Alaska: No moose on sidewalks

Arizona: It is illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub

Kentucky: It is illegal to carry ice cream in your back pocket

Connecticut: It is illegal to sell a pickle that does not bounce

1. THE BIBLE IS A LIBRARY, NOT A BOOK.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. John 5:39-40 NLT

2. THE BIBLE IS WRITTEN FOR US, NOT TO US.

You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT

And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture… 2 Peter 3:15-16 NLT

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

3. DO NOT READ A VERSE BY ITSELF.

“What is the single most important practical skill I’ve ever learned as a Christian? Here it is: Never read a Bible verse. That’s right, never read a Bible verse. Instead, always read a paragraph at least.” - Greg Koukl, Author & Apologist

4.  THE ACCURACY OF THE BIBLE IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION

5. THE WAY THE BIBLE POINTS TO THE PERSON OF JESUS 

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Gandhi

…The scripture cannot be broken John 10:35 KJV

“We’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”. Matthew 20:18-19 NLT

They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself; Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”  Luke 25:23-27;31-32 NLT

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11 NLT

THE PURPOSE OF THE SHEPHERD

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

1. THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalms 23:1-2 ESV

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

2. THE SHEPHERD RESTORES

He restores my soul…. Psalms 23:3 ESV

The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” Judges 6:12 NLT

you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession 1 Peter 2:9 NOT

3. THE SHEPHERD LEADS

He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Psalms 23:3 ESV

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” John 10:3-5 NLT

4. THE SHEPHERD SUPPORTS

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 ESV

The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. 2 Timothy 4:16 NLT

May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. 2 Timothy 4:16-17 NLT

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 NLT

5. THE SHEPHERD DEFENDS

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Psalms 23:5 ESV

By embracing death, taking it into himself, he (Jesus) destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death. Hebrews 2:14-15 MSG

6. THE SHEPHERD BLESSES.

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalms 23:5-6 ESV

THE LOVE OF THE SHEPHERD

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. John 10:11,14-15 NLT

'He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. 

But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:3-11 NLT

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? ” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17 NLT

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Mark 12:30-31 NLT

“…love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength…” Mark 12:30 NLT 

Me’od

Me’od: Muchness

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT 

WE CAN’T EXPECT AN ORDINARY LIFE WHEN WE SERVE AN EXTRAORDINARY GOD 

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:31 NLT 

“…Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17 NLT 

THE BELT OF TRUTH 

“…for he is a liar, and the father of lies.” John 8:44 NLT

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:3 NLT 

SHOES OF PEACE

“A FINAL WORD: BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. PUT ON ALL OF GOD’S ARMOR SO THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STAND FIRM AGAINST ALL STRATEGIES OF THE DEVIL….THEREFORE, PUT ON EVERY PIECE OF GOD’S ARMOR SO YOU WILL BE ABLE TO RESIST THE ENEMY IN THE TIME OF EVIL. THEN AFTER THE BATTLE YOU WILL STILL BE STANDING FIRM. STAND YOUR GROUND, PUTTING ON THE BELT OF TRUTH AND THE BODY ARMOR OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS.  FOR SHOES, PUT ON THE PEACE THAT COMES FROM THE GOOD NEWS SO THAT YOU WILL BE FULLY PREPARED.” EPHESIANS 6:10 –11,13-15 NLT

PEACE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF PROBLEMS; IT’S THE ADDITION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER IN THE PROBLEMS

THE SPIRITUAL POSTURE YOU HAVE GOING INTO THE BATTLE DETERMINES YOUR PEACE THROUGHOUT THE FIGHT  

“For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” Ephesians 6:15 NLT 

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

“…hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” Ephesians 6:16 NLT  

CHOOSE FAITH IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

THE HELMET OF SALVATION

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.” Romans 5:8-10 NLT