The Good Shepherd Lives!
Notes
Transcript
Handout
These past few weeks, we have been considering the impact of Christ’s resurrection on the early church and what the resurrection means to us as we continue Christ’s work. There are so many ways Christ’s resurrection can be proclaimed on Resurrection Sunday because the cross is the theme that runs through the entire Scripture.
I want to first consider Jesus’ attitude toward death because it was very different than the common, human attitude.
Most people tend to run from death and cling to life.
Death is not something we look forward to and people tend to fear it. Life is desirable, and this is by God’s design. God is pleased when we enjoy His creation and when we read the first 2 chapters of Genesis, Adam and Eve lived in a perfect, sinless state. For a very short time, they thoroughly enjoyed God’s creation and lived in perfect harmony with God, creation, and each other.
Then that tragedy struck that I spoke about the other night. The serpent poisoned man’s heart against God and that poison initiated the curse of sin upon all generations to come. Our just God had to assign a weighty consequence for breaking God’s law, for the poison on our hearts. "And so death passed upon all men because all have sinned.”
The beautiful thing is that God chose to give us another chance which we can read of in...
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
That is the message we celebrate this morning! Eternal life with God is possible! Physical death is the final consequence that God’s children will ever need to endure and we will only physically die one time...
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
Jesus, coming as a baby, accepted the consequence that came with being human.... death. Before He came to earth, Jesus knew He would die, how he would die, and when he would die. His attitude was different from most human’s: He did not run from death, he embraced it.
English Standard Version Chapter 2
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus was God and was greater than death. He was God and was working out God’s will because sin cut humanity off from the relationship that He designed us for. God was pleased when He walked and talked in the Garden with Adam and he chose to make that relationship possible again.
Jesus, being God was both compelled and desirous to follow the plan God the Father established. He was compelled to obey, compelled to love, and compelled to bring glory to the Godhead. Jesus proved that...
Life & Death are in God’s Hands (JN 10:24-39)
Life & Death are in God’s Hands (JN 10:24-39)
At least three times, the Jews determined to kill Jesus. (The Jews attempted to kill Jesus, but it wasn’t Jesus time to die.)
One attempt on Jesus’ life is found in Jn 8:20.
20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
Jesus had been speaking about how He was the light of the world. He alone could save people from their sins but the people rejected His message. They determined to arrest him, but God prevented the arrest because Jesus time had not yet come. Life was in God’s hands.
We find a more escalated crowd in Jn 10.
24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them in verse 30… “I and the Father are one.”
31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands."
Jesus was faithfully completing the good and perfect works of God. His actions matched His words and matched God’s power that was consistent throughout the Scriptures the Jews had access to. Jesus truly was God’s son. The Jews not only missed the signs that Jesus was Savior, but they also missed the signs of God the Father who they claimed to know and serve. They determined to kill the Messiah.
Note the stark contrast between Jesus’ goodness and the Jew’s wickedness. Jesus said in verse 32, “I have shown you many GOOD WORKS from the Father; which one are you going to stone me for?” These people didn’t like what Jesus had revealed about their hearts and they were going to repay Jesus’ good deeds with evil. They thought they could kill Him and remove His influence, but again, God was in charge of life and death. It wasn’t Jesus time to die so He escaped from their hands. By the way, this escape wasn’t a frantic, frightened escape, for God nor the Son of God knows fear.
Yet third time, the people tried to kill Jesus. This instance is recorded in...
28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.
Note the calm response in verse 30. Jesus passed through their midst and simply went away. Jesus knew life and death were in God’s hands. There was no need to be afraid.
It wasn’t Jesus’ time to die, and so Jesus lived. Then we get to Mt 16:21 and learn....
Pilate attempted to release Jesus, it wasn’t Jesus time to live. For the sake of time this morning, I simply want to give you with three verses, Mt 16:21, Jn 18:11, Jn 19:11. (Pause)
Jesus proved that God has complete power over life and death. The Jews could not take his life without the proper authority and Pilate could not give Him life without the proper authority.
God held that authority and Jesus was prepared to lay down His life for His sheep.
(Jesus Gave Life for His Sheep) (Jn 10)
(Jesus Gave Life for His Sheep) (Jn 10)
Perhaps Jesus mission of laying down his life was explained no more beautifully than in Jn 10 starting in verse 7.
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
(Jesus is the door) Jesus described himself as the door, the only way into the sheep-fold of Heaven. Sheep folds did not have have doors. Instead, a shepherd would sit of lay across the opening of the pen. The shepherd was acting as the door. Nothing entered or exited without the shepherd’s knowledge or permission.
Salvation is given to Jesus and only through Him may sheep may enter into the fold. If a sheep were to enter into the shepherd’s care, that sheep need to walk by Jesus as he stood there, wary of wild goats and imposters. That sheep, by walking past Jesus acknowledged that Jesus was now it’s lord and shepherd. There was only one path into Jesus’ fold… through the open door.
When sheep come to Him, they enter Jesus’ protection. (Jesus is the protector)
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
There is no safety, rest, or security outside the protection Jesus offers. Satan, that great roaring lion is the thief mentioned in verse 10. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Actually, there is a little word right before Satan’s actions are described.... do you see that little word “only?” Satan ONLY comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Nothing good will come from following Satan: only death and destruction come from him.
God is restraining sin at the moment, but once He removes the church and the influence of the Holy Spirit from the earth, Satan will grow in power. Revelation paints a bleak and horrific picture of life on earth when ruled by Satan. Revelation ....
20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.
The blood was as high as a horse’s bridle for 151 of our miles. That is approximately the distance from Buffalo to Youngstown, OH. Satan only comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
It is also important to remember that mankind was made in God’s image. Humanity reminds Satan of God. All creation was created by God and God called it good. His good creation reminds Satan that God exists. Satan cannot stand being reminded that God is sovereign, so he attempts to steal, kill, and destroy everything God had created.
During this age of the Holy Spirit, the church age, those sheep Jesus has called, are coming into the fold, not out of a fear of Satan, but out of response to a loving God who has revealed the truth to them about Satan....
Jesus is the good shepherd. (v11)
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
The good shepherd is a willing protector for those in His care. He will stand and fight the lion and the wolves. The hired hand does not love the sheep. The hired hand loves his own life more than he loves the flock. The hired hand does not fend off danger to the flock. The sheep know this and, in verse 5, don’t listen to the voices of thieves and robbers. They don’t know or trust them. They know the true voice of the Savior, they know the good deeds of the Savior and follow Him alone.
They know that if they follow the wrong wrong voice, sudden death awaits them.
Imagine the gruesome scene of a wolf pouncing on a sheep. As the wolf snatches the wandering sheep in verse 12, it’s teeth pierce the sheep’s jugular and deep red blood stains the perfect white wool.
Remember those three times the people determined to kill Jesus? They had been angered by every word that proceeded out of Jesus mouth. Jesus flat out told them, “you are not my sheep, so you don’t understand what I am speaking. To you it is not given to understand the mysteries of Heaven.” They proved they were not sheep. They bared their fangs, threw off the wool, and attempted to kill God’s perfect lamb.
Wise sheep know the dangers of following wolves. They are aware of the tragic consequences that await them when they wander from Jesus’ voice and protection. Jesus will is for His sheep to live by His every word. Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Jesus are true, good, and pure. With this goodness, Jesus leads his flock. When we sin, when we stray from the protection of Jesus voice, allowing us to fall off cliffs, become entangled in the thorns and brambles, and face all kinds of other harm.
Sheep need a good shepherd, so Jesus work was not complete. More sheep needed to enter his fold. Let’s read on in Jn 10:16...
16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Jesus is the sacrifice. (Jn 10:16)
He calls sheep into the fold and he allows sheep to enter into the fold. He said other sheep were out there who had not yet entered the fold. What the Jews did not yet understand was that this statement meant salvation was not only for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles. These other peoples would not follow a different shepherd. All sheep across all nations, tribes, and tongues would unite under Jesus.
Jesus prophesied that he was sacrificing his life. That was the only way to bring sheep into the fold. That sacrifice was God’s good plan. Only the good shepherd, only the owner of the sheep would be willing to make such a sacrifice. Jesus declared in this passage that He is God. He has the authority over life. He could give up his life when He saw fit to do so. Then, as if his own authority was not sufficient, he said, “by way, I am fulfilling my directive from God, the Father.”
The Jews could not kill him, Pilate could not save him. The moment and method had been predetermined, but Jesus would not remain dead the grave could not contain His power! The grave had no permanent hold not authority over Him! Jesus is resurrected. (Jn 10:18)
In just a little tidbit in verse 18, Jesus foretold his resurrection. It was just a little blurb, easy for His followers to miss. “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again.” He was not only the willing sacrifice, but would become the resurrected Savior. Jesus had complete power over the grave!.........
Atonement was made. (Jesus’ Atonement was Complete.)
Atonement was made. (Jesus’ Atonement was Complete.)
The sheep were delivered from the eternal damnation that is found in.... Sin came into existence and therefore now separates fellowship with God. (Is 59:2)
15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Christ defeated death, Christ crushed death, Christ released His sheep from eternal suffering, but hell is not the worst consequence the unsaved will face. Please catch this..... hell is not the worst consequence unbelievers will face. Punishments are designed to turn someone away from harm. We discipline our children because a short moment of pain prevents greater and more lifelong harm in life’s journey. Unbelievers know punishment is coming and this is perhaps one great and good motivator for turning to God, but a much greater consequence exists.
2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
Jesus resurrection has little to do with hell. Salvation is not focused on deliverance from hell. Adam walked and talked in the garden with God. Jesus was focused on the relationship we would again have with him. That is what the work of Christ was about. (The Resurrection is not about deliverance from hell. 2 Ths 1:9)
9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
The Resurrection is about restored fellowship with God. (2 Ths 1:9) That is the point of salvation.
Consider the disciples’ response when Jesus’ foretold His death in the upper room at the last supper.
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
The disciples were TROUBLED. They were going to be separated from God. They were distressed. They would no longer be with Jesus. Thomas wanted to follow Jesus, but was confused.. “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus responded, “No one comes to the Father.” Note, walking to the father is approaching Him, desiring a relationship with Him. Jesus did not respond, “No one walks away from hell except through me.” The focus is on and must be on the father!
Consider the disciples’ response when the tomb was found empty....
Mt 28:1-8 “Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
They responded with fear at the power of the angel and likely because they realized the true impact of the moment. Jesus was greater than death! They ran with great joy.... they would see their beloved Savior again! Jesus was alive! The disciples rejoiced because they could walk and talk with Him again! Forget Hell, focus on worship! We can’t worship something if we are not looking at it.
When the muslims pray, they face the object of their worship… Mecca. When Nebuchadnezzar set up his his towering image, his royal subjects were to worship facing it. How can we worship something if our faces are not set toward the object we long to see most desperately? One last verse...
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Jesus, the Good Shepherd loved us above all else. He gave his life for us. He protected the flock from loss of eternal fellowship. He rose from the dead so we could be alive together with Christ and have eternal life celebrating his might and glory. Christ is risen..... (He is risen indeed?)
