Jesus: Our Good Shepherd and Source of Abundance
Summary
### Summary
Today, we celebrated the arrival of baby Isaiah, drawing inspiration from the prophet Isaiah's vision of a new heaven and earth. We prayed for Isaiah to see God's hand in his life and to be a bringer of peace and healing. We also discussed the financial needs of our church, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and trusting God to provide for our community's needs.
The core of our reflection centered on Jesus as the Good Shepherd, a theme that resonates deeply with the imagery of Psalm 23. Jesus sees us as harassed, helpless, and vulnerable, much like sheep without a shepherd. He doesn't just diagnose our condition but offers Himself as the solution. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows us by name, leads us to green pastures, and restores our souls. He is not a hired hand who abandons the sheep at the first sign of danger but lays down His life for us, ensuring our safety and well-being.
We explored the significance of Jesus' claim to be both the Good Shepherd and the Gate. As the Gate, Jesus is the entry point to a life of abundance and fullness. This metaphor, though less emotionally appealing than that of a shepherd, underscores the necessity of entering through Jesus to experience the fullness of life He offers.
David's life as a shepherd and king provided a backdrop for understanding Jesus' role. Despite being overlooked and despised, David became Israel's greatest king, illustrating how God uses the humble and lowly. Similarly, Jesus, though often misunderstood and rejected, fulfills the ultimate role of the shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.
In conclusion, we are invited to deepen our relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who knows us intimately and calls us by name. We are encouraged to read the Gospels to understand Jesus better and to recognize His voice in our lives. As we follow Him, we find rest, peace, and guidance, even through the darkest valleys. Jesus is not just a distant figure but a personal shepherd who leads us to life in all its fullness.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus as the Good Shepherd: Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name and lays down His life for them. This intimate relationship means that Jesus is deeply involved in our lives, guiding us, protecting us, and providing for our needs. He is not a distant figure but a personal shepherd who cares for each of us individually. [52:00]
2. The Role of the Shepherd: The shepherd's role is to lead the sheep to green pastures and still waters, restoring their souls. This imagery from Psalm 23 highlights the peace and provision that Jesus offers. Even in the darkest valleys, Jesus is with us, guiding and comforting us. This assurance allows us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that our shepherd is always with us. [58:40]
3. Jesus as the Gate: Jesus also describes Himself as the Gate, the entry point to a life of abundance. This metaphor emphasizes the necessity of entering through Jesus to experience the fullness of life He offers. It is through Him that we find true rest, peace, and fulfillment. This concept challenges us to evaluate our relationship with Jesus and ensure that we are entering through Him to access the life He promises. [01:13:01]
4. The Sacrifice of the Shepherd: Unlike a hired hand who abandons the sheep at the first sign of danger, Jesus lays down His life for His sheep. This ultimate act of love and sacrifice ensures our safety and well-being. Jesus' willingness to die for us underscores the depth of His commitment and love, providing a powerful example of selfless love and devotion. [01:08:18]
5. Hearing the Shepherd's Voice: Jesus says that His sheep know His voice and follow Him. This relationship requires us to be attuned to His voice, which can come through various means such as scripture, prayer, and circumstances. Developing this sensitivity to Jesus' voice helps us navigate life with His guidance and wisdom, ensuring that we are following the right path. [01:03:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:20] - Introduction of Baby Isaiah
[35:04] - Prayer for Isaiah
[39:36] - Sacred Trust and Responsibility
[40:35] - Church Financial Update
[41:32] - Stewardship and Trust in God
[42:38] - Exciting Developments
[49:03] - Series on Jesus
[49:31] - Harassed and Helpless
[50:53] - Vulnerability and Theft
[52:00] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[56:19] - David the Shepherd King
[58:40] - Psalm 23 and Jesus' Role
[01:00:27] - Jesus' Unique Claim
[01:03:00] - Hearing the Shepherd's Voice
[01:08:18] - The Sacrifice of the Shepherd
[01:13:01] - Jesus as the Gate
[01:16:04] - Invitation to Follow the Shepherd
[01:17:09] - Reading from John 10
[01:19:24] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 10:1-18 (Jesus as the Good Shepherd and the Gate)
2. Psalm 23 (The Lord as the Shepherd)
3. Isaiah 6:1-8 (Isaiah's vision of the Lord)
### Observation Questions
1. What are the key characteristics of Jesus as the Good Shepherd according to John 10:1-18?
2. How does Psalm 23 describe the role of the shepherd in providing for and protecting the sheep?
3. In Isaiah 6:1-8, what did Isaiah see in his vision, and how did it impact his life and mission?
4. According to the sermon, how does Jesus' role as the Gate differ from His role as the Good Shepherd? [01:13:01]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for Jesus to know His sheep by name, and how does this reflect His relationship with believers? [01:01:04]
2. How does the imagery of the shepherd in Psalm 23 provide comfort and assurance to believers facing life's challenges? [58:40]
3. Why is Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for the sheep significant, and how does it contrast with the hired hand's behavior? [01:08:18]
4. How can believers discern and recognize the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in their daily lives? [01:03:00]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt harassed, helpless, or vulnerable. How did you experience Jesus' guidance and comfort during that period? [49:31]
2. Jesus describes Himself as the Gate to a life of abundance. What steps can you take to ensure you are entering through Jesus to experience the fullness of life He offers? [01:13:01]
3. In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to better recognize His voice and follow His guidance? [01:03:00]
4. How can you apply the principles of stewardship and trust in God to your financial decisions and contributions to the church community? [41:32]
5. Think of someone in your life who seems harassed, helpless, or vulnerable. How can you point them to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and support them in finding peace and guidance? [01:21:14]
6. How does the example of Jesus laying down His life for the sheep inspire you to show selfless love and commitment in your relationships and community? [01:08:18]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to read the Gospels and understand Jesus better, as encouraged in the sermon? [01:01:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Knows Us Intimately
Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name and lays down His life for them. This intimate relationship means that Jesus is deeply involved in our lives, guiding us, protecting us, and providing for our needs. He is not a distant figure but a personal shepherd who cares for each of us individually. [52:00]
Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd is not just a title but a profound reality that impacts our daily lives. He knows each of us by name, understanding our unique struggles, fears, and hopes. This personal knowledge means that Jesus is not a distant deity but a close companion who walks with us through every season of life. His guidance is not generic but tailored to our specific needs, leading us to places of rest and nourishment.
Moreover, Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for us underscores the depth of His love and commitment. Unlike a hired hand who might abandon the sheep at the first sign of danger, Jesus remains steadfast, ensuring our safety and well-being. This sacrificial love invites us to trust Him fully, knowing that He has our best interests at heart. As we navigate life's challenges, we can find comfort in the fact that our Shepherd is always with us, guiding and protecting us.
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: Think of a time when you felt lost or overwhelmed. How did you experience Jesus' guidance and care during that period? How can you remind yourself of His intimate knowledge of you in your current circumstances?
Day 2: The Shepherd's Provision and Peace
The shepherd's role is to lead the sheep to green pastures and still waters, restoring their souls. This imagery from Psalm 23 highlights the peace and provision that Jesus offers. Even in the darkest valleys, Jesus is with us, guiding and comforting us. This assurance allows us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that our shepherd is always with us. [58:40]
The imagery of the shepherd leading the sheep to green pastures and still waters is a powerful representation of the peace and provision that Jesus offers. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, Jesus provides a place of rest and nourishment for our souls. He knows exactly what we need and leads us to places where we can find true refreshment and restoration.
Even when we walk through the darkest valleys, we are not alone. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is with us, guiding and comforting us. His presence brings a sense of peace that transcends our circumstances, allowing us to face life's challenges with confidence. This assurance is not based on our ability to navigate difficult times but on the unwavering presence and guidance of our Shepherd.
Isaiah 40:11 (ESV): "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."
Reflection: Reflect on a current challenge or difficult situation you are facing. How can you lean on Jesus' guidance and provision during this time? What steps can you take to rest in His peace and trust His leading?
Day 3: Entering Through Jesus for Abundant Life
Jesus also describes Himself as the Gate, the entry point to a life of abundance. This metaphor emphasizes the necessity of entering through Jesus to experience the fullness of life He offers. It is through Him that we find true rest, peace, and fulfillment. This concept challenges us to evaluate our relationship with Jesus and ensure that we are entering through Him to access the life He promises. [01:13:01]
Jesus' claim to be the Gate is a profound statement about the exclusivity and necessity of entering through Him to experience true life. This metaphor, while less emotionally appealing than that of a shepherd, underscores the importance of Jesus as the entry point to a life of abundance and fullness. It is only through Him that we can access the peace, rest, and fulfillment that our souls long for.
This concept challenges us to evaluate our relationship with Jesus. Are we truly entering through Him, or are we seeking fulfillment in other places? Jesus invites us to come to Him, to enter through the Gate, and to experience the abundant life He offers. This requires a conscious decision to prioritize our relationship with Him and to trust that He is the source of all that we need.
John 10:9-10 (ESV): "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: Consider areas of your life where you may be seeking fulfillment outside of Jesus. How can you intentionally enter through Him to experience the abundant life He offers? What practical steps can you take to prioritize your relationship with Him?
Day 4: The Sacrificial Love of the Shepherd
Unlike a hired hand who abandons the sheep at the first sign of danger, Jesus lays down His life for His sheep. This ultimate act of love and sacrifice ensures our safety and well-being. Jesus' willingness to die for us underscores the depth of His commitment and love, providing a powerful example of selfless love and devotion. [01:08:18]
Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for His sheep is the ultimate demonstration of His love and commitment. Unlike a hired hand who might flee at the first sign of danger, Jesus remains steadfast, even to the point of sacrificing His own life. This act of selfless love ensures our safety and well-being, providing a powerful example of what it means to truly care for others.
This sacrificial love is not just a historical event but a present reality that impacts our daily lives. Jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate act of love, but His commitment to us continues today. He is always with us, guiding, protecting, and providing for our needs. This assurance allows us to live with confidence, knowing that we are deeply loved and cared for by our Good Shepherd.
1 John 3:16 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."
Reflection: Reflect on the depth of Jesus' sacrificial love for you. How does His willingness to lay down His life impact your understanding of His commitment to you? How can you emulate this selfless love in your relationships with others?
Day 5: Recognizing and Following the Shepherd's Voice
Jesus says that His sheep know His voice and follow Him. This relationship requires us to be attuned to His voice, which can come through various means such as scripture, prayer, and circumstances. Developing this sensitivity to Jesus' voice helps us navigate life with His guidance and wisdom, ensuring that we are following the right path. [01:03:00]
Jesus' statement that His sheep know His voice and follow Him highlights the importance of being attuned to His guidance. This relationship requires us to develop a sensitivity to His voice, which can come through various means such as scripture, prayer, and circumstances. By being attentive to His leading, we can navigate life with His wisdom and ensure that we are following the right path.
Developing this sensitivity to Jesus' voice is a lifelong journey that involves intentional practices and a heart that is open to His guidance. It requires us to spend time in His Word, to seek Him in prayer, and to be attentive to the ways He speaks through our circumstances. As we cultivate this relationship, we become more adept at recognizing His voice and following His lead, allowing us to live in alignment with His will.
John 10:27-28 (ESV): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Reflection: Think about how you currently discern Jesus' voice in your life. What practices help you stay attuned to His guidance? How can you cultivate a deeper sensitivity to His voice in your daily routine?
Quotes
1. "Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. It's interesting because Jesus looked at the crowd, saw the crowd like sheep without a shepherd, harassed, harassed, helpless, and vulnerable. And the wonderful thing about Jesus is he doesn't just diagnose the problem, but he claims to be the solution. He doesn't just diagnose the problem, but he claims to be the solution. He says, I am the good shepherd." [52:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "David was a shepherd and says, the Lord is my shepherd. So I don't need to panic about my food. I don't need to panic about my rest. I don't need to panic about my peace. He restores my soul. And as a shepherd, David knows that God will lead him on right paths, on paths of righteousness, paths of righteousness. And even when that path, even when the direction of my life, even when I seem to find myself in the darkest of places, in the most horrible of circumstances, even when everything goes wrong for me and I hear all the bad news, even though I'm walking through the valley of the shadow of death, yet still, the Lord is my shepherd. And he'll guide me through that. And he'll comfort me in that. And he'll help me get through that dark valley." [58:01] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus says, my sheep hear my voice. I guess it's logical, really. If we're his sheep, we know him. And he knows us. And it's not surprising that we can hear his voice. And I just encourage you to work out how God speaks to you. Because it will be different. It will be different for each of us as to how God speaks to us. For some of us, it will be a very heart thing. It will be about impressions. It will be about senses and feelings. And hunches. And for others of us, it will be a mind thing. It will be words or ideas or concepts. And God will speak to you in that way. And you won't know, really, whether it's you or whether it's God. But after a while, you'll get to think, actually, that's God spoken to me." [01:03:00] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus said that the hired hand runs away. But the shepherd... Actually, Jesus messes it up at that point. Because he says, but the shepherd... What he should say is, the shepherd stands to fight to defend the sheep. He doesn't say that. The contrast is not between the hired hand who runs away and David who stays and fights for the sheep. The contrast is between the hired hand who runs away and Jesus who lays down his life for the sheep. So there's something happening here where Jesus is moving away from the picture of the shepherd in the... In the hillside. And he's moving to the cross, to his destiny." [01:07:26] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus says, I am the gate. I'm the gate. For me, I don't, I don't know if you agree with me at this point. I don't think that's quite such a attractive image. You know, there's something attractive about a shepherd looking after me. You know, when I'm limping a bit, he can bandage my foot up or whatever they do. They can carry me when I'm going through a particularly hard time. Something nice about a shepherd who will be there on the cold, dark nights. There's something comforting about a shepherd who will lead me beside still waters, who will cause me to lie down in green pasture. There's something wonderful. A gate, I don't get so emotionally attached to gates. I mean, maybe you do. Maybe you're a metal worker who builds gates. I don't know. But, but gates, you know, don't have the same emotional attachment to me, but it's because it's a colder, harder image, less cuddly, perhaps. I don't know. Less relational, maybe less, but the idea is brilliant. The idea is brilliant. The idea that, that you get to life in all its fullness through Jesus. That you, that you get to be shepherded by Jesus through Jesus." [01:13:01] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jesus said, I am the good shepherd. Jesus said, I am the gate. And I guess I just want to ask you, how are you doing? How are you doing? Harassed, helpless, vulnerable. Life in all its fullness. How's your relationship? Relationship with the shepherd. He knows you by name. He lays down his life for you. Jesus is the good shepherd. Where are you at with the shepherd this morning? Where's the gate? This morning, the invitation is to go through Jesus the gate to find Jesus the shepherd." [01:16:04] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus says, my sheep, my sheep know me. Jesus says, my sheep, they know me. I just found it fascinating that Karen shared her little story, not little story, for her it's a massive story, but shared it a little way this morning when she was 18. My sheep know me. Not a God out there, far distance, trying to get through, trying to break through. But love finding me. My sheep know me. Jesus said. Can I encourage you to read the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to read them so that you know Jesus better. So that you know how he reacts. So that you know what he likes. So that you can understand what he loves. How he answers questions. How he asks questions. What it is that motivates him. What he says about himself. Which is what this series is all about. How, so that we can know him. My sheep know me. Jesus says. And I know their names. I know their names. It's a great song, isn't it? God knows my name. Jesus says, even the hairs on your head are numbered. It doesn't mean to say that their days will run out, which is what, you know, is going to happen. Your days are numbered. Yep. God knows you intimately. He knows your name. I think that's great. Seven billion people in the world. God knows you. Might be eight by now. God knows you. God knows you." [01:01:04] (116 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. There's a uniqueness about Jesus. All sorts of people want us to follow them at the moment, don't they? Particularly on social media. Follow me, follow me, follow me. Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. If I was a shepherd in Jesus' day, and I had some aspirations for self-betterment, I wanted to climb the career ladder, if I wanted to get out of the wet Wednesday nights on the hillside, one of the things I could do would be to pay someone else to do it while I went and did something more profitable. I would hire someone to look after the sheep that I was meant to be looking after. A hired hand, if you like. And so I'd go and find a young lad who was dropping out of college and get them to go and do something. And so I'd go and look after my sheep for a few quid a night, and then I could go and better myself. But Jesus had noticed that while this happened quite regularly, the hired hands really weren't as devoted to the sheep as the shepherd was. That the hired hands weren't always up to the task like the shepherd was. Because a shepherd would lead his sheep. And a hired hand would have to push the sheep, cajole the sheep. A hired hand wouldn't know one sheep from another, whereas the shepherd knows his sheep by name. And the hired hand ran when danger came. When there was a lion or a bear or a crocodile, which didn't happen very often, but lions and bears sometimes, would arrive. The hired hand would leg it. Whereas the shepherd would defend the sheep. David said, I've killed a lion, chased off a bear, because I'm a shepherd boy. I know what that's like. And I know that my God is able to protect me. That was what David reckoned." [01:05:23] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Jesus says, 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. The wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he's a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Just as the farmer, the father knows me and I know the father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I've other sheep that are not of the sheep and I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice. There'll be one flock, one shepherd. The reason my father loves me is that I lay down my life only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." [01:18:12] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. And he also says, I am the gate. Jesus has been talking about life in all its fullness. He's been talking about how we can, we can, so much of how we can be harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd, how we can, we can be robbed by one who comes to kill and steal and destroy. He says, in the face of all that, I lay down my life and I raise it up again and I can be your shepherd who knows you, who leads you, who guides you, even through the worst of days. And the worst of situations, even through the valley of the shadow of death, I will be with you and comfort you. You know me, I know you. We can have this deep, intimate relationship. How'd you get there? You go through me, says Jesus. I'm the gate." [01:13:23] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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