DATE: 3rd May, 2020
THEME: CHRIST, THE GOOD SHEPHERD
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Acts 2: 42-47
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
PSALTER: Psalm 23:1-6
INTRODUCTION
Of the many images painted by John about Jesus Christ in his wonderful Gospel, probably the most descriptive is that of Christ as the Good Shepherd.
For like a shepherd, Jesus is concerned with the welfare and the care of His sheep.
In John 10:1-10, we can see the heart of Jesus on display. Here, He reveals His great love for sinners and His plan for dealing with their sin.
BODY
A. WHO IS A SHEPHERD?
A shepherd is one who TENDS TO HIS SHEEP. He WATCHES his sheep and PROTECT them from the danger of wild animals.
B. THE SHEPHERD’S ATTITUDE
It takes great PATIENCE to be a shepherd for a flock of sheep, for the sheep are not the smartest animals.
Sheep can easily go astray from their flock if they are not tended to carefully by their shepherd.
The shepherd’s main RESPONSIBILITY is to TAKE CARE of the sheep that is assigned to him.
The Lord himself is a shepherd, for in Psalm 23, it says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want……”
Jesus says in John 10:11 “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
C. FRAMEWORK OF THE SHEEPFOLD
A Sheepfold was a circular wall about 10 feet tall with a single opening that served as a door. Several flocks might be placed into the sheepfold at night, with one of the shepherds lying in the opening to serve as the door. NOTHING COULD GET INTO, OR OUT OF THE SHEEPFOLD WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE SHEPHERD.
D. WHY IS CHRIST, THE GOOD SHEPHERD
i. HE POSSESSES THE RIGHT CREDENTIALS
a. He Came PROPERLY
Jesus proves that He is the Shepherd of the sheep because He came into the world in the right manner.
▪He entered according to plan.
▪He had presented His credentials to His people.
When Jesus came with the right credentials, John the Baptist openly introduced Him to the nation and declared His identity – John 1:29. ‘… “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’
ii. He Calls PROPERLY
There may be several flocks sharing the same sheepfold. However, when the shepherd of the sheep walks up to the door and calls his sheep, they instantly recognize his voice and respond to him. They know his call.
There are many voices which compete for our attention in the world, but there is a special note to the voice of the Lord. WHEN HE CALLS, EVERYTHING CHANGES – John 6:44.
The voice of the Good Shepherd is
a. The only one that can awaken the dead heart.
b. The only one that can give us hope.
c. The only one that sounds right to a desperate soul.
ii. HE POSSESSES THE RIGHT CHARACTER
A. His Personality
In these verses, Jesus reveals His identity as the Door. If you will remember, there is only one opening going into or out of the sheepfold. It is in this opening that the shepherd lay.
THEREFORE, THE SHEPHERD HIMSELF IS THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP. Nothing could enter the fold, nothing could exit the fold without going through the shepherd himself.
a. THIS DOOR IS A PERSON
In bold language, Jesus declare Himself to be the door of the sheep.
The big question is this, “HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THROUGH THE DOOR?”
b. THIS DOOR IS A PROPOSAL
In this statement from the lips of Jesus, we find a tremendous offer given to sinners. HE MAKES A PROPOSAL. In these words, Jesus offers hope to everyone who is wandering in a life of sin. HE GIVES YOU OPPORTUNITIES TO COME TO HIM.
c. THIS DOOR IS A PROMISE
i. A Promise Of Pasture – In this “Pasture” we find:
- Rest – No longer are we searching for what we needed. We have found what our heart was longing for and His name is JESUS.
- Refreshment – In Jesus, the saint of God finds all that his or her heart needs for absolute and perfect contentment.
- Rejoicing – In Jesus, we find that fullness of joy that was lacking when we wandered out in sin.
APPLICATION
a. As a Good Shepherd, Christ tells us to aspire for WHAT’S BEHIND THAT DOOR
▪The Blessing Of Life Is Behind That Door
▪The Blessing Of Liberty Is Behind That Door
▪The Blessing Of Luxury Is Behind That Door
b. The Good Shepherd, comes so that the sheep might experience a life that is immeasurably better.
c. The Good SHEPHERD cares about the sheep and He promises them a new and better life in Himself.
▪Everything changes when a person meets Jesus!
▪When He enters into a life, it cannot remain the same.
▪He gives us the ability to live better, to love better and to do something with our lives that will glorify God.
d. When faith is placed in Jesus Christ, salvation is always the result. This salvation is complete, and it is eternal.
He is still the Door and He is still the Good Shepherd.
CONCLUSION:
Every one of us has a shepherd. Each of us has a ruling, guiding force in our lives.
▪For some of us it is another person.
▪For some it is a guiding principle or ideal.
▪For some it is a destructive addiction.
And for many of us, we are our own SHEPHERDS. We seek to be masters of our own destiny; we choose to run our own lives.
a. Who is your shepherd today?
b. What kind of care does your shepherd provide for you?
You see, only Jesus can properly care for your life.
He is the good shepherd.
He is the one who lays down his life for the sheep. He is the one who knows his sheep in close, personal relationship. Will you yield your life to him?
Stay BLESSED
Stay PROTECTED
Stay SAFE
Soon the struggle will be over. WE WILL SURELY MEET IN CHURCH.
Trusting Jesus…That’s All
PREPARED BY
VERY REV. DR SAMUEL YAW DUA DODD
CALVARY METHODIST CHURCH
ADABRAKA-ACCRA
