Unmatched – Part 2
Jesus as the Shepard I am the Good Shepard. The Good Shepard risks and lays down His [own] life for thesheep. John 10:11 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter us a thief and a robber. John 10:1 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I come that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 If you follow Jesus, you need to imitate Him. How would you know that? You would be bearing fruit.If you choose to follow Christ then you walk into headship and authority. If you choose not to thenyou are not walking in the ministry you are called to. In order to imitate Christ, we must draw closeand walk with Him. We must come under His authority – to submit and obey Him. True obediencearises from and marks the growth of a loving relationship with Jesus. You can be a good Shepard or abad Shepard. It’s your decision.Quick Fact: Sheep are mentioned more than 200 time sin the bible. More than any other animal. Challenges of being sheep– Sheep get lost easily– Sheep are defenceless– Sheep are stubborn– Sheep are filthy Why is the road narrow? Because Jesus wants you to be in a place where you never get lost. Allsheep need a Shepard.What does a good Shepard do? He guidesHe calls and leadsJohn 10:3-4 |3 The watchman opens the food for this man, and the sheep listen to his voiceand heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out. 4 When hehas brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow himbecause they know his voice.We have to be able to understand our Shepard’s voice. We need to be able to heed it. Hisjob is to guide. Our job is to follow. He provides Psalm 23:1-3 |1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my Shepard [to feed, guide, and shield me], Ishall not lack. 2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures ; He leads mebeside the still and restful waters [Rev. 7:17.] 3 He refreshers and restores my life (my self);He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him – not formy earning it, but] for His name’s sake.He provides but not always in the way we assume. We must trust Jesus as the Good Shepardthat He will provide us with what we need when we need kit. He correctsJob 5:17-18 | 17 But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise thediscipline of the Almighty when you sin. 18 For thought he wounds, he also bandages. Hestrikes, but his hands also heal.The Shepard “brakes” a stray the sheep’s leg. Putting a brake on the sheep’s leg allows thesheep to stay close to the Shepard. It shows the sheep that it needs to rely on the Shepard.Hebrews 12:11 | No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterwardthere will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.When we are corrected by Christ, we are not being punished. When we are corrected byJesus it means Jesus is leading us on a journey to perfection. There are many ways Jesuscorrects us, through the Holy Spirit, the Bible or even the people He places in our lives. He protectsLuke 15:4-6 | 4 If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do?Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that islost until finds it. 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.6 When arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbours, saying. ‘Rejoice with mebecause I have found my lost sheep.’ God constantly circles around your life day and night to protect you. We need to listen andto heed Him. Psalm 23:4-6 | Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you areclose beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast forme in the presence of my enemies. You honour me by anointing my head with oil. My cupoverflows with blessing. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all thedays of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Talk it Over for Destiny Groups – Unmatched Part 2 Key ScripturesJohn 10:11,14-1511 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as theFather knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.Start talking• Share something good that happened in the last week. Start thinking.• What’s one idea from the message that really stood out to you? Why did this ideagrab your attention?• How do you know when God is guiding you? Start sharing.• Describe a time when God provided for you during a time of need. How did thatexperience affect your relationship with God?• Describe a time when God corrected you. How did you respond to His correction?• What’s one thing you will do this week because of something you learned fromthis message? Start praying.Jesus, I thank you that are the Good Shephard. Thank you that you call me by nameand you lead me by green pastures.. Thank you that lay down your life me. Thakthat as put my focus on you and your Word that my and trust in your grow. I knowthat as I put my trust in you, I will never need to be ashamed. In your name, Amen.