“The
Call to Follow the Sovereign Shepherd”
August 24, 2008
John
10:11-30
Characteristics
of Sheep (Isaiah 53:6)- Stubborn, proud, have sheep mentality in following the easy path of
the crowd blindly, but are prone to get lost, don’t take care of themselves,
need endless meticulous care, timid, helpless, must flee danger or will die
because they have no natural self-defense.
Review- Good Shepherd has personal
relationship with His Sheep; He leads His sheep and they know His voice; He
gives His sheep abundant life. (John 10:1-10)
POINT
1- God has
called us to KNOW and follow the Sovereign Shepherd
A.
The
sovereign shepherd protects His sheep with His LIFE
(He is not a hireling who
does not care; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 Sam 17:34-35)
Who is your shepherd? If not Jesus, it’s Satan- Steal, Kill, and
Destroy
B.
The
sovereign shepherd knows His sheep PERSONALLY
(Eph 1:4; Jer 1:5; Rom 8:29; Ps 139:1-6, 13-18;
Mat 10:30; 1 Cor 8:3; Gal 4:9)
C.
The
sovereign shepherd is known by His SHEEP
(Titus 1:16; Mat 7:21-23; Luke 13:22-30; Phil
3:10; Mat 11:27)
D.
The
sovereign shepherd has other sheep who will hear His VOICE
MAN, SATAN, THE WORLD, SELF- ILLUSTRATION- Man and his Wife
not hearing
(John 8:47; Ps 46:10; Mat 4:4; Acts 16:6-7; 1 Kings
19:12)
Going God is passionate
about you knowing Him, will you seek Him?
Deeper “ the Father is seeking such
to worship Him” John 4:23
POINT
2- God has
called us to BELIEVE and follow the Sovereign Shepherd
A.
The
sovereign shepherd reveals Himself to be the MESSIAH
B.
The
sovereign shepherd reveals that only His sheep can HEAR
C.
The
sovereign shepherd promises to never let the sheep PERISH
(1 Peter 1:5; John 17:12; John 6:37, 47; Rom
8:29-39; Jude 1:24)
Deeper
“For you were like sheep
going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your
souls.” 1 Peter 2:25
Have
you drifted? Will you return to Him?
Will you trust Him? Will you
follow Him? Will you obey Him? Will you let Him guide and lead you? John
20:31