What is the Church? 6 - Followers of the Shepherd

Reading: John 10:1-18
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.  John 10:4 (NIV)

I.    Jesus is the Gate

      A.  There are Thieves and robbers

            1.   Not everyone who claims to be a spiritual leader is one.

                   a.   Jesus has been talking with the Pharisees, who knew how to look pious

                   b.   We also know of people who claim to be spiritual leaders but aren’t

            2.   Some are only interested in how the flock can serve them.

                   a.   There are those who will prey on people’s spiritual need for profit or personal power.

                   b.   (Lit.) They don’t come except to “steal and kill and destroy;” (v.10)

                   c.   See Ezekiel 34:17-24

            3.   Others are self-deceived, but still rob us of the Truth.

                   a.   Some are self-consciously spiritual predators, but some aren’t. They’re duped too.

                   b.   They may not intend to harm God’s sheep, but they in fact do.

      B.  Jesus is the Way

            1.   Jesus claims an exclusive role I am the gate for the sheep.

                   a.   We enter the protection of the fold through Him.

                   b.   There is no other way to enter that protection:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)

            2.   Jesus is the way that gives safety and provision for the sheep.

                   a.   We who enter through him ...will come in and go out and find pasture.

                   b.   Jesus is the way that makes us part of the flock — part of God’s people.

            3.   Have you found the way?

                   a.   Jesus is the way and He is opening the way to you.

                   b.   Go to Jesus and He will lead you to life.

      C.  Jesus offers Abundant life (v.10)

            1.   In contrast to the thief, the good shepherd comes to give.

                   a.   Jesus does not come to be served but to serve (Matt.10:28)

                   b.   Jesus lives for the good of the sheep, in contrast to the thief.

            2.   The thing he gives is life

                   a.   What Jesus gives is life: real, full, meaningful, enjoyable, true and free life

                   b.   He gives life to the full—abundant life

            3.   Are you finding it?

                   a.   Are you finding life to the full, as Jesus offers it?

                   b.   That’s what Jesus has come for: to give it to you.

II.   Jesus lays down his Life for His sheep

      A.  We are sometimes Attacked

            1.   Sheep are vulnerable to attack.

                   a.   Just because we are the sheep of his pasture, doesn’t mean we’re immune.

                   b.   There are wolves: Spiritual predators, Spiritual con-artists, Satan himself, The lies we too easily believe

            2.   Notice what happens to the sheep when they are attacked—they scatter.

                   a.   When the sheep are attacked their unity suffers.

                   b.   When the wolf succeeds in destroying the unity the sheep are even more vulnerable.

                   c.   Sheep are supposed to be in groups — like people.

            3.   The mercenary doesn’t really care about the sheep, so he runs from danger.

                   a.   He was never really with the sheep in the first place.

                   b.   Trouble has a way of exposing reality.

      B.  Jesus never runs Away

            1.   Jesus stays with the sheep (I am with you always - Matt.28-20)

            2.   No matter what comes our way we can be sure that Jesus is with us.

      C.  Jesus defends us from Harm

            1.   Because he loves each sheep

                   a.   He treasures each individual sheep.

            2.   Because He will not allow the sheep to be scattered.

                   a.   He loves the flock too and knows they need to stay together.

            3.   No real damage will come to the flock.

                   a.   Though God’s perspective and ours differ, we know that He will not let his sheep suffer a spiritually mortal wound.

III.  Jesus and His sheep Know each other

      A.  I know my Sheep

            1.   Jesus knows us each by name (v.3).

            2.   He understands us because he was one of us. (Hebrews 4:15)

      B.  My sheep know Me

            1.   His sheep recognize his voice.

                   a.   We have heard his voice enough to know it.

                   b.   We hear in his voice his love for us.

            2.   We hear his voice in Scripture

                   a.   He speaks to us through his word.

                   b.   We recognize when something is out of sync with our shepherds voice.

            3.   We recognize His voice in our lives

                   a.   He has led us through some stuff already.

                   b.   Something almost instinctual (actually it’s the Holy Spirit) leads us where he wants us to go.

      C.  Jesus’ sheep follow him Anywhere

            1.   Jesus goes on ahead of us and prepares the way for us.

                   a.   Shepherds in Palestine walked ahead of their sheep, who followed behind.

                   b.   Jesus leads us to good places, and through scary places

            2.   We follow him as naturally as sheep follow their shepherd.

                   a.   We see him leading the way and we follow. That’s just what we do.

            3.   Yea though we walk through the valley of the Shadow of death.

                   a.   If our shepherd leads us in a scary direction, we know he is still leading.

The Bottom Line:

Song: Red 294: Savior Like a Shepherd lead us. (vv.1,3,4)