Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

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.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

John 10:1-15“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

“I Am the Good Shepherd”:Knowing God’s Care

John 10:1-15 & Psalm 23

We are creatures of habitWe like the familiar, the routineBut at some point we get bored

We also like something new A break from the routine, an adventure

God cares for us…our coming and going

Jesus illustrated how he would always be with us as he told a story

He used this story to explain who he wasFamiliar images in that day:

Sheep, a shepherd, sheep pensPastures, gates, doorsThieves and robbers

Nomadic lifeShepherds moved their sheep

Sheep folds were importantKeep sheep safe at night

Could be rented

Jesus said…“I am the Gate”“I am the Door”

“I am the Good Shepherd”

Let’s look at the image of “the Gate”A gate opens and closes

Allows “coming in and going out”Allows sheep to go from the security of the pen, to pastures that provide

food, water and freedom

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The Sheepfold / PasturesOur lives are a balance between:

Security & FreedomMany non-Christians think Christianity is

boring, no funChrist promises that when we belong to Him, there will be security and freedom

He will care for us…He goes with us!

Some translations, use the word “Door”

Jesus said, “I am the Door.”What happens when there is no

gate on the sheep pen?

Video Clip by Rob Fuquay

Jesus becomes “the Door”He stands as the door between

the sheep and the dangerPowerful image

Even in the Christian life, there are real dangers

God’s Word and His commandments serve as a door

Prayer and discernment allows God to guide us

Shows us when it is safe to go out, when we need to be careful,

and when we should not go

But wherever we go, we are not aloneWhen danger lurks, Jesus protectsWhen we wander off, He comes

looking for usWhen we are harmed, Jesus heals

Our faith community steps in to give guidance and heal our wounds

Jesus is like a good shepherd, who is so committed to his sheep, that he will

place his life on the lineNot like a hired hand who has no

investment in the sheepNot like a babysitter who lets the kids

play in the park unattended

The “Good Shepherd”Watches over

LeadsProvidesProtectsRescuesHeals

Even gives His life

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

1 – the Good Shepherd laid down his life for his sheep

2 – Jesus said, “I lay down my life”Conversion of Liz Curtis Higgs

“Liz, a man has already died for you.”That man was Jesus Christ.

Christ has given his life for Liz, and for you and for me!

Love of a parentWilling to give our life for our child?

A friend? A cause?Would we give our life for a stranger?

But would we give the life of our child?Our God’s love for us is so great that He was willing to give His son’s life to save

each one of us from our sin

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Each one of us is so valuable to God that He was willing to

sacrifice His Son for usLike the lost sheep, each one of

us is importantJesus wants to be known to allYet He care cares for each one

of us individually

Litany

When we find ourselves wondering how we are expected to navigate this confusing, intimidating world, help us to remember that we are not alone because Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.”

When we feel tempted to stray from our communities, to try to make it on our own without the help of those who care about us, remind us that we are never out of your care when Jesus tells us, “I am the Good Shepherd.”

When we take a risk and venture out alone anyway, remind us that there is no distance we can wander that God is not still guarding and holding us close when Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.”

When we’re too tired to do or to think anymore, help us to remember to rest and feel safe under the keep of Jesus, who says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Amen.

We are the Federated Church.

Our Mission is to…

Seek Christ, Serve Christ and Share

Christ.