Our God Reigns Over Our Future
Summary
Summary:
As we enter into Holy Week, we are reminded of the profound significance of Jesus' sacrifice. This week is a time to reflect on the core of our faith: Jesus' death and resurrection. It's not just a historical event but a personal act of love for each of us. Jesus didn't just die for sin in general; He died for our specific sins, the ones that weigh us down and separate us from God. This personal sacrifice is the foundation of our faith and the reason for our hope.
In John 10, Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. Unlike a hired hand who might flee at the first sign of danger, Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for us. This act was not out of obligation or coercion but out of love and holiness. Jesus is not only the shepherd but also the sacrificial lamb, the perfect offering for our sins. His death was not a martyrdom but a willing sacrifice, a substitution for the punishment we deserve.
Our future is secured because of Jesus' sacrifice. Without Him, our future would be bleak, filled with death and separation from God. But because of His death and resurrection, we have hope, life, and security. This week, as we gather around the Lord's table, we remember not just a sacrifice but the sacrifice for our sins. It's a call to return home, to experience the jubilee of forgiveness and renewal.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Personal Nature of Jesus' Sacrifice: Jesus didn't just die for sin in a general sense; He died for our specific sins. This personal sacrifice is the foundation of our faith and the reason for our hope. It's a reminder that Jesus' love is deeply personal and transformative. [26:55]
2. Jesus as the Good Shepherd: In John 10, Jesus is portrayed as the Good Shepherd who willingly lays down His life for His sheep. Unlike a hired hand, He doesn't flee from danger but faces it head-on for our sake. This demonstrates His deep love and commitment to us. [26:55]
3. The Willingness of Jesus' Sacrifice: Jesus' sacrifice was not out of obligation but a willing act of love. He wasn't coerced or forced; He chose to lay down His life for us. This willingness highlights the depth of His love and the extent of His grace. [26:55]
4. The Dual Role of Jesus: Jesus is both the Good Shepherd and the sacrificial lamb. He is the one who guides and protects us, and He is also the perfect offering for our sins. This dual role underscores His unique position as our Savior and Redeemer. [26:55]
5. The Call to Return Home: This week is a call to return home, to experience the jubilee of forgiveness and renewal. Jesus' sacrifice opens the way for us to be reconciled with God and to live in the fullness of life He offers. It's an invitation to embrace the hope and security found in Him. [26:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Holy Week Overview
- [01:15] - Significance of Jesus' Sacrifice
- [02:45] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
- [04:10] - Personal Nature of Jesus' Sacrifice
- [05:30] - Willingness of Jesus' Sacrifice
- [07:00] - Dual Role of Jesus
- [08:20] - Call to Return Home
- [09:45] - Invitation to Experience Jubilee
- [11:00] - Gathering Around the Lord's Table
- [12:30] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 10:11-15
- Philippians 2:5-8
- Isaiah 53:6
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 10:11-15, how does Jesus describe His role as the Good Shepherd, and how does this contrast with the hired hand? [26:55]
2. According to Philippians 2:5-8, what actions did Jesus take to demonstrate His humility and obedience?
3. How does Isaiah 53:6 describe the condition of humanity, and what does it say about the role of the Lord in addressing this condition?
4. In the sermon, what specific sin does the pastor emphasize that Jesus died for, and why is this significant? [26:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for Jesus to be both the Good Shepherd and the sacrificial lamb, and how does this dual role impact our understanding of His sacrifice? [26:55]
2. How does the willingness of Jesus to lay down His life for His sheep reflect the depth of His love and grace? [26:55]
3. In what ways does the concept of Jesus securing our future through His sacrifice provide hope and security for believers? [26:55]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the personal nature of Jesus' sacrifice, and why is it important for believers to understand this aspect of their faith? [26:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a specific sin in your life that you struggle with. How does understanding that Jesus died for that particular sin change your perspective on His sacrifice? [26:55]
2. In what ways can you embody the role of a shepherd in your community, following Jesus' example of love and sacrifice? [26:55]
3. How can you actively remind yourself of the personal nature of Jesus' sacrifice in your daily life, especially when faced with guilt or shame? [26:55]
4. Consider the areas in your life where you feel scattered or separated from God. What steps can you take to return home and experience the jubilee of forgiveness and renewal? [26:55]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of Jesus' dual role as both the Good Shepherd and the sacrificial lamb in your personal study and prayer life? [26:55]
6. Identify a person in your life who may feel distant from God. How can you share the message of hope and security found in Jesus' sacrifice with them this week? [26:55]
7. Reflect on the significance of gathering around the Lord's table. How can this practice deepen your appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice and strengthen your faith community? [26:55]
Devotional
Day 1: The Personal Sacrifice of Jesus
Jesus' sacrifice is not just a historical event but a deeply personal act of love for each individual. He died for our specific sins, the ones that burden us and create a barrier between us and God. This personal nature of His sacrifice is the cornerstone of our faith and the source of our hope. It reminds us that Jesus' love is not abstract but intimately connected to our lives, offering transformation and renewal. [26:55]
Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
Reflection: Identify a specific sin or burden you are carrying today. How can you invite Jesus into this area of your life to experience His personal love and forgiveness?
Day 2: Jesus, the Good Shepherd
In John 10, Jesus is depicted as the Good Shepherd who willingly lays down His life for His sheep. Unlike a hired hand who might abandon the flock at the first sign of danger, Jesus faces danger head-on out of love and commitment to us. This portrayal emphasizes His deep care and dedication, assuring us that we are never alone or abandoned. [26:55]
Ezekiel 34:11-12 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel scattered or lost? How can you trust Jesus as your Good Shepherd to guide and protect you today?
Day 3: The Willingness of Jesus' Sacrifice
Jesus' sacrifice was not out of obligation or coercion but a willing act of love. He chose to lay down His life for us, highlighting the depth of His love and the extent of His grace. This willingness is a powerful testament to His character and His desire for us to experience life in its fullness. [26:55]
John 15:13 (ESV): "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you willingly sacrificed something for someone else. How does Jesus' willing sacrifice inspire you to act in love and grace towards others today?
Day 4: The Dual Role of Jesus
Jesus embodies both the Good Shepherd and the sacrificial lamb. He guides and protects us while also being the perfect offering for our sins. This dual role underscores His unique position as our Savior and Redeemer, providing us with a profound sense of security and hope. [26:55]
Revelation 7:17 (ESV): "For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as both your Shepherd and Lamb change your perspective on His role in your life? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him today?
Day 5: The Call to Return Home
This week is an invitation to return home, to experience the jubilee of forgiveness and renewal. Jesus' sacrifice opens the way for reconciliation with God, offering us the fullness of life He intends for us. It's a call to embrace the hope and security found in Him and to live in the freedom of His grace. [26:55]
Isaiah 55:7 (ESV): "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Reflection: What does "returning home" to God look like for you today? How can you actively embrace the forgiveness and renewal offered through Jesus' sacrifice?
Quotes
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep, so when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me. [00:17:32] (26 seconds)
Jesus is a good shepherd because he is holy. He is a good shepherd not because of what he does but because of who he is. He is good, he is holy, he is not a hired hand. That's the way that he presents it here. I'm not a hired hand, I'm the Son of God, I am your shepherd, I am God incarnate, I am the one who owns the sheep, and he owns the sheep because he created the sheep. [00:21:13] (31 seconds)
The wolf has scattered us, our sin has separated us. What has it separated us from? Yes, our life. Our life can be a wreck. Sometimes our lives are filled with insecurities, they're filled with heartbreak, they're filled with trouble. Some of them are due to the poor decisions we have made, some of them to the poor decisions that someone else has made, the choices of another outside of our control. [00:53:49] (30 seconds)
We've been scattered, our sin has separated us from God. We need a good shepherd to draw us back home. The images of this week from a cross to a crown of thorns to a tomb, those are images that draw us back and our attention back to a good and holy and loving God. They're the images that a shepherd has provided us to bring our attention back, back to the atonement that he has provided. [01:03:53] (53 seconds)