Sheep and Goats revisited- a peek at my sermon for 11/20/2011

Sheep and Goats revisited-

It had  to happen sooner  or  later- I get to preach on scriptures I have  already wrote a Sermon on. I would like to take  a moment to thank God  for putting  the idea of the World wide web into the people's minds  who came  up with it-because  my research led me into
some things  I never knew. With your  kind indulgence, I would  like to share some  facts  I have  learned about-Sheep.

Sheep were domesticated 10,000 years ago in Central Asia, but it wasn't until 3,500 B.C. that man learned to spin wool. Sheep helped to make the spread of civilization possible. Sheep production was well-established during Biblical times. Sheep production is man's oldest organized industry. Wool was the first commodity of sufficient value to warrant international trade.

Sheep in the New World
In the 1400's, Queen Isabella of Spain used money derived from the wool industry to finance Columbus' and other conquistadors' voyages. In 1493 on his second voyage to the New World, Columbus took sheep with him as a "walking food supply." He left some sheep in Cuba and Santo Domingo.
In 1519, Cortez began his exploration of Mexico and the Western United States. He took with him sheep that were offspring of Columbus' sheep. These sheep are believed to be the descendents of what are now called "Churros." The Navajo Churro is the oldest breed of sheep in the U.S. Despite efforts by the U.S. government to eradicate the breed, Churros are still raised by Navajo indians.

Early American history
During the 16th and 17th centuries, England tried to discourage the wool industry in the American colonies. Nonetheless, colonists quickly smuggled sheep into the States and developed a wool industry. By 1664, there were 10,000 sheep in the colonies and the General Court of Massachusetts passed a law requiring youth to learn to spin and weave. I don't know about you, but I am truly grateful God chose  to have me born in this age- have you ever seen what it takes to make cloth from a sheep's wool?

By 1698, America was exporting wool goods. England became outraged and outlawed wool trade, making it punishible by cutting off a person's right hand. The restrictions on sheep raising and wool manufacturing, along with the Stamp Act and  other unfair taxes, led to the American Revolutionary War. Thus, spinning and weaving were considered patriotic acts.Gives you some insight why Betsy Ross is  depicted working on a spinning Wheel, yes? Even after the war, England enacted a law forbidding the export of any sheep,except  nuetered ones.

Presidential shepherds
George Washington raised sheep on his Mt. Vernon estate. Thomas Jefferson kept sheep at Monticello. Presidents Washington and Jefferson were both inaugurated in suits made of American wool. James Madison's inaugural jacket was woven from wool of sheep raised in his home in Virginia. President Woodrow Wilson grazed sheep on the White House lawn.

The Lord is my Shepherd

Sheep are mentioned in the Bible more than 500 times, more than any other animal. The prominence of sheep in the Bible grows out of two realities. Sheep were important to the nomads and agricultural life of the Hebrews and similiar peoples. Secondly, sheep are used throughout the Bible to symbolically refer to God's people.

So now  we know some of the history of Sheep-let's take  a look at some of their qualities and  attributes- why would Jesus and  the writers of the Bible use them to describe God's people?

A close relationship

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

The Bible describes close relationships between shepherds and their flocks. The sheep recognize the voice of the shepherd. They follow him (or her). The shepherd protects his flock and would give his life for them.

It is known that animals can instantly recognize the voice of a familiar trusted person. Sheep have excellent memories for faces. They remember their handler. They also remember people who inflict abuse upon them.
 2 Samuel 12:3
        But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. Like  we  would  have  a dog  or  a Cat today.
  This scripture is the parable that the Prophet Nathan spoke to David when confronting him about his sin with Bathsheba,but it also reveals that sheep can be affectionate, gentle animals. Not only are they affectionate and gentle, but they can also be considered non-aggressive as seen in the following scriptures:
 Isaiah 53:7
        He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is mute, so he openeth not his mouth.
Jeremiah 11:19
        But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered

 These scriptures show that the lamb or sheep is not aggressive. They are very docile animals. The word "docile" as described in the Webster's dictionary is, "easily managed or handled, readily trained or taught." Even though sheep are easily managed, this does not eliminate the need of care and supervision provided by the shepherd, as noted from the following scriptures:
  Ezekiel 34:5
        And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
Matthew 9:36
        But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd
 Matthew 10:16
        Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
 Sheep are not only defenseless, but this scripture would also indicate that sheep are vulnerable to danger, reaffirming their need to be shepherded. Sheep love to follow the shepherd. They feel comfort with the presence of a shepherd. Unfortunately, though, sheep will follow the shepherds even if they are irresponsible as outlined in Ezekiel 34. This is because sheep are very trusting animals and are easily led. However, when sheep are not shepherded properly, they become vulnerable to attack. The attack can come from either outside the fold or from within the flock, since sheep and goats can be found in the same flock.
Ezekiel 34:14
        I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

    When the sheep are fed properly, in lush green pastures, they will also find rest there. They will lie down in those good fields. Lying down is a sign of passivity and submission. When one animal obeys another, this is called submission. You can find two types of submission. One is active and the other is passive. Active submission is when a dominant animal forces another animal to obey it. Passive submission is when a subordinate animal lowers itself to the ground without being forced by the dominant animal. By acting submissive in a fight situation, an animal can avoid serious injury. The fact that sheep lie down on their own would indicate that they are operating in passive submission. Sheep would rather submit than fight. Being herbivores, sheep do not prey on other animals. They are content in a safe environment and are harmless and unobtrusive. Their demands are simple; they rarely make a noise except to let you know they are hungry or fear danger.
 God desires for all of His sheep to feed in good pastures with caring shepherds. In Psalm 23:1-2, David relates himself as a sheep to his shepherd.

        Psalm 23:1,2
        The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

    David is describing his relationship with the Great Shepherd. David himself was a shepherd so he knew very well the behavior of sheep. In this verse, David shares another characteristic about these animals; sheep love still waters. They love peaceful, quiet conditions and to drink from still waters. They are not comfortable with agitated waters. When the waters become agitated, the sheep become skittish.
     
    Now that we have looked at some of the natural tendencies of sheep, let's see how we might apply those tendencies to the spiritual application of sheep to the shepherd. We know that scripture often refers to sheep as being the children of God and shepherds as pastors or leaders. Flocks or folds represent our congregations. Remember that both sheep and goats can be found in the same flock. Jesus says in Matthew 25 that He will come in all His glory and separate the sheep from the goats suggesting that they had been in the same fold. We find a similar parable or analogy in Matthew 13 where Jesus talks about the wheat and tares growing up together.

        Matthew 13:24-30
        Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Would you have us go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

    The wheat and the tares are allowed to grow together in the same field until the time of the harvest. At that time, the wheat will be gathered into the barn (kingdom of God) and the tares will be bound in bundles to be burned. Although sheep and goats can dwell together in the same fold, it is important for leaders to recognize the differences so that the sheep are not mistaken for goats.
     
    To review, true sheep (God's children) are affectionate and non-aggressive. They are easy to manage because they are submissive in nature. They rarely give the shepherd (their leader) problems. If they should give the shepherd a problem it is generally because the presence of a wolf or the butting of a goat has agitated them. Also sheep enjoy still waters, not liking to drink from agitated waters. This means that they are not quick to be where strife, arguing, dissension, or turmoil is present. Such problems make the sheep skittish and they are quick to scurry away from such discord.
     
    Truly, sheep love to graze, meaning they love to eat the Word of God. They love to be in the presence of God. They rarely will miss a feeding or shall we say a meeting. They are hungry and love to graze in the green pastures. They are not in a hurry to move on and will stay as long as the shepherd allows.
     
    Although sheep are easily managed, they also are defenseless and vulnerable to danger. As leaders, it is important to provide the sheep with a comfortable, safe environment. We can do that as leaders if we recognize the danger of allowing wolves into the folds. This will come with the watchman and leader working together. The watchman will sense the danger of a wolf long before it is able to attack the sheep. We won't  be  talking  about  the  Wolves today, it would  take too long. But let us  now take  a look at the  Goats.
Goats
The scripture does not give a lot of indication to the natural tendencies of a goat. What we can find from the scriptures concerning the goats is that they were a useful animal. Just like the sheep, goats were allowed to be used as a sacrifice before God as long as they were without spot or blemish. Goats were also considered to be a clean food and could be eaten.( Goats  are Kosher ) Their skin was used to make clothing and the milk was used for food. These would all seem like very good things. However, we do read that the goats will be separated from the sheep when Jesus comes in all His glory. This would indicate that goats are different from sheep. A Scientist would say they are  in the  same Genus as  sheep, meaning the  same basic  family, herbavores, cloven hooves etc. but  a  different Species.In Genesis chapter one it is  written "God created all the fish, birds and  animals,each according to their kind" which also denotes a variety and  diversity of  forms of  life Since the Bible is not clear on the characteristics of a goat, I will relate information that I found among those that have raised or tended goats.
     
    Overall, a goat's reputation is less than positive. Even goat metaphors are negative. For instance, "Look at that old goat" refers to an old fool or dirty old man. "You get my goat!" applies to a person who irritates another. The poem, "Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow; and everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go" gives  a positive view to the little lamb, but when the gypsy girl Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame has a pet goat that performs tricks, the people want to hang the girl because they presume she's using witchcraft. Anyway you look at it; goats tend to be seen in a negative way. Perhaps it is because of the natural tendencies that a goat displays.
     
    Whereas sheep are gentle, quiet and easily led, goats are pushy, self-sufficient, and headstrong. Most goats are naturally horned, but many sheep are  bred to be hornless. Those goat horns can be used to bring harm to another. Alas, goats are naturally quarrelsome and have short tempers. They rear and butt in order to establish dominance. Rather than being a passive animal like the sheep, they have more aggressive tendencies. Modern Psychology calls  this a  "Type A" or  Alpha Male" personality.
     
    Goats do not require as much supervision or care as sheep. Perhaps this is because they are a more independent animal. Unlike sheep, goats will easily revert back to their wild conditions if given the chance. Goats do not graze like sheep do, but instead browse. They nibble here and there, sampling a variety of bushes and leaves. Because they are browsers and do not graze, they tend to wander when they eat.
     
    Goats also like the high places, often heading upward. (Mountain Goats) They are not herded as well as sheep because they would rather lead than follow. Two striking differences between sheep and goats are that goats have an excessively bad odor and their tails are short and held high.
     
    How do these goat characteristics relate spiritually to the shepherd or leader? If a "goat" is part of a fold, you may see some of these characteristics displayed. Goats are often pushy and can cause undercurrents and dissension. Turmoil and agitation are part of their nature. The goat has a dominating and controlling temperament, rather than a passive and submissive one.
     
    Goats tend to be more self-sufficient than sheep, choosing to browse rather than graze in the pasture. They don't enjoy the green pastures in the same way as the sheep. They are not always satisfied with what the shepherd (leader) gives them. They will nibble on the Word of God, a little here and a little there, yet they love to be seen in the high places. The goats walk with their tails held high, spiritually indicating pride, and they emit an offensive odor. There is something distinguishing about the goat, and that is the odor, or "air" about them.
     
    All this being said, it is important to note that goats are not wolves. They will not eat the sheep because they are not meat eaters- the wolves are. They may be agitators and cause some turmoil for the shepherd, but they are not seriously harmful to the sheep. Perhaps that is why Jesus waits until His return to separate the sheep from the goats. The real danger and threat to our flocks is the wolf.

Now  let us  not  get confused here- Anyone  who has accepted Jesus Christ as his  Lord and Savior - as His "shepard" is a Victor, a Champion,
a Disciple- unlike the  animal, the  sheep that are us have  power in  His name -to defend  ourselves against the  wolves. We have  protection! Just recently a 3 car collision missed me by inches. The  meekness and docile nature we should show is  indeed true- we love  nothing  more than peace and serenity, and  helping  our  neighbor ; who is everyone!. People  confuse "Meekness" with "Weakness" what Meekness is is  actually  a controlled use of  power. The courage to help someone when no one else will- to do something  for  someone whom you  know can't ever return the  favor.
To continue  to give  our Lord praises even when it looks like everything is falling down around us. It takes  power to do that -Holy Spirit Power!

But one thing  you must understand - we are  in a war- a war that occurs every day in our  minds as a result of  our  interactions with others.
Others  that do not  know the  Word as we do- others that would  tell us God does not  exist, That Jesus' death on the Cross does  nothing for  any of  us  today. Yes we must be  gentle as Sheep  in our  dealings with others, we  must not say things  out  of  malice, we must endure hardships
as everyone  does- the  recent  snowstorm is a great example. Were we stressed? Certainly. But how  much worse do you suppose it was for those who do not  know our  Shepherd? Let's give  our Lord Thanks and  praise for getting us through it.

( Ask Cogregation to say- Thank you Jesus! )

Have  you ever  noticed as you read the Bible- whether you are reading  Old or New Testament Proverbs or Psalms- There is always a "call to action"
nowadays that term is  used in sales circles but if you think about it  applies to all of  life.
Let me  give  you  some  examples- God  to Abraham- "Go to a Land I will show you"
Jesus to the  man with the withered hand- "stretch forth your hand"
Jesus to the demons  who called themselves Legion- "Come  out of that man!"Just a little  side  note here- Jesus is  Lord of all-even demons who are  not  part of His Flock have  to do what He commands..
Jesus to the prostitute He saved from a stoning- "Go and sin no more"
The  whole  book of  Proverbs  is a list of  do's and  don'ts if you want to be healthy wealthy and  wise-
which indeed are things that God has promised us-
But  if  we do not  do the  things  God has said we should do- should we  be  angry with Him if we do not receive the Promises and  Blessings?
The  only way we as  our  Lord's Sheep can get into trouble is if we stray - You know  I used to  hate  this  analogy- I used to think "Sheep are  Dumb" But they are  actually not. They stay close to their master. We need to stay close to our  Lord too.
Think about  Paul for  a moment- He wanted to be  tried in Rome even though he faced certain torture and death. Why?
Because back then Rome was the center of the world- and  he had  some  information he  wanted the  whole  world to know-
The Good  News of  the  Gospel of  Jesus Christ!

Faith-true faith requires some action on our part- and it is not for us to judge or try to seperate Sheep from Goats-
That is  our  Lord's job- and  according  to Jesse Duplantis, a well known preacher down in Louisiana, it is not a  job our  Master is looking forward to-
Forgive  me  for not  knowing  exact addresses, but in several places in the Bible it states- God  does  not  want to lose anyone of us-
no,not one. If He is indeed the God  of Love, then by His very nature we can assume that to be true-
But it is going to happen nonetheless-

The Sheep and  the Goats, the wheat and the Chaff will be seperated-
There is  another  phrase used a  lot in business circles these days- besides "location, location, location"
That phrase is: "Timing  and  positioning are  everything"
That is  a true  statement again in many aspects  of life and even unto how you will spend eternity-

It is true we are  living  in the Age of Grace- God is being most gracious in giving  us  these over 2000 years now,
but that Age is  coming  to a close, Even a cursory look at world events, the state of this country, the  fact that our  Government
can't even agree to agree on anything  anymore should  be  making  the Sheep skittish. All the  things that people thought they could rely
on are  crumbling  before our  very eyes- for those  who have  eyes to see.

The One person in the entire universe who can save you is calling-
Do you hear the Shepard's voice?

Ask him into your heart today if you have not yet done so-
Tommowrow is  not  Gaurenteed-
Yesterday has  already passed-
Today is the present- the  present our Lord gave you

Heed the Master's call- He  can give  you peace and  serenity
no matter what is happening.

Make sure you are positioned on the Sheep side of the fence.
Before the opportunity passes-

Heavenly Father we thank you for  the Great Shepherd you  provided for us-
we pray for all who do not yet  know Him
we grieve  as He does for the  ones who will not  hear His call

May all who are  destined  in your Will to come- let them come  
we ask this  Jesus name Amen