Jesus Unfiltered Week 4: Jesus Is The Good Shepherd Message Summary: An average shepherd feeds the sheep, but only a true good shepherd risks/ gives his life for the sheep. This is what makes Jesus so good in comparison with other teachers and religions. Only he lays down his life for the sake of sinners who have wandered from the ways of God. This is why we know, love, and trust his voice. ✦ Pick Your Pastor ... (Pastor means shepherd .) ✦ John 10:11-13 — ( The Good Shepherd’s Claim ) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The manruns away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ✦ Psalm 23 — The Lord is my shepherd. * ✦ Ezekiel 34 — The Lord himself will seek his sheep. * ✦ Ezekiel 34:1-12 — The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel: This is what the Sovereign Lord says, ‘Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock... Therefore... I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep.’” ✦ * “Good Shepherd” is a divine claim with divine judgment on false pastors . ✦ John 10:14-15,17-18 — ( The Good Shepherd’s Pattern) “I am the good shepherd; [#1] I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — [#2] and I lay down my life for the sheep... 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. [#3] I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father”. ❖ #1: It’s all about Jesus’voice . ❖ #2: It’s all about Jesus’ sacrifice. ❖ #3: It’s all about Jesus’ resurrection . ✦ John 10:18-21 — (The Good Shepherd’s Flock) “Those who heard these words were again divided. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?” But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon.” ✦ Pick pastors who proclaim Jesus the Good Shepherd . Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — What are proofs from worship at 922 where you see we are all about proclaiming the unfiltered Jesus of Scripture? GROUP — As we do life together with fellow Christians, when is it difficult to echo the Good Shepherd’s voice – no more, no less? When is it easy? GROW — The most time we have to learn the Good Shepherd’s voice is our time at home. What are things drowning out his voice? What are ways to hear it better? GIVE — The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, and we learn to do the same for others. Where are opportunities for you to lay down your life more? GO — To whom might we make Jesus’ voice clearer? To whom might Jesus’ sacrifice bring comfort? To whom might Jesus’ resurrection bring hope? Homework: John 15 (Hashtags: Jesus, salvation, shepherd)