We Are Scattered Like Sheep Without a Shepherd
We are called to stand strong in our faith despite persecution, knowing that God's love and guidance will never leave us.
Leonhard Schiemer preaches about the persecution and suffering faced by believers, likening them to scattered sheep without a shepherd, hunted game birds, and lambs led back to town. Despite the trials and false accusations, he emphasizes that no tribulation is too great to draw believers away from the Lord, expressing confidence in God's glory, triumph, and eternal honor. Schiemer declares that God's righteousness is always praised by His people who gather in His name, looking forward to the day when God will return to judge the earth.
Text
We are scattered like sheep without a shepherd. We have left our houses and lands and have become like owls of the night, like game birds. We sneak about in the forest. Men track us down with dogs, then lead us like lambs back to town. There they put us on display and say we are the cause of an uproar. We are counted like sheep for slaughter. They call us heretics and deceivers...
Oh Lord, no tribulation is so great that it can draw us away from you. . . . Glory, triumph and honour are yours from now into eternity. Your righteousness is always blessed by the people who gather in your name. You will come again to judge the earth!
-- Leonhard Schiemer, Ausbund, 31:4-5
Sermon Outline
- I. Our Current State
- A. Scattered like sheep without a shepherd
- B. Hiding in fear, like owls of the night
- C. Pursued by men and dogs
- II. Our Treatment by Others
- A. Counted like sheep for slaughter
- B. Labeled as heretics and deceivers
- III. Our Hope in God
- A. No tribulation can separate us from God
- B. God's righteousness is blessed by His people
Key Quotes
“Oh Lord, no tribulation is so great that it can draw us away from you.” — Ausbund
“Glory, triumph and honour are yours from now into eternity.” — Ausbund
“You will come again to judge the earth!” — Ausbund
Application Points
- We must hold onto our hope in God and His promise to never leave us, even in the face of persecution.
- We must not let the opinions of others define our worth or our faith.
- We must remain steadfast in our obedience and faithfulness to God, knowing that He is pleased with us.