Following the Good Shepherd

There was a great insight I learned last week about the Lord in but ran out of time to share, so I thought I would use it to begin today’s sermon because it is essentially a continuation of last week.

IN you will find a representation of every OT name of God in that one Psalm.

Jehovah-Shalom - Lord is Peace

Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord Sees/Provides

Jehovah-Rapha - The Lord Heals

Jehovah-Shamma - The Lord is there

Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord is my banner over my enemies

The text of Scripture I want to read today comes from the chapter in John’s gospel where Jesus gives the analogy of a True shepherd and His true sheep.

Turn with me or type in your Bible app and find ----- LET’S STAND AND HONOR GOD AS WE READ HIS WORD

John 10:1–30 NKJV

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The 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 and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am 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 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 of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to 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 and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?” Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

The 1st century listeners of this teaching and others who later read it would have or at least should have been certain and conscious to link what He was saying to and other OT reference to God as Shepherd.

Jesus was making a declaration of Deity - claiming to be God.

When Jesus told the Pharisees and other unbelieving Jews that they were not True sheep of God, it didn’t sit too well because they believed that just being born a descendant of Abraham made them sheep in God’s sheepfold.

It was a common theme and well understood symbolization of God as Shepherd giving provision and protection to the sheep, his people of Israel. Here Jesus uses the shepherd and sheep imagery to identify Himself as the Messiah and Shepherd, God promised through the prophet Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 34:23 NASB95

“Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd.

Ezekiel 34:23

When Jesus told the Pharisees and other unbelieving Jews that they were not sheep, it didn’t sit too well because they believed that just being born a descendant of Abraham made them sheep in God’s sheepfold.

In v.7 - Jesus proclaims himself as the door by which the

Illustration: I watched this movie when I was a teenager, called “White Men Can’t Jump.” Anyone familiar with it?

Jesus says even though he had already revealed who he was through this analogy and other means, they had chosen not to believe. They did not believe He was the True shepherd because they were not His sheep.

Illustration: I watched this movie when I was a teenager, called “White Men Can’t Jump.” Anyone familiar with it?

We see in the beginning of the chapter that after the saying of the first 6 verses, Jesus had to go a little more into detail about what he meant. They still didn’t get it, so a little time later at the festival of the Temple dedication, what we call Hanukkah, they ask him just to admit yes or no, are you the Messiah

One of the funny quotes comes from Wesley Snipes character as he is trying to convince Woody Harrelson’s character that he ain’t a basketball player just because he bounces a ball around the court.

He says to him, “Yeah you can stick a cat in the oven but that don’t make it a biscuit.”

He repeats in, v.27, the main distinguishing feature of these True sheep belonging to Him the Good Shepherd- they listen and come when He calls, He knows them personally, and they follow Him wherever He leads.

But says that only those who have faith are Abraham’s sons.

He repeats in, v.27, the main distinguishing feature of these True sheep belonging to Him the Good Shepherd- they listen and come when He calls, He knows them personally, and the follow Him wherever He leads.

Transitional Sentence/Keyword: John, in writing down this teaching and declarations of Jesus to be the Good Shepherd, reveals to us some other distinguishing facts about sheep who follow Him.

Following Jesus Means You have Listened, Believed and You are Going where He Goes.

They were not Abraham’s Spiritual sons. They were not a part of the True Nation of Israel, the Nation of Faith because they did not believe Jesus was their Messiah.

says that only those who have faith are Abraham’s sons.

Jesus says even though he had already revealed who he was through this analogy and other means, they had chosen not to believe. They were not His sheep. They were not a part of the True Nation of Israel, the Nation of Faith because they did not believe Jesus was their Messiah.

Romans repeats what Genesis says about Abraham - He had faith and it was credited unto him for righteousness - the reason we will see Him in heaven.

Romans 4:18 CSB

He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.

Romans 4:

Ephesians 2:8 CSB

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

Galatians 3:9 CSB

Consequently those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.

Galatians 3:

v.22-30 - The first trait of True sheep is they believe the Shepherd because they know His voice. It is what separates the sheep from the goats. Separates the wolves in sheep’s clothing from true sheep.

The first trait of True sheep is they believe the Shepherd because they know His voice. It is what separates the sheep from the goats. Separates the wolves in sheep’s clothing from true sheep.

I became a True Sheep of the True Shepherd only by believing and placing my faith in Jesus Christ for my salvation, some of you did they same for your salvation.

v.3 - The doorkeeper was John the Baptist preparing the way in the wilderness. The calling of the sheep began after Jesus Baptism when Jesus preached “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Some of you need believe Jesus to for your salvation through your repentance.

Once the Holy Spirit transforms us, changing us from the inside, we respond to the Good Shepherd to go where He leads, and live how He tells us in His Word to Live. Sheep follow the shepherd because that is how God made them to do. True Sheep listen and follow. False sheep ignore the Good Shepherd.

The proof of faith is obedience - Follow Me

To Follow Jesus Means You Become Satisfied in Him Alone.

v.9-10 - gives the image of security by way of proximity/closeness and nourishment, which is our spiritual food coming from His Word

How to we get to know Jesus - it begins with reading His Word and continues with spending time talking to him

v.9-10 - gives the image of security by way of proximity/closeness and nourishment, which is our spiritual food coming from His Word

v.10 - What Jesus means by Abundant life is “life to the full” which suggests fat, contented and flourishing sheep. Contentment in Christ means: trusting Him for No fear. No Friction. No Flies. and plenty of Food (Spiritual). True disciples, true sheep live and enjoy life long before it is eternal. This verse alludes to life at its best lived in and for Jesus not for self. It is hard for some Christians to let faith instead of fear be their guide but becoming Satisfied in Jesus is the key

v.14 - Salvation is expressed by the image of “knowing” Jesus through a living experience and relationship with Him.

How to we get to know Jesus and become satisfied in Him? - it begins with reading His Word and continues with spending time talking to him

Illustration: Sheep can withstand dry seasons for several months without water as long as it eats the grass early in the morning while still wet with dew. Rise early and eat from God’s Word and you will survive your dry season.

Sheep do actually have some worthwhile and useful qualities, as long as they remain with the flock.

Illustration:

Following Jesus Includes Your Connecting Fellowship with the Flock for the Good of the Flock and You

The other sheep were Gentiles. You and me if you are not Jewish.

The One flock is a reference to the One Church - the unification of all races, people groups, the two genders and all socio-classes of people - what John shows coming together in revelation.

Illustration: Sheep are remarkable for their mutual affection. The sudden start of showing love and affection by a single member of a flock affects the whole, as if they were connected by nerves of mutual affection.

The sheep-fold, the church is a place of comforting and caring. Affection and Affirmation. Be kind to someone in the church, and see if you do not start a chain reaction that builds the unity of the one flock

Illustration: Their affection for their young, also, is stronger than their love for one another.

Adults, we have some younger sheep that need your attention and direction.

Illustration: Sheep have an amazing tolerance for pain. They do not show pain, because if they do, they will be more vulnerable to predators who look for those who are weak or injured.

Christian do not let the wolves and lions see your hurt. Take it to Jesus. Share it with other Jesus followers in this flock, but always stand together, stand firm and stay connected.

Illustration: A sheep is continually busy in making herself valuable, and multiplying herself or increasing her own growth for the benefit of others.

Christian, don’t look to see how you can be taken care of at church. Move beyond yourself to serve others. Always be busy in making yourself valuable to the flock. Benefit others by using your gifts.

Being around the flock is different than being a part of the flock. God gifts every Christian for the service to their flock, and that is always hindered when a Christian leaves one flock, comes to another but never connects through membership. Non-members cannot serve in all the same capacities as members, even though they may be gifted just the same.

Following Jesus Means You Are Firm in the Father’s Hands

v.28 - This is a main text from which we have our doctrine of the Security of the Believer, which Jesus states in 3 different ways:

Others run away, but the True Shepherd, Jesus protects the sheep, like a literal shepherd lays down at night across the gateway to the pen. To get to the sheep someone has to go through Jesus first.

v. 28 - is one of the greatest promises in the Bible to God’s children. His sheep are forever His sheep. No matter how hard the lion roars, he can never kill you. Jesus is the Great Shepherd who provides protection against the wolves. Sheep, must stay focused on Him. Jesus will remove the wolves and the lions.

I give them eternal life: We didn’t have to be good enough to get or good enough to keep it. It last for forever.

You will never lose your salvation, because it does not come from you, nor will anyone ever snatch you out of the Shepherds hand, because you are protected by the hand of the Father.

They shall never perish: No matter how hard the lion roars, he can never kill your soul. Jesus is the Great Shepherd who provides protection against the wolves.

No one can snatch them out of my hand: The Hand that made the Universe is Wrapped in the Hand of the Father - another allusion to the Trinity. No power greater than God’s including your sin.

Such security comes with a certain level of personal responsibility.

Conclusion:

There is an old story about a brilliant violinist who performed with a major urban symphony. Presumably he served as concert master and occasional soloist. He was heard often and known well by classical music lovers in that city.

On one occasion one of his admirers chatted with him briefly at a benefit luncheon staged by the symphony society. After asking the usual questions about favorite composers, practice time, and guest conductors, the sponsor said to the violinist, “I’d give my life to play as well as you do.” Without missing a beat the musician responded, “I did.”

Biblical writers and Early Christians did not equate salvation with saying a prayer and getting baptized. They worked out their salvation with fear and trembling knowing that following Jesus was a commitment of their life to learning to live like Him.

I hope that you found some encouragement in these facts today about being a True Sheep. If so, let them keep you secure this week as you follow Jesus.

If you felt some convictions about what you need to do, then repent and come follow Jesus, 1st time or again.

Maybe you sensed God calling you to become a part of our sheepfold - through membership in this church. Come and talk with me.

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