2 years ago

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I AM – The Good Shepherd
John 10:11-21; Exod. 3:14; Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34;

John 10:11-21
11 I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

• “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD” - Divinity
o “I AM” – “I am that I am” – God’s most essential name! Yahweh!
o “THE” – Exclusivity, not a shepherd … THE shepherd!
o “GOOD” – καλός – Kalos (not ἀγαθός – Agathos)
 Matthew 10:17-18 “…No one is good except God alone.”
o “SHEPHERD” Many of greatest heroes in the OT were shepherds:
• Abel, the patriarchs, Moses, and David …
 GOD is Israel’s “Shepherd”
• Psalm 23:1-4: “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.”
• Ezekiel 34:15 “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.”

• 4 Ministries of “The Good Shepherd” – 1) HE DIES FOR HIS SHEEP!
o Shepherd is a Man’s – Man’s Job – It’s Incredibly dangerous!
 Wolves, Lions, Bears – 1 Samuel 17:34-36a
 Isaiah 31:4 – Shepherds called fight a lion (comparison)
• SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT!

• The “Hired Hand” – Hireling – & The “Wolf”
o Zechariah 11:17
 World always full of disappointing “Hirelings” & “Wolves”
• Wicked Kings, False Prophets, Pretend Messiahs…

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.

• 4 Ministries of “The Good Shepherd” – 2) HE KNOWS HIS SHEEP!
o Intimacy – a loving relationship! (not merely information)
 To begin with, our Lord knows our names (see John 10:3)
 O Holy Night: [Great Hymn of The Faith] "He knows our needs… to our weakness is no stranger"
• Often, we do not even know our own needs! Psalm 23
• As the shepherd cares for the sheep, the sheep get to know their shepherd better.
o The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and His sheep know Him.
o They get to know Him better by listening to His voice (the Word) and experiencing His daily care (Spiritual Disciplines).

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.

• 4 Ministries of “The Good Shepherd”
3) HE UNITES HIS SHEEP!
o Having united the sheep to himself in loving-intimate Relationship…
 … He then unites his sheep with one another!
• “The Fold ” was introduced in John 10:1 (Jews)
• The missionary message of the Gospel of John is obvious: “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16).

• Ephesians 2-3-4:2-6 “2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

o Isaiah 49:6 “He [God the Father] says: ‘It is too small a thing for you [Messiah] to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’”

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.”

• 4 Ministries of “The Good Shepherd”
4) HE RISES AGAIN TO NEW LIFE FOR HIS SHEEP TO HAVE NEW LIFE!
o His voluntary death was followed by His victorious resurrection.
o It appeared that Jesus was executed; but He laid down His life WILLINGLY.
o When Jesus cried on the cross, “It is finished!” He then voluntarily “yielded up His spirit” to the Father (John 19:30b).
o Three days later, He voluntarily took up His life again and arose from the dead. The Father gave Him this authority in love.

Critical Concept:
When Jesus says, “I AM the Good Shepherd,” it is as much an invitation as it is a declaration! We already studied/know He is “the Light of the World,” “The Way, The Truth, and The Life,” He is “The (only) Door of the sheep,” and he is the good shepherd. He has laid down his life to save you, and risen again to new life that you can have His new life if you confess your sins and believe. Join His flock, “The Church” and grow in loving relationship with the Good Shepherd until He returns again!

#NathanDeisem #FathomChurch #IAmTheGoodShepherd

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