1. The Love between God the Father and the Lord Jesus
a) It existed
b) It is exemplary
c) It is exceptional
2. A study of this magnificent love
a) It is worthwhile
b) It is worthy of great attention
THE LORD JESUS AS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
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 10:7-10
1. I am the Door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9)
a) Others were Thieves
b) Or Robbers (John 10:8)
2. I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10:11-16
a) He is not a hireling
The hireling flees in the face of danger. (John 10:12-13)
b) The Good Shepherd
i) He gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11)
ii) I know My sheep and am known by My own (John 10:14)
iii) I lay down My life for the sheep (John 10:15b)
THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR THE LORD JESUS DECLARED
1. This cannot be denied
2. The Father’s Closeness of Relationship is distinctive
3. A significant statement about God’s Love for the Lord Jesus
“Therefore My Father loves Me, Because I lay down My life that I may take it again” John 10:17
a) The love of the Father is declared
b) There were many reasons for this Love
i) The Lord Jesus was willing to be the Door of the sheep
ii) He is the Good Shepherd who will lay down His life for the sheep
iii) He will tirelessly do all that is required of a good shepherd
A PROFOUND LOVE
1. Another significant statement about God’s love for the Lord Jesus
“For the Father loves the Son”. John 5:20a
2. A Deep Relationship
18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
John 5:18-23
a) The actions of the Son
i) The Son does nothing of Himself
ii) He sees what the Father is doing and He emulates John 5:20
iii) As I hear, I judge (John 5:30)
b) The actions of the Father
i) He loves the Son. (John 5:20a)
ii) He shows Him all things that He Himself does (John 5:20b)
iii) He will show Him greater works (John 5:20c)
iv) The Father has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22)
v) He has given Him authority to execute judgment (John 5:27)
c) The Closeness between the Father and the Son
i) They share deeply
ii) They are in one accord
iii) There is deep mutual love
CONCLUSION
1. Appreciate God’s love afresh
2. Cultivate a great love for the Lord Jesus and God the Father
3. Be challenged to emulate the Lord Jesus and the way He ordered His life