Inside a Shepherd's Shoes

Inside A Shepherd’s Shoes: Sharing A Shepherd’s Heart

Text: John 10:14-18 (NIV)

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to 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 authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

I.        Introduction: Enter the world of the shepherd. The Good Shepherd. Listen to his words, Step inside His Shoes, Sense his Shepherd Heart. It is not presumptuous, it is essential. Thematic Sentence: Only as we share the Shepherd Heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, can we become good shepherds.

II.      Stay Close to your Sheep: Assume A Shepherd’s Relationships of Caring Association

A.      His Pointed Goodness Towards the Sheep

B.      His Perceptive Awareness of the Sheep

C.      His Personal Disclosure to the Sheep

D.      His Protective Care Of the Sheep

III.   Seek The Roaming Sheep: Adopt A Shepherd’s Passion for Wayward Sheep

A.      Sheep that Roam Outside the Shepherd’s Pen

B.      Sheep that Need the Shepherd’s Leading

C.      Sheep that will Heed the Shepherd’s Call

D.      Sheep that will Be a Part of the Flock

IV.    Spend Yourself For The Sheep: Accept A Shepherd’s Lifestyle  of Sacrificial Service

A.      A Life Finding Approval

1.       Personal Sacrifice

2.       Purposeful Sacrifice

B.      A Life Freely Given

1.       A Life Not Taken Forcefully

2.       A Life Given Willingly

C.      A Life Fully Authorized

1.       Authorized to lay it Down

2.       Authorized to Receive it Back

D.      A Life Found Obedient

V.    Conclusion: Let His words lead you for He is not only King of kings, but Shepherd of shepherds. Step into His shoes, for we are called, and His sheep hear His voice and follow. Stay close to your sheep as Jesus is close to you. Seek the roaming sheep as Jesus sought you. Spend yourself for the sheep as Jesus spent Himself for you. Step inside His shoes. Share His heart and seek to be a shepherd. A good shepherd.