Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Jesus Our Shepherd
Mark A. Copeland
INTRODUCTION
1. Foretold in Old Testament prophecy is the promise of a Shepherd...
a. It would be glad tidings for the cities of Judah - Isa 40:9-11
b. He would gather Israel as a shepherd does his flock - Jer 31:10
c. He would feed them, a type of David (who would be his ancestor) - Ezek 34:23
2. Revealed in the New Testament is that Jesus is that Shepherd...
a. He is the Good Shepherd, who will bring other sheep into His fold! - Jn 10:1-16
b. He is the Chief Shepherd, who has other shepherds watching His flock! - 1 Pe 5:4
c. He is the Great Shepherd, who through His blood makes us complete! - He 13:20
3. The motif of a shepherd is revealing...
a. It pictures the sort of blessings enjoyed by those who follow Jesus
b. It should remind us of the duties we have as His sheep
[What can we glean from the Scriptures concerning “Jesus Our Shepherd”? Certainly there are...]
I. THE BLESSINGS OF JESUS OUR SHEPHERD
A. HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US...
1. He laid down His life for His sheep
a. As foretold in the Old Testament - Zech 13:7; cf. Mt 26:31
b. As Jesus told His disciples He would do - Jn 10:11,15
2. Thus He is able to offer eternal life to His sheep - Jn 10:28; cf. 1 Jn 5:11-13
a. Offering security to those who continue to believe
b. Such that none can snatch them from the hand of God
c. Though one can fall from God’s hand through neglect - He 3:12-15; cf. Re 2:10
B. HE NOW CARES FOR US...
1. Having called us (through the gospel) - Jn 10:3; cf. 2 Th 2:13-14
2. Having gathered us into His one fold (even Gentiles!) - Jn 10:16; cf. Ep 2:11-22
3. As our Good Shepherd:
a. He knows us - Jn 10:14,27; cf. 2 Ti 2:19
b. He feeds us - Jn 10:9; cf. Psa 23:1,2
c. He guides us - Jn 10:3,4; cf. Psa 23:3
d. He cherishes us tenderly - Isa 40:11; cf. Ep 5:25-29
e. He protects and preserves - Jer 31:10; Jn 10:28-29; cf. Jude 28-29
[Wonderful are the blessings of Jesus our Shepherd! Such blessings are prefigured in that most beautiful
of psalms (Psalms 23).
But what does the Shepherd expect of His sheep...?]
II. OUR DUTIES TO JESUS OUR SHEPHERD
A. HEED HIS VOICE...
Topical Sermons 210