FEED MY SHEEP

Sermon Notes, July 31, 2016

Pastor Garry McGlinchy introduced our special guest, Charlie Miller, by reading from John 21, verses 15 through 19.  This was after Jesus was raised from the dead.  The disciples had been fishing all night, but caught nothing.  When they obeyed Jesus and threw the nets on the right side of the boat, they caught lots of fish—153, to be exact.  Jesus had built a fire on the shore and invited them to have breakfast. 

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

            Charlie Miller took this command literally fourteen years ago, when he went to the Food Bank in the Methodist church in Warrenton and offered to deliver food to the people who were qualified to receive food but had no way of coming to the church to pick it up.  The ministry grew, just by word of mouth.  It outgrew the original food bank.  Besides, all the red tape involved just didn’t seem right to Charlie.  Now he and his wife Dorothy receive donations from merchants, bread companies, supermarkets, gardeners with too much produce, hunters that donate meat, and individuals that want to share what God has blessed them with.  The Millers organize it all in their garage and outbuildings, and every Wednesday Charlie and other volunteers drive all over Fauquier County, now in Culpeper County as well, delivering food to 50 to 60 families: people who are in need.  When they no longer need help, they tell Charlie to give the food to someone else in need.  There still is no red tape.  People tell each other about the ministry, they donate what they can and help as they can. Feed My Sheep Ministry delivers perishable foods weekly, and non-perishables on the third Wednesday of each month. 

            Charlie mentioned some of the non-perishable food needed: Cereal, Peanut Butter, Canned Meats, Ketchup and Mustard.  They could also use cash or gift cards for gas, since they drive so many miles each week.  If you would like to help this ministry you can contact Charlie at 540-439-8050, or the Midland Church of the Brethren, 540-439-3016; the Bealeton Baptist Church, 540-439-3681, or Culpeper Hope Church of the Nazarene, 540-825-4607.