God Our Shepherd
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· 5 viewsSo often we see that people acknowledge God saves us through Jesus, but it is just as vital, maybe even more so, that we recognize God shepherds us through Jesus as well.
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INTRO
INTRO
Misunderstandings happen
When we recognize God for who He is, we must do so understanding His terms.
When God saves us, He saved us from sin’s penalty, He is saving us from sin’s power, and He will save us from sin’s presence.
We must understand that He is desiring to lead us and guide us into new life that is different from our previous life of self-centered sinfulness.
God cannot merely be our Savior…He must be our Shepherd!
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even 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 overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to 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 comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 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. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 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. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
1) GOD NOURISHES
1) GOD NOURISHES
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
He Provides (vs. 1)
He loves us and provides what we need. When a place becomes too barren in our lives, our shepherd guides us into a healthier place.
He Refreshes (vs. 2-3a)
IF we will listen to our Shepherd, He desires to lead us to a place that is best for us. His desire is for our souls to be refreshed and restored.
He Directs Safely (vs. 3b)
“Name’s sake” means character or reputation.
God will lead us according to His character…His holiness and righteousness.
The places He leads us to will be for our ultimate God.
God desires to Nourish our souls for our greatest good for His name’s sake.
This same God who never changes shows us the same character and desire through Jesus!
Jesus Provides
John 10:7-9 “7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” )
Jesus Refreshes
John 10:10 “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Jesus Directs Safely
John 10:14-16 “14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 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.”
2) God is Near
2) God is Near
4 Even 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.
God comforts in danger
Dark times will come
God is with us at all times
God’s Word comforts
Jesus comforts in Danger
Dark times will come
John 10:10 “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Jesus is with us at all times
John 10:14 “14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,”
Jesus’ Word comforts us
John 10:4 “4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
3) God Never Stops
3) God Never Stops
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
God constantly blesses
God blesses during difficulty (vs. 5)
God blesses throughout life (vs. 6)
Jesus constantly blesses
Jesus blesses during difficulty
John 10:11-13 “11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 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. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”
Jesus blesses throughout life
John 10:16-18 “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. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.””
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Jesus is with us always…even to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20) Whether in good times or bad times…He is our shepherd. Do you listen to His voice? Do you let Him guide you? We cannot merely recognize that God saves us…He must be our shepherd…We must listen and obey as He leads, guides, and protects our lives.