The Good Shepherds
Life In His Name
July 27, 2025
Rev. Dr. Gabe Sylvia
The sermon warns against false shepherds and cultural compromises (illustrated by a church's pro‑abortion resolution), highlights Jesus as the one true Shepherd and Door who lays down his life to gather and guard the flock, urges believers to follow shepherds who lead through Christ, and calls for faith, self‑examination, and faithful practice of the Lord’s Supper.
Summary
Using a contemporary example of a church that has 'lost its way,' the sermon emphasizes Jesus as the Door and the Good Shepherd who lays down his life to gather, guard, and give life to the sheep; it contrasts genuine shepherding (those who enter through Christ) with false shepherds and wolves who seek to lead the church astray, stresses the apostolic gift of pastors and teachers to equip the saints, calls believers to follow shepherds who lead through Christ, to respond to Jesus now with faith (even small faith), and to examine themselves when participating in the Lord’s Supper.
Key Points
- Example of cultural compromise: the United Church of Christ's 2023 abortion resolution as a sign of a church losing its way
- Central image: Jesus as the Door and the Good Shepherd (John 10:1–21) who lays down his life for the sheep
- Criterion for true shepherds: they enter and lead through Christ (the door) rather than coming in another way
- Warning about false shepherds/wolves—agents of the devil who woo the church away from Christ
- Purpose of shepherding: to gather, guard, and give life to the flock, reflecting Jesus’ sacrificial example
- Role of church leaders: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers (Ephesians 4) equip believers
- Call to action for listeners: run into Christ for salvation, listen for the Shepherd's voice, exercise even small faith
- Communion practice: frequent observance proclaims the Lord’s death and calls for self‑examination and discerning the body
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