“Security In The Shepherd”
John 10:7-16
05/11/2008
By
Dcn. Chris Nerreau
Introduction:
I know a man named Steven who grew up in foster homes. He went from place to place, family to family and averaged a move a year – By the time Steven was 9 he had lived in at least ten different homes.
Unfortunately, some of the families beat and abused him, others just wanted the money and some even told him he was worthless. Later in life Steven shared with me his inability to feel safe, protected or loved. He said that his life will forever be affected by the troubles he endured in his youth.
This was the same problem many of the Jewish faithful experienced as their leaders sought personal gain and selfish ambition at the expense of the people of God. Jesus addresses this issue head on in our passage today. Jesus continues a discussion with the Pharisees, and continues to contrast himself with them by showing Himself as the embodiement of peace, joy and security.
Observation: Throughout scripture, Jesus describes Himself in many ways: The True Vine, The Door/gate, The Bread Of Life, the narrow path. But today, we see Jesus describe himself as the “Good Shepherd” (v. 11) this stands in stark contrast to that of the Pharisees and Sadducees of His day.
Background:
The term “Shepherd” is used over 100 times in the OT / NT.
o God as shepherd – Psalm 23 David - “The Lord is my shepherd”
o Prophets (Isaiah 40:11)
o There were Good shepherds and false shepherds
o We all long for the good shepherd
Proposition:
Security, is not something that is found through money, property or any other earthly thing, security is something that is given by the “Good Shepherd” out of His mercy and pity (Mark 6:34 sheep without a shepherd...)
Orientation:
Today, I want to take some time to show you what I mean. Security is given to us as we understand:
1. The Shepherds Protection
2. The Shepherds Position
3. The Shepherds Promise
Transition: So let us begin by looking at…
I. The Shepherds Protection: “I Am the door…” (v.7)
Observation: In the time of Christ there were two types of sheep folds:
In the villages and towns during the cold season, there were secure communal sheep folds where the sheep would be left while the workers returned home. These pens would have a large door to protect the sheep.
When the sheep were out on the hills during the warm season they would not have these safe shelters. As such Jesus describes Himself as the “door”.
Jesus promise was that He would be our door of protection. That He protected the sheep from thief’s and robbers, from wolfs and other animals that sought the sheep’s demise.
Shepherd lays across the gate of the pen during night to protect…
Illustration: The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe. But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long.
Jesus promises to be our strong door of protection. (Gen 7:16 – The Lord shut them in)
Application:
· We cannot purchase peace and security, Peace comes through the protection of the good shepherd.
· It is found in the promise of Christ to be our door of protection. Not our spouse, not our money, not our home or relationships but Christ alone.
· Where are you looking for peace and security? Today I call upon you to recognize the protection of Christ.
Transition: Not only is Christ the door of our security and peace…
II. The Shepherds Position: “I Am the good Shepherd” Observation: Jesus describes the two very different positions of a shepherd:
The Hired Hand (John 10:12) – Direct Correlation to Pharisees who could not put the needs of others above themselves.
The Good Shepherd (John 10:11) – Direct reference to Christ, the one who loves the flock of God.
Hired Hand:
Hired hands do not care about the flock, they care about themselves and are in it for the money. (Matthew 23:6 “They love the place of honor…)
Hired Hands flee when things get difficult, they have no vested interest. (Many Jewish leaders sold out to Roman Occupation)
Hired Hands Drive the sheep, because the sheep do not know them.
Good Shepherd:
Jesus cared enough to come in the flesh and die for us
Every other religion calls for them to die for God, but Christ came and died on our behalf.
When things got difficult, Jesus did not flee, he embraced the suffering of the cross on behalf of His sheep.
Jesus walks in front and the sheep follow Him, they know His voice.
Illustration:
When I was a kid I can remember the days when a substitute would fill in for our class. Many times the substitute did not care if we did our homework, class work or anything else, they just wanted to make it through the class and collect their check. There was always a sense disorder and chaos. The real teacher was very different, she brought security. She wanted to see the students blossom and grow. She had an investment in the children and sought the very best for them.
Application:
We cannot purchase peace and security, Peace comes through the position of the good shepherd.
The First way it is given is in knowing Christ the good Shepherded will not forsake or leave us. (Mt. 28:20) (Hebrews 13:5 Never leave… Forsake..)
Transition: So security comes through the protection and position of Christ but lastly…
III. The Shepherds Promise: “I will lay down my life for the sheep…” (v. 11+15) Observation: Our peace is found in the promise of Christ…
At the root of all true fear is death. Our greatest fear is our own mortality.
Trace back any fear you may have all the way to its conclusion and you will find it ultimately is the fear of death and dying.
The promise of Christ is that He will lay down His life for the sheep…
Isaiah 53:7 – Christ will be like a sheep led to the slaughter…
Isaiah 53:8 – Christ stricken for the transgression of people…
John 10:18 – Christ Lay His life down of His own accord…
The second promise of Christ to His Sheep…
John 11:25 - “he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Illustration:
Christ has overcome death – Turn To: 1 Cor. 15:55 “Death where is thy sting…”
Thursday, December 21, 1899, after cutting short a Kansas City preaching engagement and returning home in ill health, D. L. Moody told his family, "I’m not discouraged. I want to live as long as I am useful, but when my work is done I want to be up and off."
The next day Moody awakened after a restless night. In careful, measured words he said, "Earth recedes, Heaven opens before me!" His son, Will, concluded his father was dreaming. "No, this is no dream, Will. It is beautiful. It is like a trance. If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go."
Application:
We cannot purchase peace and security, Peace comes through the promise of the good shepherd.
Do you fear death, do you fear losing everything, do you fear the end is almost here? Today hear the Shepherded as He promises to lay down His life for you his flock.
Conclusion:
We cannot purchase peace and security, Peace comes through believing in the:
Protection of the Shepherd – He is the strong door
Position of the Shepherd – He is not a hired hand
Promise of the Shepherd – He will lay down His life for the flock…
Closing Illustration:
Last evening we had Fr. Patrick Cardine visit us from Virginia. He made an extraordinary point in His discussion on becoming Orthodox and experiencing Christianity. He said that belief must proceed understanding. That we need to believe first, experience second and then finally we will understand this Christian faith.
The same is true with experiencing the peace of God – We must believe first! We must put our faith in the Shepherd first, then we will experience His peace and lastly, we will understand it.
Close In Prayer…
