What do you call Jesus?
Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Alpha & Omega, Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, Anointed One, Messiah, Emmanuel, My Rock, my Salvation, Righteous Judge, The Way, the Truth, the Life, Son of God, Son of man, Redeemer, Savior, Deliverer, The Good Shepherd
This morning we focus our attention on Jesus as the Good Shepherd and all that that involves.
Body
I. Jesus said He was the Good Shepherd.
(John 10:7-11 NKJV) Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. {8} "All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. {9} "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. {10} "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. {11} "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
A. As the Good Shepherd, He is our protector and defender.
(John 10:10-11 NKJV) "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. {11} "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
1. There is no greater love than that!
(John 15:12-13 NKJV) "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. {13} "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
B. As the good Shepherd, He is our guide.
(Psa 23 NKJV) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. {2} He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. {3} He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. {4} 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. {5} You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. {6} Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
C. He is our comforter.
(Psa 23:4 NKJV) 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.
II. Are we His sheep?
(John 10:2-4 NKJV) "But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. {3} "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. {4} "And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
A. Hearing His voice means doing His will.
(Luke 6:45-46 NKJV) "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. {46} "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?
B. We need to respond to God as our God.
(Psa 95:6-8 NKJV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. {7} For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: {8} "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
III. Are we His shepherds?
A. Jesus wanted Peter to feed His sheep.
John 21:15 (Phillips) - When they had finished breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others?" "Yes, Lord," he replied, "you know that I am your friend." {16} - "Then feed my lambs," returned Jesus. Then he said for the second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," returned Peter. "You know that I am your friend." {17} - "Then care for my sheep," replied Jesus. Then for the third time, Jesus spoke to him and said, "Simon, son of John, are you my friend?" Peter was deeply hurt because Jesus' third question to him was "Are you my friend?", and he said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I am your friend!" {18} "Then feed my sheep," Jesus said to him.”
B. Do we comfort and help others as we should?
1. God says we are to comfort His people.
(Isa 40:1 KJV) Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2. We are comforted that we may comfort others.
(2 Cor 1:2-6 NKJV) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. {3} Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, {4} who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. {5} For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. {6} Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
C. Do we know what God expects of shepherds?
(Ezek 34:1-4 NKJV) And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, {2} "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? {3} "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. {4} "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.
1. God will hold faulty shepherds responsible.
(Jer 50:6 NKJV) "My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill; They have forgotten their resting place.
2. God warns about being leaders or teachers.
(James 3:1 NKJV) My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
IV. He will lead you through the valley.
A. Have you given your life to the Lord?
B. Are you following His leading?
Conclusion
Do you need to be baptized into Christ to claim Him as your good Shepherd?
Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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