Celebrate the Life and Ministry of Arthur W. LaBrant
The Shepherd and the Abundant Life
Jesus the Good Shepherd
Within these pages we will honor the life of Arthur William LaBrant as he pointed people to the Lord becoming a Pastor, singer and musician. Arthur called himself the “Junior” pastor because when you came to him seeking help, he always pointed people the senior pastor or the shepherd Jesus to find the answers to life’s questions. His messages were simple and straight forward leading people to a functional relationship with Jesus. His humble look at the scriptures spoke to everyone in common terms to directed people with the help of the Holy Spirit to the deeper things of God. Even though he is no longer with us we can share his recorded messages with you, the visitor to this website. Just click on the menu sermon page to download or listen to these timely messages to us in today’s world.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 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. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John Chapter 10 – New King James Version
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He leads us to the abundant life. Abundant life is living life to the fullest, not merely existing or simply trying to make a living. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus says, “not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink, or what we will wear.” Abundant life is not necessarily a life of comfort and ease. It is not dependent on outside circumstances. Scripture tells that abundant life is given by the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:23-23 NIV). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. There are times when we may have an abundance of love and joy and peace.
Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.