The Good Shepherd

Introduction:

Amen:

Well, this morning we will be looking at another one of Jesus’ I AM statements in the book of John Chapter 10.

And each I AM statement Jesus is revealing to us something about himself.

I AM is the Old Testament Name for God. So Jesus is God.

But he is also expressing his work as Savior.

So far we have seen that Jesus is:

Jesus is the Bread of Life.

Jesus is the Light of the World.

Jesus is the door to the sheepfold.

And our text today tells us that Jesus is the good Shepherd.

If you are able, I’d ask you to stand with me as we read the word of God together as a corporate body.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

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. 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.”

19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Amen.

Jesus says I am the Good Shepherd.

What does it mean for Jesus to be the Good Shepherd?

First, Jesus is Good.

All the time. All the time God is Good. Right.

But what is Good.

Now Jesus meaning of Good is not what we think of is good.

In gospel conversations all the time, people say they are good.

Or you must be a good person to go to heaven?

Or your good must outweigh your bad?

You see man’s evaluation and understanding of the word Good is different than what Jesus means here.

Jesus means by being the Good shepherd is that he is the

Perfect shepherd , the preeminent one.

He is in a class by himself.

Friends, there is no one like Jesus. No not one.

He is in a class by himself.

Jesus is truly Good and perfect.

And he is the Good shepherd.

Remember he is the shepherd and we are the sheep.

He guides and leads and feeds and protects his sheep.

And he is good at it.

Our shepherd.

But it’s important to know that the word shepherd were we get the word pastor.

And he is to model his ministry after Jesus. guide, lead, feed and protect.

Something else to mention.

In my pastoral ministry class in seminary this semester, my professor wrote this and I think it’s important for all of us to consider.

“All Christians shepherd others, such as loved ones, friends, and people put in the path of our lives.”

So if you are a leader, husband, wife, parent, teacher, or if in any time you are to lead, in a sense you are leading them.

And you must know this. Jesus is your model for leadership.

Leadership is not for your own gain, or for what you get. Not for the acalades and praise.

I’d submit your actually better off doing many things in secret.

Leaders, put others first, lay down their lives for others, they persevere in times of trouble, they love the sheep.

The most important thing is the what’s best for the sheep.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

I’d take for us now to look at

The Characteristics of the Good Shepherd

The Sacrifice of the Shepherd

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

. This is really the thrust of this passage.

Vs 11 Jesus lays down his life for the sheep.

vs 15 I lay down My life for the sheep.

vs 17 I lay down my life.

vs 18 I lay it down myself.

vs 18 I have power to lay it down.

That is five statements by Jesus indicating that he is the Good Shepherd because he lays down his life for his sheep.

Now in vs 10 Jesus is talking about spiritual life and eternal life, but here he refers to his physical life.

Jesus lays down his physical life so that we can have eternal life.

Dies for his sheep.

This is important Jesus died in our place.

This is called Vicarious atonement or Penal substitutionary atonement.

That is Jesus atoned for and took the place of mankind, suffering the penalty for sin, and he was punished for our sins so that we can be reconciled to God.

Jesus death is more than physical death.

He died in our place so we can be saved.

Warren Wiersbe writes:

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Ten: The Good Shepherd and His Sheep (John 10)

While the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient for the salvation of the world, it is efficient only for those who will believe.

So Jesus died for his sheep.

His death is sufficient for the world, but it will only be in effect for those who repent and believe.

Notice that Jesus contrasts himself as the Good Shepherd with Bad Shepherds or False Shepherds like the Jewish Religious Leaders.

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.

The Pharisees didn’t love the sheep. They don’t love other people, but just what benefits them.

They won’t protect the sheep from the Wolf from Satan.

AW Tozer - said - the only safe place for a sheep is by the side of the shepherd. because the devil does not fear the sheep. He fears the shepherd.

That’s good stuff.

The beggar who was healed by Jesus, they didn’t care for him, They cast him out.

It was Jesus who took him in and cared for him.

But notice vs 12 says who does not own the sheep.

The religious leaders did not own the sheep.

The Good Shepherd owns the sheep.

Why?

Because he purchased them.

Jesus bought us with his blood.

He died for us and so we are his.

Maybe that’s what something that resonates with you.

You are not a sheep and Jesus isn’t your shepherd.

Well, Jesus is the door, He is the gate.

He is inviting all of you to enter through the gate this morning.

The sacrifice of the Shepherd

The Shepherd knows 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.

He knows.

I noticed two different words for the word know in John’s gospel

The first is the word that means an intellectual understanding.

That is to know and understand a truth in your mind.

And I think many think that this is all they need to do is know about God.

Have a head knowledge of God.

The other word for Know in John’s Gospel is the word that means an intimate relationship.

The relationship between God and man.

So when this says that Jesus knows his Sheep it’s speaking of a relationship.

He knows us and his sheep know him.

The sheep get to know him better.

Isn’t that what you do in a relationship?

Get to know each other better.

It’s important that we hear the voice of God, The Bible.

That we follow Jesus and Learn to love him.

2 Peter 3:18 ESV But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Maybe that’s you this morning a Christian. But you haven’t been growing in your relationship with Jesus.

You know about him. And you may know him personally, but you are just stagnant.

Often we can get so busy in life, We can do so much for God and the Church, yet never get to know him more.

I encourage you to seek after Jesus and grow in your knowledge of him.

Spurgeon said Christ sheep will not be offended by Christ’s voice.

The Shepherd Unites the Sheep

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.

So there’s one fold we’ve been talking about.

Then there’s another fold or group of sheep.

They will be brought into this fold.

And they will make one flock.

The other fold is the Gentiles.

At one time, the Jews were outside the covenant of Israel.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

So there is now one flock. The people of God.

God has people of every tribe, language, and tongue from all over the world that are his sheep.

Jesus laid down his life for the world, and that is why we continue to make disciples.

If Jesus unites the Sheep, then we should be united.

Maybe this is speaking to you this morning.

Maybe you need to reach out to someone for reconciliations.

To be united. One. One Lord. One Savior. One Flock.

The Shepherd Takes Up His Life

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.”

Twice Jesus says he is going to lay down his life and take it up again.

He is going to willfully die on the cross.

And he is going to be resurrected.

This is the ultimate proof of his diety and of his saving power.

Jesus didn’t just die and remain in the grave.

Every other person who died is dead and in the grave.

Jesus wouldn’t be any different.

But he has power over the grave.

He voluntarily dies and he is victoriously raised from the dead.

My God’s not dead he’s surely alive.

Jesus is is the Good Shepherd.

He is alive and seated at the right hand of the Father.

And because Jesus was raised so will we. This gives us hope.

The Message of the Shepherd brings Division

19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

So with Jesus and his teachings.

So with Christianity and the Truth.

It causes division.

Just look at our society and culture. We are divided.

Some of them said Jesus had a demon.

Others realized he was from God.

This is but an analogy of what Jesus was just teaching.

The sheep hear his voice and the others don’t.

As we close:

We are going to have our invitation.

I’m going to pray.

Mrs. Jan is going to lead us in Jesus Paid it all.

As soon as I say Amen, I invite you to do business with the Lord.

Maybe you’ve never been saved. I invite you to come.

Maybe your a wondering sheep. A lost sheep. A Christian but you need to come home to the Father.

Some of you have been trusting in religion. Trusting in yourself and in doing good.

Some of you just need to know him more.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

He died but now he is alive.

Surrender your life to him today.

I’m going to read the words to Jesus paid it all.

I want you all to just think deeply on these words.

Close your eyes if need be.

But think on such things. Then I’ll pray.

Jesus Paid It All

1 I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small, Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all."

2 Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow'r and Thine alone, Can change the leper's spots And melt the heart of stone. [Refrain]

3 For nothing good have I Where-by Thy grace to claim; I'll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb. [Refrain]

4 And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete, "Jesus died my soul to save," My lips shall still repeat.

Refrain: Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

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