"I Know My Sheep And They Know Me” Series

Our focus today is that we all can and need to have and nurture a personal relationship with God through Jesus. This is more than just having a salvation experience with Jesus. We can actually know God personally.

A. God DESIRES an Intimate Relationship with Us - Verses 1-11

In verses 1-5 Jesus is (a) telling us that His Father is the Watchman who has given Jesus access to his sheep; and (b) telling us about the closeness he and his sheep enjoy.

Jesus is the One and Only Gate – vv-7-10! John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me.”

Are you enjoying this kind of relationship with Jesus?

B. God Desires an INTIMATE Relationship with Us - Verses 14-15

Not only do we, as Jesus’ sheep know (recognize) His voice, our knowledge goes much deeper. The model for this intimacy is His relationship Jesus w/his Father. This is being fully known and deeply loved.

How has God personally revealed himself to you? How have you come to know him, experience him?

C. God Desires an Intimate RELATIONSHIP with Us

Paul helps us see the nature of a loving relationship with Jesus in Philippians 3:7, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...”

To live in a close relationship with Jesus means we will share God’s heart and so we will want what he wants.

A famous actor was guest of honor at a social gathering where he received requests to recite excerpts from various literary works. An old preacher, who happened to be there, asked actor to recite the 23rd Psalm. The actor agreed on the condition that preacher would recite it also. The actor’s recitation was beautifully intoned w/great dramatic emphasis for which he received a lengthy standing ovation. The preacher voice was rough and broken from many years of preaching, and his dictation was anything but polished. But when he finished there was neither applause nor a dry eye in the room.

After the gala ended, someone asked the actor what made the difference in the Psalm. He said, “I know the Psalm, but he KNOWS the Good Shepherd.”

Do you know the Good Shepherd? Are you enjoying an intimate personal relationship w/Him? Would you like to?