Big Idea:
Because Jesus is our Good Shepherd, we can safely trust his voice, follow his leadership, and rest in his sacrificial love.
Plan:
The True Sheperd is recognized by his sheep (1-6)
The True Sheperd provides for his sheep (7-11)
The True Sheperd sacrifices for his sheep (11-18)
John 10:1-21
1) Recognized by His sheep:
1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice…”
John 10:1-6
”
…he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace… ~Ephesians 1:4-7
2) Provides for His sheep:
🡪 Bad shepherds are real, and bad shepherds pilfer (not provide for) the sheep.
John 10:7-10
“…I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:17-18)
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
“You were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived….” (Ephesians 2:1-3)
2) Provides for His sheep:
🡪 Bad shepherds are real, and bad shepherds pilfer (not provide for) the sheep.
🡪 The Old Testament points to Jesus
John 10:7-10
”
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.
5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
~Jeremiah 23:1-5
”
I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.
~Ezekiel 34:22-23
3) Sacrifices for His sheep:
11 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me…
John 10:11-18
1) Sometimes the true Shepherd brings
division (19-21)
2)
1) Sometimes the true Shepherd brings
division (19-21)
2) We have a good Shepherd!