A. INTRODUCTION
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”(John 10:11).
1. What is a shepherd? One who takes care of the heep.
a. It is the owner. “His own sheep” (John 10:4).
b. A son of an owner. “Jesse said . . . there remaineth the youngest,he keepeth the sheep” (I Sam. 16:11).
c. A daughter. “Rachel came with her father’s sheep” (Gen. 29:9).
d. A hireling. “Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks” (Gen. 30:36).
2. Jesus linked His divine nature to an ordinary ccupation. “I Am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11).
3. Who was prepared for leadership by being a shepherd?
a. “And the Lord told you (David) you will be the shepherd of my people Israel” (II Sam. 3:2, LB).
b. “Moses kept the flock of Jethro” (Ex. 3:1).
c. “Amos a shepherd from the town of Tekoa” (Amos 1:1, LB).
B. WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A SHEPHERD?
1. He knows us intimately. “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep” (John 10:14).
2. He calls each of us by name. “Calleth his own sheep by name” (John 10:3).
3. He sleeps at the door of sheepfold. “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7).
4. He sends us out each morning. “He putteth forth his own sheep” (John 10:4).
5. The sheep that belong to Jesus recognize His oice. “The sheep hearhis voice” (John 10:3). “I am the good shepherd . . . and am known of mine” (John 10:14).
6. The shepherd goes before us to lead us. “When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them” (John 10:4).
a. To search for good pasture. “He leadeth me into green pastures” (Ps. 23:2).
b. To search for water. “He leadeth me beside still waters” (Ps. 23:2).
7. The sheep who belong to Jesus follow Him. “The sheep hear his voice, and he . . . leadeth them out” (John 10:3).
8. The shepherd has a personal interest in my well-being. “The hireling fleeth . . . careth not for the sheep” (John 10:13).
a. “The hireling fleeth” (10:13). Paid ministers.
b. “The stranger they will not follow.” Unsaved ministers.
c. “He that entereth not by the door . . . robber” (10:1). False teachers.
d. “The thief . . . to steal and kill” (10:10). Satan or his followers.
e. “The wolf . . . scattereth the sheep” (10:12). Christian persecutors.
9. The shepherd’s chief care is to feed me spiritual food. “Those preparest a table before me” (Ps. 23:5).
10. The shepherd must also find us something to drink. “He leadeth me beside still waters” (Ps. 23:2).
11. The shepherd must protect us from danger. “Thy rod and thy staff protect me” (Ps. 23:4).
12. The shepherd must not retreat from danger. “Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion and a bear . . . I went after it and smote it and delivered it out of its mouth” (I Sam. 17:34-35).
13. The shepherd goest after lost sheep. “If he loses one of them . . . leave the ninety and nine . . . and go after that which is lost” (Luke 15:4).
C. WHAT SHEEP EXPERIENCE UNDER THE SHEPHERD’S CARE
1. Sheep are satisfied. “I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1).
2. Sheep can rest. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures” (Ps. 23:2).
3. Sheep have eternal life. “My sheep hear my voice . . . and they follow me, and I give them eternal life” (John 10:27-28).
a. You must first listen to Jesus. “Faith cometh . . . by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
b. You must become his disciple. “Follow Me” (John 10:27).
4. Sheep are not afraid. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, the Lord is with me” (Ps. 23:4, ELT).
5. Sheep are protected. “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
6. Sheep will be healed (spiritually and physically). “Thou annointest my head with oil” (Ps. 23:5).
7. Sheep will have spiritual abundance. “My cup runneth over” (Ps. 23:5).
8. Sheep have eternal security. “I give unto them (sheep) eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (10:28).
9. Sheep will go to Heaven. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
To receive this lesson, log on to www.elmertowns.com. You will find it under Sunday School lessons. To email Dr. Towns, eltowns@liberty.edu. For more information on the class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
