Jesus as the Shepard
I am the Good Shepard. The Good Shepard risks and lays down His [own] life for the
John 10:11
sheep.
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 then
you are not walking in the ministry you are called to. In order to imitate Christ, we must draw close
and walk with Him. We must come under His authority – to submit and obey Him. True obedience
arises from and marks the growth of a loving relationship with Jesus. You can be a good Shepard or a
bad 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. All
sheep need a Shepard.
What does a good Shepard do?
- He guides
He calls and leads
John 10:3-4 |3 The watchman opens the food for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice
and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out. 4 When he
has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him
because they know his voice.
We have to be able to understand our Shepard’s voice. We need to be able to heed it. His
job 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], I
shall not lack. 2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures ; He leads me
beside 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 for
my 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 Shepard
that He will provide us with what we need when we need kit.
- He corrects
Job 5:17-18 | 17 But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the
discipline of the Almighty when you sin. 18 For thought he wounds, he also bandages. He
strikes, but his hands also heal.
The Shepard “brakes” a stray the sheep’s leg. Putting a brake on the sheep’s leg allows the
sheep 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 afterward
there 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 by
Jesus it means Jesus is leading us on a journey to perfection. There are many ways Jesus
corrects us, through the Holy Spirit, the Bible or even the people He places in our lives. - He protects
Luke 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 is
lost 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 me
because I have found my lost sheep.’
God constantly circles around your life day and night to protect you. We need to listen and
to heed Him.
Psalm 23:4-6 | Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are
close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for
me in the presence of my enemies. You honour me by anointing my head with oil. My cup
overflows with blessing. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the
days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Talk it Over for Destiny Groups – Unmatched Part 2
Key Scriptures
John 10:11,14-15
11 “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 the
Father 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 idea
grab 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 that
experience 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 from
this message?
Start praying.
Jesus, I thank you that are the Good Shephard. Thank you that you call me by name
and you lead me by green pastures.. Thank you that lay down your life me. Thak
that as put my focus on you and your Word that my and trust in your grow. I know
that as I put my trust in you, I will never need to be ashamed. In your name, Amen.
