I AM: Good Shepherd
Series: Good News to Believe
January 08, 2023
Frank Foreman
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep." --John 10:11 ---------- Biblical images of the shepherd paint a picture of commitment and compassion for the sheep. Whether it is the parable of the Lost Sheep shared by Jesus, or his challenge to the disciples to recognize the need of the people who were like sheep without a shepherd, the clear message highlights the absolute dependance sheep have on their shepherd. ---------- So it is not mere coincidence that Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd for he is responsible for our providence, our protection and our safety. Such is the nature of his role in our lives and in our eternity.
Episode Notes
(Journal) John 10:11, I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Big Idea: Jesus as the Good Shepherd not only describes Himself for us….
He describes those who choose to wear His name.
1. The Good Shepherd loves His sheep.
(Journal) John 10:11-13, I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 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. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
John 15:12-14, This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.
1st John 3:16, By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
2. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep.
(Journal) John 10:14-15, I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
Acts 2:36-37, Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Matthew 7:23, And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’
3. The Good Shepherd unites His sheep.
(Journal) John 10:16, 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.
Luke 15:4, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
Ephesians 2:13, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Next Step: Follow the Good Shepherd in loving, knowing, and unity.
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