Do you ever feel like the fellow I saw in a cartoon? He was carrying a burden on his back. A number of things contributed to his burden: car note, house, boat, job, family, golf game, time, etc. The caption beside the cartoon reads “Have you been thinking, ‘There’s got to be more to life than this?’”
All of us struggle with life issues from time to time.
• The struggle may be worry: over a bill, an issue at work, a family issue.
• The struggle may be time pressures: a deadline to meet at work, too many demands on our schedule, not enough time in the week.
• The struggle may be an emotional issue: discouraged, depressed, angry, resentful.
• The struggle may be an energy issue: too many demands, not enough you to go around.
• The struggle may be concern over the economy: will I have a job, when will we pull out of the recession?
In the midst of these struggles, a common question comes to our minds. There must be a better way? There must be something more than what I am experiencing? Jesus once made a statement that will be of interest to all of us. “My purpose is to give…a rich and satisfying life.” (Jn. 10:10 NLT) That sounds appealing. That sounds like a better way.
Sometimes we look in the wrong places to find answers. The story is told of a drunk who was seen by a police officer looking for something. The drunk was down on his hands and knees and explained in slurred speech to the police officer that he was looking for his wallet.
The police officer inquired, “Well, where did you lose it?”
The drunk motioned with his hand as he replied, “About two blocks that way.”
The confused and amused policeman asked, “Well, why are you searching here then?”
The drunk replied, “There is no street light down there!”
We sometimes look for answers in all the wrong places. Let’s be honest, like can throw some challenging curve balls. At those times it may seem impossible to find a rich and satisfying life.
Sometimes circumstances disrupt our lives.
Sometimes poor decisions cause us to miss life’s best.
Sometimes people cause life to be bumpy.
Jesus Christ wants to help us find a rich and satisfying life. Before looking at John 10 I would like to dispel some myths. These are myths about life.
• A person of faith does not automatically have a trouble free life. (Job)
• A person of faith does not always have happy feelings. (Elijah)
• A person of faith does not life free of doubts doubts. (John the Baptist)
• A person of faith is not always popular. (John on Patmos)
• A person of faith does not by-pass the anguish of death. (Jesus died; Moses died; Paul died)
The nerve of Jesus! He made such a statement even though he knew we would face trials, unhappy feelings, doubt, death, and difficulty. I would like to look for the answer as to how we can find a rich and satisfying life. In searching for scriptural guidance concerning this life I want to examine the context of John 10. The description of the abundant life is found in verse 10. That is the verse I read a moment ago. The Greek word abundant in verse 10 is “perisson” which means that which goes beyond necessity. John wanted all his readers to know that Jesus gift is life beyond our wildest dreams. This promise is given within the context of Jesus discussion of the Good Shepherd. He compares himself to a shepherd and people to sheep. If we are going to be true to the context then we must find a definition of the abundant life within the context of the shepherd/sheep analogy. Jesus said the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He came to give abundant life. According to this scripture an abundant life is to be found in the shepherd (Jesus). Why is that the case?
1. The shepherd takes care of the sheep. The importance of the shepherd’s watch care is illustrated in a simple multiple choice quiz. Take this quiz in order to increase your understanding of the shepherd’s watch care.
How Much Do we Know About Sheep?
If sheep aren’t directed to suitable pasture and water, what do they do?
A. Order Chinese carry out.
B. Look it up on Google Earth
C. Send around a petition to be given to their shepherd
D. Fail to eat and drink correctly
Which best describes the intelligence of domesticated sheep?
A. Top of the food chain
B. Candidate for the genius society
C. Sly as a fox
D. Mutton heads
How do sheep keep cool in the hot summer months?
A. They visit a Bah Bah shop
B. They wear lighter clothing and drink lemonade
C. They roll down the car window
D. They count on their shepherd to shear them at the right time
If a sheep gets separated from its flock, it…
A. Stops and asks for directions (unless it’s a male)
B. Finds a wolf, kills it, and eats it
C. Opens its own show in Branson
D. Most likely will die from predators or exposure
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Sherm Nichols)
Sheep are helpless animals. They need the constant watch care of a shepherd. They need his guidance. They need a shepherd’s protection. In short, sheep need a shepherd to keep them from self destructing. A hypothetical conversation between Noah and God illustrates this point. The Lord spoke to Noah and said, “Noah in six months I am going to make it rain until the whole world is covered with water and all the evil things are destroyed. But, I want to save a few good people and two of every living thing on the planet. So I want you to build an ark.” Well, six months passed, the sky began to cloud up, and the rain began to fall in torrents. The Lord looked down and saw Noah sitting in his yard, weeping, and there was no ark. “Noah!” shouted the Lord, “Where is My ark?” “Lord please forgive me!” begged Noah. “I did my best but there were some problems --- big problems. First, I had to get a building permit for the ark’s construction, but your plans did not meet their code. So, I had to hire an engineer to redo the plans, only to get into a long argument with him about whether to include a fire-sprinkler system.” “My neighbors objected, claiming that I was violating zoning ordinances by building the ark in my front yard, because it was killing the dandelions --- so I had to get a variance from the city planning board. Then I had a big problem getting enough wood for the ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists and the Fish and Game Commission that I needed the wood to save the owls, but they wouldn’t let me catch them, so NO OWLS.” “Next I started gathering up the animals but got sued by an animal rights group that objected to my taking along only two of each kind; they wanted me to save them all. Then the Corps of Engineers wanted a map of the proposed flood plain. So I sent them a globe! The IRS has seized all my assets claiming that I am trying to leave the country, and I just got notice from the state that I owe some kind of usage tax. Really, I don’t think I can finish the ark in less than five years.” With that, the sky cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up and smiled. “You mean You are not going to destroy the world?” he asked hopefully. “No,” said the Lord, “I am too late, the government already has.”
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Scott Chambers )
A. The shepherd’s watch care provides security for the sheep. There is a beautiful picture in verse 9 of this text. Jesus describes himself as the door of the sheep. In ancient days the shepherds would herd their flocks into a cave, an enclosure, or valley and he would literally become the entrance. He would lie across the opening and protect the sheep. The thought is an exciting concept. Nothing gets to us unless it goes through Jesus.
Most of you know that my brother died several months ago. He had a difficult life. In the 70’s he had cancer three times. In 1984 he was paralyzed from a car accident. He once had a case of shingles that made him look like a monster. Finally, he died from four super bugs he could not defeat. At his funeral the pastor discussed Gary’s trust in God. He said Gary had come to the place where he trusted God’s sovereignty. He felt that nothing would get to him without first going through God.
Security is vital to an abundant life. Several years ago Richard Dreyfuss, who is known for his acting in “Jaws” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus” was interviewed by Barbara Walters on ABC. Walters asked Dreyfuss “if you could have one wish, what would that wish be?”
Dreyfuss pondered and then said “I would wish for inner security.”
Security is vital to an abundant life. You and I have been privileged to live the American dream. We have been living through one of the most prosperous times in history. Right now the American dream has grown a little dim. We are witnessing first hand the truth that security is not in stocks, a retirement plan, or good health care.
B. The shepherd provides assurance for the sheep.
Illustration: In December 1990 the threat of war with Iraq was looming. Many reserves and National Guard troops were mobilized. There were some homes where father and mother were both deployed.
Recognizing this situation (that both father and mother would be gone overseas), a civic organization in Forsyth, Georgia, decided to do something for the children of these families. The civic club arranged with a toy store in Macon, Georgia, to bring these children in to choose anything they wanted for Christmas. Various news reporters from local television stations captured the visit on video.
Children ran through the store joyfully snatching one toy after another from the shelves. One little girl about eleven years old was standing beside a woman who had helped arrange the visit.
The woman said, “Honey, pick out anything you want.” The little girl walked hesitantly to a display of rag dolls, picked up one, and slowly turned it over and over in her hands. She shyly asked, “How much does it cost?” The lady replied, “Its’ all paid for. Pick out anything you want.” The little girl asked again, “But how much does it cost?” Again, the woman replied, “It’s all paid for. Pick out anything you want.”
(Contributed by Don Howell to Proclaim magazine. O-D 1994. p. 29. Lifeway resources)
The rich and satisfying life comes from knowing the shepherd is watching over us.
2. The rich and satisfying life comes from knowing the shepherd gives his best and will never desert his sheep (vs. 10). This is a real need.
Illustration: In recent weeks there have been several stories of investment scammers who have cheated people out of millions of dollars. There is no worse feeling than to put your trust in someone only to be deceived. The betrayal of trust! Everyone is looking for something and someone they can trust. Everyone is looking for something and someone who is reliable.
Illustration: Several weeks ago I watched a television documentary that was both inspiring and sad. The story was about two sisters who had been neglected by their mother. In the process of neglect they were abducted and savagely attacked. They were stabbed repeatedly with a large knife. The younger sister died and the older girl sustained life threatening injuries. The documentary focused on the older sister and her struggle with grief, paralysis, and a negligent mother. She spent a long time in a hospital recovering from her injuries. She was paralyzed because of the injuries. As they recounted this girl’s horrible ordeal they recounted a struggle to trust again. She had been betrayed by her mother and savagely attacked by an assailant. They said she would awaken after having horrible night mares.
Every human who has ever lived is looking for something and someone they can trust. Jesus, the good shepherd, assured us that he would never leave us or forsake us. That truth makes life rich and satisfying.
Jesus promised a rich and satisfying life. Recent events have proven that security is not to be found in the stock market. Security is not to be found in a job. Security is not to be found in a person. You can understand the truth of this passage. Jesus Christ is the only security and offers the only richness in life. For those who know Him, this will cause you to celebrate. For those who do not know Him, this will challenge you to make a commitment to Him. What would he have you to do?
