2.12.15 3.13.2022 The Good Shepherd John 10.1-18

Start:

Entice: Understanding the Bible requires understanding the intertextual conversations going on between the various texts, particularly the way that New Testament books summarize and conclude long threads of revelation from the Old Testament. Psalm 23 we know well. Ezekiel 34 not as much. The imagery we find in these passages is the background for what Jesus says in John 10. The words written there find fulfillment in Jesus' claims there

Ezekiel 34:11–16 ESV

11 “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

Engage: In John 10 Jesus, having stepped into the world makes that promise a reality. We are His gathered flock. Responding to His voice, following where He leads, receiving and passing along His love and care.

Expand:

John 10:1–18 ESV

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 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. 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.”

Our Shepherd has called us.

Our Shepherd has saved us.

Our Shepherd has gathered us

into His flock, His people, His Church. Built upon His loving care we make it our purpose to help Him to gather the scattered and bring them into the fold.

Excite: The shepherding image is both practical and theological. Shepherds don't just have theories about sheep, lots of sheep anecdotes, and sheep jokes. they know sheep. They are fully invested in their sheep. So, it is with Jesus. As our shepherd Jesus is present, persistent, and patient with us.

Explore:

Jesus is the Shepherd who can lead through this life to the eternal sheep-fold.

Explain: According to Jesus there are several practical characteristics of the Good Shepherd who is also the gate for His flock...

Body of Sermon:

1. Assumes the Risk

1.1 Recognizes threats to the flock.

Sneaks, Thieves, & Robbers.

(Bandits, Bullies, Bamboozlers)

1.2 Provides Security for the flock.

Integrity of the Sheepfold...

Entry to the Sheepfold

Identity to the Sheepfold.

2. Acknowledges our Relationship.

2.1 Right Door.

(I am the door of the Sheep)

2.2 Right Shepherd

(I am the good Shepherd)

Obedience.

Salvation

Abundant Life.

3. Acts Responsibly.

3.1 Knows His flock.

3.2 Calls His flock.

3.3 Sacrifices for His flock.

3.4 Expands His flock

Shut Down:

In an uncertain world Jesus is certain. The cross is His symbol of responsibility. His Church is the venue for a Relationship with Him. He mitigates our eternal risk and engages under-shepherds to extend His loving care within our fallen world.

Sheep listen to their shepherd, learn from their shepherd, follow their shepherd, depend upon their shepherd, and love their shepherd. We love the Good Shepherd because of His gracious love to us.

If you hear His voice, obey. If you feel threatened, come. If you feel lost, follow.