March 22, 2026 • 47 mins
A weekly program of word and music featuring an eclectic mix of Christian music and teaching by Pastor Tom Cullen and Brian Evans. Mac Wigfield starts the program with southern gospel classics.
Produced at Straight Path Studio in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada.
Christian Artists featured are:
Tribute Quartet
Poet Voices
Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet
Keith Green
Eliza King
Paul Turner
David Ahlen
Chelsea Moon & The Franz Brothers
Greg Hjelle
Voices Won
Jadon Lavik
Thank you for listening to HOPE TODAY. This is a program developed at Light & Life Programming, a registered charity. We are listener supported. If you would like to help with this ministry, donations can be made through our website at www.lightnlife.ca.
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:10):
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice.
Thank you so much for joining usfor Hope Today, a program
designed to inspire you to joyand faith.
It is good to be with you.
Pastor Tom Cullen is answeringthe question, why is it
important that Jesus says he isthe Good Shepherd?
(00:30):
Listen carefully for thewonderful answers during these
next moments.
But first of all, Mac, would youlead us to blessings and harmony
and music to get us started?
SPEAKER_07 (00:52):
Good Sunday morning.
Let me give to you my welcome tothis edition of Hope Today.
I thought I'd let you listen toa bit of music to put you in the
mood for what I think is abeautiful song, the tribute
quartet coming to sing for us.
I've been with Jesus.
SPEAKER_06 (01:08):
You may ask me why I'm singing.
SPEAKER_02 (01:14):
I've been on a visit so inspiring.
There's within my heart afeeling.
I can hear the spirit stealing.
And I know from sin I amretiring.
SPEAKER_06 (01:29):
I've been with Jesus and I'm so happy.
I'm so happy.
I can feel him I can feel in mysoul.
In my soul with love, he'slovely son.
With bloody potty bond.
SPEAKER_02 (01:46):
I've been with Jesus and I'm whole.
Soon I'm going to make a journeyone from which I won't return.
I will live forever in hisglory.
But until that bright tomorrowin this world of sin and sorrow,
(02:10):
everywhere I go, I'll tell astory.
SPEAKER_06 (02:15):
I've been with Jesus and I'm so happy.
I can feel in my soul.
In my soul.
With love, Esau, with love easy,with bloody buttons, bloody
button.
I've been with Jesus and I'mwhole.
unknown (02:37):
I've been with Jesus and I'm so happy.
I can feel him in my soul.
SPEAKER_06 (02:48):
With love, he's on me.
With bloody bug me.
I've been with Jesus and I'mwhole.
With love, he's on me.
With bloody bomb.
I've been with Jesus and I'mwhole.
SPEAKER_07 (03:12):
And I hope that's the way you will feel at the end
of our time together thismorning.
Pastor Tom Cullen will beguiding our thoughts as we think
today about shepherds and sheep.
Here's a song from Poet Voicestalking about a wonderful
(03:32):
shepherd.
SPEAKER_06 (04:09):
I walked in the valley where night has no end.
I failed when I travel alone,but I hold the hand of a club
(04:32):
and friend and easily easilysweet small is living all
(05:10):
easily.
Still a place where many havegone.
SPEAKER_07 (06:58):
You know what?
I'm the lamb that the shepherdleft the flock for.
The old time gospel hourquartet.
SPEAKER_06 (07:06):
So many times I'd strayed away from Jesus As the
lamb that leaves the flock witha machine.
And the time soon came when I'vegone too far and stumbled.
(07:33):
And the more I tried, the more Ilosed my way I've done that
left.
(08:00):
So we went to spell me.
And I'll never be a bow babybow.
(08:37):
Thinking only of myself and myown game.
But the shepherd came and foundme on the cliffs of save from
that moment life has never beenthe same.
(09:04):
Now I'm back where I belong, andI'm so happy I can hear the
shepherd's voice all the time,and I'll follow in the path
(09:27):
where he may lead me for theshepherd Jesus.
He is a friend of mine.
I'm the Lamb that the shepherdleft the flood flow.
SPEAKER_05 (09:50):
I was of in the cold.
SPEAKER_01 (10:05):
Why is it important to know that Jesus is the good
shepherd?
It's a biblical image we've readmany times, especially if we
love Psalm 23, where we read,The Lord is my shepherd, I shall
not want.
Well, Jesus comes along andsays, You know that shepherd of
the Old Testament?
That's me.
(10:26):
Stay with us this morning andwe'll explore the whole idea
some more as Keith Green singsthat beautiful psalm, The Lord
is my shepherd.
SPEAKER_06 (10:40):
I shall not want.
SPEAKER_01 (14:06):
And I have to ask, what difference does that make?
Well, it makes a difference inour dependence upon him.
If Jesus is the shepherd, thatmeans we are sheep.
And if we are sheep, it means weare dependent.
(15:11):
We love the image of the Lordbeing our shepherd, and we have
this warm picture of Jesus beingour good shepherd, and in our
mind's eye we can see theshepherd tenderly taking the
lamb in his arms, cradling it.
And all of that is true.
There is care, there iscompassion, there is intimacy.
But my friends, when we say thatthe Lord is my shepherd, we're
(15:32):
saying just as much aboutourselves as we are about him.
We're saying that we are hissheep, and we're in need of a
shepherding care, and that wemust live in complete dependence
upon him.
And when we live in full trustin him, we know we shall not
lack anything.
(15:52):
Here is Eliza King.
SPEAKER_06 (18:39):
And he was turned.
And we can spend in the cave.
SPEAKER_01 (19:09):
Jesus said that He is the good shepherd.
This means that we are sheep.
And if we're sheep, then we'redependent upon him.
And I will never forget aboutthe third year we owned our
country property.
We looked out of our dining roomwindow, and there was a stray
sheep standing there.
(19:32):
I didn't know what to do with afreedom.
No direction.
No deserted.
Everything in my garden.
I didn't care.
Without a shepherd to care forthe sheep.
Without a shepherd.
(19:59):
He is the center of your life.
The lover of your soul.
Jesus, we're just not breathing.
(20:21):
Jesus, you're a shepherd.
You are depending on for lifenow and forever.
I don't depend on anyone.
I make my own way for this life.
I'm self-made.
Don't you see?
(20:42):
If you are a sheep, you can takecare of yourself.
You know nothing of the future.
You know nothing of lifeeternal.
There is only one shepherd youcan depend on.
And that is Jesus Christ, who isthe good shepherd.
Offer this prayer of commitmentwith Paul Turner and Brian
Dorkson in Shepherd of Heaven.
SPEAKER_06 (21:02):
Here I am again, crying out.
Speak my name.
That I might live today withvoices all around calling out.
Speak my name.
(21:28):
Let me now be the voice ofanother.
Teach my heart to be the voiceof my father.
SPEAKER_00 (23:59):
If there ever was a prolific poet and hymn writer,
Fanny Crosby would definitely benear the top of the list.
Blinded as a child after a verywrong medical procedure, she
quickly learned that feelingsorry for herself would not get
her anywhere significant inlife.
With her vision impaired, shealso realized that she would
(24:20):
need to develop other senses toaccommodate and reach her
objectives.
With the encouragement of hergrandmother, she memorized whole
books of the Bible and gained aspiritual depth other people
only dream of.
Often her writings were as aresult of experience that she
would have.
And so it was that during adifficult time financially, she
(24:41):
needed five dollars and did notknow where she would get it.
Instinctively, she began to prayabout this matter.
Within a few minutes, a strangerappeared at her door with just
the right amount.
I have no way of accounting forthis, she wrote, except to
believe that God answered myprayer.
She continues.
(25:12):
Another one of her manytestimonies in song was born to
bless all the generations yet tocome.
Here is all the way my saviorleads me, as performed by David
Allen.
SPEAKER_03 (25:36):
Can I tell she whose life has been my guide?
Henry peace divine has come forfaith in life.
(25:59):
For I know would help befollowed.
Jesus to have fish.
(27:33):
Perfect race to me is promisedin my face as a life who in my
spirit of motto wings his faceto us today.
(27:56):
Bless my soul through and lesssages.
SPEAKER_01 (28:17):
In John chapter ten, verse eleven, Jesus says that he
is the good shepherd.
But not only that, he says thathe lays down his life for the
sheep.
And we say, What difference doesit make?
And the answer comes back allthe difference in the world.
Jesus is saying that he laysdown his life for the sheep.
(28:39):
That means instead of the truththat we learn in Isaiah 53,
verse 6 is that we all likesheep have gone astray.
We turned our back on God andsaid, No, to his rule.
But the truth is that JesusChrist has laid the price for us
(29:02):
with his own life.
He has laid down his life forus.
If you don't know this to betrue in your life, that your
eyes would be opened to the factthat we are great sinners.
Philip Keller, in his bookentitled A Shepherd Looks at
Psalm 23, tells of how on theranch next to his there was a
(29:26):
tenant sheep man who was themost indifferent manager he had
ever met.
Keller writes, he ought never tohave been allowed to keep sheep.
His flock were always thin,weak, and riddled with disease
or parasites.
Again and again they would comeand stand at the fence, staring
blankly through the woven wireat the green lush pastures which
(29:47):
my flock enjoyed.
Had they been able to speak, Iam sure they would have said,
Oh, to be set free from thisawful owner.
But thanks be to God, this isnot the kind of shepherd that we
have.
We have a shepherd in Jesus whogave his life for us.
And for that reason, we cantrust and obey him completely.
(30:10):
Here is Chelsea Moon and theFrance brothers.
SPEAKER_06 (30:13):
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his
word, what a glory he sheds onour way, and while we do his
good will, he abides with usstill, and with all who will
(30:34):
trust and obey, trust and obey,for there's no other way to be
happy in Jesus, but to trust andobey, but we never can prove the
(31:02):
delights of his love until onthe altar we say so sweet for
the favor he shows, for the joyhe bestows, are for them who
will trust and obey so sweetTrust and obey for there's no
(31:30):
other way to be happy in Jesus,but to trust and obey it.
(32:41):
And what he says we will do,where he sends we will go, never
fear only trust and obey, trustand obey, for there's no other
way to be happy in Jesus, but totrust and obey, for there's no
(33:11):
other way to be happy in Jesus,but to trust in old Jesus.
SPEAKER_01 (33:23):
Jesus said that he is the good shepherd who lays
down his life for the sheep.
And we think, so what?
What difference does it make?
Well, it makes all thedifference in the world to our
obedience to him.
Think of it.
We very often obey authorityfigures like our parents for one
of two reasons.
We may obey them because we'reafraid to face their discipline,
(33:45):
or we obey them because we wantsomething from them.
And we do the same thing in ourrelationship with God, don't we?
How many people obey God becausethey don't want to be struck by
lightning or spend an eternityin hell?
And there are others who obeyGod because they want something
from him.
But listen, now you can obey ourLord for a different reason.
Not because you want somethingfrom him.
(34:06):
He already laid down his lifefor you.
Not because you're afraid ofhim, he died in your place,
taking the punishment for yoursin for you.
Now you can obey him because yourealize that you are the apple
of his eye, his beloved, hisbride, his joy, and he wants the
best for you.
You obey him because you areenraptured with him, and you
(34:29):
want to bring him joy.
Just as he brings you joy.
That's a whole different levelof obedience.
It has nothing to do with fearor wanting to get something that
flows from a heart that istouched by the sacrificial death
of Christ, the unending love ofGod, and knowing God, that he is
your shepherd that will neverleave you or forsake you.
(34:59):
You are obeying out of fear orout of a desire for selfish
gain.
But if you have it in your heartand mind that he died for you
and loves you, then service andobedience to him becomes a joy.
And it's that kind of obediencethat lasts.
If you obey God out of fear orwanting to get something out of
him, it won't last.
(35:19):
Your faith will be temporary.
But if you have it deep in yourmind and heart that Jesus Christ
is your shepherd who gave hislife for you, well, that kind of
obedience goes the distance.
(38:52):
But we do know that a shepherdleads, and so our Lord calls us
to follow him and allow him tolead us through life.
Let's give our whole lives tohim as voices one sing, I have
decided to follow Jesus.
SPEAKER_04 (39:08):
I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
SPEAKER_06 (39:28):
I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back,
no turning back, the world behindly, the cross before me, the
(39:59):
world be hind me, the crossbefore me, the world be hind me,
the cross before me, no turningback, no turning back, though
(40:28):
none go with me, still I willfollow, though none go with me,
still I will follow, though nonego with me, still I will fall no
(40:57):
turning back, no turning back tono turning back, no turning bad.
SPEAKER_01 (42:02):
Well, there is this last truth to consider, and that
is the assurance of his love.
Just before Jesus says that heis the good shepherd, he says
that he knows his sheep by name.
That means that he knows thesheep intimately, personally,
fully.
Because if Jesus knows us thatwell, why would he ever die for
(42:22):
us?
Do you see the assurance ofthat?
He still gave himself for youand instead of you.
What makes you think there issomething that can make him turn
away from you now?
He knew the rottenness of yoursoul before he died for you.
Do you think you will dosomething now that will make him
change his mind about you?
(42:42):
Are you kidding?
You were that great before, andhe still laid down his life for
you.
Do you see the assurance ofthis?
Do you see how you are secure inhis hand?
We read in Romans 8 if God isfor you, who can be against you?
Who will bring any chargeagainst you?
Who will separate you from thelove of Christ?
Shall all the troubles of thisworld, or hardship, or
(43:04):
persecution, or famine, ornakedness, or danger, or sword,
separate you from Christ?
No.
Why?
Because you have a good shepherdwho knows you intimately and
will never forsake you.
My friends, there are some ofyou who suffer under the
mistaken idea that someone cansnatch you out of God's hand.
But listen, that is falsethinking.
(43:27):
And I pray that you would knowthe peace that comes from the
assurance that you belong toGod, because the good shepherd
has laid down his life for you,and the price for your sin has
been paid, and nothing more isdemanded from you, and nothing
can separate you from him.
It's called a blessed assurance.
(43:47):
Here is Jaden Levick.
SPEAKER_06 (43:50):
A blessed assurance Jesus is mine.
Oh, what a fool.
Taste the glory divine air ofsalvation the purchase of God
(44:13):
born of his spirit washed in hisblood this is my story this is
my song praising my savor allthe day long this is my story
(44:42):
this is my song praising mysavor all the day long perfect
submission perfect delinenumbers to my side angels
(45:16):
descending ring from aboveechoes of mercy whispers of love
this is my story this is my songpraising my say all the day long
(45:47):
this is my story this is my songpraising my say all the day long
(46:13):
Hope Today is produced atStraight Past Studios It is such
a pleasure to bring this programto you please send any comments
or questions to listener at hopeToday-lp.ca It is so reassuring
to know that the Lordall-powerful is our caring and
good shepherd.
SPEAKER_00 (46:33):
In no other is our hope secure.
Thank you for coming along withus over this last hour.
Please tune in next time foranother program to encourage
your spirit.
Until then, please remember thatwith the Lord as your shepherd,
you shall not be in want.
SPEAKER_06 (47:03):
All the day long this is my story, this is my
song Prison I say all the daylong.
This is my story.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice.
Thank you so much for joining usfor Hope Today, a program
designed to inspire you to joyand faith.
It is good to be with you.
Pastor Tom Cullen is answeringthe question, why is it
important that Jesus says he isthe Good Shepherd?
(00:30):
Listen carefully for thewonderful answers during these
next moments.
But first of all, Mac, would youlead us to blessings and harmony
and music to get us started?
SPEAKER_07 (00:52):
Good Sunday morning.
Let me give to you my welcome tothis edition of Hope Today.
I thought I'd let you listen toa bit of music to put you in the
mood for what I think is abeautiful song, the tribute
quartet coming to sing for us.
I've been with Jesus.
SPEAKER_06 (01:08):
You may ask me why I'm singing.
SPEAKER_02 (01:14):
I've been on a visit so inspiring.
There's within my heart afeeling.
I can hear the spirit stealing.
And I know from sin I amretiring.
SPEAKER_06 (01:29):
I've been with Jesus and I'm so happy.
I'm so happy.
I can feel him I can feel in mysoul.
In my soul with love, he'slovely son.
With bloody potty bond.
SPEAKER_02 (01:46):
I've been with Jesus and I'm whole.
Soon I'm going to make a journeyone from which I won't return.
I will live forever in hisglory.
But until that bright tomorrowin this world of sin and sorrow,
(02:10):
everywhere I go, I'll tell astory.
SPEAKER_06 (02:15):
I've been with Jesus and I'm so happy.
I can feel in my soul.
In my soul.
With love, Esau, with love easy,with bloody buttons, bloody
button.
I've been with Jesus and I'mwhole.
unknown (02:37):
I've been with Jesus and I'm so happy.
I can feel him in my soul.
SPEAKER_06 (02:48):
With love, he's on me.
With bloody bug me.
I've been with Jesus and I'mwhole.
With love, he's on me.
With bloody bomb.
I've been with Jesus and I'mwhole.
SPEAKER_07 (03:12):
And I hope that's the way you will feel at the end
of our time together thismorning.
Pastor Tom Cullen will beguiding our thoughts as we think
today about shepherds and sheep.
Here's a song from Poet Voicestalking about a wonderful
(03:32):
shepherd.
SPEAKER_06 (04:09):
I walked in the valley where night has no end.
I failed when I travel alone,but I hold the hand of a club
(04:32):
and friend and easily easilysweet small is living all
(05:10):
easily.
Still a place where many havegone.
SPEAKER_07 (06:58):
You know what?
I'm the lamb that the shepherdleft the flock for.
The old time gospel hourquartet.
SPEAKER_06 (07:06):
So many times I'd strayed away from Jesus As the
lamb that leaves the flock witha machine.
And the time soon came when I'vegone too far and stumbled.
(07:33):
And the more I tried, the more Ilosed my way I've done that
left.
(08:00):
So we went to spell me.
And I'll never be a bow babybow.
(08:37):
Thinking only of myself and myown game.
But the shepherd came and foundme on the cliffs of save from
that moment life has never beenthe same.
(09:04):
Now I'm back where I belong, andI'm so happy I can hear the
shepherd's voice all the time,and I'll follow in the path
(09:27):
where he may lead me for theshepherd Jesus.
He is a friend of mine.
I'm the Lamb that the shepherdleft the flood flow.
SPEAKER_05 (09:50):
I was of in the cold.
SPEAKER_01 (10:05):
Why is it important to know that Jesus is the good
shepherd?
It's a biblical image we've readmany times, especially if we
love Psalm 23, where we read,The Lord is my shepherd, I shall
not want.
Well, Jesus comes along andsays, You know that shepherd of
the Old Testament?
That's me.
(10:26):
Stay with us this morning andwe'll explore the whole idea
some more as Keith Green singsthat beautiful psalm, The Lord
is my shepherd.
SPEAKER_06 (10:40):
I shall not want.
SPEAKER_01 (14:06):
And I have to ask, what difference does that make?
Well, it makes a difference inour dependence upon him.
If Jesus is the shepherd, thatmeans we are sheep.
And if we are sheep, it means weare dependent.
(15:11):
We love the image of the Lordbeing our shepherd, and we have
this warm picture of Jesus beingour good shepherd, and in our
mind's eye we can see theshepherd tenderly taking the
lamb in his arms, cradling it.
And all of that is true.
There is care, there iscompassion, there is intimacy.
But my friends, when we say thatthe Lord is my shepherd, we're
(15:32):
saying just as much aboutourselves as we are about him.
We're saying that we are hissheep, and we're in need of a
shepherding care, and that wemust live in complete dependence
upon him.
And when we live in full trustin him, we know we shall not
lack anything.
(15:52):
Here is Eliza King.
SPEAKER_06 (18:39):
And he was turned.
And we can spend in the cave.
SPEAKER_01 (19:09):
Jesus said that He is the good shepherd.
This means that we are sheep.
And if we're sheep, then we'redependent upon him.
And I will never forget aboutthe third year we owned our
country property.
We looked out of our dining roomwindow, and there was a stray
sheep standing there.
(19:32):
I didn't know what to do with afreedom.
No direction.
No deserted.
Everything in my garden.
I didn't care.
Without a shepherd to care forthe sheep.
Without a shepherd.
(19:59):
He is the center of your life.
The lover of your soul.
Jesus, we're just not breathing.
(20:21):
Jesus, you're a shepherd.
You are depending on for lifenow and forever.
I don't depend on anyone.
I make my own way for this life.
I'm self-made.
Don't you see?
(20:42):
If you are a sheep, you can takecare of yourself.
You know nothing of the future.
You know nothing of lifeeternal.
There is only one shepherd youcan depend on.
And that is Jesus Christ, who isthe good shepherd.
Offer this prayer of commitmentwith Paul Turner and Brian
Dorkson in Shepherd of Heaven.
SPEAKER_06 (21:02):
Here I am again, crying out.
Speak my name.
That I might live today withvoices all around calling out.
Speak my name.
(21:28):
Let me now be the voice ofanother.
Teach my heart to be the voiceof my father.
SPEAKER_00 (23:59):
If there ever was a prolific poet and hymn writer,
Fanny Crosby would definitely benear the top of the list.
Blinded as a child after a verywrong medical procedure, she
quickly learned that feelingsorry for herself would not get
her anywhere significant inlife.
With her vision impaired, shealso realized that she would
(24:20):
need to develop other senses toaccommodate and reach her
objectives.
With the encouragement of hergrandmother, she memorized whole
books of the Bible and gained aspiritual depth other people
only dream of.
Often her writings were as aresult of experience that she
would have.
And so it was that during adifficult time financially, she
(24:41):
needed five dollars and did notknow where she would get it.
Instinctively, she began to prayabout this matter.
Within a few minutes, a strangerappeared at her door with just
the right amount.
I have no way of accounting forthis, she wrote, except to
believe that God answered myprayer.
She continues.
(25:12):
Another one of her manytestimonies in song was born to
bless all the generations yet tocome.
Here is all the way my saviorleads me, as performed by David
Allen.
SPEAKER_03 (25:36):
Can I tell she whose life has been my guide?
Henry peace divine has come forfaith in life.
(25:59):
For I know would help befollowed.
Jesus to have fish.
(27:33):
Perfect race to me is promisedin my face as a life who in my
spirit of motto wings his faceto us today.
(27:56):
Bless my soul through and lesssages.
SPEAKER_01 (28:17):
In John chapter ten, verse eleven, Jesus says that he
is the good shepherd.
But not only that, he says thathe lays down his life for the
sheep.
And we say, What difference doesit make?
And the answer comes back allthe difference in the world.
Jesus is saying that he laysdown his life for the sheep.
(28:39):
That means instead of the truththat we learn in Isaiah 53,
verse 6 is that we all likesheep have gone astray.
We turned our back on God andsaid, No, to his rule.
But the truth is that JesusChrist has laid the price for us
(29:02):
with his own life.
He has laid down his life forus.
If you don't know this to betrue in your life, that your
eyes would be opened to the factthat we are great sinners.
Philip Keller, in his bookentitled A Shepherd Looks at
Psalm 23, tells of how on theranch next to his there was a
(29:26):
tenant sheep man who was themost indifferent manager he had
ever met.
Keller writes, he ought never tohave been allowed to keep sheep.
His flock were always thin,weak, and riddled with disease
or parasites.
Again and again they would comeand stand at the fence, staring
blankly through the woven wireat the green lush pastures which
(29:47):
my flock enjoyed.
Had they been able to speak, Iam sure they would have said,
Oh, to be set free from thisawful owner.
But thanks be to God, this isnot the kind of shepherd that we
have.
We have a shepherd in Jesus whogave his life for us.
And for that reason, we cantrust and obey him completely.
(30:10):
Here is Chelsea Moon and theFrance brothers.
SPEAKER_06 (30:13):
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his
word, what a glory he sheds onour way, and while we do his
good will, he abides with usstill, and with all who will
(30:34):
trust and obey, trust and obey,for there's no other way to be
happy in Jesus, but to trust andobey, but we never can prove the
(31:02):
delights of his love until onthe altar we say so sweet for
the favor he shows, for the joyhe bestows, are for them who
will trust and obey so sweetTrust and obey for there's no
(31:30):
other way to be happy in Jesus,but to trust and obey it.
(32:41):
And what he says we will do,where he sends we will go, never
fear only trust and obey, trustand obey, for there's no other
way to be happy in Jesus, but totrust and obey, for there's no
(33:11):
other way to be happy in Jesus,but to trust in old Jesus.
SPEAKER_01 (33:23):
Jesus said that he is the good shepherd who lays
down his life for the sheep.
And we think, so what?
What difference does it make?
Well, it makes all thedifference in the world to our
obedience to him.
Think of it.
We very often obey authorityfigures like our parents for one
of two reasons.
We may obey them because we'reafraid to face their discipline,
(33:45):
or we obey them because we wantsomething from them.
And we do the same thing in ourrelationship with God, don't we?
How many people obey God becausethey don't want to be struck by
lightning or spend an eternityin hell?
And there are others who obeyGod because they want something
from him.
But listen, now you can obey ourLord for a different reason.
Not because you want somethingfrom him.
(34:06):
He already laid down his lifefor you.
Not because you're afraid ofhim, he died in your place,
taking the punishment for yoursin for you.
Now you can obey him because yourealize that you are the apple
of his eye, his beloved, hisbride, his joy, and he wants the
best for you.
You obey him because you areenraptured with him, and you
(34:29):
want to bring him joy.
Just as he brings you joy.
That's a whole different levelof obedience.
It has nothing to do with fearor wanting to get something that
flows from a heart that istouched by the sacrificial death
of Christ, the unending love ofGod, and knowing God, that he is
your shepherd that will neverleave you or forsake you.
(34:59):
You are obeying out of fear orout of a desire for selfish
gain.
But if you have it in your heartand mind that he died for you
and loves you, then service andobedience to him becomes a joy.
And it's that kind of obediencethat lasts.
If you obey God out of fear orwanting to get something out of
him, it won't last.
(35:19):
Your faith will be temporary.
But if you have it deep in yourmind and heart that Jesus Christ
is your shepherd who gave hislife for you, well, that kind of
obedience goes the distance.
(38:52):
But we do know that a shepherdleads, and so our Lord calls us
to follow him and allow him tolead us through life.
Let's give our whole lives tohim as voices one sing, I have
decided to follow Jesus.
SPEAKER_04 (39:08):
I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
SPEAKER_06 (39:28):
I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back,
no turning back, the world behindly, the cross before me, the
(39:59):
world be hind me, the crossbefore me, the world be hind me,
the cross before me, no turningback, no turning back, though
(40:28):
none go with me, still I willfollow, though none go with me,
still I will follow, though nonego with me, still I will fall no
(40:57):
turning back, no turning back tono turning back, no turning bad.
SPEAKER_01 (42:02):
Well, there is this last truth to consider, and that
is the assurance of his love.
Just before Jesus says that heis the good shepherd, he says
that he knows his sheep by name.
That means that he knows thesheep intimately, personally,
fully.
Because if Jesus knows us thatwell, why would he ever die for
(42:22):
us?
Do you see the assurance ofthat?
He still gave himself for youand instead of you.
What makes you think there issomething that can make him turn
away from you now?
He knew the rottenness of yoursoul before he died for you.
Do you think you will dosomething now that will make him
change his mind about you?
(42:42):
Are you kidding?
You were that great before, andhe still laid down his life for
you.
Do you see the assurance ofthis?
Do you see how you are secure inhis hand?
We read in Romans 8 if God isfor you, who can be against you?
Who will bring any chargeagainst you?
Who will separate you from thelove of Christ?
Shall all the troubles of thisworld, or hardship, or
(43:04):
persecution, or famine, ornakedness, or danger, or sword,
separate you from Christ?
No.
Why?
Because you have a good shepherdwho knows you intimately and
will never forsake you.
My friends, there are some ofyou who suffer under the
mistaken idea that someone cansnatch you out of God's hand.
But listen, that is falsethinking.
(43:27):
And I pray that you would knowthe peace that comes from the
assurance that you belong toGod, because the good shepherd
has laid down his life for you,and the price for your sin has
been paid, and nothing more isdemanded from you, and nothing
can separate you from him.
It's called a blessed assurance.
(43:47):
Here is Jaden Levick.
SPEAKER_06 (43:50):
A blessed assurance Jesus is mine.
Oh, what a fool.
Taste the glory divine air ofsalvation the purchase of God
(44:13):
born of his spirit washed in hisblood this is my story this is
my song praising my savor allthe day long this is my story
(44:42):
this is my song praising mysavor all the day long perfect
submission perfect delinenumbers to my side angels
(45:16):
descending ring from aboveechoes of mercy whispers of love
this is my story this is my songpraising my say all the day long
(45:47):
this is my story this is my songpraising my say all the day long
(46:13):
Hope Today is produced atStraight Past Studios It is such
a pleasure to bring this programto you please send any comments
or questions to listener at hopeToday-lp.ca It is so reassuring
to know that the Lordall-powerful is our caring and
good shepherd.
SPEAKER_00 (46:33):
In no other is our hope secure.
Thank you for coming along withus over this last hour.
Please tune in next time foranother program to encourage
your spirit.
Until then, please remember thatwith the Lord as your shepherd,
you shall not be in want.
SPEAKER_06 (47:03):
All the day long this is my story, this is my
song Prison I say all the daylong.
This is my story.
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