I Am The Good Shepherd

I am the Good Shepherd

Text: John 10:11-18 (see also 1 Peter 5:1-4)

Subject: What kind of life does the good shepherd promise

Complement? life that is overflowing with meaning and purpose.

Big idea? “I have come that you may have life – and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Mission – there are so many wolves and thieves that people need freedom from…

Introduction: *What are pastors called in Germany? (German shepherds)!

Favourite meal of christians all around the world ? shepherds pie.

MAIN Moves…

Recap the series…… “I am” series… lent…easter… read this book – bible boot camp is coming!!!

Notice there are 7 I AM statements! ? memorize ? $5 dollar gift card (Max of 10) = 50$$

Jesus’ makes 7 “I Am” statements in the book of John. (7 = full…)

(All introduced by AMEN, AMEN! believe me…believe me!!!)

“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51)

“I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)

“I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7,9)

“I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14)

“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

“I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5)

OT Background - read Exodus 3:14

13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’

{“This is my name forever; the name you shall call me from generation to generation.”}

I am ? self-existing…self-reliant … eternal… not created… “wholly other” (transcendent)

This God! – makes himself known to Moses… and, makes himself visible in Jesus!

And in john’s gospel we have Jesus making 7 “I AM” statements/declarations – plus 1 BIG ONE – JOHN 8:58. “before Abraham was born…I AM.”

*That deserves an amen - from amen corner! …That deserves a hallelujah from the hallelujah chorus!!!

Read text – John 10: 11-18

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Situation ? Jesus says we are “sheep”!… the following traits are descriptive…

rectangular pupils provide an almost 360^° field of vision, can see behind without turning heads; but have poor depth perception, often afraid of shadows.

Scent Glands: have scent glands beside their eyes & between their hooves = Smell trouble

Social Intelligence: Sheep can remember 50 faces, and prefer positive facial expressions.

Story of 25 sheep – followed a flute played by owner…

Sheep have emotions... sheep feel afraid, angry, bored, sad, and happy. … sheep can display optimism, pessimism, and empathy! Sheep can recognize emotion in the facial expressions of other sheep.

Sheep are “prey animals” (they are hunted – not hunters)

As prey animals, they feel safer in close-knit groups.

Sheep remain in flocks for protection from predators. Sheep form strong bonds with one another.

Sheep forced to live in isolation experience distress.

If lying on their back, they cannot always get up on their own,

Self-Medicating: They can learn to identify beneficial plants to self-medicate…

Sheep have distinct personality traits like shyness, boldness, or adventure

…sheep Wool grows constantly & doesn’t shed = regular shearing!!!

Adaptable Herbivores -- they eat plants - in a multi-chambered stomach!!

Psalm 100:3. …we are his people the flock that he shepherds…