The Good Shepherd

Follow the Voice of the Good Shepherd

Bible Passage: Jn 10:1–21

Summary: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep, contrasts Him with false leaders, and illustrates the nature of His relationship with His followers.

Application: Understanding Jesus as the Good Shepherd encourages believers to trust in His guidance and provision amidst life's uncertainties. This knowledge can help individuals lean on Him for wisdom and comfort during struggles, fostering a deeper reliance on His presence.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage emphasizes Christ as the ultimate protector and leader of His people, fulfilling the prophetic imagery of shepherd in the Old Testament. His sacrificial love is the culmination of God's promise to care for His flock.

Big Idea: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, invites us into a relationship of trust and obedience, assuring us that His guidance leads to true life and security.

1. Hear His Voice Distinctly

Jn 10:1–6 Psalm 23

We are to hear Jesus's voice, but this means there are other voices.

Often times the world will scream at us. Jesu speaks in a still small voice.

My brother swinging from the vines.

2. Enter Through His Gate

Jn 10:7–10 Ezekiel 34

We live in a world that is promising us everything. The status we want, the lavish lifestyle. The fame. Jesus is providing something else. Hope and security. An abundant life.

Famous verse: Satan’s purpose vs. Jesus’s Purpose.

3. Embrace His Sacrificial Love

Jn 10:11–15 John 15:13

The good shepherd lays his life down so that the sheep can live the abundant life. Whereas the world will let the sheep die in pursuit of its pleasures.

Jesus knows his sheep. He wants and has a deep meaningful relationship with them.

My kids and how much I love them.

4. Join His Unified Fold

Jn 10:16–21

Jesus is creating a flock, or community of people. These people are from all different backgrounds and nations. THIS IS THE MYSTERY PAUL WROTE ABOUT IN EPHESIANS 3.

Notice the pointing to a blind man. That man had to follow the voice of Jesus because he could not see him.

We are grafted into the the family of Jesus. WE are connected to believers throughout all of history. This is why I love the hymns and the Creeds. It is connecting us to a group of people who lived long before us and will continue to connect us to the believers of the future.