I AM // WEEK FOUR

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD // Jn 9:35-10:21

Picture a parent who neglect

Safe in the Shepherd's Embrace

Bible Passage: John 10:11–13

Summary: In John 10:11-13, Jesus presents Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. This passage emphasizes the security and care that He provides to His followers, contrasting His sacrificial love with the abandonment experienced at the hands of a hired hand.

Application: This sermon can remind Christians that Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, offers ultimate security in times of turmoil. It encourages believers to trust in His guidance and protection amidst life’s uncertainties and challenges, reinforcing the promise that they are never alone.

Teaching: The sermon could teach about the nature of Christ's sacrificial love and how it differs from the superficial care of others. It emphasizes the commitment Jesus has towards those He leads and the implications of being His sheep.

How this passage could point to Christ: Christ is the Good Shepherd who fulfills Old Testament images of shepherds, such as in Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34, where God’s care for His people is highlighted. Jesus embodies the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to protect and guide His flock.

Big Idea: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides an unwavering security that transcends any external threat, assuring believers of His loving care and ultimate sacrifice for their well-being.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider using Logos to explore the Old Testament references to shepherd imagery, particularly in Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34. This could help you delve into the cultural significance of shepherding in biblical times and the contemporary implications of Jesus' claim about Himself in John 10. Additionally, examining different translations of the passage might reveal nuances that could enrich your understanding and presentation.

1. Sacrificial Shepherd's Security

John 10:11

You could emphasize how Christ's identification as the Good Shepherd reveals His sacrificial nature, willing to lay down His life for the sheep—a love both personal and profound. This sacrificial act is not just a historical event but a present reality where Jesus offers continuous security and protection to His followers. In a world full of uncertainty, this promise offers believers a firm foundation of hope and assurance that Jesus does not abandon His flock, unlike a hired hand.

2. Shepherd’s Constant Commitment

John 10:12

Perhaps contrast the hired hand's abandonment with Jesus' commitment, emphasizing the unreliable and self-preserving nature of others compared to Jesus' constant presence. This scenario illustrates the depth of Jesus' devotion by showing what is lacking in hired hands. When spiritual, emotional, or physical threats approach, Christ stands firm, offering a refuge where His flock can find unwavering protection and care, motivating believers to trust in His consistent guidance.

3. Steadfast Shepherd’s Presence

John 10:13

Maybe highlight how the hired hand flees in the face of danger, but Jesus remains steadfast. This understanding can reassure Christians that while worldly supports may fail, Christ's support is dependable and rooted in eternal love. When faced with life's difficulties, this truth encourages reliance on the Good Shepherd, whose presence is unshakeable even when storms hit. Through this, believers are reminded to turn to Christ, who will never abandon them in times of need.

s a child while claiming to be their protector. This mirrors the false shepherds in Matthew 7:15, who come disguised as good leaders. As we see the child's distress, we feel the urgency of true guardianship. It's an emotive reminder that being a shepherd is about love, sacrifice, and unwavering protection of the flock.

The Good Shepherd: Our Hope and Security

Bible Passage: John 10:11–21

Summary: In this passage, Jesus presents Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, contrasting His care for them with the attitude of a hired hand who does not truly care.

Application: This message encourages Christians to seek comfort and security in Jesus as their shepherd, especially during times of uncertainty, fear, or spiritual dryness. It reminds the audience that they are known, valued, and protected under His care.

Teaching: The sermon teaches the depth of Jesus' sacrificial love and commitment to His followers, portraying the relationship between the shepherd and sheep as one of intimacy, trust, and protection.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus as the Good Shepherd fulfills the Old Testament theme of God as a shepherd to His people, illustrating His role not only as a protector but also as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world, thus providing eternal life.

Big Idea: In a world fraught with danger and uncertainty, we can trust Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who provides us with security, guidance, and ultimate salvation through His sacrificial love.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider delving into the Old Testament references to shepherd imagery, such as Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34, to deepen your understanding of this theme. Additionally, explore the Greek terms used in John 10 for 'shepherd' and 'hireling' in your Logos library to enrich your contextual analysis. Engaging with commentaries that discuss the historicity of sheep-herding practices in 1st-century Judea may also illuminate the depth of Jesus' metaphor.

1. Sacrificial Shepherd's Love

John 10:11–13

You could focus on how Jesus distinguishes Himself from the hired hand by highlighting His commitment to lay down His life for the sheep. This self-sacrificial love reveals His deep care and protection, offering believers a secure refuge amidst life's challenges. Jesus's role as the Good Shepherd invites Christians to trust His guidance and protection, reinforcing His identity as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins.

2. Shepherd's Intimate Knowledge

John 10:14–16

Perhaps explore the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers, emphasizing how He knows His sheep and is known by them. This point can illustrate the personal connection Jesus offers each believer, encouraging them to find comfort in being known and valued by Him. Highlighting Jesus's intention to bring other sheep into His fold can remind us of His mission to unite all believers, demonstrating His inclusive love.

3. Sure Shepherd's Authority

John 10:17–21

Maybe discuss how Jesus voluntarily lays down His life, and explain the authority He has to take it up again, demonstrating His divinity and control over life and death. This assurance of resurrection underlines the hope and security offered to believers. You could also reflect on the varied reactions of the people, encouraging the congregation to choose faith and trust in the Good Shepherd's promises.

The Good Shepherd: Finding Our True Identity

Bible Passage: John 10:11–21

Summary: In this passage, Jesus reveals His identity as the Good Shepherd, emphasizing the profound connection between Him and His followers. He contrasts Himself with those who do not truly care for the sheep and illustrates how His sacrificial act leads to a deeper understanding of belonging and purpose in God's family, guiding believers toward their true identity in Christ.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand their identity as beloved members of God's flock, encouraging them to embrace their worth and calling in Jesus. It addresses feelings of inadequacy and the search for identity in worldly measures, reminding them that their true identity is rooted in being cherished and guided by the Good Shepherd.

Teaching: The teaching focuses on how recognizing Jesus as our Good Shepherd transforms our understanding of ourselves and our purpose. It challenges listeners to reject false identities shaped by society and to find liberation and confidence in the truth of what it means to belong to Christ.

How this passage could point to Christ: Christ as the Good Shepherd signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to care for His people, aligning perfectly with Old Testament themes where God shepherds Israel. Jesus embodies the ultimate care and guidance, leading His followers not just to safety but to a life of abundant purpose in His sheepfold.

Big Idea: Embracing our identity as sheep of the Good Shepherd empowers us to overcome the world's pressures and leads us to fulfill our unique purpose in God's plan.

Recommended Study: To further enrich your sermon preparation, consider studying the cultural significance of sheep in biblical times, including their value and care, to highlight the depth of Jesus' commitment to His followers. In your Logos library, explore thematic studies that connect the Good Shepherd metaphor with Old Testament passages such as Psalm 23 and Isaiah 40. Additionally, looking into theological reflections on identity in Christ could provide additional depth to your application points.

1. Sacrificial Shepherd's Security

John 10:11–13

Consider focusing on how Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, knowingly and willingly sacrifices Himself for His sheep. Unlike hired hands who flee in danger, Jesus stays, protecting and valuing each one individually. His sacrificial love demonstrates our true worth, redefining our identity beyond worldly standards. You could emphasize how this love should inspire us to live confidently, knowing we are valued and secure in Christ's care.

2. Personal Shepherd's Call

John 10:14–16

Maybe explore how Jesus knows His sheep intimately and calls them by name, creating a personal relationship that offers purpose and belonging. By highlighting the reciprocal knowledge between shepherd and sheep, you could guide listeners to appreciate their unique identity in Christ. This point can encourage Christians to embrace this divine relationship more deeply, knowing that they are uniquely known and called to follow Christ.

3. Resurrected Shepherd's Promise

John 10:17–21

Perhaps delve into how Jesus's resurrection power reinforces the promise of abundant life and eternal purpose for His followers. The power that raised Him from the dead is the same power that sustains and guides us today. You might suggest that this empowers us to overcome identity struggles and worldly pressures by rooting our identity in the eternal significance of being part of Christ's flock.