The Best Place for a Sheep
Notes
Transcript
Stranger sneaks into your house, says he’s there to take care of your kids. What will they say?
What about a stranger that shows up wanting to live there?
Your house - a safe place for your and your family
It helps to get in if people know you
Not just anyone can come in and stay - forever
READ John 10:1-18
This passage:
Perhaps one of the most comforting in Scripture - and challenging
We need a place of comfort today
Need to feel secure? John 10 is a place to go
The Sheepfold - image
A place of security
Today - in this passage we see simple and amazing truths about Jesus. Jesus is….
1) The Authentic Savior
1) The Authentic Savior
Prophesy - Isaiah 9:6, 53 and hundreds of others
Davidic Line (both Mary, Joseph)
“But I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
False pretenders - Acts 5:36–37
Theudas; Judas of Galilee
Pharisees
Intent on deception, harm, power, self - not e the way they enter, sneakily
Not qualified to lead the Jews, ignoring the Messiah
The thief, robber - trickery, violence intended
Strangers to followers of Jesus
Jesus’ divine works to this point
Miracles, Nicodemus recognizes He is from God
The image here is that God has made the Savior known
And this shepherd knows the sheep - by name
ILLUST: Mixtures of sheep will respond to a shepherd’s calling the sheep by name
And those particular sheep will only respond to that voice
A pretender mimicking the voice will scare the sheep
The sheep hear that voice, no matter what other noise is going on
Jesus is the only legitimate heir of the prophesied “chosen seed” (Eve, Abraham…) - fulfilling the OT revelation
And those who are TRULY His sheep will not follow a stranger
EASY, right? They get this, right? NOPE. So….
2) The Door
2) The Door
Not a door…THE Door
Doors are for entry, and protection
John 14:6 (NASB95)
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
One way, one door to go through
Not universalism (many ways)
Jesus is that door
The way to enter into salvation
The means of protection once inside
EXAMPLE: The door of the Ark
Safely inside
Sheep returning at night:
Counted
Inspected, cared for, anointed with oil if injured
Secured
They only returned through that door, that One door
The sheepfold is amazing, because it belongs to the Good Shepherd - and the sheep inside know they are loved and cared for
3) The Good Shepherd
3) The Good Shepherd
“Good” - so much more than beautiful or useful
His main purpose was the health/salvation of the sheep - offering the best life possible
The relationship is personal
Unlike the hired hand - just for pay
The very life of the shepherd was designed around the well-being of the sheep
This shepherd enters by the door
This shepherd IS the door
This shepherd is willing to die for the sheep
Laying down His life
Willingly sacrificed
(ILLUST across the door opening)
This shepherd is still gathering other sheep
Insecure, lost sheep, who lack protection and safety
Needing the care of the sheepfold
But they do not know the shepherd, so they do not hear His voice
BEST ASPECT OF ALL
The Good Shepherd - Deals with us
? (check time) READ Psalm 23
Then see Ezekiel 34:12 - Prophesied
Ezekiel 34:12 (NASB95)
“…so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them...”
And Ezekiel 34:15
“I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord God.
This was AFTER God’s people rebelled and were sent into exile
The LORD saved us, even after we were sinners
How good is the Shepherd?
The life of this shepherd was willingly laid down for us (three times mentioned…)
…and it was taken up again!!
All under HIS Authority
The power of reconciliation was literally in His hands!
CLOSE - Such a comfort, encouragement, and challenge for us
Good examples for us:
ILLUST: Some sheep not wanting to follow; shepherd places a lamb on shoulder, walks. Momma sheep follows; other sheep follow Momma sheep
POINT: Be an example to others and follow! Someone will follow Him because they witness you following Him
PROBLEM: Following false teachers, “pretending” voices today
Should be afraid of people “sounding” like Jesus but not speaking truth
Motivation
Gotta know truth
IF…you know the Shepherd, you’ll know His Word, and false teachers won’t lure you
ASK QUESTIONS
1 - What does this person say about Jesus? Is Jesus God? Is Jesus the Christ?
2 - Does he preach the Gospel? Good and bad news
Or is it just “God is love” and “God wants you to be happy” or “God wants you to feed the hungry”
3 - What is the teacher’s motivation?
(Jude is a good read to deal with false teaching)
POINT: God knows the names of His sheep
The sheep know His - I AM
All it means is “I IS” or “I AM PRESENT” - with you - in the sheepfold
Let’s tell people the name of the shepherd, invite them to hear that voice
Invite them into the sheepfold
POINT: Are you following Jesus, or a stranger?
Do you need comfort, shelter, spiritually?
It’s right here, in the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd
Make sure you are in that sheepfold
Then trust the Good Shepherd
You were His motivation
You are His present ministry
You will be with Him forever
READ PSALM 23 to close