ABOUT US
SORT • SEAL • SETTLE • SPUR
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SORT
To place, separate, or arrange according to class or kind; to separate from others. A rancher sorts his cattle for special purposes (i.e. shipping, weaning, breeding, culling, doctoring, etc.). God also sorts people for special purposes. Though He loves all people and wants all to be with Him (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4), he knows not all will choose Him (Mt. 7:13,14). He separates (sorts) the wheat and the weeds, the believers from the unbelievers, the sin from the sinner, (Mt.13:24-30; 2 Cor.6:17; Rm. 6:22,23; John 17:17; 1 Thes. 5:23,24). “When he (Jesus) finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left” (Mt. 25:31-33, The Message Bible).
To encourage or cue a horse; to stimulate a person or organization to take action or make greater efforts… “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). We are called to be encouraging to fellow believers (v. 25) and to spread the Good News to those who do not know the Lord (Mt. 28:18-20). Let’s spur and ride!
SORT
To place, separate, or arrange according to class or kind; to separate from others. A rancher sorts his cattle for special purposes (i.e. shipping, weaning, breeding, culling, doctoring, etc.). God also sorts people for special purposes. Though He loves all people and wants all to be with Him (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4), he knows not all will choose Him (Mt. 7:13,14). He separates (sorts) the wheat and the weeds, the believers from the unbelievers, the sin from the sinner, (Mt.13:24-30; 2 Cor.6:17; Rm. 6:22,23; John 17:17; 1 Thes. 5:23,24). “When he (Jesus) finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left” (Mt. 25:31-33, The Message Bible).
SEAL
As a rancher brands the cattle and horses he owns, the brand “seals the deal” and there is no question who that animal belongs to. So it is when God put, “…his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,…”(2 Cor.1:22, NIV-- “He has put His brand upon us--His mark of ownership…The Living New Testament) and “…Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…(Eph. 1:13,14). We are branded for Christ and we belong to God and He will never abandon us (1 Pe. 2:9; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 7:23; Heb. 13:5).
SETTLE
To put in order; to become or make a resident of a place; to stop moving and come to rest somewhere. When cattle are worked, or handled, they can get shook up and the herd can break apart and scatter if pushed too hard. The rancher knows the breaking point of his cows and takes the pressure off until they can “settle” and then continues working them. When done working them he puts them in a place where they have good feed, water and shelter (“The LORD is my Shepherd…He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…” Psalm 23:1,2). He protects them from predators and thieves; the cattle get to know their owner (recognize his voice and mannerisms) and after a time can be handled easier than when they were first purchased; they settle in. Heaven is our “forever” home (John 14:1-6; Rev. 7:17), but we can be “settled” into God’s family now also (John 3:16; Rom. 10:9, 10,13; John 15, etc.). “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:10, NKJV).
SPUR
To encourage or cue a horse; to stimulate a person or organization to take action or make greater efforts… “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). We are called to be encouraging to fellow believers (v. 25) and to spread the Good News to those who do not know the Lord (Mt. 28:18-20). Let’s spur and ride!
THE MISSION OF
4 BAR S GATHERING
“Making followers of Jesus in the
Western Heritage Culture”
LOOK UP: The first and most important thing that we can do as Christians is to “look up”; Looking to God for direction, council, help & wisdom. As we touch God, He will in turn touch us so that we can touch others. This is done through our worship, praise & service to Him. (Ps. 22:3; Col. 3:2; Matt. 22:36-40)
LOOK IN: We “look in” because we want to change and grow into that new creation (II Cor. 5:17) Christ has called us to be. Looking in allows us to have a personal relationship with Christ and to use our unique spiritual gifts and abilities for His Glory. (Rom. 12; Eph. 2:10; II Cor. 13:5).
LOOK OUT: Finally, we “look out” to all people. God has called us to practice the “one another”; love one another, encourage one another, pray for one another, etc. We are called to minister to others’ needs and to accept them as they are into the fellowship (Eph. 6:8; Heb. 13:3; Matt. 25:34-46).
Pastor Jake Shue
Coming soon!
