JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD (Outline)
May 3, 2020 - Easter 4 - JOHN 10:11-16
INTRO.: Who is in charge? Who is in charge of our lives? Who has the answer? Who really knows the truth? These questions are swirling in the minds of many in our society. Maybe even in our own minds. Or homes. Today we gather around the Word of God for the answers to all these questions. Simply put Jesus IS the answer. Always is. Always will be. We find great comfort in the knowledge that our Savior Jesus Christ is also our Good Shepherd. He guides us. Directs us. Provides the answers to our most pressing needs. "Like a shepherd he will care for his flock. With his arm he will gather the lambs. He will lift them up on his lap. He will gently lead the nursing mothers” (ISAIAH 40:11). Our Good Shepherd cares…gathers…lifts up…gently leads us. Comfort. Joy. JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. I. Jesus sacrifices for the flock. II. Jesus seeks out other sheep.
I. JESUS SACRIFICES FOR THE FLOCK
A. Verse 11. “I am the Good Shepherd.” The word for good here means not just good but great, best.
1. Jesus was the Good Shepherd because he was the perfect Shepherd for imperfect sheep.
2. “The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Only the Good Shepherd would do that.
B. Verse 12. Hired man was paid to watch over the sheep. Wolf comes. Hired man leaves.
1. These sheep are not his. His life worth more than a sheep’s life. Runs away.
2. The wolf attacks the sheep. Attack = snatch. Later no one will snatch from Jesus’ hand.
3. Verse 13. Hired concerned more about money. Only the Good Shepherd loves the sheep.
C. Verse 14. Again, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Jesus knows his sheep and his sheep know him.
1. Verse 15. This knowing very intimate. Same knowing of Father and Son and sheep.
2. Jesus is the only Shepherd who always will and always does lay down his life for sheep.
D. “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” This is profound. Je-sus lays down his life for his sheep. No questions asked. The Lord Jesus knows us intimately. Knows us inside and out. Our hearts are darkened by sin. Our thoughts are clouded with wickedness. Still, the Good Shepherd willingly, freely gives up his life for his wandering, wayward sheep. "Jesus Christ…gave himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are his own chosen people, eager to do good works” (TITUS 2:14). We are God’s own people. His chosen people. We are saved by God’s choice. This is grace. Undeserved love. God chose us to be his own.
E. A danger for the flock of sheep is the ravenous wolf. Wolves attack. Scatter. Destroy. They are dangerous to the welfare of the sheep. Jesus uses this language to remind us of the dangers of those who oppose us. It is no mistake that the Lord Jesus Christ described false teaches as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Double danger of false teachers. They are wolves. They are disguised. We need to be alert. Do not listen to the voice of strangers. Especially not strange teachings. We want to listen to God’s voice. "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on guard against people" (MATTHEW 10:16, 17a). As sheep we would be no match against wolves. As God’s sheep we are not alone. Our Good Shepherd is always guarding his flock.
F. The life of Jesus was a life of sacrifice. The sacrifices that Jesus made were for our benefit. For our salvation. For our eternal welfare. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We are not able to save our-selves. No sacrifice is ever enough. That is, of course, humanly speaking. Our Good Shepherd is also that Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. “And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (EPHESIANS 5:2). Our Good Shepherd changes our lives forever. Jesus’ sacrifice teaches what love is. Teaches us how to love. Live.
JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. Jesus willingly and freely sacrifices himself for the flock.
II. JESUS SEEKS OUT OTHER SHEEP
A. Jesus emphasized to the crowd that he was the Good Shepherd. They needed to hear. Believe.
1. In verses 1-10 Jesus told the crowd he was the door. Only one Way to enter into flock.
2. The previous verses stated that the crowd did not understand what Jesus was saying.
3. It was all so simple. Jesus was the door. Jesus was the Good Shepherd. Both.
B. Verse 16a. Here was a harder statement to understand. “I…have other sheep…not of this flock.”
1. What? The Jews thought they were the only chosen ones. The only children of God.
2. Verse 16b. Nope. There were other sheep. Jesus: “I must bring them also.” Jesus’ called.
3. Verse 16c. Jesus did call others. They listened to Jesus’ voice calling. Became his sheep.
C. Verse 16d. The other sheep become part of God’s flock. Jesus is their God Shepherd.
1. Gentiles were the other sheep. Now included as God’s sheep. One flock. One shepherd.
2. Gentiles would be grafted into the Vine. By grace, faith became children of Abraham.
D. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We rejoice because the Lord Jesus lived in this world to seek and to save the lost. He did this because of his love and mercy to provide eternal salvation to lost sheep. Lost souls. Jesus sought us when we sought him not. We have a job description of the Good Shepherd from the Old Testament. "I will seek the lost. I will bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured. I will strengthen the weak. I will destroy the fat and the strong, and I will shepherd them with justice” (EZEKIEL 34:216). Notice all the essential work Jesus does. “I will seek…I will bring back…I will bind up…I will strengthen…” The salvation of lost sheep does not depend on them. Jesus does it all. This is God’s grace. Undeserved love. Jesus shepherds with justice. Not at all like human justice. Forgiveness is the divine justice of our heavenly Father. We sin and sin again. Our Father for-gives.
E. Dear believers it is too easy to look at others as the lost sheep in this world. We really need to take a close look at ourselves. All too often we wander off on our own path. Fulfill our own sinful desires. Act out on our wicked thoughts. Our Good Shepherd calls out. We listen. Once lost sheep we now belong in God’s flock. “This saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,’ of whom I am the worst" (1 TIMOTHY 1:15). Our Good Shepherd seeks us out. Finds us. Delivers us from our own wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Freely forgives.
F. It is by grace alone that we are saved. By faith alone we have eternal life. Through Christ alone we travel to our heavenly home. We are living in times that are closer than ever to the Lord’s re-turn on the Last Day. Until Judgment Day arrives the Lord will continue calling other sheep. The Lord Jesus Christ will continue seek out other sheep to be saved. The Holy Spirit will change hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Faith, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life are all the Lord’s labors of love for the lost. “…for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (REVELATION 7:17).
CONC.: Our world is in a lot of hurt. They are wondering what next? The world will think of something new to frighten the unsuspecting. We still focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is in Christ alone we have the eternal answers our souls desperately desire. Need. “The LORD is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He causes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (PSALM 23:1-3). The Lord Jesus leads. We lack NOTHING. Jesus restores our souls. Jesus sacrificed his life so we can live forever. Jesus still seeks out other sheep. JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. Jesus is our Perfect Shepherd for this life and into eternity. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
EASTER 4 rdgs: ACTS 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60; 1 PETER 2:19-25; JOHN 10:1-10; (PSALM 23)
SERVICES: 8:00am @ Trinity, McCook, NE / 10:30am @ Redeemer, Norton, KS
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