Social Distancing When the Sheep are Scattered

Social Distancing

When the Sheep are Scattered

David in his youth was a shepherd

He understood the need for sheep to have a shepherd

He knew the need for sheep to be a part of a flock

He also knew his need for a shepherd

David is well known for Psalms 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd”

David also knew what it was like to feel abandon and without a shepherd or a flock

Psalms 142 is a cry from a cave, a lonely place

Where David pours out his complaint of loneliness

In this time of isolation let’s ask some questions 

How am I doing as a sheep of His pasture?

How are the sheep I worshiped with doing?

How is my local pastor doing?

As we start to get back to the lives we used to have

Let’s take a serious inventory of how we are doing

What is the condition of the flock?

What do I need to do for my spiritual health and the health of my church?

We can come back stronger

When the Sheep are Scattered

Who would have ever thought

the church doors would be closed.

Who would have ever thought people could

not gather together in their house of worship.

Both Old and New Testament help

us to understand the church…

 God’s people as sheep and a Shepard.

Due to the Coronavirus we are

scattered to our own homes.

Proverbs 27:23 tells us…

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,

give careful attention to your herds

    In the midst of the pandemic, how is this possible?

How can the pastors know

the condition of their flock?

Jesus in Matthew 9:35-36 shows great

concern for sheep without a shepherd…

Jesus went through all the towns and villages,

teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of

the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,

 because they were harassed and helpless,

 like sheep without a shepherd.

So how is the flock of God doing?

How are you doing?

As churches begin to open their

doors again, what will it be like?

As we survey the damage of the Coronavirus,

its damage to our health, finances,

what will the survey of our soul be?

Habits are developed over time.

Our schedules have been affected
for months changing our habits.

So what are the effects

on our spiritual habits?

David in his youth was a shepherd.

He understood the need for

sheep to have a shepherd.

He knew the need for sheep

to be a part of a flock.

He also knew his need for a shepherd.

David is well known for Psalms 23,

 “The Lord is my Shepherd”.

David also knew what it was like to feel

abandon and without a shepherd or a flock.

Psalms 142 is a cry from a cave,

 a lonely place where David pours

out his complaint of loneliness.

In this time of isolation,

let’s ask some questions…

 

How am I doing as a sheep of His pasture?

How are the sheep I worshiped with doing?

How is my local pastor doing?

As we start to get back to the lives

we used to have, let’s take a

serious inventory of how we are doing.

What is the condition of the flock?

What do I need to do for my spiritual

health and the health of my church?

We can come back stronger.

Scripture Reading

Psalms 142:1-143:1

Psalms 142 NIV

142:1 A maskil  of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.

I cry aloud to the LORD;

I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.

2 I pour out my complaint before him;

before him I tell my trouble.

3 When my spirit grows faint within me,

it is you who know my way.

In the path where I walk

men have hidden a snare for me.

4 Look to my right and see;

no one is concerned for me.

I have no refuge;

no one cares for my life.

5 I cry to you, O LORD;

I say, "You are my refuge,

my portion in the land of the living."

6 Listen to my cry,

for I am in desperate need;

rescue me from those who pursue me,

for they are too strong for me.

7 Set me free from my prison,

that I may praise your name.

Then the righteous will gather about me

because of your goodness to me.