Jesus Christ: The Good Shepherd

Text: John 10:1-21

I. Watch for deceivers (vs. 1-5).

A. Many people will try to lead you astray.

1. The Bible calls Satan a liar and a deceiver.

2. He will do whatever he can to lead you away from God’s fold.

*Signs to look for*

B. A good Shepherd leads his sheep by example.

1. “Walk where I walk”

2. A pastor should lead by example, taking great care to live as Christ would have him lead, so as not to lead the sheep down the wrong path.

a. Even good Pastors sometimes make the wrong decision.

b. Christ was the only perfect shepherd.

c. Be forgiving and supportive of your pastor.

C. A Shepherd sometimes must lead his flock through hard times to reach a desired end.

1. Psalm 23

2. The shepherd will protect his flock at all costs against the attacks of the devil.

3. The Good Shepherd will guide the earthly shepherds.

II. Parable explained (vs. 6-18)

A. Jesus Christ is the door. He is the only way into the fold.

1. Acts 4:12—“Neither is the salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

2. Anyone who does not enter the fold through Jesus Christ is a liar and is not the true shepherd; beware of “wolves in sheep’s clothing”.

3. A pastor must lead by Christ’s guidance.

4. You cannot be saved unless you call upon Jesus Christ to save you.

B. Through Jesus we find pasture.

1. Jesus provides our sustenance.

2. “Man shall not live by bread alone…” We need Christ to provide meaning and fulfillment in our lives.

3. Without him, we are empty; nothing.

C. A good shepherd is willing to die for his sheep.

1. Jesus Christ laid down his life to provide a passageway for us to get to heaven.

2. All we have to do is simply believe in him and put our trust in him.

D. A good shepherd leads in the effort to bring more sheep into the fold.

1. That does not mean that he is the only one responsible for this chore.

2. The pastor needs your prayers and support (action).

3. God did not make bench-warmers.

a. The Bible clearly shows that no matter the age, everyone can serve God.

b. I was 14 when I surrendered to preach, yet I have no doubt that God can/will use me if I submit to his will.

c. We are in a war—if you can’t shoot, you can at least carry bullets for those who can.

d. The church needs prayer warriors; people who make it their personal duty to pray for all those in the church.

III. Jesus Christ gave his life for us, his sheep, so that we might have eternal life.

A. Just as it was when Christ walked the Earth, so it is now (vs. 19-21).

1. Many people still doubt Christ.

2. It is very important that, whomever you have chosen to be your shepherd, your pastor, you 100% support that person.

B. Jesus Christ willingly died for all the sins of all of mankind. No one made him, he did it because he loved us—everyone—no matter what you’ve done.

IV. Conclusion

Will you put your faith in Christ today? He loves you and he died for you. All it takes is simply calling on his name and asking him to save you. Maybe you are saved, but you fall into another category: “All we, like sheep, have gone astray.” Christ is calling out for you. Will you come back to the fold today? Rededicate your life to the one who gave you life.