Intro. In our text we see
1. The Sender - Jesus is the source and fountain of the Gospel! “I send”
Jesus is about to send them out to do His work. He tells them to pray, for the harvest is great - no sooner did He tell them to pray, but that He announced that they were the very answer to the prayer!!!! The Shepherd sent the Sheep!
2. The Sheep - unworthy and unable taking the greatest message to all.
In our text, it is clear that the sheep belong to Jesus.
3. The Situation - among wolves - This world is not friendly to the Gospel.
The world system is no friend of Grace! But how can we make it?
What chance to Sheep have among wolves? NONE! Without a Shepherd
Now if He sent them, don’t you understand, He goes with them.
The sheep may be “among wolves”, but the Shepherd is close at hand!
Though we are unprotected in our human Strength, it is good to have a Shepherd!
The description of the followers of Christ compared to the inhabitants of the world is quite a contrast! Jesus declared that his followers, the lambs, would be sent among wolves. What is a Wolf? A flesh eating animal of prey, fierce and cruel. Cunning in their attack- watch and plan. Very strong, run in packs, will kill for sport.
What is a Sheep? Sheep are pretty much the most helpless animal on earth.
- They have no defense except to run. (Even a bee has a stinger)
- They do not flinch at being slaughtered, yet they are fearful.
- They cannot sense danger, but when startled, they will stampede.
- They tend to wander from the flock, no sense of direction.
- They have a poor depth perception. For this reason, sheep will avoid shadows or harsh contrasts between light and dark. They will move towards the light. When sheep are on their back they will need to be helped, because they can’t get up from that position.
- Sheep are gregarious, that means they like to be around other sheep.
They are happier in their flock! They are safer in their flock! The sheep need their flock. But that is their comfort, not their hope! In the midst of wolves, the only hope for the sheep, is a shepherd that cares. We have been sent among the wolves, and what chance do sheep have among wolves? Absolutely NO CHANCE without a SHEPHERD!
That is my sermon before I preach it - You and I are in need of the great Shepherd!
I. The Search of the Shepherd - Luke 15:4-7 "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?" And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
Creation is all God’s, and the hundred sheep represent all. The ninety and nine did not need a Saviour - but the one did - Jesus came to all that need a Saviour!
A. The Desire of the Shepherd - Seek - to look for with desire!
1. The Shepherd Came to Possess.
2. The Shepherd Came to Purchase - There is a Shepherd that wants you! You may feel unwanted, but the Great Shepherd wants you.
B. The Deliverance of the Shepherd - Save - In this we see:
1. The Work of the Shepherd - John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
2. The Watch of the Shepherd - He has watched the 100 and saw ONE that needed Him!
3. The Will of the Shepherd - that the lost are returned to Him.
1Pe 2:24 "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
Every one that has ever trusted Christ as their Savior, has been the beneficiary of the Care of the Shepherd. Have you the Salvation from the Shepherd? Is He your Shepherd?
II. The Survey of the Shepherd - He is watching over His Sheep.
A. The Danger of Parasites from within.
1. The Sicknesses - most get them from contamination around them!
- Sheep wander and get into things that cause harm. (Never be a parasite)
2. The Solution - When sheep are thirsty, they become restless and set out in search of water to satisfy their thirst. If not led to the good water supplies of clean, pure water, they will often end up drinking from the polluted pot holes where they pick up such internal parasites as nematodes, liver flukes or other disease germs.
We cannot avoid the 23rd Psalm when talking about our Shepherd!
Psalm 23:1 "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."
- My Shepherd knows where the still, quiet, deep, clean, pure water is to be found that alone can satisfy! HE leadethto the Precious water that refreshes the Sheep! (Word of God) He leads us, not drives us
- Still Waters are void of Danger -Matthew Poole pointed out that rushing waters scare the sheep! But calm, brooks or streams provide peaceful supply.
- Still Waters run Deep - We have had enough of shallow Christianity, we need some Christians that you can tell know the Shepherd. If we stay in the Word, we will not have an issue of parasites among the sheep!
B. The Danger of Predators without - Again, we cannot avoid the 23rd Psalm. 4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;" Previously, David was talking about the Shepherd, Now the pronouns change and He talks to the Shepherd. ("thou") As darkness looms, our Shepherd comes closer.
As stated earlier, Sheep cannot see real well. Fearful in the shadows!
1. He is watching our Journey - valley of the shadow of death - literal place! Shadows hide the predators, JUST WALK TOWARD THE LIGHT!
If we walk toward Jesus, the shadows are dispelled! Proverbs 4:18 "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." John 1:4 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men." Jesus dispels the shadows!
In my reading and research about sheep, I found this little truth - If parasites and predators are controlled, the sheep will survive!
III. The Supply of the Shepherd - 4b-6a (Security) "I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:"
A. The Faithful Comfort - The Comfort of His Rod and Staff - Sovereignty
B. The Furnished Table - The Provision in the Midst of Enemies.
C. The Fullness of Joy - My cup is not just full, it is Running over!
D. The Following Companions - Goodness and Mercy (twin guardian angels)
1. His Goodness speaks of His Benefits - Ps 103:1 A Psalm of David. "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:"
2. His Mercy speaks of His Benevolence - Psalms 36:10 "O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee;"
IV. The Security of the Shepherd - Psalm 23 goes on to give the comfort and security that “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” But who gets to dwell? When sheep are put up at night, they are kept in a pen. That makes this Scripture clearer - John 10:1 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."
A. The Door of the Fold -there is only one way into the fold! Jesus left no doubt. John 10:7 "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep."
It really is this simple - you are not saved any other way than through and by Jesus Christ! Some may twist the message, but it is clear. Jesus still saves ANY that come to Him in faith, believing that He will save them. The Gospel is the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus - nothing else. The Way of Salvation is through Jesus Christ, not a program. Any other way, you are an outsider, and do not belong.
Religion is not enough, works are not enough - But if you will turn your life to Jesus Christ, believing that He is the only source of salvation - HE WILL SAVE YOU. Eph. 2:8-9 8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."
B. The Dispersing of the Flock
1. The Care - more wealthy shepherds would mix their flocks at night and pay one they could trust to watch them. This hired one was a porter. He would be given proper weapons and supply to care for the sheep - but no one was allowed in unless they were a Shepherd! That is why the Porter only opens to the Shepherd.
2. The Call - An amazing thing would happen - flocks would mix together through the night - but when the Shepherd called, his sheep would come out. Amazing that such ignorant animals are so dependent on their Shepherd that they know HIS VOICE! How dependent are you on Jesus?
Another thing to note - When Jesus comes again, and descends from heaven with a SHOUT - are you one of His sheep that will know His voice and leave? To be in His flock is the ultimate security!
Concl. So What chance do Sheep have among wolves? Only through the Shepherd! If you are here today, empty inside, and you have been searching for the answer - You have come to the right place - the answer it Jesus. The message is He died on a cross to pay for your sins - you are a sinner. (You actually know that)
He was buried, and rose again from the dead -defeating your sin and mine.
And if you will turn to Jesus as your only answer of salvation, He will save you! You cannot do anything for salvation - All you can do is believe with your heart, and pray and ask Jesus to save you! AND HE WILL!
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. It is all for His Glory.
