This document provides a summary of a sermon given on John 10 about Jesus being the true shepherd. The sermon discusses how Jesus died for his sheep in the New Testament, unlike Old Testament shepherds where the sheep died for the shepherd. It also references the resurrection of Lazarus as glorifying God and strengthening the disciples' faith. The sermon argues Christians should live abundant, victorious lives through Christ rather than in self-effort, and that God desires to use believers in powerful ways like He used Lazarus.
1. JESUS THE TRUE SHEPHERD
JOHN 10
NOVEMBER 24, 2013
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
November Bible Memory Verse:
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
What’s the number one thing?
The glory of God!
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4612040156710431&pid=1.7
The most important theme in the universe is the glory of God.
God’s glory is the underlying reason for all of God's works, from the creation of
the world, to the redemption of fallen sinners, to the manifestation of His greatness
for all eternity in Heaven.
Everything God created gives Him glory—except fallen angels and fallen men
and women.
2. The most gracious and complete manifestation of God's glory came in the
person of the Lord Jesus Christ, “the Word [Who] became flesh, and dwelt among
us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and
truth” (John 1:14).
John chapter 11 records the last and most powerful of the seven miraculous
signs in the gospel of John, the resurrection of Lazarus four days after he died.
The miracle's primary purpose, however, was not to restore him to life, or
to comfort his grieving sisters.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, first and foremost, so that He and the
Father would be glorified (John 11: 4, 40).
John 11:4 NKJV
4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the
glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
John 11:4 NKJV
John 11:40 NKJV
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see
the glory of God?”
John 11:40 NKJV
John 8 - The adulterous woman
John 9 - The man who was born blind
John 10 - Jesus the True Shepherd
In the OT the sheep died for the shepherd.
In the NT the Shepherd dies for the sheep!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YFyhgLK5aQ/TsW3M5xHlVI/AAAAAAAAH1U/QH8ZqnHV-_M/s1600/Good+Shepherd.jpg
3. http://cdn.followpics.com/show/157626055679302027_vSd9GrZE_c.jpg
http://lynnaquilina.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/909177_10151513069899407_1142513664_n.jpg?w=265&h=270
Psalm 23 KJV
1 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still
waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's
sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou
preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will
dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23 KJV
4. 4a Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
http://www.landofmysojourn.net/sitebuilder/images/full_ShadowValley-330x238.jpg
http://www.scripturalrosary.org/images/transfiguration2.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SefIadcwZCE/TbinpOMpJqI/AAAAAAAAAX0/OGTWKvw9AAE/s1600/InTheValley.jpg
6. 6 Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
http://truthworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/two-angels-300x300.jpg
http://fellowshipofminds.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/guardian-angel.jpg
The resurrection of Lazarus evidenced Christ's glory in three ways:
1) it pointed unmistakably to His deity (John 11:25-27);
2) it strengthened the faith of the disciples (John 11:15);
3) it led directly to the cross (John 11:53).
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nfnZof%2B6L.jpg
8. This is that second view of the cross in which we see that Jesus Christ not only
died for our sins, but that, as Paul puts it, “we died with Him”. See Galatians 2:20
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in
me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
Colossians 2:12 NKJV
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through
faith in the working of God, Who raised Him from the dead.
Colossians 2:12 NKJV
1) Crucified with Christ
2) Buried with Him
3) Raised with Him!
“it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us”
Galatians 2:20b NKJV
http://www.dailyencouragement.net/images/scripture/galatians_2-20.gif
http://ubdavid.org/youthworld/winners1/graphics/12_christ-lives-in-me.jpg
9. The basis of our activity is no longer I’ll try but I’ll trust.
No more self-effort but His activity in us.
We learn the great truth in Romans 7 and 8: not I, but Christ.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/2d/51/05/2d51050b7d5c47b1b16913901c4bba96.jpg
Instead of that futile, pathetic, pitiful struggle of so many Christians to make it I
plus Christ; It is not I, but Christ, no longer a struggle, but rest. (Matthew 11:28)
http://rescuejesusnow.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/exhaustion.jpg
Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take
My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4dw3wcU8n1rvjtt3o1_500.png
10. http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/a6/2f/50/a62f502260ee7a766c7d5bba0190b065.jpg
No longer my efforts for Him, but His efforts through me; life is no longer a failure,
but a triumph!
2 Corinthians 2:14a NKJV
14a Now thanks be to God Who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
2 Corinthians 2:14a NKJV
1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV
57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV
VICTORY IN JESUS!
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory!
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
11. Bible mathematics of Revelation 22:18-19 and 2 Timothy 2:15
We are not to add to the Bible, nor to subtract from it, but to rightly divide it.
http://www.redeemerhd.org/Redeemer_Community_Church/Colossians/Entries/2012/5/21_Walking_In_The_Gospel_files/
HR-Colossians.jpg
Colossians 2:6 NKJV
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
Colossians 2:6 NKJV
http://ih0.redbubble.net/image.12447810.0090/papergc,441x415,w,ffffff.2.jpg
Have you moved into this area of Christian living? For this is as much a part of
God’s intention for you as that you should have been made alive from the dead
in the first place.
John 10:10 NKJV
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have
come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 NKJV
12. Are you living a defeated life or an abundant life?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPUaCWVGLjM/Ubcjm4pjtgI/AAAAAAAAAd4/giC0ysfrzaY/s1600/life.jpg
It was never the intention of Jesus Christ to raise Lazarus from the dead and
leave him stumbling about, bound in the grave clothes of the old life.
http://www.unsigned.com/_files/artists/full/lazarusalive_8382085_41.jpg
The Gospel not only includes the promise of life in Christ, and liberty in Christ, but
also liberality, enrichment, the joy of unbroken fellowship with Jesus!
This is an actual practical experience, quite possible in every Christian life.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OMdt74a1t5E/SwbErDqMzaI/AAAAAAAAAdk/WS81-5VdRK8/s1600/jesus.jpg
13. Spelled out in the simplest of terms it means such things as:
comfort in sorrow,
insight in perplexity,
joy through a veil of tears, courage in danger,
beauty rising up from ashes, &
light in darkness.
http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/cms/blog/2467094/tomb.jpg
2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 14-15 NKJV
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power
may be of God and not of us.
treasure in earthen vessels
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKUQiuo4KJo/UHlQ8ob8ZNI/AAAAAAAADzM/Xv9jm-R5LyM/s1600/broken-clay-jar-chen.jpg
8 We
are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not
in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of
Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always
delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested
in our mortal flesh.
14 He
Who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will
present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread
through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 14-15
14. A mellowing, broadening, deepening walk in the faithfulness of God, where we
discover His mercies are fresh every morning and His word is like manna to the
soul.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/e2/dc/d7/e2dcd7978ec16bc5c8b244af26ede5b2.jpg
His mercies are fresh every morning and it is always morning somewhere!
This is feasting with the Lord Jesus Christ!
http://themustardtreeblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/jesus_disciplies_dinner1.jpg
Revelation 3:20 NKJV
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens
the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20 NKJV
There is yet a final scene here about Lazarus in John 12:9-11.
The Plot to Kill Lazarus
John 12:9-11 NKJV
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for
Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from
the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because
on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
John 12:9-11 NKJV
15. Here is a scene that pictures Lazarus being used by God - mightily used!
http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4875381769306782&pid=1.7
A great crowd had come out to see Lazarus.
They not only came to see Jesus, they came to see Lazarus.
They didn’t come to hear him because the interesting thing is that Lazarus never
told a thing about what his experience was beyond the grave.
Whether he didn’t remember it, or whether he was simply, as Paul said about
himself, forbidden to speak about these things, we don’t know.
Paul said it’s not lawful for a man to utter these things (after being caught up to
the third Heaven – caught up into Paradise). 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 NKJV
For whatever reason, Lazarus never said a word about what conditions were like
beyond the grave.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kr_xfH0aEq4/THZzYGtVYxI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/W7agUpe3HXc/s1600/Lazarus.jpg
These people didn’t come out to hear Lazarus, they came out to see him, this
remarkable man who was raised from the dead.
16. In the insight which we gain here, Lazarus has become what every Christian can
be.
Lazarus was a disturbing element which men could not ignore, they could
never leave him alone.
He upset them; they had to make a decision about him, one way or the
other.
Contact with Lazarus here meant either they believed or they belittled, one or
the other.
There were some that came to believe.
John 12:9-11 NKJV
11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in
Jesus.
John 12:9-11 NKJV
But there was that crowd that wouldn’t believe.
There are more horse’s behinds in the world than there are horses.
This group of unbelievers planned to also put Lazarus to death.
Imagine putting a man to death that had just been raised from the dead!
http://www.bibleuniversity.com/images/CourseID1/lesson09-10.jpg
But so vicious is this hatred, awakened by the testimony of a man standing
before them, that they intend to put him to death again.
You can see here what a vital, unforgettable impact Lazarus is making on
the people of his day.
They couldn’t leave him alone; they had to make a decision.
17. What a disturbing man he was!
Pray that God might use us like this!
You don’t have to wait until you have gone through all the preparatory stages of
Christian experience before God can begin to use you.
The preparation of Jesus Christ in the human life is an in-service training.
See Philippians 1:6 Philippians 1:6 NKJV
6 being confident of this very thing, that He Who has begun a good work in you
will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Philippians 1:6 NKJV
Jesus began immediately to use His disciples and sent them out even
though they’re woefully ignorant.
They had much to learn, as He Himself tells us.
God begins to use you as soon as you are saved if you allow Him to.
Even if you are a newborn babe in Jesus Christ, you can be used mightily.
But that use is always limited and will never come to its full manifestation of
possibility and potential until, like Lazarus, we have passed through these
intervening stages and come to what Paul calls maturity.
Then once we learn the great basis of Christ’ life in us, and we cease to depend
on our own self effort in this respect, we move into that place where we become
the instruments of God’s use.
http://www.mcasco.com/Obs%20Archive/images/hand_pencil.jpg
18. http://eisakouo.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/mother-teresa-pencil-in-the-hand-of-god.jpg
instruments of God’s use
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sjv7v9Br8Ic/TfTzMzpA1YI/AAAAAAAABQI/aLBH2p5gj8Y/s320/pencil2.jpg
Have you come to Jesus but you are still bound?
Are you still under the same domination of power and habits and thoughts
that you always have been? Galatians 2:20
Galatians 2:20b
“and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God…”
Galatians 2:20b
Psalm 119:9&11
9
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Thy Word.
11
Thy Word have I hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against Thee.
Psalm 119:9&11
19. Are you still struggling with the same old routine of evil things in your life that
hamper you and fetter you and hold you in demand?
Or having passed beyond being bond by your past, have you yet entered into
the stage of feasting with the Lord?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6gR3sRfXwQ/TWgUTb6GKpI/AAAAAAAAADA/pmHMnxacbWQ/s1600/jesus+emmaeus.jpg
Feasting with the Lord where you have not only discovered how to walk with Him
but you are daily experiencing Him in every way you move and in everything
you do?
If so, then you are very close to this place of being widely used by the
Lord in unmistakable impact upon those all around.
But first find out where you are.
Have you noticed that this is the first question in the Bible?
When God came searching for Adam in the Garden of Eden, His first question
was, “Where are you?”
You will never make significant progress in your spiritual life until you answer that
question.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLUhwU_bFrU/TnIo4bwN4zI/AAAAAAAABFo/tQjbU_gfjaE/s1600/gps1.jpg
20. All progress in your spiritual life must begin with an honest appraisal:
Where am I spiritually?
http://www.knightsofdivinemercy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Are-you-spiritually-fit-1024x667.png
Wherever you are, you will find that Jesus Christ is all that you need to take
you to the next step.
The answer in every case with Lazarus was Christ.
Christ is the answer!
Beginning with where you are, come to Him acknowledging where you are,
telling Him what your need is, asking Him to make clear to you how that need is
to be met in your life.
And then, looking to Him, expecting Him to lead you as you begin the search for
whatever it takes to move into that next step that will bring you at last to this
place of abiding truthfulness, a tremendous impact in your Christian experience.
http://ubdavid.org/youthworld/overcomers/graphics/10_christ-lives-in-me.jpg
21. PRAYER
Fill us Lord, as vessels in which there is hidden a great treasure that the
http://www.earthenvesselsnurse-midwifery.com/attachments/Image/Earthen_Vessel.jpg
excellency of the power may not be of us, but of Thee and that we may be, as
Lazarus became, a disturbing element, so that no one contacting us can go
away without either being challenged to believe or belittle.
http://gospelbondservant.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/robe-of-jesus96_n.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kBaUwt0t_jk/Tz0x78zM6eI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/J-nuYxCtsCc/s1600/princeofpeace1.jpg
22. What’s the number one thing?
The glory of God!
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4612040156710431&pid=1.7