1. Foretold in Old Testament prophecy is the promise of a Shepherd
a. It would be glad tidings for the cities of Judah - Isaiah 40:9-11
b. He would gather Israel as a shepherd does his flock - Jeremiah 31:10
c. He would feed them, a type of David who would be his ancestor- Ezekiel 34:23
2. Revealed in the New Testament is that Jesus is that Shepherd
a. He is the Good Shepherd, who will bring other sheep into His fold - John 10:1-16
b. He is the Great Shepherd, who through His blood makes us complete - Hebrews 13:20
3. The picture of a shepherd is revealing
a. It pictures the blessings enjoyed by those who follow Jesus
b. It should remind us of the duties we have as His sheep
A. HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US
1. He laid down His life for His sheep
a. As foretold in the Old Testament - Zechariah 13:7; cf. Matthew 26:31
b. As Jesus told His disciples He would do - John 10:11, 15
2. Thus He is able to offer eternal life to His sheep - John 10:28
a. Offering security to those who continue to believe
b. Such that none can snatch them from the hand of God
c. Though one can fall from God's hand through neglect - Hebrews 3:12-15
B. HE NOW CARES FOR US
1. Having called us (through the gospel) - John 10:3
2. Having gathered us into His one fold, even Gentiles - John 10:16
3. As our Good Shepherd:
a. He knows us - John 10:14, 27; cf. 2 Timothy 2:19
b. He feeds us - John 10:9; cf. Psalm 23:1-2
c. He guides us - John 10:3-4; cf. Psalm 23:3
d. He cherishes us tenderly - Isaiah 40:11; cf. Ephesians 5:25-29
e. He protects and preserves - Jeremiah 31:10; John 10:28-29; cf. Jude 1:28-29
A. HEED HIS VOICE
1. His sheep hear His voice - John 10:2-3
2. His sheep follow Him, for they know His voice - John 10:4
3. Thus Jesus expects His sheep to heed His voice
a. As proclaimed during His earthly ministry - Luke 6:46
b. As stated in the Great Commission - Matthew 28:18-20
4. Which we do today by heeding the words of His apostles
a. To receive them is to receive Him - John 13:20
b. Thus the early church continued steadfastly in their doctrine - Acts 2:42
c. For they taught the commandments of the Lord - 1 Corinthians 14:37
5. Are we following the Shepherd by heeding His voice?
B. HOLD TO HIS FLOCK
1. There is one flock, one body - John 10:16; cf. Ephesians 4:4
2. We should strive to maintain the unity of that flock
a. For which Jesus prayed - John 17:20-23
b. For which Jesus died - Ephesians 2:13-16
3. Which we do today by:
a. Not heeding the voice of "strangers" (false teachers) - John 10:5,8
b. Maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace - Ephesians 4:1-3
4. Are we doing our part to preserve the oneness of His flock?
1. Wonderful are the promises for those who follow "Jesus Our Shepherd" - Revelation 7:13-17
2. Yet Jesus warned of some who:
a. Are not His sheep, for they did not heed His voice - John 10:26-27
b. Though in His flock (kingdom), will one day be cast out - Matthew 13:41-43
3. Yes, He described a Day in which the sheep and goats will be parted - Matthew 5:31-34, 41
4. What side will we be on? It depends on whether we fulfill our duties as His sheep
-- Don Treadway, December 2008 --
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