Jesus: The Good Shepherd of Our Souls

 

Summary

In the Gospel of Matthew, we find a profound depiction of Jesus' compassion for the multitudes, likening them to sheep without a shepherd. This imagery captures the essence of the human condition—lost, bewildered, and in desperate need of guidance. As I resume my ministry, I am compelled to emphasize the relevance and urgency of this message in our current world. Many may view the gospel as outdated or irrelevant, but it remains the most pertinent truth we can embrace.

Jesus' unique perspective and authority stem from His divine nature as the Son of God. Unlike human leaders who offer opinions and solutions that often fall short, Jesus provides an unvarnished truth about our predicament. He sees humanity's plight with clarity and offers a solution that no other can provide. The gospel reveals the truth about ourselves, our condition, and the world we inhabit. It is a message of hope and comfort, offering the only true solution to our deepest needs.

The world is filled with voices claiming to have answers, yet they often lead us astray. Jesus, however, offers a different path. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, rescuing us from the clutches of sin and despair. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love and redemption, bringing us back to God and providing us with eternal security.

In this tumultuous world, where we are constantly harassed and bewildered, Jesus offers rest and peace. He calls us by name, inviting us to follow Him and find true satisfaction and nourishment for our souls. As we listen to His voice and follow His lead, we discover a life of purpose, security, and hope. The gospel is not just a message for the past; it is a living truth that speaks to our present and future, offering us a relationship with the eternal God who loves us deeply.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus' compassion for the multitudes reveals His unique perspective and authority as the Son of God. Unlike human leaders, He offers an unvarnished truth about our condition and provides a solution that no other can offer. [04:00]

- The gospel is the only true word about our human predicament. It tells us the truth about ourselves and our present position, offering a message of hope and comfort in a world filled with sham and make-belief. [06:00]

- Humanity is likened to sheep without a shepherd, lost and bewildered. This imagery captures the essence of our condition—harassed, helpless, and in desperate need of guidance. [18:23]

- Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for the sheep, rescuing us from sin and despair. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love and redemption, bringing us back to God and providing us with eternal security. [45:07]

- In a world filled with voices claiming to have answers, Jesus offers rest and peace. He calls us by name, inviting us to follow Him and find true satisfaction and nourishment for our souls. [53:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Compassion for the Multitudes
- [01:08] - The Essence of the Gospel
- [02:21] - Jesus' Unique Perspective
- [03:45] - The Authority of the Son of God
- [05:16] - The Truth About Our Condition
- [06:46] - The Honesty of the Gospel
- [08:31] - Our Only Comfort and Hope
- [10:10] - The Condition of Mankind
- [12:25] - The Unchanging Human Predicament
- [14:19] - The Folly of Sheep
- [18:23] - Harassed and Helpless
- [22:31] - The Consequences of Straying
- [32:08] - Without a Shepherd
- [40:26] - The Good Shepherd
- [45:07] - The Sacrifice of the Shepherd
- [53:28] - Hearing His Voice

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 9:36: "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

Observation Questions:
1. What does the imagery of "sheep without a shepherd" convey about the human condition according to the sermon? [00:31]
2. How does the sermon describe Jesus' unique perspective and authority compared to human leaders? [03:45]
3. What are some of the reasons given in the sermon for why the gospel is still relevant today? [01:51]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of Jesus as the Good Shepherd? [45:07]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' compassion is different from human compassion? [39:43]
2. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for humanity? [45:07]
3. What does the sermon imply about the reliability of human solutions to life's problems compared to the gospel? [04:31]
4. How does the sermon interpret the role of Jesus as a shepherd in providing rest and peace to believers? [53:28]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt "harassed and helpless" like sheep without a shepherd. How did you seek guidance or comfort during that time? [18:23]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to Jesus' voice. What are some practical ways you can tune out distractions and focus on hearing His voice this week? [53:28]
3. How can you demonstrate Jesus' compassion in your interactions with others, especially those who may feel lost or bewildered? [00:31]
4. Consider the various "voices" in your life claiming to have answers. How can you discern which voices align with the truth of the gospel? [04:31]
5. The sermon describes Jesus as offering rest and peace. What specific steps can you take to experience this rest in your daily life? [53:28]
6. How can you share the message of hope and redemption found in the gospel with someone who views it as outdated or irrelevant? [01:51]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need guidance. How can you seek Jesus' direction as the Good Shepherd in this situation? [45:07]

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Compassion and Divine Authority
Jesus' compassion for the multitudes is a profound reflection of His divine authority as the Son of God. Unlike human leaders who often provide temporary solutions, Jesus offers an unvarnished truth about the human condition. He sees humanity's plight with clarity and offers a solution that no other can provide. His compassion is not just an emotional response but a call to action, urging us to recognize our need for guidance and redemption. In a world filled with confusion and false promises, Jesus stands as the ultimate source of truth and hope. [04:00]

Matthew 9:36 (ESV): "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel lost or in need of guidance? How can you invite Jesus' compassionate authority into these areas today?


Day 2: The Gospel's Relevance in a World of Illusions
The gospel remains the only true word about our human predicament, offering a message of hope and comfort in a world filled with sham and make-belief. It reveals the truth about ourselves, our condition, and the world we inhabit. Despite the many voices claiming to have answers, the gospel stands as the enduring truth that speaks to our deepest needs. It challenges us to look beyond the superficial solutions offered by the world and embrace the transformative power of Jesus' message. [06:00]

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Reflection: What worldly solutions have you been relying on that have left you feeling empty? How can you turn to the gospel for true hope and comfort today?


Day 3: Humanity's Need for a Shepherd
Humanity is likened to sheep without a shepherd, lost and bewildered, capturing the essence of our condition—harassed, helpless, and in desperate need of guidance. This imagery highlights our vulnerability and the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness. Without a shepherd, we are prone to wander and fall into despair. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, offers us the guidance and protection we desperately need, calling us to follow Him and find rest for our souls. [18:23]

Ezekiel 34:5-6 (ESV): "So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them."

Reflection: In what ways have you felt harassed and helpless recently? How can you seek Jesus' guidance as your Shepherd in these situations?


Day 4: The Sacrifice of the Good Shepherd
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for the sheep, rescuing us from sin and despair. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love and redemption, bringing us back to God and providing us with eternal security. This selfless act demonstrates the depth of His love for us and His commitment to our salvation. In a world where love is often conditional and fleeting, Jesus' sacrifice offers us a secure and everlasting relationship with God. [45:07]

John 10:11 (ESV): "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' sacrifice on the cross change your perspective on love and redemption? What steps can you take to embrace this love more fully in your life?


Day 5: Finding Rest and Peace in Jesus
In a world filled with voices claiming to have answers, Jesus offers rest and peace. He calls us by name, inviting us to follow Him and find true satisfaction and nourishment for our souls. As we listen to His voice and follow His lead, we discover a life of purpose, security, and hope. The gospel is not just a message for the past; it is a living truth that speaks to our present and future, offering us a relationship with the eternal God who loves us deeply. [53:28]

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Reflection: What burdens are you carrying that you need to lay down at Jesus' feet? How can you actively seek His rest and peace in your daily life?

Quotes


As it's my privilege to resume my Ministry in this pulpit and in this place I felt that there was nothing that we could do which would be more profitable to us than to look at this statement which is one of these Grand statements in which we are held face to face with the very essence of the gospel and the whole purpose of the Gospel. [00:37:52]

Here is somebody looking at the world's problems who's unlike everybody else who's ever been in it. You look at him and you apparently see nothing but a man Jesus of Nazareth a man who worked as a carpenter well who is he to look round upon the multitudes in this way Ah that's the whole secret and that's why this is a gospel and why it is different from everything else. [00:33:52]

There is an honesty and a truth about what he says which you never find anywhere else. Let me summarize this hardly by putting it like this my contention is as a preacher of this gospel that there is nothing else in the world this evening that tells us the truth about ourselves and our present position. [00:58:40]

The world is as it is tonight because it is without a Shepherd. It's the condition I say again of strange Sheep No Shepherd but you say surely this is impossible this is I say once more the fundamental proposition of the Gospel there is nothing and no one on the human level who can help us at all. [00:32:01]

The world is filled with voices claiming to have answers, yet they often lead us astray. Jesus, however, offers a different path. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, rescuing us from the clutches of sin and despair. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love and redemption. [00:45:07]

The multitudes what are they like tonight are they not as those who are fainting and Scattered abroad as sheep without a Shepherd now these words that are translated here faint and Scattered abroad are very interesting words our author translation version here isn't the best it's good but there are better there are better translations. [00:17:23]

The world is as hopeless tonight as it's ever been don't you hear it don't you feel it in the very atmosphere we're like a crowd of frightened sheep frightened terrified alarmed not knowing not understanding in utter bewilderment and no one has a word to speak to us oh it's as true tonight as it was when our Lord uttered the words nearly 2,000 years ago. [00:37:08]

The Son of God has been in this world stop talking about your men for a moment I'm tired of them all Julius Caesar Alexander the Great Philip of meedan all of them together great men but they came to nothing and everybody who's lived ever since put them all into the same category and all your philosophers with them they've all tried and they've all failed. [00:42:31]

The Good Shepherd he says leth down his life giveth his life for the Sheep the Sheep of got to be bought back for their rightful master and owner they've gone astray and false persons have possessed them the thieves and the robbers and they must be bought back and he came into the World in order to buy us back. [00:45:07]

The Blessed Son of God took our sins and guilt upon himself lay down his life he said no man taketh it from me I lay it down myself I have power to lay it down I have power to take it up again and he's done so but he came into this world deliberately in order to die for us our only hope is that we be restored to our rightful owner. [00:45:07]

He leads us out in and out and finds pasture he knows where the pasture is and he leads us out to it what is it well I find a great deal of it in this book he has wonderful pasture I've been eating this now for many years and you know my appetite is greater than ever I want more and more of it here has food for the soul. [00:53:28]

The sheep hear his voice and he calleth his own Sheep by name and leadth them out and when he putteth forth his own sheep he goeth before them and the Sheep follow him for they know his voice oh my dear friend in this harassing perplexing bewildering hour in which we are alive I want to ask you a few simple questions do you hear his voice. [00:53:28]

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Transcript
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