Foundry Community Church
Fourth Sunday of Easter - Year A
- Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Psalm 23NIRV
1 Peter 2:19–25NIRV
- The Old Rugged Cross
John 10:1–10NIRV
- There are many instances throughout Scripture that Jesus uses the phrase “I am.” There are seven specifically in John that are metaphorical in their description of Christ and His attributes.John 10 contains two of them. Both of these point to the protective nature of Christ for His sheep.Discovering the New Testament: An Introduction to Its Background, Theology, and Themes, Volume I: The Gospels & Acts The “I Am” Sayings of Jesus
• I am the bread of life [and variants] (
There are several passages of Scripture that use the phrase “sheep without a shepherd.” Sheep, by very nature, wander and need guidance. They can’t protect themselves. They need someone to lead them, guide them, take them to places where they can graze safely and find still streams for them to drink from. They are easily frightened and need someone who can calm them and keep them at peace.Jesus found Himself encountering crowds of people and “being moved with compassion” because they had no one to “shepherd them.” The religious leaders were supposed to be protectors of the house of Israel, but they were not moved with compassion, but rather full of greed and had desires of self-gain and status.The Chuch today has fallen largely to that same problem where the “spiritual leadership” has adulterated itself with sinful nature and led masses of people into brazen sinful acceptance ~ all for their own personal gains or promotion of their sinful agendas.Many churches have recognized this pattern of spiritual wickedness in the leadership and have left churches and denominations and now are churches that are led by sheep, not Godly leadership. They left for the right reasons, but lack the knowledge to advance the Kingdom of God. Keep in mind, these people are people who love God, desire to follow God, but are out of their God-given role of being “sheep.” Sheep wander, have no direction. They need those called by God to lead as Christ leads by serving the needs of the Church and giving Godly direction.1. Shepherd's Call: Knowing YouHere in John’s Gospel, we find Jesus identifying as “The Good Shepherd.” First, He identifies as “the door.” I heard recently that there are “Church Leaders” who are “creating paths of brotherhood” with Muslims and those of other faiths that are contrary in nature to this very important tenant of Christian faith. We must come through THE DOOR. Not just any door, not a window, but by Christ!Look at Jesus’ words…John 10:1–3 ESV 1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.2. Shepherd's Path: Abundant LivingJohn 10:4–5 ESV 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”Too many people are listening to charlatans and frauds. People that use ‘fancy speech’ and seemingly ‘religious terms’ that woo and wow the masses. Even Jesus disciples at this point were confused.John 10:6–7 ESV 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.Later, Jesus spells it out more clearly in John 14 where He explicitly tells them…John 14:6 ESV …“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.But here Jesus is telling them, that anyone who does it differently than what I am saying is...John 10:8–10 ESV 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.Jesus is very clear about those who claim “other ways” to salvation.Then Jesus says this very clearly…John 10:11 ESV 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.Now we, who are in the ways of God, understand that Jesus was foreshadowing His own death on the Cross for His “sheep.” He is the “Good Shepherd.”3. Shepherd's Comfort: Peaceful PresenceLet’s be clear. All of Israel understood it when David said, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” It must have been somewhat surprised when Jesus makes the statement, “I am the good shepherd…” Jesus was declaring to them, “Just like David said, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd…’, I am the Good Shepherd.” He was declaring His Lordship as decreed by David.So, what exactly does that mean?Psalm 23:1 ESV 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.Because Jesus is my Good Shepherd, I don’t need anything!Psalm 23:2 ESV 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.Because Jesus is my Good Sheperd, I have rest and my soul is satisfied.Psalm 23:3 ESV 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.I have nothing that is concerning to me, because He has restored me to right relationship. I have honor because of Him ~ Why? Because He is God! It demonstrates His Glory and Honor when those He shepherds live in strength and honor!Psalm 23:4 ESV 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.Bad times come to all of us. But I am never alone! I have nothing to fear because He is with me to guide me, correct me and comfort me. He reiterates that when He says, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age…”Psalm 23:5 ESV 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Even when the battle rages on, I have a place of safety and rest. When the battle wounds me, He cares for me and restores me to health. I have need of nothing because He always provides everything I need.Psalm 23:6 ESV 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.As I follow the path of the Good Shepherd, I have nothing to worry about, nothing to fear, because He is GOOD! And His goodness follows me all the days of my life, and my home is not made with mortal hands, it is the house of the Lord and that home is forever!Now, that sounds all fine, well and good. But we face troubles too!4. Shepherd's Sacrifice: Sustaining GraceNo where did I say that we won’t encounter troubles. In fact, Jesus, the Good Shepherd Himself promised that we would be despised and rejected for His Name’s sake. We are told in Scripture that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. ~Matthew 5:45 ESV 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.Oh yeah, Jesus said that too…So what happens then?Glad you asked!1 Peter 2:19–20 ESV 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.Peter asks a good question here.1 Peter 2:21 ESV 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.Peter reminds us that our Good Shepherd has already endured far more than we ever will. But…1 Peter 2:22 ESV 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.Even though He committed no sin, nor deceit found in his mouth…1 Peter 2:23 ESV 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.He wasn’t concerned about the treatment given to Him by mankind, He was looking to His Father, the wise judge.So, what did he accomplish through this?1 Peter 2:24 ESV 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.So, how did He accomplish this?1 Peter 2:25 ESV 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.He is the Good Shepherd. He cares for His sheep. He loves and protects us. He corrects us, provides for us, meets our needs, heals our wounds. So what does that mean to us?Remember after the Resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and made him breakfast on the shore. Now, Peter had just denied Jesus three times! Jesus was then crucified and died, was burried, then He rose again. But Peter, had some real guilt and grief because of what He had done. Look at this with me…John 21:15–19 ESV 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”Let’s be honest. Peter didn’t have a monopoly on betrayal of Christ. We all have betrayed Him. So listen to what the Good Shepherd is telling Peter ~ and us to do…John 21:15 ESV 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”John 21:15 ESV “…Feed my lambs.” ~ Take care of my vulnerable ones, make sure that they have what they need to grow.John 21:16 ESV 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”“…Tend my sheep.” ~ He’s saying, Peter, take care of my sheep. Shepherd them. Make sure that they are well cared for.John 21:17 ESV 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.“…Feed my sheep.” ~ Make sure that my sheep never lack life-sustaining food. Nourish them. Help them grow to maturity so, that they can produce more sheep.For each betrayal, Peter was charged with responsibility, not as punishment, but for purpose in the Kingdom.“Peter, you have been restored. You have been fed. Now, Go and do likewise…” John 10:1–3NIRV
John 10:4–5NIRV
John 10:6–7NIRV
John 14:6NIRV
John 10:8–10NIRV
John 10:11NIRV
Psalm 23:1NIRV
Psalm 23:2NIRV
Psalm 23:3NIRV
Psalm 23:4NIRV
Psalm 23:5NIRV
Psalm 23:6NIRV
Matthew 5:45NIRV
1 Peter 2:19–20NIRV
1 Peter 2:21NIRV
1 Peter 2:22NIRV
1 Peter 2:23NIRV
1 Peter 2:24NIRV
1 Peter 2:25NIRV
John 21:15–19NIRV
John 21:15NIRV
John 21:16NIRV
John 21:17NIRV
- MYSTERION
- Doxology
- In The Cross Of Christ I Glory
- Now Unto Him
Foundry Community Church
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