I Am The Good Shepherd Series

“I Am The Good Shepherd”

John 10:1-6, 11-18

Intro.

Last week as we looked the first part of this double parable that Jesus spoke to those there in the crowd, we saw how that the shepherd was a common sight in that part of the world. So keep that in mind as we look at this claim that Jesus made about being the Good Shepherd.

As we look back through the history of Israel, God used and was served my many who were shepherds:

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, Moses, David, some of the judges, some of the prophets.

David used Psalm 23 to describe God as a shepherd, and many other times in the Old Testament, God is reference as the Shepherd of Israel.

Before we look at Jesus as the Good Shepherd, lets us for a brief moment look at some of the other things Jesus said in the conversation.

I) Jesus is not the hireling

1) the hireling was doing this for the money or prestige

2) the hireling had no vested interest in the flock

3) when the enemy would come, they would flee for cover and safety

4) Jesus here was speaking of the religious leaders

a) Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

b) Jeremiah 23:1-2 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. (2) Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

II) Jesus knows His sheep

1) Jesus knew all about those he called, even Judas who would betray Him

a) John 6:70-71 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? (71) He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

b) John 13:26-27 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. (27) And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

2) Jesus knew the needs of those who came to Him

a) Matthew 9:2-7 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. (3) And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. (4) And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? (5) For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? (6) But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (7) And he arose, and departed to his house.

III) Why Jesus is The Good Shepherd

1) He gives Salvation to the lost soul

¨ John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

¨ Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

2) He is Hope to the hopeless

¨ Ephesians 2:11-13 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

¨ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (16) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (17) Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

3) He offers Eternal life to all who will believe

¨ John 3:14-17 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.