Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 28 March 2021 : “I Am The Good Shepherd”

Text: Matthew 9, John 10
28 March 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. Learning more about the 7 “I Am”s of the Lord Jesus Christ

a. To deepen our appreciation of the Lord Jesus Christ
b. To deepen our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

2. The Lord Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd

a. The fourth “I Am” in the Gospel of John
“I am the Good Shepherd”   John 10:11, 14
b. As God is Shepherd to us   (Psalm 23)
So too is the Lord Jesus Christ our Good Shepherd

3. Appreciating the Lord Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd by seeing His wonderful heart of a Shepherd

THE HEART OF A SHEPHERD SEEN IN HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY   Matthew 9:35-36

1. He was always ministering and caring for people

a. Teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom   (Matthew 9:35a)
b. Healing every sickness and every disease   (Matthew 9:35b)

2. He felt and identified deeply with people’s struggles

a. He was moved with compassion for the multitudes   (Matthew 9:36)
i. They were weary and scattered
ii. Like sheep having no shepherd
b. He would be the Shepherd that they did not have

THE HEART OF A SHEPHERD FURTHER SHOWN TO US BY THE LORD   JOHN 10

1. His personal and intimate knowledge of the sheep

a. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out   (John 10:3)
b. Each one is precious, and led personally by Him

2. His sacrificial love for the sheep

a. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep   (John 10:11)
b. Contrasted with the hireling who does not care   (John 10:12-13)

3. His loving assurance to the sheep

a. Wonderful truths reiterated
i. He is the Good Shepherd   (John 10:11a, 14a)
ii. He knows His sheep   (John 10:3, 14b)
iii. He gives His life for the sheep   (John 10:11b, 15b)
b. For emphasis and assurance

THE CHALLENGE TO RESPOND TO THE SHEPHERD

1. The Lord Jesus Christ’s precious heart of a Shepherd

a. Seen in His life and ministry
b. Further shown to us lovingly

2. The heart of the sheep to the Shepherd

a. It is for us to respond
b. May our hearts be moved to believe and love our Good Shepherd

ENCOURAGEMENT TO US ALL

1. To recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd

2. To appreciate the Lord Jesus Christ’s precious heart of a Shepherd

3. To be challenged to respond with faith and love in the Good Shepherd