CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD’S SHEEP. John 10:22-24 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple.

CHARACTERISTICCHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOOD S OF THE GOOD

SHEPHERD’S SHEPHERD’S SHEEPSHEEP

John 10:22-24John 10:22-24

Then came the Feast of Dedication at Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”the Christ, tell us plainly.”

John 10:25-30John 10:25-30

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

What are the characteristics of the What are the characteristics of the Good Shepherd’s sheep?Good Shepherd’s sheep?

I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.Voice.

My sheep listen to my voice - v27My sheep listen to my voice - v27

A. A shepherd will A. A shepherd will callcall his sheep. his sheep.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

A. A shepherd will A. A shepherd will callcall his sheep. his sheep.

1. 1. FoldFold = a corral. = a corral.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

A. A shepherd will A. A shepherd will callcall his sheep. his sheep.

1. 1. FoldFold = a corral. = a corral.

2. What happens when a 2. What happens when a shepherd does this?shepherd does this?

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

A. A shepherd will A. A shepherd will callcall his sheep. his sheep.

B. Your Good Shepherd B. Your Good Shepherd callscalls you you today.today.

Hebrews 1:1-2 - In the past God spoke to our Hebrews 1:1-2 - In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last times and in various ways, but in these last days days he has spoken to us by his Sonhe has spoken to us by his Son, , whom he appointed heir of all things, and whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.through whom he made the universe.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

B. Your Good Shepherd B. Your Good Shepherd callscalls you you today.today.

1. God has spoken to you today 1. God has spoken to you today through the Lord Jesus but you through the Lord Jesus but you must must listenlisten & & respondrespond to what to what He has said.He has said.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

1. God has spoken to you today 1. God has spoken to you today through the Lord Jesus but you through the Lord Jesus but you must must listenlisten & & respondrespond to what to what He has said.He has said.

Romans 10:17 - Consequently, faith comes Romans 10:17 - Consequently, faith comes from from hearing the messagehearing the message, and the , and the message is heard message is heard through the word of through the word of ChristChrist. .

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

1. God has spoken to you today 1. God has spoken to you today through the Lord Jesus but you through the Lord Jesus but you must must listenlisten & & respondrespond to what to what He has said.He has said.

John 18:37 - “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. John 18:37 - “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of Everyone on the side of truth listens to metruth listens to me.” .”

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

1. God has spoken to you today 1. God has spoken to you today through the Lord Jesus but you through the Lord Jesus but you must must listenlisten & & respondrespond to what to what He has said.He has said.

Revelation 3:20 - Here I am! I stand at the door Revelation 3:20 - Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the dooropens the door, I will come in and eat with , I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.him, and he with me.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

2. Examples of how people have 2. Examples of how people have responded to God’s voice.responded to God’s voice.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

2. Examples of how people have 2. Examples of how people have responded to God’s voice.responded to God’s voice.

Genesis 3:8 - Then the man and his wife heard Genesis 3:8 - Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and and they hid from the LORDthey hid from the LORD God among the God among the trees of the garden.trees of the garden.

Isaiah 6:8 - “Isaiah 6:8 - “Here am I, send meHere am I, send me!” !”

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

2. Examples of how people have 2. Examples of how people have responded to God’s voice.responded to God’s voice.

Ananias & Saul of TarsusAnanias & Saul of TarsusActs 9:10-18Acts 9:10-18

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

3. When called, you become 3. When called, you become separatedseparated from this world by from this world by your your Shepherd.Shepherd.

I Peter 2:9 - But you are I Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen peoplea chosen people, , a a royal priesthoodroyal priesthood, , a holy nationa holy nation, , a people a people belonging to Godbelonging to God, that you may declare the , that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.darkness into his wonderful light.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

3. When called, you become 3. When called, you become separatedseparated from this world by from this world by your your Shepherd.Shepherd.

I Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a I Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a royal priesthood, a holyholy nation, a people nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.darkness into his wonderful light.

Holy Holy (aγιος) = separate apart.= separate apart.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

4. To be separated you must be 4. To be separated you must be willing to . . .willing to . . .

a. a. DenyDeny yourself. yourself.Matthew 16:24 - If anyone would come after me, Matthew 16:24 - If anyone would come after me,

he must he must denydeny himself and himself and take up his crosstake up his cross and and follow mefollow me..

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

4. To be separated you must be 4. To be separated you must be willing to . . .willing to . . .

b. b. ForsakeForsake your loyalty to the your loyalty to the world.world.

Luke 14:26 & 33 - If anyone comes to me and Luke 14:26 & 33 - If anyone comes to me and does not does not hatehate . . . yes, even . . . yes, even his own lifehis own life — — he he cannot be my disciplecannot be my disciple . . . In the same . . . In the same way, any of you who does not way, any of you who does not give up give up everythingeverything he has he has cannot be my disciplecannot be my disciple..

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

4. To be separated you must be 4. To be separated you must be willing to . . .willing to . . .

c. c. ContinueContinue in the Lord’s in the Lord’s word.word.

John 8:31 - If you John 8:31 - If you hold to my teachinghold to my teaching, you are , you are really my disciples.really my disciples.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

4. To be separated you must be 4. To be separated you must be willing to . . .willing to . . .

d. Begin bearing d. Begin bearing spiritualspiritual fruit.fruit.

John 15:8 - This is to my Father’s glory, that John 15:8 - This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruityou bear much fruit, showing yourselves to , showing yourselves to be my disciples.be my disciples.

I. I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.

I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.Voice.

II. They Follow Where the Shepherd II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.Leads.

. . . I know them, and they follow me. I give . . . I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life . . . v27-28them eternal life . . . v27-28

A. Where does a shepherd lead?A. Where does a shepherd lead?

II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.

A. Where does a shepherd lead?A. Where does a shepherd lead?

1. To physical necessities.1. To physical necessities.

Psalm 23:2-3 - He makes me lie down in Psalm 23:2-3 - He makes me lie down in green green pasturespastures, he leads me beside , he leads me beside quiet watersquiet waters he restores my soul. He guides me in paths he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.of righteousness for his name’s sake.

II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.

A. Where does a shepherd lead?A. Where does a shepherd lead?

1. To physical necessities.1. To physical necessities.

2. To right paths.2. To right paths.Psalm 23:2-3 - He makes me lie down in green Psalm 23:2-3 - He makes me lie down in green

pastures, he leads me beside quiet pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters waters he restores my soul. He guides me he restores my soul. He guides me in in paths of righteousnesspaths of righteousness for his name’s for his name’s sake.sake.

II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.

A. Where does a shepherd lead?A. Where does a shepherd lead?

B. Where does your Good Shepherd B. Where does your Good Shepherd lead you?lead you?

II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.

B. Where does your Good Shepherd B. Where does your Good Shepherd lead you?lead you?

1. To 1. To physicalphysical necessities. necessities.

The Lord Feeds the Birds &The Lord Feeds the Birds &Clothes the LilliesClothes the Lillies

Matthew 6:26-29Matthew 6:26-29

II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.

B. Where does your Good Shepherd B. Where does your Good Shepherd lead you?lead you?

1. To 1. To physicalphysical necessities. necessities.Matthew 6:31-33 - So do not worry, saying, ‘What Matthew 6:31-33 - So do not worry, saying, ‘What

shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as wellall these things will be given to you as well..

II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.

B. Where does your Good Shepherd B. Where does your Good Shepherd lead you?lead you?

2. To the 2. To the rightright pathpath..Psalm 48:14 - For this God is our God for ever Psalm 48:14 - For this God is our God for ever

and ever; and ever; he will be our guidehe will be our guide even to the even to the end.end.

II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.

I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s I. They Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice.Voice.

II. They Follow Where the Shepherd II. They Follow Where the Shepherd Leads.Leads.

III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.. . . and they shall never perish; no one can . . . and they shall never perish; no one can

snatch them out of my hand. - v28snatch them out of my hand. - v28

A. A shepherd A. A shepherd protectedprotected his sheep. his sheep.Psalm 23:4 - Even though I walk through the Psalm 23:4 - Even though I walk through the

valley of the shadow of death,valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no I will fear no evil, for evil, for you are with meyou are with me; ; your rod and your your rod and your staffstaff, they , they comfort mecomfort me..

III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.

A. A shepherd A. A shepherd protectedprotected his sheep. his sheep.

B. Your Good Shepherd will protect B. Your Good Shepherd will protect you . . .you . . .

III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.

B. Your Good Shepherd will protect B. Your Good Shepherd will protect you . . .you . . .

1. From 1. From physicalphysical harm. harm.

III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.

B. Your Good Shepherd will protect B. Your Good Shepherd will protect you . . .you . . .

1. From 1. From physicalphysical harm. harm.

The Egyptian Army Drowns!The Egyptian Army Drowns!Exodus 14:5-31Exodus 14:5-31

III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.

B. Your Good Shepherd will protect B. Your Good Shepherd will protect you . . .you . . .

2. From 2. From spiritualspiritual harm. harm.

III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.

B. Your Good Shepherd will protect B. Your Good Shepherd will protect you . . .you . . .

2. From 2. From spiritualspiritual harm. harm.Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that

neither death nor life, neither angels nor neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, anything else in all creation, will be able to will be able to separate us from the love of Godseparate us from the love of God that is in that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Christ Jesus our Lord.

III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.III. They Stay in the Shepherd’s Care.

Your Lord is a wonderful Good Your Lord is a wonderful Good Shepherd to you!Shepherd to you!

He loves you, cares for you, protects He loves you, cares for you, protects you & cherishes you!you & cherishes you!

Take the responsibility to be the best Take the responsibility to be the best possible sheep you can be!possible sheep you can be!