THE PURPOSE OF THE SHEPHERD
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
1. THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalms 23:1-2 ESV
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
2. THE SHEPHERD RESTORES
He restores my soul…. Psalms 23:3 ESV
The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” Judges 6:12 NLT
you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession 1 Peter 2:9 NOT
3. THE SHEPHERD LEADS
He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Psalms 23:3 ESV
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” John 10:3-5 NLT
4. THE SHEPHERD SUPPORTS
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. Psalms 23:4 ESV
The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. 2 Timothy 4:16 NLT
May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. 2 Timothy 4:16-17 NLT
For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 NLT
5. THE SHEPHERD DEFENDS
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Psalms 23:5 ESV
By embracing death, taking it into himself, he (Jesus) destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death. Hebrews 2:14-15 MSG
6. THE SHEPHERD BLESSES.
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalms 23:5-6 ESV
THE LOVE OF THE SHEPHERD
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. John 10:11,14-15 NLT
‘He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:3-11 NLT
After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? ” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17 NLT