Easter 2022, John 10:14-18

“The Good Shepherd”

John 10:14-18

Pray

Intro - Why are we here? Why is Easter so good? Why is Easter so celebrated? Why do even the nominally religious attend church on Easter?

Why do we celebrate Easter?

Answer - It is when sin and death is conquered.

The 2 things in our life that humankind has not been able to have complete victory over has been conquered for us.

-When Jesus rose from the grave He showed his power over sin, Satan, and death.

-Jesus’ resurrection makes a way for the Follower of Christ to have ultimate and final victory over sin, Satan, and death. Jesus conquered sin, Satan, and death for those who would follow Him.

-Christ Follower, you have been saved from sin, Satan, and death.

-One day your cold lifeless body will lie in a grave. While your spirit is in heaven, their is still hope for your body. Upon Christ’s return our bodies will be raised up- and transformed into physical bodies that are heavenly and eternal.

Transition - What Kind of God will do that? A good God. In our passage today we see just that. Jesus is “A Good Shepherd”.

I. Jesus is a Shepherd, vs. 14

What does a Shepherd do?

A shepherd leads. He leads His sheep.

-Are you a sheep of Jesus? Do you follow Him?

-It is Jesus desire to lead you spiritually.

-It is not only Jesus desire to lead you spiritually, but it is His plan to lead you spiritually.

-You are at your best when you are being led by Jesus.

What Kind of Shepherd is Jesus?

-He is a good Shepherd. vs 11

-There are 2 main goals that Jesus works from.

-That His Father the Lord of the sheep would be glorified.

-That Jesus sheep would grow and be healthy Spiritually.

-When you allow Jesus to lead you. He always leads you in a way that will point you to the greatness of God and will help you grow spiritually.

-Why? Because He is good.

-We don’t always like the way Jesus leads us.

Like a loving parent or a good coach - Jesus leads us into what we need, not always what we want.

-Know this. Jesus is always good.

Illustration - In C.S. Lewis’ book “The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe”

Many of the characters in the book are animals. These are smart animals who can talk.

The character in the book who represents Christ is played by a Lion named Aslan.

I want to share with you a quote of one of the characters in the book, an intelligent beaver, who is explaining to a little girl about the Christ Lion named Aslan.

(On Screen) “Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

-Jesus isn’t safe, he asks you to give your life to Him.

He asks you to give up control of your life, which is terrifying.

-He may command you to do something that you normally would never do on your own.

-But, in the end, you will come to see that Jesus is good.

-There is no one better that you can trust you life with than a God who loves you and is good.

-The question is, Will you trust Him?

-Jesus is not only good and perfect morally. He is good as the shepherd and leader of your life.

-He is the great leader, you will ever encounter.

-Will you let Him lead you? Pause

Transition - In His goodness He has provided for you.

-How has He provided for you?

-Eternally, Spiritually, He provides for your soul. (DON’T UNPACK THIS.)

-Why does He need to provide for you?

-You are broken. Your sin and selfishness has wrecked your relationships with God.

-God is Holy and he is perfect.

-Your sinfulness and selfishness is rebellion against God’s perfection and love.

-Because God is not only a good shepherd, but also a good judge, He will not let sin go unpunished.

So for all of us who sin there is a:

-Sentencing of judgement

-God is not only a good judge, but he faithfully executes judgement.

-What is the judgement?

-God’s judgment is an eternity separated from Him in a fiery place called Hell.

That leaves you with a heavy problem.

A problem that you cannot fix.

-Someone who is deeply broken can rarely fix themself.

In God’s great goodness and love, He has offered a solution through Jesus.

You are sheep? Move this to below verse 15.

What does that mean?

-??? There are 2 kinds of sheep.

Jesus sheep and those who do not belong to Jesus.

Jesus Sheep hear his voice and follow Him vs. 16

“They listen to my voice.”

Transition -

What is the most powerful way that Jesus - Is a good shepherd?

vs. 15.

II. Jesus Has Laid Down His Life

Read verse 15

John 15:13 ESV

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the president of the Ukraine.

He is wildly popular because he did not flee the country when the war with Russia began.

Most of us thought at the start of the war, this man is going to die. We tought, They will come for him first. He will be martyred for his country.

We saw a man willing to lay down his life to lead his people.

In Zelenskyy’s love for his country and desire to lead his people, his willingness to die for his people - has garnered him a great amount of respect.

Transition - Volodymyr Zelenskyy can not come close to doing what The Son of God has done.

What did Jesus with His great love?

As 100% God and 100% man Jesus made a payment for sin.

As a sinless sacrifice. A perfect sacrifice, Jesus took the weight of sin on Himself.

In Jesus suffering, He was whipped within inches from death.

-A crown of thorns pierced the head that knew you before you were born.

He willingly went to the cross.

-9 Inch nails pierced that hands that touched and healed the sick.

Why? Why? Why? Would God sacrifice himself in this way?

Because He loves you. Because He wants to offer you forgiveness of sin.

He invites you to a love relationship that starts with you fully trusting Him and God completely forgiving you.

-There are some in this room right now who are experiencing God stirring in your heart. This is Him calling to you to come to Him in faith.

Will you right now say to Jesus. “I trust you. I believe you died for my sin. I give all of myself to you.” Move this tol the end.

Transition - Jesus is good. He has laid down his life for his sheep.

Transtion - And Jesus loves his sheep.

III. Jesus loves His sheep. vs. 15-16

Read verse 15-16

How do we know Jesus loves His sheep?

He voluntarily lays down His life for them.

Who are Jesus Sheep?

-Jews believed only they would be saved.

-Only they were the Messiah’s sheep.

Vs. 16-Jesus says that He has other sheep.

-There would be Gentiles, Non-Jews that would be saved.

-This is you… When we look into Genesis we see a man named Abraham. God tells Abraham that it is His plan to bless many nations.

-God did not hold his love and goodness to just one group of people.

-God desired and planned from the very beginning to bless you.

Will you let Him?

Will you follow Him?

Transition - So far we have seen that Jesus is a good shepherd, that he loves his sheep, and that He has laid down His life for His sheep.

Now we see in our passage, that Jesus life was not taken from Him, but that He willingly gave His life.

IV. Jesus Authority over His death and resurrection

Read, vs. 17-18

-Illustration, Arrest Falling to the ground

-When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Jesus asked, “Who do you seek?” They said, Jesus of Nazareth. Using the most holy name for God in Hebrew Jesus identified Himself “I AM - He”.

-The soldiers and the mob, fell to the ground. No one touched them.

The spoken power of God - The spoken words of Jesus - knocked them down.

-A mob of men, including many soldiers where knocked to the ground with 3 very important short words. “I AM -HE”

-No one took Jesus life from Him. He willingly laid it down.

-The soldiers did not arrest a week spiritual teacher.

-THE SON OF GOD - Allowed himself to be led like a lamb to the slaughter.

-How does verse 18 describe Jesus life being sacrificed?

John 10:18 (ESV)

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord...

-There was no need for the soldiers to bind Jesus hands. Jesus never fought. He never resisted.

-He came into this world to be a sacrifice for sin.

-We see through this passage and many others like it, Jesus prophecied of his death and resurrection many times.

-Jesus death and His resurrection was no surprise to Him.

-He planned it all along.

Again, verse 18

John 10:18 (ESV)

18 … I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again...

Jesus has power and authority of life and death.

Not only to sacrifice His life, but the power and authority to raise himself to life.

Through His resurrection He showed His great power and authority over sin, satan, and death.

He has the authority and power as the Son of God to forgive you of your sin and lead you in a new life?

Closing?

Big Illustration?

Will you trust Him?

Will you let Him lead you?

V. Closing.