“I AM…”

Scripture:            Psalm 23

C.I.:                The Good Shepherd

We’ve been studying… - Today we are going to see how Jesus fulfills the role of a Good Shepherd.

I.  How to Recognize the “Good Shepherd” (John 10)

A. Qualities of the Good Shepherd

1. The Good Shepherd KNOWS His sheep

a. (vs. 2-3a), “He who enters by the door is the shepherd to the sheep. - …the sheep hear his voice – and he calls his own sheep by name.”

1) Shepherds gave their sheep names and loved their sheep (more like pets than “farm animals”).

2) (II Sam. 12:3), “The poor man had nothing but 1 little ewe lamb, - which he bought and nourished; - It grew up together with him & his children. – It would eat of his bread & drink of his cup & lie in his bosom, - and was like a daughter to him.”

b. Jesus knows those who are His sheep too!

1) (I Cor. 8:3), “If anyone loves God, he is known by Him.”

(i) Our love for God is not mere sentimentality – but is characterized by complete devotion.

(ii) (Mk. 12:30), “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart….”

(iii) This devotion is not optional – but a matter of eternal salvation – Mt. 7:21-23!

c. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep! – Does He know YOU – because of your love for Him?

2. The Good Shepherd LEADS His Sheep

a. (v. 3b-4a), “…[He] leads them out. – When he puts forth his own, - He goes before them.”

b. Shepherds don’t “drive their sheep” (e.g. cattle) – they lead them!!

1) He leads them to places of food and rest:

(i) (Psa. 23:1-2), “The Lord is my S. – I shall not want. – He makes me lie down in green pastures; - He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”

(ii) Today, God alone leads us to true food & drink – (quote Jn. 6:35), “He who comes….”

(iii) Regarding our rest/heaven – Heb. 4:9, says, “There remains therefore a place of rest for the people of God.”

2) He who leads us – will take good care of us – as He leads us along the way:

(i) (Psa. 23:3-4), “He guides me in the paths of R. – for His name’s sake. – Even though I walk through the valley of death, I fear no evil; for You are with me.” – (Matt. 28:20)!

(ii) When we wander – He seeks for us – Luke 15:4-5, “What man among you, if he has 100 sheep & has lost one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? – When he finds it he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing.”

c. Jesus desires to have a personal relationship with you – to know you and to take care of you!!!

B. Contrasting the Good Shepherd & Hirelings (vs. 10-18)

1. How to recognize a “Hireling”:

a. Men who owned large flocks - would often HIRE people to take care of their flocks.

b. (v. 12), “He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.”

1) His primary concern is not the welfare of the sheep – but for himself (God warned us of these)

2) (Matt. 7:15-16), “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing… - you will..

3) (Acts 20:28-30), “Be on guard… - I know after my departure…- from among your own selves.

c. Some signs we should watch out for…

1) When a man sees his work for the Lord as a “job/profession” – he is a hireling.

2) When he serves for the money, authority, prestige and esteem given – he is a hireling.

3) When he places greater value on his time, his comfort - than on the sheep – he is a hireling.

2. The example of God as a Shepherd – is the pattern for all shepherds!

a. David understood this principle:

1) (Psa. 23:4b), “Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” (Explain their purpose)

2) (I Sam. 17:34-35), “David said to Saul, ‘Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. – When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, - I went out and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.”

b. The example of Jesus – must be an example for the shepherds of this congregation!

1) So when Satan comes against us – YOU must be on the front lines for us.

2) (I Pt. 5:8), “Your adversary the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to..”

3) (Tit. 1:9-11), “He must have a good grasp of the word of truth which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. – For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers, deceivers… - who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach.”

c. They should have a great love and concern for the members of the Lord’s flock in this place.

3. The “Good Shepherd” willingly sacrifices everything - for the benefit of His sheep!

a. (Jn. 10:13), “He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep.”

b. (v. 11), “I am the good Shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

c. Jesus death wasn’t to demonstrate how we should be willing to die to a great cause. – Jesus death shows God’s love in that Jesus died IN OUR PLACE AS A SUBSTITUTE! 

1)  (Jn. 6:51), “…the bread which I shall give FOR the life of the world is My flesh.”

2) (Jn. 11:51), “…he prophesied that Jesus was going to die FOR the nation.”

3) (Jn. 15:13), “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life FOR his friends.”

LORD’S SUPPER

4. The Responsibility of the Sheep:

a. (v. 3), “Hear His voice” – God’s people have the responsibility to listen - (Rom. 10:17)!

b. (v. 4), “Follow Him” – But we have to do more than listen – we must also obey – (Heb. 5:9)!

c. (v. 14), “My own know Me” – We must desire & work towards a greater relationship with Jesus! 

d. (v. 16), “Become one flock” – We must become one of His flock - (Acts 2:40-41, 47)!