Chad Mahoe [00:00:01]:
So how many of you guys enjoy window shopping? Anybody in enjoy window shopping? Oh, a few of you guys. Okay. You know, one thing you never hear anyone really going shopping for? Door shopping. How many of you guys enjoy door shopping? Anybody? Oh, one person because she probably probably heard my message already. But, I know I know window shopping is actually not shopping for actual windows, but instead, it is looking at all of those expensive products you wish you had money for but can't really afford. Right? Right? Like those purses from Hermes or Chanel or those fancy dresses from Valentino or Calvin Klein. Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Chad Mahoe [00:00:40]:
It is Father's Day. So let's delve into the world of door shopping. So behind door number 1, we have a free gift of a Milwaukee power tool set. In fact, the first man who can tell me what the most popular Milwaukee power tool is, will get a picture of this set valued at $1,627. Any takers? Any takers? The drill. Sure. I have no idea, but, this is yours. Here you go, pastor Jeff.

Chad Mahoe [00:01:12]:
But, really, it was a listening test just to see make sure the men are listening tonight because, although this message is not exclusively for men, I I think, guys out there, you you'll definitely be able to kinda relate to this message, and, this message is really for everyone. So, in all kidding aside, we're going to bless our men, later on in our gathering, with a slightly less expensive Father's Day gift. So let's start off by actually praying for today's message. Would you guys pray with me? Dear lord, we just thank you, lord, that we can come and gather together here at, in this sanctuary here at New Hope Kapolei, Lord. Oh, father God, we just, ask that your presence be manifest here in this place, Lord, right now, tonight, Lord. Father God, just ask that you help me to speak clearly, Lord, and, to get the the just the points and the knowledge and the wisdom that you've deposited into me, Lord, and, would it apply to those who are listening, Lord, and may it impact their lives in a in a way that changes who they are, starting after they listen to the message, lord. So father god, we give you all praise and glory. We love you.

Chad Mahoe [00:02:23]:
In Jesus name. Amen. Amen. I know it's perfect timing with that loud motorcycle that was going on outside. But, when we think of doors, you know, we often think of doors to our home or doors to, you know, like this place. As I researched over 100 different types of doors and styles, I found this website that actually highlighted 42 different types of doors and styles that you can choose from. And there were panel doors, there were sliding doors, folding doors, colonial doors, louver doors, door lights, and functional doors. Don't expect me to tell you what it all is because I forget already, but all of these doors do emphasize different functions, different benefits, and usage.

Chad Mahoe [00:03:09]:
One thing that all of these doors have in common is that it prevents anyone from going freely through an open space. It provides different levels of protection for those who may inhabit a home. A sliding door will slow down someone attempting to walk through a space. It's kinda real easy unless you have a lock, but it, you know, you can just open it. But a colonial door that's a little bit heavier set, harder wood most of the time. If that has a deadbolt lock, it definitely prevents someone from breaking into your home. In John 109, Jesus makes it clear that he is the door, that Jesus is the only way. You know, as we have been learning for these past few weeks, Jesus made statements in the book of John proclaiming himself to be God.

Chad Mahoe [00:03:56]:
Pastor Terrence, you know, went over, 2 different points earlier from being the bread of life, as well as being the light of the world. You know, here in John 10 tonight starts us off by contrasting himself as the true shepherd versus any other false shepherds who are leading people astray. Let's read John 101 through 5 together. Would you stand in reverence for his word? Thank you. Alright. Let's read together. Begin. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Chad Mahoe [00:04:40]:
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him, the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them. And the sheep follow him for they know his voice. Yet they will be by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him for they do not know the voice of strangers. Alright. And before you guys are seated, you guys can just look to one another and say, Jesus is the door.

Chad Mahoe [00:05:24]:
I need you to see. We're getting there. We're getting there. Thank you. Thanks. I made that up. Alright. So in this first section of John 10, we read that not everyone enters through the door.

Chad Mahoe [00:05:42]:
You know, some spiritual leaders or in those times, especially the Pharisees, they were appointed through personal or sometimes political connections. They had sometimes formal education. They would manipulate different people, and they're even corrupted, a lot of the times. You know, Jesus describes these people as thieves and robbers, like it says. A thief is someone who sneaks in and steals. A robber is someone who has an intention to do bodily harm. Not surprisingly, we know that the devil is described in both of these ways. While some people may take advantage of the sheep, it is the role of the shepherd who keeps the sheep safe.

Chad Mahoe [00:06:23]:
You know, in the Judean desert, the shepherd would often construct a walled enclosure to keep the sheep safe. There are no real doors back in the day, especially when, the shepherd was leading his, sheep out kind of on the countryside. It was basically an empty space that would serve as the entrance and exit for that enclosed space, and that would help to ensure that the sheep were kept safe. The shepherd would often cover that space with dried thorny branches and or guard it with his life even, fending off any animals or bandits. As we look at verse 2, we see that the shepherd of the sheep enters through the door. The door is there with a purpose of filtering out those who aren't supposed to be there. It's intentional because a true shepherd leads with integrity and by example. You can't enter by hopping the fence or any other way.

Chad Mahoe [00:07:17]:
You know, this brings us to our first point. There's only one door. Jesus is the door. Okay, again, I'll read it again so you get it. There is only one door. Jesus is the door. You Some people may try to enter another way, but since the sheep are really good at listening, they know the shepherd's voice and they follow him. You know, I like pastor Terrence's example, from last week of the sheep.

Chad Mahoe [00:07:46]:
I thought of it as that continually goes astray. Sometimes, you know, he mentioned breaking the sheep's leg to ensure that the sheep attunes his ear to the shepherd's voice because maybe it wasn't listening at first. By building that dependence and that relationship, that sheep that keeps going astray will do better to distinguish the shepherd's voice and will not go astray any longer. How many of you ever needed your leg to be broken to discern the Lord's voice a little better? Hopefully, not literally. But if any of you remember, that was me in September, 2022. I actually tore my Achilles while I was at work. I wasn't doing anything too crazy, just kind of a normal thing playing with the students as a school counselor. But it was a great reminder for me to really examine my own life and really attune my ears to the Lord's voice because, you know, we all struggle with different things and sometimes life can get pretty busy for us.

Chad Mahoe [00:08:47]:
So what doors have we been become accustomed to entering through? What voices have we been listening to that may try to distract us from our shepherd? You know, the great news is that Jesus knows our name. He goes before us. He leads us out into the wilderness of the journey that we are on. You know, this past week, was my 25th class reunion at Kamehameha. I know I may not look that old, maybe around 25 instead, but thanks for laughing. Yeah. Well, there are many festivities and great opportunities to reconnect with, classmates that I haven't seen, some since high school probably. You know, one of my favorite moments was not with all of my classmates necessarily, but, in a meeting with a brother who's faithfully serving the Lord.

Chad Mahoe [00:09:35]:
And as we reconnected and shared how God has been instrumental, in changing our lives to follow him, He reminded me that each of us, each of our journeys, it may look a little different, but we are on that same path of going in and out of the door, finding our own pastures to care for. In John 10 verse 7 to 10 we read, then Jesus said to them again most assuredly I say to you I am the door of the sheep. All whoever came before me are thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.

Chad Mahoe [00:10:35]:
You know, I I know a lot of those, scriptures in in John 107 through 10, you know, we hear that often, you know, with, you know, thief does not come except to steal, kill, destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have have it more abundantly. You know, if anyone enters by me, meaning Jesus, he will be saved. It also says that we will go in and out and find our pasture. You know, for me, it was no coincidence that, so many of my classmates have found that door, you know, that kind of leads us to our own pastors. Many of you may know pastor Brandon Ahu, senior pastor at, Metro Christian Church. He's a classmate of mine. Another pastor, Lico Cruz, is a site lead at Proside Mililani.

Chad Mahoe [00:11:18]:
Our very own pastor, Mitch, if you didn't know. He might look a little younger than me, but he's my classmate as well. Youth pastor here, as well as, heads up Young Life Kapolei, does a fabulous job with the the high schoolers here. We have another classmate who works at Pac Rim as the director of student life. You know, we actually have 2 full time missionaries that are serving in Thailand and Paraguay. Paraguay. There's many others of us who have heard that voice leading us through that door. A lot of different spiritual leaders throughout our class.

Chad Mahoe [00:11:50]:
And one thing that I've noticed for those of us who believe and who serve God with our lives, I got to see it firsthand and even my wife, Annella, got to see it as well. You You know, there's a sense of joy and gratitude that some of us have. Those of us who believe that in this past week of our reunion, you know, we could definitely tell that some of our classmates are they're kind of missing out on that and there's different struggles that they may be going through and you know some are maybe still single, you know, enjoying life, but, you know, sometimes are are they really enjoying life as much as they could? You know, even when life throws us curve balls and the devil attempts to come and steal, kill, and destroy our lives, we're able to stand firm in our faith because Jesus is the door that keeps the devil out. You know, this reminds me of the picture of what I envisioned the sheep may look like under Jesus care. Since Jesus is the door, his sheep must be well fed, agile, discerning. His sheep are top of the line because Jesus lets them out to find a pasture that is lush and green. You know, this takes us, in your notes to Psalm 23. You guys know this one's it's pretty common one that that most people know.

Chad Mahoe [00:13:11]:
It says, the lord is my shepherd. He guides me along the right paths for His name's sake. He guides me along the right paths for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.

Chad Mahoe [00:13:44]:
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. You see when the Lord is our shepherd, we will lack nothing, it says. We will be able to enjoy the richness and pleasures of life because He leads us on that path. Even when we face uncertainty or struggles, God will keep us in line. That's why he has his his staff, his rod and staff. His goodness and love will be with us and will surround us all the days of our lives when we choose to live in relationship with Him. Can I get an amen, someone? Yeah. So you For you fathers out there, how can we ensure that our sheep find the right pasture that is rich and vibrant? Well, we must realize is that realize that we are the door in our family.

Chad Mahoe [00:14:39]:
One of the articles I read said it plainly and clearly. It reads like this. There is a reason why men often take the brunt of the focus when it comes to the way of the household. You are responsible for the direction it goes. Not your wife. Not your children. Not your pastor. You.

Chad Mahoe [00:15:01]:
If you think that is unfair, so what? Act like men. Do the hard thing. Own the responsibility you are blessed to receive, and never make apologies for the fact that God has decreed you to be the leader in the home. At the same time, let all that you do be done in love and faithfulness to God himself. Lest you be a tyrant of a man who neglects the wisdom of his wife and the tender hearts of his children. All the while, recognize that if there's some deficiency in your household, it is a reflection of you. So I know that this may have sounded harsh but it's definitely true. And that's how I take my role as father you know, in our family.

Chad Mahoe [00:15:48]:
You know, so let's transition a little bit to the next I am statement that's in John 10, and let's read this section together. Would you guys stand again with me? I know I'm giving you guys some extra exercise this weekend. Alright. So we're going to read from verse 11. Ready? Begin. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep.

Chad Mahoe [00:16:19]:
So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. Alright. Before you guys are seated, you can say, Jesus is a good shepherd. Yeah. Alright. That one's a little faster.

Chad Mahoe [00:16:44]:
That's good. You know, most of us have probably little to no experience raising sheep and caring for them. In Israel, many visitors, when they go and visit, they're amazed at how closely the sheep follow the shepherd. In these verses, Jesus declares himself the good shepherd. As we know, he lays down his life for his sheep. The Greek word for good is translated to kalos, which translates to the one that I saw beautiful, fine, excellent, Lent, blameless or high moral character. While this fits the description of the good shepherd, a better translation that I saw would be from Aramaic. The word Tawah described a relationship as having perfect harmony.

Chad Mahoe [00:17:32]:
You know, in the Old Testament days, being a shepherd was a highly respected occupation. Even women desired to see their sons become shepherds. And the best type of shepherd was a good shepherd who knew his sheep so well that they not only knew his voice but they knew that he would protect them from any wolves looking to devour them, bandits who were coming to steal them, or even bad weather that would harm them. You know the hired hand that these verses describe are the type of shepherds who are not there for the right reasons. At the first sign of trouble, these shepherds would run away and look for a new flock of sheep to care for. Many of these shepherds would not jeopardize their lives and would look at moving even to another community to care for a different group of sheep. These shepherds may be good in in some sense but they were not in perfect harmony with their sheep. Only shepherds who would lay down their life for their sheep, could attain this relationship and standard.

Chad Mahoe [00:18:36]:
Jesus is that standard for us. Jesus is the good shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. How many of us are willing to do that for our flock? Yeah, alright. A few of us. Okay, So my second point is Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We must be good shepherds. Okay, I'll say it again. Jesus is our good shepherd.

Chad Mahoe [00:19:03]:
We must be good shepherds. You know, one of the stories that sticks out the most in my mind of someone who was a good shepherd to his flock, was actually at a hymn conference years ago. That's the first time that I heard his story. His name is father Greg Boyle and I think there's gonna be a picture that's gonna pop up soon, hopefully. Yeah. There it is. So I was blown away by how out of the box, it was, when he spoke. Father Greg Boyle or father Gee, as some of his congregants know him, was a Jesuit priest and pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights from 1986 to 1992.

Chad Mahoe [00:19:49]:
See his church was not only the poorest Catholic parish in LA, but his city had the highest concentration of gang activity as well. Father Boyle experienced this decade of death firsthand by witnessing to his community in an ironic manner. Despite all of the gangs and violence that was going on, There's a lot of mass incarceration efforts and criminal justice policies that were going on at the time, but he led his church in a radical way to treat gang members as human beings. Instead of just preaching at these gang members who are looking for a way to better their lives and stay clean, he started what is known as Homeboy Industries today, which employs and trains former gang members in a range of social enterprises. Homeboy Industries also provides critical services and support to thousands of men and women who are seeking a better life. What started as a small movement by Father Gee in his church, in his community in California, exploded globally to different organizations in over half of the US and twenty countries. There's actually 2 organizations, in Hawaii that kind of latched on to what his mission was. You know, their mission is to work with organizations across the globe to create therapeutic communities that offer job skills training, cost free programs and services, and social enterprise employment.

Chad Mahoe [00:21:23]:
You know, this social enterprise initiative started with 1 bakery and has now expanded to almost a dozen social enterprises such as electronics recycling, catering services, silk screen and embroidery, and they even have their own line of different products of merchandise like shirts and I think they have like some food products as well. This expansion for me is clear evidence that God is in the business of second chances. You know, if you want to, feel free to look up Homeboy Industries for more information. It's really fascinating what they've been able to do. You know, in John 10 verses 14 to 18, Jesus proclaims again that He is the good shepherd. It says, I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Just as the father knows me and I know the father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Chad Mahoe [00:22:17]:
I have other sheep that are not of the sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice and there shall be 1 flock and 1 shepherd. The reason my father loves me is that I lay down my life only to 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 authority to take it up again. This command I received from my father. So what does it really mean to know your sheep and for your sheep to know you? See Jesus spells it out clearly, just as the father knows me and I know the father.

Chad Mahoe [00:22:59]:
So how well does God know Jesus? To start, God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. He is the creator of all things. God allowed free will to ensure that His creation would choose to follow Him and live under His authority. From the beginning of human life, we have struggled to do so. This is where Jesus enters the equation. The only way for us to be saved, was through a sacrifice that would fulfill the debt that was owed. It was a debt that we could never pay. Jesus is a perfect sacrificial lamb who was born of a virgin.

Chad Mahoe [00:23:36]:
Who walked the earth as one who was fully human yet fully God. John 316 lays it out clearly and, I'm reading from the amplified version and it reads, For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that he even gave his one and only begotten son. So that whoever believes and trusts in him as savior shall not perish but have eternal life. Now God knew Jesus personally, intimately. Later in this chapter, we see that Jesus proclaims that He and the Father are 1. Practically, what does this mean for us? In celebrating Father's Day, I am reminded of my role as dad. Regardless of what my example was for my earthly father, I am held responsible to who God the father is and who Jesus is. Whether we want to think of this section from a father perspective or for any of you as a spiritual leader perspective, we are responsible to know our sheep intimately.

Chad Mahoe [00:24:45]:
As shepherds responsible for our flock, we must interact with our flock. We must know them well enough to recognize when there is trouble nearby. Whether it's physical trouble or you know things we see down the road. We cannot ignore the signs of when there is a storm brewing. It is our responsibility to have those difficult conversations, to allow yourself to be real and emotional when life is not going well. We must understand when to be strong and and when to allow the holy spirit to carry us through our storms. You know many of you may remember when Anela was in the hospital with covid. It was a very, very crazy time for us as a family.

Chad Mahoe [00:25:30]:
There was nothing I could physically do to help her. No knowledge in the whole world could have helped me at that moment. You know, I was responsible for caring for my flock. I needed to demonstrate having faith that regardless of what the outcome was, that we would be okay as a family. And I chose to pray together with all of my children. We would, you know, zoom, you know, go on zoom meetings. Even if she wasn't really responsive, I was responsible to encourage them, to cry with them, to love each other by spending quality time together in the midst of one of life's most difficult times for us. In a 0.3, it reads, a good shepherd relies on the Holy Spirit when life gets tough.

Chad Mahoe [00:26:22]:
Again, a good shepherd relies on the holy spirit when life gets tough. Now of course you could read into it and say, oh, only when life gets tough. No. Obviously, at all times, the holy spirit is always with us. But sometimes as men, we struggle to allow that to happen. Sometimes we want to be strong and we want to power through everything that we go through. You know, but as the head of our household, we must understand how the holy spirit works in our life. The holy spirit teaches, bears witness, intercedes in our behalf and others, is willing to distribute some gifts to some and other gifts to others.

Chad Mahoe [00:27:04]:
Holy Spirit provides wise counsel as well as being grieved by the sin that's in our lives. You know, as we look back at verse 16, Jesus distinguishes between his sheep and other sheep. This is in reference to the people of God, Israel and the rest of us who are considered Gentiles. We have been accepted by God through the ministry of Jesus Christ. We are united under 1 faith under 1 shepherd. Verses 17 and 18 point to the prophecy that was spoken about in Jeremiah 23. And it reads, 'Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture,' declares the Lord. Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says to the shepherds who tend my people.

Chad Mahoe [00:27:53]:
Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done, declares the Lord. I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them and they will no longer be afraid or terrified Nor will any be missing, declares the Lord. The days are coming, declares the Lord. When I will raise up for David, a righteous branch. A king who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days, Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called the Lord, our righteous savior.

Chad Mahoe [00:28:50]:
See, there's a connection here between love and obedience that we can learn from. There's a mutual love that God has with Jesus. His love for the father is in his obedience to his father's command. As children of God, we will face times where we want to do our own thing and go our own way. But it is crucial that we know our father's voice just as well as he knows us. My second son Elua, he graduated a year ago and he's been working full time as a lifeguard at Aulani. He is currently in Arizona volunteering at the same Lost Canyon Young Life Camp that my daughter attended with Pastor Mitch and the Young Life Kapolei crew. You know a year ago he was the only graduating senior in Young Life Kapolei.

Chad Mahoe [00:29:42]:
Then I was blessed to hear him share his testimony for the first time. In his testimony, he shared about the start of his journey of faith, Kind of beginning when he got baptized by pastor Mitch and I. He then entered middle school and detailed doing daily devotions in the morning with me. His journey of faith wasn't the smoothest by any means. You know, however, I am grateful that the same love and obedience that Jesus shared with his father, is that same love and obedience that I see with my son. I am proud of the young man that he is and I'm excited to see his continued journey of love and obedience in this next season of his life. And of course I love all of my children as well but I thought they really fit, with tonight's message. You know, speaking of love and obedience, how many of you love and miss our good shepherd at Nuwapapole? Any of you? Pastor Glenn? Anybody miss Pastor Glenn out there? Wow.

Chad Mahoe [00:30:41]:
I'd expect way more hands to go up. I know everybody's you know paying attention still. But I must be obedient and ensure we get this special message out to all you dads. So let's, listen closely to this video from our very own pastor Glenn all the way from Japan.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:31:01]:
Happy Father's Day, church family, especially to all you Happy Father's Day, church family, especially to all you dads out there. Whether you have young ones at home, you have ones who have already launched out, or anywhere in between, we really need you. We also need you spiritual fathers who invest in others, those of you who mentor and pass down and and develop people along the way. We need all of you. You know, our culture is in such need of of mentors, of people who stand firm. Dads, we need you. And, young men, that this is what we pray you grow into. Now, for all of that to happen, you know, the scripture tells us in 1st Corinthians 16:3, 13, it says this, be watchful, or be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be strong, act like men, and let all that you do be done in love.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:32:00]:
Now, for that to happen, there's a couple of things that need to happen, and that's why we have this little gift that we're giving to you. The the whole point is not that you have to play football, and we know it's a tiny football. But, you know, when this, arrived at my house, I, opened a package and my son was there, and he did this. You know? And so what does that mean? It means immediately, I took one out and tossed it to him, and he tossed it back. And we just did that for 5 minutes and talked along the way. And, you know, what reminds me, the reason why we give this to you today is because there is no way that you enjoy this and play with this by yourself. You need someone to pass to and you need someone to pass to you and that you receive. And so that's our desire for you.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:32:52]:
Just to be reminded with this little gift is that when you put yourself in an environment where, you can receive from other men, that you can receive people who care for you and pass down knowledge to you and help you to grow as a man, and grow in character, grow in-depth, spiritual depth. But by all means, don't just keep it to yourself, please pass it to others. That's the essence of of being a dad. And so whether you have physical children or you have spiritual children, that we're that's our hope for you. And God bless you. We're looking forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. We miss you all. Take care.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:33:33]:
Love you all.

Chad Mahoe [00:33:37]:
Yeah. Thank you, pastor Glenn. So at first, we're gonna just toss them out from the front of the stage, but instead, we have some of our ladies that's going to oh, yes. Men men in the house. If you're, I think, a teenager or above if you're a man, then you can stand up. You'll get a football, a free football to play with. Remember? Nela. Shoot.

Chad Mahoe [00:34:04]:
Uh-oh. That's not good. K. No playing. No playing. No playing. No playing. Okay.

Chad Mahoe [00:34:17]:
Everybody got one? Anthony, you got one? Okay. Alright. So that was only the first half. No. I'm just joking. That wasn't no. Actually that's pretty much the end, but I did wanna close and leave you guys with this recap of today's message. There's only one door.

Chad Mahoe [00:34:37]:
Jesus is the door. Many may try to come through other ways, but Jesus is the only way. Jesus is our good shepherd. We must know Jesus intimately and personally as our Lord and savior. This is the only way we can expect to know how to be a good shepherd to the flock that he has entrusted us with. Every good shepherd knows his limitations and recognizes the importance of his faith. A good shepherd surrounds his flock with the right environment and support. May we all continue to find our way in being good shepherds as our good shepherd is for us.

Chad Mahoe [00:35:14]:
Let us pray together. Father God, I just thank you for, just the opportunity, Lord, to to just pass on the different things that you've deposited within me Lord. Father God, I thank you for just this series, Lord, that that we're learning all about who Jesus is in our life. Father I do pray for those of us who may be struggling lord to to lead our flocks, lord, or or sometimes it's when one of those sheeps goes, to the right or to the left, lord. But, father god, I thank you that you are our good shepherd, that you are our model, Lord. Father God, I also thank you for, just this weekend, Lord, to celebrate fathers, That the biggest crisis that we have in our nation, Lord, is is fatherlessness, Lord. And, I truly believe that, Lord, working in in a school setting, lord. I see, the fruits of that, in a lot of our students, lord.

Chad Mahoe [00:36:35]:
Father, would you just allow us to take your lead and and that that pasture that's out there, Lord, that's that's out there for us, Lord. With with the sheep that we are entrusted with, lord, whether it's sheep that that we call our own, lord, or whether it's sheep that, we've been assigned to in some way, Father God, thank you that again our our our cues come from the greatest shepherd, of all. And for those of of us whose heads may be bowed, If you've never had an opportunity to submit your life to Jesus and to call him as your Lord and savior, I would, love to have that opportunity, tonight, this evening to do that. If any of you, have never said yes to Jesus before and you'd like the opportunity to do that tonight, feel free to raise your hand, all eyes closed and all heads bowed. Is there anybody out there? Well, let's pray together this prayer whether it's a recommitment of your faith or, God is continuing to draw you in. Dear Lord, I thank you for loving me. I thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for me. I am loved.

Chad Mahoe [00:38:10]:
I am loved. And I have been forgiven. And I have been shown grace that that I don't deserve. But thank you father for giving it to me freely. I declare that you are Lord and savior and that you died on the cross and rose again. I thank you for loving me. I thank you for seeing me. I thank you for hearing me.

Chad Mahoe [00:38:50]:
And I love you with all my life. In Jesus name. In Jesus name. Amen.