JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD (Outline)
April 13, 2008 –
EASTER 4 -
John 10:11-18
INTRO: Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. These are some of the most comforting words in Scripture for every believer. Many are familiar with the painting portraying Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Jesus is calmly standing amidst a flock of sheep. In one hand he holds his shepherd’s staff. In the other arm Jesus is securely holding an innocent lamb completely safe. This is a very fitting picture revealing the depth of meaning of the words in our text. This is the picture that the prophet Isaiah painted long before the physical birth of Jesus. "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young"(ISAIAH 40:11). We direct our attention to this comforting truth in God’s word:
JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
I. Love led Jesus to the ultimate sacrifice.
II. Power provided Jesus with total victory.
I. LOVE LED JESUS TO THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
A. Today’s gospel (JOHN 10:1-10) introduces our sermon text. The “disciples did not understand”.
1. Jesus wants to make it very, very clear: “I am the good shepherd”, verses 11a, 14a.
2. Verse 11b. The good shepherd would even offer his life in order to save the sheep.
B. Verse 12. The hired hand is not like the good shepherd when it comes to dedication and service.
1. The original Greek uses a word that shows this hireling only want money and nothing else.
2. Verse 13. The sheep mean nothing to the money hungry hired man.
C. Verse 14. The good shepherd and the sheep know each other, closely, intimately, and personally.
1. Now Jesus wants the disciples to understand he has this same closeness with his Father, v. 15.
2. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will lay down his life for the sheep. This is the ultimate sacrifice.
D. We are like sheep. Our sins cause us to wander away. Left to our own we would be lost forever. Like sheep we need a good shepherd to protect us. We need a good shepherd who would even be willing to offer up his life to save us. Most amazing we have that very Good Shepherd. Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd. "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!"(PHILIPPIANS 2:8). By grace through faith we know Jesus our Good Shepherd.
E. When Jesus died on the cross he was not selective about who would be forgiven. Most amazing, Jesus the Good Shepherd died for the sins of the whole world. His innocent sufferings and death was the price demanded for the payment of sin. Jesus holy, precious blood covered the sins of mankind once and for all. No other sacrifice is ever needed. "Jesus Christ, the Righteous One is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world"(1 JOHN 2:2). This is certainly and truly God’s amazing grace. Sadly, those who reject Christ also reject his forgiveness and heaven itself.
F. There are only two types of people in this world: believers and unbelievers. There is a vast difference in the lives of believers and unbelievers. The unbelievers live lives that are very self-centered and self-serving. After all they are only and ever going to look out for number one – themselves. But the believers look at what the Good Shepherd has done. The believers realize that their lives are completely and forever changed by the love of Christ. "Our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good"(TITUS 2:14). As believers we live lives that love God and serve our fellow man. By the power of the risen Christ we are able to turn from sin. Living in the resurrected power of our Good Shepherd we live lives that are “eager to do what is good”! We can do this only by God’s grace at work in us.
JESUS IS THE / OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. It was love and love alone that led Jesus to the ultimate sacrifice of his life on the cross – for us, and for others.
II. Power provided Jesus with total victory.
II. POWER PROVIDED JESUS WITH TOTAL VICTORY
A. Jesus dearly wanted his disciples to understand the simple teaching that he was the Good Shepherd.
1. Jesus compared the good shepherd with the hired hand. They were very different.
2. As Good Shepherd, Jesus would always act out of love for the sheep whoever they are.
B. But there was more. Jesus had not come only for the lost sheep of Israel but others also, verse 16.
1. There were other sheep that needed to be brought into the sheep pen by the voice of Jesus.
2. We remember the thief on the cross. Once outside God’s flock and now in paradise.
3. Recall the centurion. After the crucifixion he confessed, “Surely this was the Son of God”.
4. They heard the voice of Jesus from the cross and listened and followed, other sheep no longer.
C. Jesus now describes the power that he has in verses 17, 18a. Jesus lays down his life on his own.
1. Six months later the disciples see these words fulfilled. Jesus’ love held him on the cross.
2. Jesus laid down his life for one purpose. Verse 18. Giving up his life, Jesus would raise it!
3. The Father sent his Son to do all this as the Good Shepherd for all straying, lost sheep.
D. We have looked at Jesus’ love that led him to the cross and the ultimate sacrifice. The love of our Good Shepherd did not stop there. Jesus was laid to rest in the tomb. But on Easter the tomb was empty. Jesus took back his life. Jesus rose again in total victory over sin, death, and the devil. By grace we know, believe, and confess this vital victorious truth of the Scriptures. "We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him"(1 THESSALONIANS 4:14). The victory that Jesus won was not for himself but for us and for the world.
E. Today, some would rather not talk about sin. Sin, well, sin is just too negative. People want to deny sin, reject sin, and cover it up as if it never existed. With no sin there is no need for a Savior. True, it is not pleasant at all to hear that we are sinners. It is not pleasant to be reminded, “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags”. But this is the truth of God’s word. Along with this truth of the law come the truth and the comfort of the gospel. "He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regula-tions, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross "(COLOSSIANS 2:14,15). God’s law has been fulfilled – perfectly and completely. Our Good Shepherd gives us his total victory over sin that we may live to love and serve him.
F. Total victory, everyone loves to be a winner. Everyone loves to be a champion. That is what we are. Our Good Shepherd has given us the victory of death itself. This victory, Jesus’ victory, is God’s gift to us. Simply put, we cannot earn salvation. We do not deserve salvation. Freely, through Christ, God gives to every believer his gift of total victory into eternal life! "This grace…has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel"(2 TIMOTHY 1:10). Our Good Shepherd gives us his total victory.
CONC.: This is Christ the Lord, Jesus the/our Good Shepherd. Once again we have only begun to scratch the surface of the depth of God’s great love for us lost, wandering sheep. We daily stand in awe and wonder at the great and marvelous things God has done for us! What love that Christ would die willingly for us. What love that Christ would freely give us his victory. No matter what we face in this world our Good Shepherd is always there holding us safely, securely in his strong grasp. "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers"(REV. 17:14). JESUS IS THE / OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. Love led him to the cross. Power provides us victory. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
SERVICES: SAT – 1:00pm @ NCF Min.,
+ SUN – 12:00pm @ NCF Medium / 9:30am @ Redeemer
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
EASTER 4 readings:
ACTS 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60;
1 PETER 2:19-25;
JOHN 10:1-10;
(PSALM 23)
