"JESUS OUR SHEPHERD"

THE BLESSINGS OF JESUS OUR SHEPHERD

HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US...

He laid down His life for His sheep

As foretold in the Old Testament - Zech 13:7 ; cf. Mt 26:31 As Jesus told His disciples He would do - Jn 10:11,15 Thus He is able to offer eternal life to His sheep - Jn 10:28 ; cf. 1Jn 5:11-13

Offering security to those who continue to believe Such that none can snatch them from the hand of God Though one can fall from God's hand through neglect - He 3:12-15; cf. Re 2:10HE NOW CARES FOR US...

Having called us (through the gospel) - Jn 10:3; cf. 2Th 2:13-14Having gathered us into His one fold (even Gentiles!) - Jn 10:16; cf. Ep 2:11-22As our Good Shepherd:

He knows us - Jn 10:14,27; cf. 2Ti 2:19He feeds us - Jn 10:9; cf. Ps 23:1,2He guides us - Jn 10:3,4; cf. Ps 23:3He cherishes us tenderly - Isa 40:11; cf. Ep 5:25-29He protects and preserves - Jer 31:10; Jn 10:28-29; cf. Jude 28-29

[Wonderful are the blessings of Jesus our Shepherd! Such blessings are prefigured in that most beautiful of psalms (Psalms 23). But what does the Shepherd expect of His sheep...?]

OUR DUTIES TO JESUS OUR SHEPHERD

HEED HIS VOICE...

His sheep hear His voice - Jn 10:2-3His sheep follow Him, for they know His voice - Jn 10:4Thus Jesus expects His sheep to heed His voice

As proclaimed during His earthly ministry - Lk 6:46As stated in the Great Commission - Mt 28:18-20Which we do today by heeding the words of His apostles

To receive them is to receive Him - Jn 13:20Thus the early church continued steadfastly in their doctrine - Ac 2:42For they taught the commandments of the Lord - 1Co 14:37-- Are we following the Shepherd by heeding His voice?HOLD TO HIS FLOCK...

There is one flock (or one body) - Jn 10:16; cf. Ep 4:4We should strive to maintain the unity of that flock

For which Jesus prayed - Jn 17:20-23For which Jesus died - Ep 2:13-16Which we do today by:

Not heeding the voice of "strangers" (false teachers) - Jn 10:5,8b; cf. 2Jn 9,10Maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace - Ep 4:1-3-- Are we doing our part to preserve the oneness of His flock?HELP HIS SHEPHERDS...

The Chief Shepherd has shepherds to guide His flock

They are the elders in a local congregation - 1Pe 5:1-4Their duty is to oversee and pastor the flock - Ac 20:17,28; 1Pe 5:1-3Jesus expects His sheep to respect His shepherds

To submit to their oversight, make their duty a joyful one - He 13:17To esteem them highly in love, being at peace - 1Th 5:12-13-- Are we helping or hindering the work of the Lord's shepherds?

CONCLUSION

Wonderful are the promises for those who follow "Jesus Our Shepherd" - cf. Re 7:13-17Yet Jesus warned of some who...

Are not His sheep, for they did not heed His voice - Jn 10:26-27Though in His flock (kingdom), will one day be cast out - Mt 13:41-43; cf. also Jn 15:1-2,6

Yes, He described a Day in which the sheep and goats will be parted (Mt 25:31-34,41). What side will we be on? It depends on whether we fulfill our duties as His sheep...