By Matt Huey
This Wednesday we had a smaller group of men gather to pray than normal, but it was no less powerful. Men shared how the Lord had been creating opportunities to share the gospel with the world, and we had some honest sharing from our hearts regarding some of the struggles with sin and circumstances in our lives. Deacon Erik Henrikson then had us turn our attention to John 10:1-18. See the scripture below:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

We then discussed how Jesus leads and guards his people as a good shepherd guards his flock. Jesus also refers to the mission of reaching the rest of his flock that have yet to be brought to faith in him (verse 16). As believers, we have the privilege of being used by Jesus to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth and watch those that have yet to enter into relationship with Jesus come to him in faith.

Prayers this week:

• Pray for the upcoming Thanksgiving eve service – that many would come, hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, and realize that we should be most thankful for the grace that God the Father has poured out on us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Pray for the Adopt-a-Family program. Pray that the believers of Mars Hill would show the love of Jesus through the sacrificial giving of their time, talents, and treasure to those that are in need.
• Continue to pray for the Song of Solomon series. Pray that all believers will seek to pursue their primary identity in Christ, that marriages will be strengthened, and that those yet to be married will pursue relationships that are honoring to Jesus.
• Pray that the men of Mars Hill would lead well and cover their families.
• Pray for the final Apprentice training of potential community group leaders this Sunday.
• Pray against Satan, his tricks, and divisive attempts to hamper the mission of Mars Hill and lead people astray from the truth of the gospel.