The Shepherd's Voice

INTRODUCTION

The ultimate Guiding Statement for the Christian Church is the Great Commission of

Jesus Christ given in Matthew 28:18-20: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to

Me. Therefore, by going, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything I have taught

you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." We have translated that to

the following:

GUIDING STATEMENT

As children of a gracious God who know Jesus Christ by faith,

we make Him known by our words and deeds

What does this mean?

EXPLANATION

By children of God, we mean that we are the recipients of the great love of God the Father (1

John 3:1). Born separated from God (Ephesians 2:1-15), He has now adopted us into His

family (John 1:12-13). Our adoption was paid for by the sacrifice of God's own Son, Jesus

(Hebrews 2:10-15), and applied to us by Baptism (Galatians 3:26-27). Ever grateful, we always

think of ourselves as His children (Mark 10:13-16).

By knowing Christ, we mean having a personal relationship with Him -- just as "knowing a

person" means having a relationship with them (John 17:3). Knowing Christ is more than

knowing about Christ, which the demons do (James 2:19). It is personal, intimate, and life-

changing (Matthew 11:28) -- the greatest blessing this life has to offer (Philippians 3:7-11).

By faith, we mean "trust" -- we take God at His word (Romans 4:1-3). Biblical faith is more than

believing in God -- it is believing God (Hebrews 11:1). This is what made Abraham, and makes

us, acceptable to God (Romans 3:21-22, 28). This faith makes us righteous before God and

eternally saves us (Romans 4:13). Such faith is a miracle, created by God Himself (Ephesians

2:8-9), and sustained by His Word (Romans 10:17) and Communion (Matthew 26:26-28)

By making Him known, we mean our witness to people around us, near and far (Acts 1:8).

Our relationship to God as His children, and our faith in Christ as our Savior, are to be shared

with people, not kept to ourselves (Matthew 5:14-16). Jesus makes God known to us (John

1:18); we can't help but make Him known to others (Acts 4:20).

By words and deeds, we mean that what we do is consistent with what we say (James 2:14-

16). Saying one thing while doing another is hypocrisy, which Jesus strongly condemns

(Matthew 23:13-32). Likewise, our words of witness need to be attached to our deeds. Actively

helping someone without mentioning Jesus is an incomplete witness (Romans 10:14-15).

CONCLUSION

"(We are) confident of this: that He who began a good work in (us) will carry it on to completion

until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6).  

P L E A S E J O I N G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

A S W E H O N O R A N D C E L E B R A T E T H E R E T I R E M E N T

 O F OUR B E L O V E D P A S T O R

Rev. Christian Schonberg

F R I D A Y , J U N E 3 0 T H , 2 0 2 3

S I X O ' C L O C K I N T H E E V E N I N G

Dinner Reception - Adults:$48 per person, Children: $10 per child

T H E L O B S T E R S H A N T Y

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A N O N L I N E P A Y M E N T M A Y B E M A D E B Y V I S I T I N G :

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