The Good Shepherd Sermon

Jesus: The Good Shepherd

Title: Jesus: The Good Shepherd

Story: Moving to Timber Hills and buying goats...

Big Idea: You have a Good Shepherd, His name is Jesus.

Passage: John 10:1-18 (Read with passion)

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Background:

THE DOOR

“for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” - Ephesians 2:18

THE ENEMY

How many of you know that the enemy is not your friend? He does not have your best interest at heart. He wants nothing more than to see you crushed under guilt and shame. He delights in your pain. His tactics are sly. He’s not afraid to get you in the long game if he can’t take you out now. He is a roaring lion seeking to devour you.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Main Points:

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF SHEEP (WE’RE ALL SHEEP)

   1. PRONE TO WANDER, DEFENSELESS, AND DEPENDENT ON A SHEPHERD

   2. SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD (OR BAD SHEPHERD)

      1. ISOLATED

         1. They wander off and get lost.
         2. They often don’t even know they are lost.

         3. Illust: goats getting lost 2. HUNGRY

         4. They need a shepherd to lead them to good pasture.

         5. Malnourished 3. IN DANGER

         6. They are defenseless.

         7. Without a shepherd they will die.

         8. “Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” - Matthew 7:15 ESV 4. AFRAID

         9. Constantly stressed and anxious

         10. Hate the rain
         11. Fear the storm
         12. Can anyone relate?
             3. SHEEP WITH A SHEPHERD

      2. COMPANIONSHIP

         1. The Good Shepherd goes with you. He never leaves you nor forsakes you.

         2. He goes with you, even if you walk away. “Where can I hide…” 2. NOURISHMENT

         3. Food, shelter, comfort... 3. PROTECTION

         4. 1 Peter 5:8 - roaring lion and the enemy attacking you in your most vulnerable state.

         5. Illust: snake charmer

         6. Illust: idea of sitting at the king's banquet and the enemy is at the gate. 4. GUIDANCE

         7. They find direction, which they need because they are prone to wander.

         8. CHARACTERISTICS OF A HIRED HAND

   3. SELFISH

      1. It’s all about the money.

      2. What do I get out of it.

         2. UNFAITHFUL

      3. When something better comes along, they are out!

         3. PASSIVE

      4. Illust: guard shack at holy land

         4. SHORT-SIGHTED

      5. They’re not thinking about the long game.

      6. For them it’s a season, not for life
      7. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SHEPHERD

   4. DIRECTS

      1. “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” - Proverbs 16:9
      2. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” - Psalm 37:23
      3. Question: Have you ever been stuck or lost and you don’t know what to do?
      4. Illust: My life verse

      5. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

         2. CORRECTS

      6. Correction is more than discipline, it is restoration.

      7. A shepherd’s rod and staff guide the sheep and bring them back. They comfort (Psalm 23:4).

      8. A loving Father doesn’t discipline His children for the sake of making them better kids, He disciplines to teach them the importance of obedience, respect, and truth.

         1. Because a good and loving Father wants the best life for his children.
         2. So our Father in Heaven wants the best life for His children. 4. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” - Hebrews 12:11
            3. PROVIDES

      9. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19

      10. You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. - Psalm 16:11

          4. PROTECTS

      11. “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?” - Luke 15:4

      12. Question: Why would He leave the 99?

          1. He knows the 99 still have each other and are safer together. The 1 lost sheep is most vulnerable in isolation.

          2. Because He loves going after the 1. He loves the 1 so much, that He RISKS IT ALL to go after you! 3. Christ came to rescue His flock

          3. “So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another. 23 And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them.” - Ezekiel 34:22-23

Big Idea: You have a Good Shepherd, His name is Jesus.

Walking Points:

1. RECEIVE THE INVITATION

   1. “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6
   2. “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28

   3. STAY CLOSE TO THE FOLD

   4. “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:25

   5. Illust: Do life with a crew! The best you is found in a crew. :)

      1. When you have a community of people that are rallied behind you, then you feel unstoppable. You walk with a little more confidence than before. It doesn’t take the challenges away, but it gives you strength and encouragement to make it through.
      2. You are most vulnerable when you are alone and isolated.
      3. Don’t just look for community, build it. Get someone’s phone number, call them up, grab a coffee, dive into the word together, pray together, ask the hard questions, lean in and put in the work.
      4. FOLLOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD

   6. “Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am.” - John 12:26

   7. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” - Matthew 16:24-26

Psalm 23 (Read Together)

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

Let’s pray.