The GOOD Shepherd

The Pharisees tried to demonize Jesus.

Others had claimed to be the Messiah or a strong leader who then sold out their own people, or they failed in their efforts.

When the people were left unprotected, they were attacked or dominated by others.

Many had been teaching the people to compromise on many of God’s commands to maintain their authority and comfort.

Their hearts condemned them, so they literally sold Jesus to the Romans.

Many others would come after Jesus ascended to mislead his people.

Some believed God would sacrifice the innocent for his purposes.

Transition: There are many people who demonize or sacrifice others to make themselves look better.

Today, we don’t accuse others of being demon-possessed.

Name-calling, back-biting, obvious sarcasm, and groundless accusation are their tools.

Unfortunately, in this political climate, demonizing is happening from every direction.

Whole races and religions have been demonized for simply looking and/or behaving differently from the group in power.

To demonize another is to make a sacrifice of them for our own purposes.

Transition: If all lives truly matter to us, then we must act/speak like the GOOD Shepherd.

Jesus is the GOOD Shepherd and he gives up his life for his sheep.

Not Good Sheep, Not Bad Sheep, ALL His sheep.

We would be surprised who Jesus says are his sheep.

Jesus did not lay down his life for his sheep for his own honor.

Jesus laid down his life to reveal the unconditional love of God.

Jesus gave up life as the God/Human

The Father had given Jesus the authority to lay down his own life and take it up again.

This was not the consequence of sin, but of his own will.

Those who trust in God’s love, recognize God’s love in Jesus.

Transition: Through Jesus’ death & resurrection, God showed it was essential for Jesus to be near us & here for us to be familiar with his voice

When those outside hear God’s voice they are drawn to God.

God’s sheep speak with one voice, the voice of God, so that his people will be drawn to God.

It is not just speaking about him “we ought to lay down our lives for” others.

We can only do this through the grace of God.

God’s people show God’s love in concrete ways, holding each other up so that God can be seen/heard through them.

God’s people bear and grow the fruit of God’s Spirit.

Final Phrase: When we act/speak with the one voice of the Shepherd all the other sheep will know the GOOD Shepherd and be drawn to him.

The GOOD Shepher makes for a GOOD GOD