Jesus, a shepherd who tends his sheep - the source of maximum life
Promise of Freedom – God Always Had a Plan • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 20:03
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Isaiah 40:10-11, John 10:11, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25
(Based on Sermon Series SRVCC4 Jesus, The Giver Of Real Life! - The Good Shepherd John 10:1-21, 24 July 2005)
Scene 1. We all want to be ‘Living Life To The Max!’
Scene 1. We all want to be ‘Living Life To The Max!’
Isn’t that what all the TV ads tell us?
If we buy this product, or sign up for this service then our life will be so much better.
We will be worthwhile.
And people will look at us with envy.
We have been conditioned to think that life should be about sun, surf & relaxation.
For many of the baby boomers “life to the max” is seen as a right.
There is a huge amount of interest in the grey nomad migration.
In fact so many are jumping on the bandwagon that until a few months ago there was a huge waiting list at most caravan manufactures in Australia.
And a distinguishing feature of this migration is to spend the kid’s inheritance touring Australia.
Many are “living life to the max” on the road.
Aparently with no concern for what happens when the money runs out!
Others in their pursuit of such a lifestyle fall victim to those who claim that they can help us achieve the maximum lifestyle.
If we will just follow their secret plan for success.
Then all will be well.
Every day on facebook and other social media platforms you will see an ad for some sure fire way to make a fortune, to secure your financial future and thereby be able to buy health, wealth and happiness.
We all want to be living “life to the max”
We all want to be living “life to the max”
But how do we know who to listen to?
The people of Israel kept listening to the wrong people and it cost them dearly.
In Isaiah 39:5-8 we find that there is coming a time fo great loss
5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: 6 ‘The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says the Lord. 7 ‘Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.’ ” 8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.”
Not real pleasent stuff being carried of into exile and made into a eunuch.
King Hezekiah’s response seem to me a bit like the spending the kids inheritance sign on the back of some caravans.
Everything is fine as long as I am OK.
In the original Hebrew there were no chapter divisions like we have today so it is incredible to see that straight after this very bad news we read Isaiah 40:10-11 which in the Isaiah Scroll found at Qumran, which is divided into two parallel columns, sits right beside Isaiah 39:5-8
10 Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
Again we see something similar in Ezekiel 34:1-16
Where there is condemnation of the shepherds of Israel, the leaders and rulers of the people in verses 1 to 10 followed by a promise from the Sovereign Lord in verses 11 to 16.
Over and over again we see this ideal of a shepherd, we see the greatest leaders of the people, Moses and King David as actual shepherds in their early years and we see leaders who should be shepherds being rulers and tyrants instead.
Israel listened to the wrong people so often, they follwed the path of get rich quick and comfort instead of devotion to the one true shepherd.
What is the right way, who has the right advice?
What is the right way, who has the right advice?
Jesus often said that he is the light of the world, the good shepherd, the way to true life. (John 9:12, 10: 11,13).
His view of living “life to the max” is to follow him.
You see we need to realize that Christian Discipleship is all about whom we offer our allegiance to.
‘Robbers’ (vs 1,5,8–10)
In John chapter 10 in the parable of the Good Shepherd Jesus describes 3 different sorts of Shepherds.
Verses 1-5 describe a morning shepherding scene.
A shepherd enters through a gate into a walled enclosure, which has several flocks in one sheep pen.
The enclosure, with stonewalls, is guarded at night by a doorkeeper to prevent thieves and beasts of prey from entering.
Anyone who would climb the wall would do it for no good purpose.
By contrast, the shepherd has a right to enter the sheep pen. (10:3-4).
The watchman opens the gate, and the shepherd comes in to call his own sheep by name (out from the other flocks).
Shepherds knew their sheep well and gave them names.
As sheep hear the sound of their owner’s familiar voice, they go to him.
He leads them out of the pen till his flock is formed.
Then he goes out toward the fields with the sheep following him.
If a stranger enters the pen; the sheep run away from him because his voice is not familiar.[1] 10:5-6.
In verse 10 we discover that the person who sneaks into the sheepfold is a thief.
Deception, force and destruction are the result of their action.
Ultimately they don’t care about the sheep.
There are many examples of such people in our society today.
They promise you “life to the max” but take all your money.
The hired hand—does not have the same commitment. (vs 3,12,13)
He is interested in making money and in self-preservation.
If a wolf attacks and snatches away one of the sheep, he runs away and his selfishness causes the flock to be scattered. [2]
Obviously he cares nothing for the sheep.
Such people are fair weather friends.
When times get tough self interest rules and we will find ourselves all alone.
I think the classic example of this is seen over and over again in our court system.
How many examples can you think of of people who were the centre of attention, but when it all goes wrong due to greed or corruption, thinking they are above the law, the entire world seems to abandon them.
Music icons, football star, entrepreneurs.
Money doesn’t buy loyalty.
It only buys attention.
‘Shepherd’/owner (vs 2–4,11,14–18)
In contrast with a hired workman, the Good Shepherd has an intimacy with and personal interest in the sheep.
“I know my sheep,” stresses His ownership and watchful oversight.
“My sheep know me,” stresses their reciprocal knowledge of and intimacy with Him.
Jesus’ care and concern is evidenced by His prediction of His coming death for the flock.
Some shepherds have willingly died while protecting their sheep from danger.
Jesus willingly gave His life for His sheep, His death gives them life.
The other sheep . . . not of this flock refers to Gentiles who would believe. 10:16.
His coming death would bring them also to the Father.
They too will listen to my voice.
Jesus continues to save people as they hear His voice in the Scriptures.
One flock and one Shepherd speaks of the church with believers from Jewish and Gentile “sheep pens” in one body with Christ as Head.[3]
We are talking about long haul commitment, absolute interest in what is best for us,
No matter what the personal cost this is the sort of friend who will stick with you.
Not a forced relationship but genuine friendship,
I expect that we can all give examples of this sort of commitment.
I would hope that your spouse is the principle example in your situation.
The Ultimate example is Jesus.
No quick fixes.
No life is too good to be true approaches.
Simple straight forward absolute commitment to what is best for you.
Scene 5. You see “Living Life to the max”, is our choice!
We can run after the Quick fix solutions.
We can jump on the latest bandwagon or fad.
But in the end these things only bring hurt and pain.
Or we can sign up with the one who is with us for the long haul through life.
Jesus is the one true shepherd, the source of life.
He told us this himself in John 10:11-14.
The New Testament writers understood this as the standard for leadership in the church as we read in 1 Peter 5:1-4
1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
Again in the closing doxology of Hebrews we read these words of blessing
20 Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
[1]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.