“Everybody Needs a Shepherd, Part 2”
John 10:22-39
Sermon Series: “Getting Acquainted With Jesus”
Introduction: Start with the Ira Sankey on Christmas Eve story from the Hughes illustration book.
Review the points from the previous message:
Jesus is our Good Shepherd who gives us salvation.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd who gives us an abundant life.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd who gives us a personal relationship with God.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd who gives us a spiritual family.
Let’s look at the background of the passage. Verse 22 tells us that it was during the Feast of Dedication. That feast takes place on the 25th day of Chislev on the Jewish calendar, which is Christmas Day, December 25th, on our calendar. It was the newest feast, and it celebrated when Judas Maccabeus defeated Antiochus Epiphanes, who had desecrated the temple by offering pagan sacrifices, forcing the priests to eat pork, and turning it into a house of ill repute. The Jews celebrate this feast today as Hannukah.
Last time, we looked at four of the characteristics of Jesus being our Good Shepherd. Now, let’s look at two more.
1. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gives us eternal life (v. 27-29).
He alone is the source (“I give them”). [John 3:16]
It is a gift (“give”) [Romans 6:23]
The Nature of eternal life
-Relationship with God (John 17:3)
-It makes us spiritually alive now (Ephesians 2:1)
-It is forever life
The Security of eternal life (ill.-ball in my hand, kids holding my hand)
-Eternal Security (sovereign call of God, it is a gift of God’s grace, promise of eternal life and never perishing, are in the hand of God, given to Jesus by the Father who is greater than all)
-Security now in the sense that nothing comes to us without going through the permissive hand of God (my situation with my knee)
2. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who is God (v. 30, 36).
-The point of Christmas
-John 1:1, 14
-Illustration: A church sign in California said, “Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas.” A lady called and complained to the Pastor. She said, “I don’t think the church should try to drag religion into every holiday.”
Conclusion:
-Share the gospel
-Find security in Jesus
-Listen to His voice, trust Him, and follow Him as our Shepherd
