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JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD (Outline)

May 3, 2020 - Easter 4 - JOHN 10:11-16

INTRO.: Who is in charge? Who is in charge of our lives? Who has the answer?
Who really knows the truth? These questions are swirling in the minds of many in
our society. Maybe even in our own minds. Or homes. Today we gather around the
Word of God for the answers to all these questions. Simply put Jesus IS the answer.
Always is. Always will be. We find great comfort in the knowledge that our Savior
Jesus Christ is also our Good Shepherd. He guides us. Directs us. Provides the
answers to our most pressing needs. "Like a shepherd he will care for his flock.
With his arm he will gather the lambs. He will lift them up on his lap. He will gently
lead the nursing mothers” (ISAIAH 40:11). Our Good Shepherd cares…gathers…
lifts up…gently leads us. Comfort. Joy. JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. I.
Jesus sacrifices for the flock. II. Jesus seeks out other sheep.

I. JESUS SACRIFICES FOR THE FLOCK


A. Verse 11. “I am the Good Shepherd.” The word for good here means not just
good but great, best.
1. Jesus was the Good Shepherd because he was the perfect Shepherd for
imperfect sheep.
2. “The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Only the Good
Shepherd would do that.
B. Verse 12. Hired man was paid to watch over the sheep. Wolf comes. Hired
man leaves.
1. These sheep are not his. His life worth more than a sheep’s life. Runs
away.
2. The wolf attacks the sheep. Attack = snatch. Later no one will snatch
from Jesus’ hand.
3. Verse 13. Hired concerned more about money. Only the Good Shepherd
loves the sheep.
C. Verse 14. Again, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Jesus knows his sheep and his
sheep know him.
1. Verse 15. This knowing very intimate. Same knowing of Father and Son
and sheep.
2. Jesus is the only Shepherd who always will and always does lay down his
life for sheep.

D. “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”
This is profound. Jesus lays down his life for his sheep. No questions asked. The
Lord Jesus knows us intimately. Knows us inside and out. Our hearts are darkened
by sin. Our thoughts are clouded with wickedness. Still, the Good Shepherd
willingly, freely gives up his life for his wandering, wayward sheep. "Jesus Christ…
gave himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a
people who are his own chosen people, eager to do good works” (TITUS 2:14). We
are God’s own people. His chosen people. We are saved by God’s choice. This is
grace. Undeserved love. God chose us to be his own.

E. A danger for the flock of sheep is the ravenous wolf. Wolves attack. Scatter.
Destroy. They are dangerous to the welfare of the sheep. Jesus uses this language
to remind us of the dangers of those who oppose us. It is no mistake that the Lord
Jesus Christ described false teaches as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Double danger
of false teachers. They are wolves. They are disguised. We need to be alert. Do
not listen to the voice of strangers. Especially not strange teachings. We want to
listen to God’s voice. "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as
shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on guard against people"
(MATTHEW 10:16, 17a). As sheep we would be no match against wolves. As
God’s sheep we are not alone. Our Good Shepherd is always guarding his flock.

F. The life of Jesus was a life of sacrifice. The sacrifices that Jesus made were for
our benefit. For our salvation. For our eternal welfare. Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
We are not able to save ourselves. No sacrifice is ever enough. That is, of course,
humanly speaking. Our Good Shepherd is also that Lamb of God who takes away
the sins of the world. “And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for
us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (EPHESIANS 5:2). Our Good
Shepherd changes our lives forever. Jesus’ sacrifice teaches what love is. Teaches
us how to love. Live.

JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. Jesus willingly and freely sacrifices himself for
the flock.
II. JESUS SEEKS OUT OTHER SHEEP
A. Jesus emphasized to the crowd that he was the Good Shepherd. They needed to
hear. Believe.
1. In verses 1-10 Jesus told the crowd he was the door. Only one Way to enter
into flock.
2. The previous verses stated that the crowd did not understand what Jesus
was saying.
3. It was all so simple. Jesus was the door. Jesus was the Good Shepherd.
Both.
B. Verse 16a. Here was a harder statement to understand. “I…have other
sheep…not of this flock.”
1. What? The Jews thought they were the only chosen ones. The only
children of God.
2. Verse 16b. Nope. There were other sheep. Jesus: “I must bring them
also.” Jesus’ called.
3. Verse 16c. Jesus did call others. They listened to Jesus’ voice calling.
Became his sheep.
C. Verse 16d. The other sheep become part of God’s flock. Jesus is their God
Shepherd.
1. Gentiles were the other sheep. Now included as God’s sheep. One flock.
One shepherd.
2. Gentiles would be grafted into the Vine. By grace, faith became children of
Abraham.

D. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We rejoice because the Lord Jesus lived in this
world to seek and to save the lost. He did this because of his love and mercy to
provide eternal salvation to lost sheep. Lost souls. Jesus sought us when we sought
him not. We have a job description of the Good Shepherd from the Old Testament.
"I will seek the lost. I will bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured. I will
strengthen the weak. I will destroy the fat and the strong, and I will shepherd them
with justice” (EZEKIEL 34:216). Notice all the essential work Jesus does. “I will
seek…I will bring back…I will bind up…I will strengthen…” The salvation of lost
sheep does not depend on them. Jesus does it all. This is God’s grace. Undeserved
love. Jesus shepherds with justice. Not at all like human justice. Forgiveness is the
divine justice of our heavenly Father. We sin and sin again. Our Father forgives.

E. Dear believers it is too easy to look at others as the lost sheep in this world. We
really need to take a close look at ourselves. All too often we wander off on our own
path. Fulfill our own sinful desires. Act out on our wicked thoughts. Our Good
Shepherd calls out. We listen. Once lost sheep we now belong in God’s flock. “This
saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners,’ of whom I am the worst" (1 TIMOTHY 1:15). Our Good
Shepherd seeks us out. Finds us. Delivers us from our own wickedness, rebellion,
and sin. Freely forgives.

F. It is by grace alone that we are saved. By faith alone we have eternal life.
Through Christ alone we travel to our heavenly home. We are living in times that
are closer than ever to the Lord’s return on the Last Day. Until Judgment Day
arrives the Lord will continue calling other sheep. The Lord Jesus Christ will
continue seek out other sheep to be saved. The Holy Spirit will change hearts of
stone into hearts of flesh. Faith, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life are all the
Lord’s labors of love for the lost. “…for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be
their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe
away every tear from their eyes" (REVELATION 7:17).

CONC.: Our world is in a lot of hurt. They are wondering what next? The world
will think of something new to frighten the unsuspecting. We still focus on the Lord
Jesus Christ. It is in Christ alone we have the eternal answers our souls desperately
desire. Need. “The LORD is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He causes me to lie down
in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He
guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (PSALM 23:1-3). The
Lord Jesus leads. We lack NOTHING. Jesus restores our souls. Jesus sacrificed his
life so we can live forever. Jesus still seeks out other sheep. JESUS IS OUR GOOD
SHEPHERD. Jesus is our Perfect Shepherd for this life and into eternity. Amen.
Pastor Timm O. Meyer

EASTER 4 rdgs: ACTS 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60; 1 PETER 2:19-25; JOHN 10:1-10; (PSALM
23)
SERVICES: 7:45am @ McCook (SUN) / 10:00am @ Redeemer (SUN) / NCF 1:00 Min. (SAT) & 12:00
Med. (SUN)
BIBLE STUDIES: 11:15am @ Redeemer (SUN) / 5:45pm (Med) + 7:30pm (Min) @ NCF (TUES.)
/ Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:00am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM

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