The Good Shepherd
Griffith Baptist Church – 3/22/09
A.M. Service
Text: John 10:11-18
Key verse: John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Premise: What is it that distinguishes a mediocre shepherd from a really good shepherd? The answer is in one word alone: sacrifice.
The Introduction
A shepherd was looking after his sheep one day on the side of a deserted road, when suddenly a brand new Porsche screeches to a halt. The driver, a man dressed in an Armani suit, Rockport shoes, Oakley’s sunglasses, Rolex watch, and a Versace tie, gets out and asks the shepherd: "If I can tell you how many sheep you have, will you give me one of them?" The shepherd looks at the young man, and then looks at the large flock of grazing sheep and replies: "Okay." The young man parks the car, connects his laptop to his mobile, enters a NASA Webster, scans the ground using his GPS, opens a database with 60 Excel tables filled with logarithms and pivot tables, and then prints out a 150-page report on his high-tech mini-printer. He turns to the shepherd and says, "You have exactly 1,586 sheep here." Rather surprised the shepherd replies, "That’s correct, you can have your sheep." The young man takes an animal and puts it in the back of his Porsche. Just as the man is about to drive off, the shepherd asks him: "If I guess your profession, will you return my animal to me?" The young man answers, "Yes, why not?" The shepherd says, "You are an IT consultant." "How did you know?" asks the young man. "Very simple," answers the shepherd. "Firstly, you came here without being called. Secondly, you charged me a fee to tell me something I already knew, and thirdly, you don’t understand anything about my business. (PAUSE) Now please can I have my dog back?"
Body
1. A Good Shepherd Is Willing To Die For His Sheep – 11-12, 17-18
A. A woman, carrying her baby on her back, was trapped by a prairie fire. As she looked about, she realized there was no way of escape. Hurriedly she took the baby off her back and began digging a hole in the earth with her bare hands. She then placed her child into it and covered the child with her body. Later the woman was found dead, but the child was saved.
B. Good Shepherding is a dangerous job but being sheep is even more dangerous
i. There are constant threats from wolves, lions, other wild animals and thieves
ii. There is also the constant threat of hiring someone with no vested interest in the sheep
a. These were not shepherds, but temp help
b. Their only reason for helping was what they could get out of it
c. When danger comes, they are no where to be found and run
d. This leaves the sheep exposed to danger
C. Our Shepherd proved the ultimate test – dying for His sheep:
i. His death is His choice – 10:17-18 - 17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
ii. His death means a brighter hope - Galatians 1:4 – Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
iii. His death is the only acceptable sacrifice - Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.
iv. His death releases us to serve God with a clear conscience - Hebrews 9:14 - How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
a. Conscience = the psychological faculty that distinguishes between right and wrong, i.e., moral sensitivity (Ro 2:15; Jn 8:9 v.r.; 1Co 8:7 v.r)
b. He came to forgive the sin and for us to no longer have the guilt associated with what separated us from God in the first place
c. When we sin now, our guilt should bring us to God for repentance and forgiveness.
• Guilt is a useful tool, but also a temporary one at that.
d. Dead works = meaningless works that make us think we are doing something that makes us alright with God (Is. 64:6)
2. A Good Shepherd Cares For His Sheep – 13
A. Mamie made frequent trips to the branch post office. One day she confronted a long line of people who were waiting for service from the postal clerks. Mamie only needed stamps, so a helpful observer asked, “Why don’t you use the stamp machine? You can get all the stamps you need and you won’t have to stand in line.” Mamie said, “I know, but the machine can’t ask me about my arthritis.” People still need human contact. (God cares for every detail)
B. Good Shepherding requires constant concern for the welfare and health of the sheep:
i. There is the concern of:
a. Proper feeding
b. Proper watering
c. Proper health
d. Proper protection
ii. In order to be a caring shepherd there has to be a deep love for each and every sheep
a. The hireling could care less, but the shepherd was always there for them
b. He was involved in their birth and sometimes death
c. He mended broken limbs and nursed the sick sheep back to health
d. I love Phillip Keller’s details about a “cast-down” sheep and what the shepherd does to get him back on his feet. “When sheep lay on their back, gas begins to collect in their stomach. It hardens the stomach, cuts off the air passage and they suffocate. Not only that, their legs go numb in that position. They need a shepherd to restore them. When a shepherd restores a cast down sheep, it doesn’t just happen immediately. It takes time. The shepherd lovingly massages the four legs to get some circulation back. Then he begins to talk in a reassuring tone to the sheep, "You’re going to make it." Then he gently turns the sheep over and lifts it up because it cannot stand up on its own. He’ll hold the animal there while the sheep begins to get some equilibrium. The blood begins to flow in the legs again and it begins to get some stability. When the shepherd is sure that the sheep can stand on its own, then the shepherd will lovingly have the sheep follow him home.” What a picture! When you’re on your back and the emotional pain of guilt, grief or grudges are overwhelming you, will you remember that the Lord is your Shepherd? He lovingly comes with tender hands and reassuring words, picks us up and sets us up straight until we can get on our feet again and then says, “Okay, now follow Me home."
C. Our Shepherd provides the utmost care – watching over His sheep:
i. His caring is His nature - 1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
ii. His caring is His constant attention - Psalms 34:15 – The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
iii. His care is His value He places on us - Matthew 6:26 – Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
iv. His care is His provision and pleasure - Luke 12:30-32 - 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
3. A Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep – 14-16
A. The knowledge of our wives must extend beyond the everyday. Yet there are days when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his own hands. There is a story of a couple who was attending a marriage seminar on communication and the instructor told them that is was essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other. He addressed the men, “Can you describe your wife’s favourite flower?” One man leaned over and touched his wife’s arm gently and whispered, “Pillsbury All-Purpose, isn’t it?” Well, God knows us better than that, inside and out.
B. Good Shepherding means that each sheep and his needs are intimately known to the shepherd:
i. Some common knowledge about sheep:
a. They are very shy and nervous
b. They are weak and vulnerable
c. They’re not that smart
d. They are very dependent
ii. What shepherds know about their sheep:
a. No matter what the number, each sheep has a name, and he can tell them apart no matter how many there are.
b. He knows the needs of each one
c. He understands each ones fears, likes, dislikes, and tendency to wander
iii. What sheep know about their shepherd:
a. He cares for them
b. He protects them
c. He makes sure they are fed and watered
d. He guides them
e. ABOVE ALL, they know His voice.
C. Our Shepherd practices unlimited knowledge – personal, close awareness of His sheep:
i. He knows what path is best for us - Psalms 23:3 - He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
ii. He knows how to lead us - John 10:3 – To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
iii. He knows us better than we know ourselves - Psalms 139:2-6 – 2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
iv. He knows what will bring us joy - Psalms 16:11 - Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Conclusion:
Are you one of the shepherd’s sheep?
Believer – are you staying close to your shepherd?
