) in ‘the least of these’. Our king identifies himself with, and He is among the most needy, the most rejected. Loving God and loving neighbour are two sides of the same coin, we love God by loving neighbour and we love neighbour by loving God. This is what the Lord is looking for in all of us when He returns. 

• REFLECT

Instead of looking at others and trying to guess if they are a sheep or a goat, let us look at ourselves. The purpose is not to make yourself feel guilty, neither is it to condemn yourself. In areas of your life where you are ‘led by Spirit’ you are like a sheep following your Shepherd-King. In areas where you are doing your own thing, you are ‘living in the flesh’ and you are like a goat. Invite the Holy Spirit to show you both areas. Repent and rededicate yourself to the Lord in the fleshy areas of your life and rejoice and thank God for his transformation and leading in other areas. If you don’t know, then fast and pray and ask Him for discernment. 

(by the way, the above is an Angora goat)

reading for: 19 November

EZEKIEL 34:11-16, 20-24

What does our Shepherd-King’s desire of us?

• READ

  Try to read the whole of chapter 34 if you can. In verses 1 – 10, we see God judging the leaders of Israel for their leadership failure – all the things they have not done for the people and the terrible suffering of the people because of this. In verses 11 – 16, we see God Himself personally entering into the picture to seek out the exiles and bring them back. God will feed and nurture them, and will heal them. God will provide justice for them by confronting those who have failed them. Ezekiel assures us that God does not punish out of cruelty, unreasonableness, pettiness, or vindictiveness. For the “fat sheep,” God judges because they have hurt the vulnerable sheep, and failed in their duty and God’s judgment will fall on those sheep that harm the weaker sheep. (v20-22). In verses 17-24, he is concerned for how fellow Jews treat one another. God will place his king, David as His ‘human representative’, to rule among his people (v23 – 24). 

  In the New Testament, we discover that Jesus, the Son of David, is the Shepherd-king who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11-18). In whatever capacity we lead others, we must understand that our source of authority comes from Christ himself and we are empowered by our following of Christ. It is His sacrificial love that gives us the right and power to lead.

• REFLECT

  Leaders have the difficult responsibility of keeping watch over your souls and they have to give an account to God when He returns (Hebrews 13:17). If there are pastors or leaders who have failed you, will you pray for their weaknesses and still continue to submit to them as a means of obeying the Lord? 

  Do you know of vulnerable brothers and sisters who are being attacked by gossip and hurtful actions of others? How can you help protect them?

reading for: 20 November

Ephesians 1:15-23

What does it mean to under the reign of our Shepherd-King?

• READ

  This passage begins with the phrase, “For this reason” which makes us ask, “for what reason?” It is the faith of the Ephesians that the Apostle Paul is referring to. The Ephesians heard the gospel message, believed it, and were given the Holy Spirit as their guarantee of future redemption. The very fact that they exist as a church, is evidence that the fullness of time has come (v.10) and the great mystery of God (1:9) – that he is building the Church (a kingdom of priests, a holy nation for Himself, has finally been unveiled). And because they have received and responded to this incredible revelation of God’s ultimate plan, Paul can’t stop giving thanks to God. 

  The content of this passage is a prayer that moves from thanksgiving to intercession to praise. In verses 15-16 Paul, first recalls the faith of the Ephesians and their love towards all believers. Then in verses 17-19, Paul intercedes and prays for wisdom, revelation and hope for them which rests on God’s power, at work through Christ. In verses 20 – 23, we see how the ascended Christ is connected to the church – He is the head and the Church is His Body. And because our head is victorious over sin and death and is ruling and reigning until everything is put in order, we, His Body can act with confidence, in partnership with his purposes in the world.

• REFLECT

  Pray together for specific individuals you are inviting into your homes and lives, this Christmas. Invite them to your home to watch the Christmas Service on 25th Dec and for Christmas lunch with you. Pray that they experience the warmth of Christ through your fellowship and hear the message, their hearts will be open and moved.

reading for: 21 November

PSALM 100

What is an appropriate response to the grace and mercy of our Shepherd-King?

• READ

  When it comes to worshiping God, Psalm 100 claims that it’s very appropriate to turn up the volume. These five verses roar with praise, employing a series of imperative verbs: shout (verse 1), worship (verse 2), enter (verses 2, 4), praise (verse 4), bless (verse 4). Taken together, these commands compel the us to high praise of God. 

  Amidst the summons to express our praises, the psalm presents another command. “know that the Lord, he is God” (v3). At first glance, this command “to know” seems out of place. We typically understand “knowing” to be an internalized mental process rather than a specific action to which one can be summoned. Yet the Hebrew word “to know” actually suggests something more. It actually means a deep and intimate awareness of God’s identity that He has revealed to us. The community embodies this understanding of God through gathered worship every Sunday, at every LG meeting where we share testimonies, pray and journey with for one another week after week, aware that he is always present and working in our lives. 
  

• REFLECT

  Take a step back and look over this year. Despite its challenges, where can you see God at work in your own life? Can you recall moments of deep encounter with Him this year? How have you felt or seen his provision and faithfulness to us? Prepare 1 short testimony that you can bring to Life Group and share it to encourage your fellow brothers and sisters.