Sunday, December 4 2022
Jesus is the Good Shepherd in your Bibles to John chapter 10, please. John chapter 10.
I didn't plan it this way, but since going through this passage its way. What a great passage for communion Sunday.
The Good Shepherd gives his life for the Sheep. We are going to read the first 21 versus gang so far along as I read.
Sears verse 1, chapter 10, most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the Sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way the same as a thief and a robber, but he went by the door. Is The Shepherd of the sheep to him. The doorkeeper, opens in the sheep, hear his voice calls his own Sheep by name and leads them out. When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them and the Sheep. Follow him for, they know his voice. If they will, by no means Follow, The Stranger, but will flee from him for? They do not know the voice of strangers, Jesus use this illustration, but they did not understand the things, which she spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them. Again, most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the Sheep. All whoever came before me are thieves and robbers that she did not hear them, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and we'll go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not, except to steal to kill and to destroy have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. Good Shepherd, gives his life for the Sheep, but a hireling, he who is not the shepherd one, who does not own, the Sheep sees the wolf coming, leave the sheep and fleas and the Wolf catches, the sheep, and scatters them the hireling flees because he is a hireling. Does not care about sheep. I am the Good Shepherd and I know my sheep and I'm known by my own as the father knows me even. So I know the father, I lay down my life for the sheep and other sheep, I have, which are not of this fold them. Also, I must bring and they will hear my voice and there will be one flock and one Shepherd. Therefore, my father loves me because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down myself. If power to lay down, I fired. Take it again, this command I have received from my father, therefore, there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. And many of them said, he has a demon in his mad. Why do you listen to him? Other said, these are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon Open, the Eyes of the blind, What's French for thank you for your word that we can sit here this morning and read it, and hear it for your blessing as we look at this passage Appliance World lives. Help us to hear you. Lord, we ask this in Jesus name, amen. So this is they said, last week, the continuation of chapter 9 with the man that was born, blind and Jesus healed him and he was kicked out of the synagogue or Temple or I should say because he recognized Jesus wants that he was gone and the religious leaders had no use for him. And what we looked at last week. We really kind of zeroed in on 9 chapter 9 about
Jesus being the door and in course being called by him and salvation and being saved and then he says we'll go in and out and find Pastor in the importance of walking with the Lord, allowing him to lead us to feed us to, to care for us. And I trust that your your desire today, right? Cuz if it's not, we're either a Wandering sheep in danger because sheep need a Shepherd, right? It's interesting in the Bible that we're compared to sheep constantly and
Some people say she's a dumb, I don't think they're dumb. They're just doing what they were created to be right. Cuz this there's dumb sheet. That means they're smart sheep. Brittney Shipp is a sheep. And so we can look at ourselves that way there don't feel stupid. Now be makes me feel better but
Cheap were created. I believe for this purpose of illustrating to us the importance of the shepherd. And that they need a Shepherd. They cannot survive without a shepherd. We all need the shepherd, we need the shepherd. We need someone to lead. Us is all kinds of people and things out there that are more than willing to try to lead us down certain paths in life. And I will say that all of them apart from following Jesus Christ, a very dangerous paths that will lead to destruction. Message importance of keeping him. First hearing him, continuing to hear him listening to him. It's not about just carrying his voice and salvation. It's about constantly listening because so that we can come go in and out and find pasture. What a great picture of a satisfied, life. A purposeful life. He said they're in verse 10, they might have life. They might have it more abundantly. oh,
it's interesting that right after this statement inverse 10, he says By the way, I am the Good Shepherd.
I am the Good Shepherd and I want us to look at this morning. Why Jesus can call himself the Good Shepherd, the word. Good means Noble and refers to somebody with noble character. Then why Jesus is saying here is that we can trust his character. He doesn't have ulterior motives, no hidden. Agendas, when it comes to wanting to lead us,
Are there people that? An unbeliever would slow, you know. I don't know about following this Jesus guy will just look at his life. Look at what he said. Look at what he did. Look at who he is. And come up with a reason why not to follow him. What are the options? God says, depart from him, we're under condemnation, right? We need to be safe in The Shepherd chain, he gave his life.
Think it's too many people that would give their lives for us. There might be but not in this sense. Run deserving centers. Deserving of God's condemnation.
And he sends his perfect son to die for us. So we can trust him. That's what we come out of this, this morning is realizing why we can trust him. He says, I'm the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd, gives his life for the Sheep. A hireling. He was not the shepherd one, who does not own. The Sheep sees the wolf coming and leave the sheep. And please, the wolf catches the sheep, and scatters them the hireling flees because he's a hireling. Does not care about the Sheep. He's a good shepherd because he's fully committed to the Sheep. He has a full and total commitment to the Sheep to us. Think about that. You never have to doubt. Jesus is commitment to you.
That's a stark contrast to those who were the hired, aunt. He's fully committed to us because he bought us with a price. Keep your hand there and John. We're going to go to First Corinthians.
Acts Romans 1st Corinthians chapter 6.
Verse 19 and 20. I'll give you a second. 1st Corinthians. Chapter 6. Verse 19. Do you not know that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit? Who is in you? You have from God and you are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body and your spirit which are what who's God's that's a good thing. I'm glad my life. My body belongs to him.
What a, what a blessing. What? Grace security.
He gives us his spirit. Cuz he bought us. Your bought with a price.
Do not become slaves of men. You see, find that over'n, 7:23, but don't need to go there. So Jesus owns the Sheep so naturally, he's going to be committed to them to us when you accept Jesus as your lord and savior in that moment. The holy spirit of God places as into the body of Christ, right? And we belong to him. Indian God gives us the Holy Spirit which is a seal upon us. That Marxist is his
nothing can touch it. A great place to be.
When you own something, you tend to want to take care of what you own. and Jesus is fully committed to giving you the Abundant Life that he died and rose again to give you in Abundant Life. Doesn't mean you can have riches beyond measure.
He's giving us something a whole lot better than that.
It's a purposeful life, a life that brings glory to God. There's no greatest satisfaction. Then to do not to obey his will to deny self in a way gone. That's the Abundant Life. It isn't about. Stop. Miss whatever. Other purpose in life wants to offer right? Well I got to be happy, I got to have this and I got have that and I'll be happy and then that Life's good.
Doesn't work that way.
Inverse to we back in John 10. We get a picture of what the Hired Hand will do this. It's a picture really, of these religious leaders that he's just been confronting. They had no investment in the flock. They were just there to use them to get out of them what they could. You need to understand that those who will try to be a Shepherd to you, other than Jesus will not and do not have your best interests in their minds and hearts. He's not talking about people. It could be about a philosophy of life. Who's an interesting?
Verse.
It's an Isaiah.
If I can find, it just came to me so but I can't find it. I don't worry about it.
I can't find it. I know it's here.
Anyways.
The picture is, is the people carrying their idols on a cart bell. In Nebo, I can't remember what reference it is right now, but they
They had they were worshipping these Idols, right? And they put these idols on a cart to take with them. No Idols became a burden. and it is such a picture of Anything outside of the Lord Jesus Christ, that becomes an idol in our life. Becomes a burden and will weigh down and drag you down. and, Lead you in the wrong way.
The stuff we get addicted to the stuff that pulls us away from Jesus, doesn't care for us and it sucks. The life out of us, isn't it? Till there's nothing left.
1st Timothy. 2 verses 3 and 4 says, this is good and pleasing in the sight of our of God, our savior who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. That's God's will
He's a good god. He's a good shepherd. He wants everyone to come to him. We all have a shepherd. Who is your Shepherd this morning?
Do you have faith and courage? Do you have the faith and courage to allow Jesus, to be your Shepherd?
He doesn't. Tell you everything is going to happen, does he? Shepherd says what? Just follow me. He goes before it, that's great. he doesn't say get out there that past year,
I'll be here when you get back. Hopefully, you survive the wolves. He goes before us, he leads us to the Goodpasture, he takes us to The Still Waters. Sheep don't like, fast-moving water.
He's the Good Shepherd. Verse 14. I'm the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep. I'm known by my own as the father knows me even. So I know the father and I lay down my life for the Sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold them all. So I must bring and they will hear my voice and there will be one flock. The one Shepherd. He's a good shepherd because he has a special connection with all the Sheep.
We tend to give more love and attention to those whom we know to Those whom we have a relationship with Yes, I would say so. I mean, normally we buy nice gifts for the people that were closest to right. We get lumps of coal, everybody else know this year.
Anybody burning coals.
Billboard.
in verse 14, tells us of this strong connection, Between Jesus and those were hits. He not only has the relationship with those who are his, but he's got a relationship with the father. So he's the connection for us. To the father.
The shepherd knew his sheep so, well, he named them.
Is it came in at night to the foals. Probably check them over and see if they had any bumps or bruises or Sure, they were all healthy.
The newest cheap. And Jesus knows you. And me, he knows all those things that we struggle with that. Nobody else knows, he knows all those bad things that we either done or thought. He still loves us, doesn't he forgives us pours out his mercies every morning.
God told Jeremiah. He said before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born. I consecrated you. I appointed you a prophet to the Nations and you can read Psalm 139. God knows he's known us since before we were born before we were formed
one of the things that, Many still do not guess the fact that our faith is not based on do's and don'ts based on a relationship with Jesus. It's all about relationship.
We develop the relationship, we're going to do what we what we should stay away from what we need to stay away from right cuz there's a relationship there. We we we love him. We know he loves us. Faith isn't about a religion. It's about relationship. if it were about religion,
we could just be religious and be fine. Pharisees are some of the most religious people ever what Jesus say about them filled with dead men's bones.
Very gross picture.
It's not my pretty. But that's what he thinks about religion. Nicodemus was one of the leading Pharisees of his day. What did Jesus tell him? You must be born again. He didn't say. Nicodemus, you doing a really good job. Just keep doing You need to be born again, Nicodemus. You haven't been born spiritually?
This morning. We're going to be observing the Lord's table in in remembering what Our Shepherd did for us. When he continues to do, okay? This is we call this communion. The word means Fellowship, right? Which means relationship.
This isn't a religious right? Just something we do because we're good members of the East Benton Christian church. We do this because we have a, a great Shepherd will remember what he did for us and what he continues to do for us.
Keep your hand there. And John turn or the 1st Peter.
Near the end of your Bible. Hebrews James 1st Peter.
1st Peter chapter 5.
Verse 6. So therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon him for he cares for you.
Think about this, okay. What is overas?
if you want to put it related to this verse, the mighty hand of God, It is at the mighty hand of God to go. You messed up.
Read the verse write. Read a humble ourselves.
Recognize that he's the one who cares for us. This is casting all your care upon him for he cares for you. It doesn't say because if you mess up he's going to whoop. You know. It's is he cares for us? Awesome. God. Awesome Shepherd. Cares about me cares about you cares about what you're going through.
Reese's, will you just let me be your Shepherd? Sometimes is his sheep. We should obstinate.
We get scared to follow him. Or we just want to do it at home. when we get in trouble, get out there and mess up and You know, what's good? Using back there at The Fold saying, I hope they show up sometime, they don't know, they got what they deserved. Now he goes out looking doesn't he? The gracious Shepherd. Cares for us.
Jesus images. Sit in a palace, giving out orders. But he mixed among the people. You see that as you read through the gospels, Steve's already told us to do this season. That's a good. Good exercise. But you see what Jesus did came to us. He came in the most humblest ways was born in a stable. Wasn't born in a palace. He wasn't even born in the Motel 6.
And then he had Shepherd's show up.
They're sitting ismet.
Jesus knows and loves all his sheep. Not just a special months.
Convert 16. He spoke of other sheep who would enter the fold and you speaking about gentiles.
I want you to keep your hand there and John, turn over to Ephesians.
after Corinthians Galatians in Ephesians,
2:11.
He says, therefore remember that you once Gentiles In the Flesh or called uncircumcision by what is called a circumcision Made In the Flesh by hands. At, at that time you were without Christ being aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel strangers from the covenants of Promise having no hope without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Amen.
Without hope strangers to the covenants of promise. Because of what the Good Shepherd did he gave his life? We've been brought near. Continue on East for he himself. Jesus Christ is our peace who is made both one Speaking of Jew and Gentile is broken. Down the middle Wall of Separation. Having a ball is in his flesh, the enmity that is the law of Commandments, contained in, ordinances choice, to create himself one, new man from the two of us making peace, that he might reconcile them, both to God and one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity and he came and preached. Peace to you who are far off into those who are near for through him. We both have access by one Spirit to the father No room for this. Critical race Theory crap. No room for that. God made us one.
One in Christ, one.
even outside of Christ Bible says, we're one blood One blood.
Do you have faith? The faith, and courage to allow Jesus to be your Shepherd.
I was finished with 17 and 18 it says therefore my father loves me because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay down, I have power to take it again this command I have received from my father, amazing Jesus, the Good Shepherd cuz he desire to serve all the Sheep. Not only did he serve the Sheep? He chose to do it.
He was willing to go to the cross. That's another reason why there are not many paths to Kevin is only one, right? Jesus himself said, I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes to the father but by me
Jesus was a person full of joy.
Because he loved the Sheep.
Hebrews 12:2 says looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him. Endured the cross. Interesting, that's our Shepherd. That's how much he loves us. You didn't go to the shepherd, the crossover, I don't know. Yeah, I was hard and cried blood, right? He said father of his possible. Take this cup from me but nevertheless not my will but your will be done. It was not an easy thing for him to do.
But he did it for the joy that was set before him, what was the joy that through that sacrifice, we could become. Restored part of the flock. His children saved.
Jesus did that because he loves us.
Galatians 1 3 and 4, say grace to you and peace from God. Our father in the Lord, Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins to Deliver Us from the present evil age, according to the will of God our Father. Look at that, he's such a bad Shepherd. Why would I want to follow him? Woody woody, he did that to Deliver Us from this present evil age. Hey man, I am so glad I know the Lord. I'm so glad
I have eternal life. I'm so glad that I'm just a pilgrim going through this Earth. This isn't my home.
It is it's God's will is God the father's will to Deliver Us from this present. Evil age me all the way to be delivered as what through Jesus Jesus.
Jesus was and is motivated to serve. Because of love, he is love.
For God. So loved the world. The gates is only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God loves you enough. So much that he sent his son. To die to make it possible. So that you and I could have eternal life. He's the Good Shepherd. He's a shepherd. What is sheep?
the question is, Is he your Shepherd?
and if he is, are you following him?
It's a good thing for us all to this. It's going to come up again in this chapter. but if it's good for us to Everyday Lord help me to hear your voice. Give me the courage to follow you. It's a battle. It's a spiritual battle. We're talking about spiritual warfare and
Free meeting on Thursdays, it's constant. It isn't just one little battle here in there as long as we're here. We're in a Warfare 2 campaign being waged against.
but there's good news in that we went Cuz he's our captain.
I'd like us to turn to 1st Peter chapter 2.
as we prepare for, The observance of the Lord's table this morning.
1st Peter, 2:21. This pertinent to this, you were called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that you should follow his steps. Who committed? No sin nor was the seat found in his mouth who when he was reviled did not revile and return when he suffered, he did not threaten but committed himself to him. Who judges righteously who himself bore our sins in his own body, on the tree that we having died to send my live for me to snooze. it's possible, you know, for following the shepherd By whose Stripes you were healed.
Took care of all you sent. Your healing was much deeper than physically, the spiritual healing. For you were like, sheep going astray but have now returned to the shepherd. An overseer of your souls, not awesome. Somebody that cares for assholes. This Lord Jesus and proved it is just not some ideology.
Kiss, kiss the shepherd and he's a lie. He rose again. He didn't stay dead. Intercedes for us today, the right hand of the father.
We need to be following me to be listening, right? Am I listening Ward? Help me to hear you. I think every day we should challenge ourselves.
Am I listen my following? rennebohm prayer