WEBVTT

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 I have to say it's a blessing to be at Maranatha Baptist in so many ways.

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! At least half a dozen or more different occasions this morning, somebody greeted me with, hey

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! Pastor, we're praying for you today.

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 Let me tell you, there's nothing that makes me rejoice more as a person who is to bring

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 the word than to hear that you're praying.

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 Not only praying that the word of God would be brought in the spirit in power, but I'm

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 sure also praying for your own hearts that God would do a work there.

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 That God would begin the process before you even come to this moment.

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 That he would prepare a heart that is ready to hear the word and not just be hearers of

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 the word, but doers of the word.

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 And I tell you, I get the sense from this church that it is a church that loves to know God

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 and loves to make God known.

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 And that makes, this makes me happy as a person who brings the word.

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 But also, I guess, it makes me a little humbled.

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 Sitting in a Sunday school class and hearing the word being taught and being challenged for

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 myself, what are the answers here?

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 How do you answer that question?

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 It's great to be a part of a church that knows the word and can sharpen the pastor as much

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 as I am seeking to sharpen you.

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 And that's refreshing to me.

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 It's great to be in this church.

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 And I tell you, if you missed the theme of the songs this morning, you must not be awake

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 because what we were singing about today is what we're going to learn about in the message

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 in John chapter 10.

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 Our continuing message as we're working through this gospel narrative and as I have been trying

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 to catch up to where you are in John chapter 10, I've been listening to messages going back

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 to November of 2014.

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 That was John 3.

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 Yowzers.

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 So I've had a lot of work to do these last few weeks and a lot of sermons to listen to

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 and a lot of reading to do as I've been reading and marking the gospel of John and trying to

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 catch up.

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 Where are you in terms of this gospel narrative?

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 And what is the flow of this passage?

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 And how does the gospel writer develop his thoughts?

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 And why is John 10 important?

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 And where are we in the story?

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 And I can tell you, it's been a great study for me.

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 And I trust this morning as we look into the word, it will be encouraging and challenging

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 as we get to see the shepherd put on display.

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 Our good shepherd.

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 Put on display for us to see.

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 So that I, my prayer for us this morning is to fall in love with the Savior in a whole new way

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 as we look at the good shepherd.

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 Just yesterday I got a text from a friend of mine.

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 He's a friend who lives in Illinois.

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 He's an elderly gentleman about 67 years old.

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 And for the last several weeks he's been experiencing some difficulty physically.

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 The kind of difficulty that kind of puts you out.

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 He's been kind of checked out of life.

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 His back pain has kind of crippled him for the moment and kept him from being productive.

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 At least from a physical standpoint.

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 But what he has not been able to do in a physical way he has made up for in terms of spiritual activity.

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 About a month ago I was talking to him and encouraged and challenged by his statement to me that says,

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 I'm falling in love with the Savior in a whole new way.

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 And through the course of these last four weeks,

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 this quietness in his heart has helped him turn down the volume of life

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 and turn up the volume of his good shepherd.

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 Just yesterday he sent me this text and in this text he says this.

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 He says,

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 Continually in longing for my first love.

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 Content with that.

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 And no burden.

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 I hope that's where we are today.

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 But my guess is that you're a little like me.

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 That it's easy to get distracted by life.

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 It's easy to turn up the volume on all of the other things in life that are good things.

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 So that the still small voice of God,

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 the whisper of God is inaudible.

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 You can't hear it.

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 You can't quite discern what the Savior's path or direction for you in this moment is.

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 And we listen to the experts.

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 You listen to the philosophies of this world that says,

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 Certain things are expected of you in your parenting.

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 Certain things are expected of you in your being a good spouse.

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 Certain things are expected of you in terms of being a good student.

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 And we turn up the volume of all of those good things in our life.

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 And for this elderly gentleman,

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 it was turning up the volume on the news.

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 And turning up the volume on the political environment.

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 And turning up the volume on the talk radio.

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 And letting the voices of the world speak to his heart.

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 And essentially set the direction for how he felt and how he thought.

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 The frustration that can come when you listen to the world.

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 But over the last three or four weeks,

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 he's turned off the radio.

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 He's turned off the news on the TV.

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 And he's allowed that still small voice of God to speak to his heart.

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 And it has led him to refreshment and joy and new love for his Savior.

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 This morning I want just the theme of this message to stand.

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 Are you listening to the voice of your good shepherd?

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 Are you listening to the voice of your good shepherd?

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 Now maybe you're wondering,

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 Okay, he speaks to you audibly, pastor?

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 Or is there some other way that you're referring to here?

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 And so this morning as we look into John chapter 10,

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 I want us to fall in love with the Savior in a whole new way.

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 So that we can see him for who he is.

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 And we can understand what are the dangers of not following him?

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 What are the dangers of turning up the volume on this life?

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 What are the dangers of following after all of those other worldly influences?

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 But what are the blessings of turning up the volume of God in our life?

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 Of listening to his word?

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 Of pulling back?

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 Of finding a place of retreat?

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 Of making the good shepherd preeminent in your life?

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 What are some of the benefits of that?

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 And how does that play out?

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 So if you will, please turn with me to John chapter 10.

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 And I want to just read for you the first five verses.

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 But we'll cover the first 18 verses of this passage.

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 So let me read verses 1 to 5.

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 If you're a guest with us this morning,

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 the Pew Bible in front of you, page 896.

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 It says this,

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 Truly, truly, I say to you,

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 he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door,

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 but climbs in by another way,

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 that man is a thief and a robber.

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 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

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 To him the gatekeeper opens.

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 The sheep hear his voice,

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 and he calls his sheep by name and leads them out.

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 When he has brought out all of his own,

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 he goes before them,

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 and the sheep follow him,

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 for they know his voice.

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 A stranger they will not follow,

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 but they will flee from him,

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 for they do not know the voice of a stranger.

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 So this morning as we're looking at the good shepherd,

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 and as we're looking through this passage,

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 the first thing that stands out is

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 there is only one legitimate shepherd.

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 There is only one voice

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 that you are obliged to listen to.

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 It is the voice of your good shepherd,

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 the voice of Jesus Christ as he speaks to you.

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 There is one voice,

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 and on one hand,

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 that should be comforting to us,

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 to know that we don't have to have multiple voices

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 speaking into our ears,

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 but there is just one singular voice that matters.

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 Are you captured by his voice?

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 Are you marveling at his goodness?

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 Are you listening to his call?

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 Are you listening to the voice of your shepherd today?

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 There is just one legitimate shepherd.

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 Jesus, here at the outset of this passage,

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 wants to call attention to his audience.

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 Now, we've been away from this for a couple of weeks,

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 and I just want to remind you

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 that we're still connected to the context

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 of what preceded it in chapter 9.

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 And actually flows all the way from chapter 7.

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 So chapter 7, 8, 9, and 10

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 all kind of stand together

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 as one continuing setting for us.

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 As Jesus is in Jerusalem

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 at the Feast of the Tabernacles.

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 And maybe different days,

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 but still kind of in this same week of festivity.

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 And in the moments before,

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 Jesus, if you remember,

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 just heal the blind man.

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 And I love that story of the blind man.

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 Talk about a guy of sarcasm.

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 I mean, he is bold,

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 and he is quick with his tongue,

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 and here he is,

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 this blind man, uneducated,

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 probably not able to go into the temple,

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 probably not even able to hear the Word of God,

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 has such discernment,

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 has such perception,

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 that he is actually instructing

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 the Pharisees and the scribes.

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 It's truly remarkable.

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 And here at the end of chapter 9,

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 the Pharisees are a little begrudging.

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 They're complaining.

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 They're frustrated at what's taking place.

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 And notice with me at the end of chapter 9

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 what they say.

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 Some of the Pharisees near him

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 heard these things and said to him,

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 Are we also blind?

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 Jesus said to them,

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 If you were blind,

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 you would have no guilt.

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 But now that you say that we see,

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 your guilt remains.

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 And now Jesus is picking up this narrative,

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 and he wants these Pharisees

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 and these scribes and religious leaders

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 to understand who he is categorically,

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 definitively.

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 He is painting with bold strokes.

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 The gospel is exclusive.

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 The gospel is differentiating.

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 And here we find Jesus

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 painting in bold strokes

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 and in a loving touch

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 and a willingness to speak

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 clearly and boldly

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 to this group of religious leaders.

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 He says here in verse 1,

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 Truly, truly, I say to you,

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 he who does not enter by the sheepfold

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 but by the door,

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 but climbs in another way,

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 that man is a thief and a robber.

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 There are two groups of leaders.

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 There are the illegitimate leaders.

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 There are the counterfeit leaders.

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 But there is the one shepherd.

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 Notice, it says there is one door

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 here in verse 1.

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 Notice in verse 2,

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 there is one shepherd

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 who enters by that one door.

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 Notice in verse 3,

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 his sheep, singular,

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 recognize his name

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 and follows his lead, singular.

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 When he has brought out

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 all of his own, singular,

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 that is one shepherd

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 leading his flock,

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 there is only one legitimate Savior.

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 What surprised me about

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 the gospel of John

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 is that we find that Jesus

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 is making several trips to Jerusalem.

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 If you were to look at Matthew,

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 Mark, and Luke,

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 you would find that the vast majority

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 of his ministry is spent in Galilee.

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 But here, Jesus is showing up on the scene.

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 Jesus is showing up in Jerusalem.

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 And at least seven times,

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 six or seven times,

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 we find specific mention of Jesus

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 in Jerusalem through his ministry.

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 I believe Jesus is doing that

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 because he's not just a minister

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 on the fringe.

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 He's not just willing to speak

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 bold things on the perimeter,

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 but he's willing to address

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 those who would be known

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 as the shepherds,

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 those who had the responsibility

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 of leading the people,

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 and he is confronting them

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 face to face.

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 And here we find Jesus

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 lovingly confronting

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 this group of religious leaders.

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 About 73% of the gospel of John,

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 Jesus is actually in Jerusalem.

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 which is astounding

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 when you look at the other gospels.

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 The significance of this

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 is that Jesus is proving

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 to be the shepherd of Israel,

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 the only legitimate shepherd of Israel.

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 And for hundreds of years,

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 the shepherds,

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 those who were put in place over Israel,

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 were leading in a way

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 that was disruptive and hurtful.

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 keep your finger in John chapter 10

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 and turn with me

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 to Ezekiel chapter 34.

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 Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel.

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 Ezekiel 34 is a narrative

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 of God's indictment

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 on the shepherds of Israel.

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 Notice with me here in verse 1.

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 It says,

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 The word of the Lord came to me.

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 Son of man,

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 prophesy against

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 the shepherds of Israel.

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 Prophesy and say to them,

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 even to the shepherds,

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 thus says the Lord God,

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 Ah, shepherds of Israel

00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:12.080
 who have been feeding yourselves,

00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:13.799
 should not shepherds

00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.500
 feed the sheep?

00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.039
 You eat the fat,

00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.259
 you clothe yourselves

00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:17.899
 with the wool,

00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:19.639
 you slaughter the fat ones,

00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:21.500
 but you do not feed the sheep.

00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.720
 The weak,

00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:23.600
 you have not strengthened.

00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:24.120
 The sick,

00:15:24.180 --> 00:15:24.919
 you have not healed.

00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:25.599
 The injured,

00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.919
 you have not bound up.

00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.199
 The strayed,

00:15:28.219 --> 00:15:29.179
 you have not brought back.

00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:29.799
 The lost,

00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.759
 you have not sought.

00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:33.079
 And with force and harshness,

00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.639
 you have ruled them.

00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.839
 So they were scattered

00:15:36.839 --> 00:15:39.099
 because there was no shepherd

00:15:39.099 --> 00:15:40.939
 and they became food

00:15:40.939 --> 00:15:42.599
 for all the wild beasts.

00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:44.139
 Now drop down with me

00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:45.039
 to verse 11.

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.159
 It says this,

00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:48.099
 For thus says the Lord God,

00:15:48.339 --> 00:15:49.480
 Behold, I,

00:15:49.699 --> 00:15:50.860
 I myself,

00:15:50.959 --> 00:15:52.339
 will search for my sheep

00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:54.259
 and I will seek them out

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:56.920
 as a shepherd seeks out his flock.

00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:59.060
 When he is among his sheep

00:15:59.060 --> 00:15:59.540
 that he,

00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.940
 that had been scattered,

00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:03.120
 so will I seek out my sheep

00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.820
 and I will rescue them

00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.720
 from all the places

00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.759
 where they have been scattered

00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:08.220
 on a day of clouds

00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.019
 and thick darkness

00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.700
 and I will bring them out

00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.379
 from the peoples

00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.259
 and gather them

00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.060
 from the countries

00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:14.660
 and will bring them

00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:15.860
 into their own land.

00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.360
 Verse 14,

00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.220
 I will feed them

00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:19.940
 with good pasture

00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:21.540
 and on the mountain heights

00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:21.960
 of Israel

00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:23.480
 shall be their grazing land.

00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.080
 Down to verse 15,

00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.980
 I myself

00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.760
 will be

00:16:27.760 --> 00:16:28.640
 the shepherd

00:16:28.640 --> 00:16:30.060
 of my sheep,

00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:31.960
 declares

00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:33.740
 the Lord God.

00:16:34.880 --> 00:16:36.100
 And here Jesus,

00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:38.120
 standing before

00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.000
 this group

00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.880
 of religious leaders,

00:16:40.040 --> 00:16:40.680
 denounces

00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:42.100
 their leadership

00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:45.620
 and essentially

00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:47.400
 exalts himself

00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:48.860
 as the shepherd

00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.820
 of Israel.

00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:52.640
 This is an emphatic statement

00:16:52.640 --> 00:16:53.860
 declaring himself

00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:55.020
 to be the Messiah.

00:16:55.640 --> 00:16:56.420
 Here he is

00:16:56.420 --> 00:16:57.640
 standing in front of them

00:16:57.640 --> 00:16:59.240
 declaring that he is

00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.260
 the promised one

00:17:00.260 --> 00:17:00.740
 of Israel.

00:17:03.140 --> 00:17:04.380
 Notice in verse 6,

00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.960
 going back to chapter 10

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.460
 of John,

00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:07.519
 John 10,

00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.200
 verse 6,

00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.039
 Jesus has just shared

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.059
 these words with them

00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:14.160
 and notice the response.

00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.240
 It says this,

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.580
 this figure of speech

00:17:17.580 --> 00:17:19.059
 Jesus used with them,

00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.399
 but they did not

00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:21.259
 understand

00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.480
 what he was saying

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:22.899
 to them.

00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.940
 Now that's common.

00:17:26.159 --> 00:17:26.819
 You see this

00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:27.740
 time and time again

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.559
 as Jesus is

00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:30.039
 sharing the message,

00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:30.919
 there is

00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:32.179
 a disconnect

00:17:32.179 --> 00:17:33.119
 in their mind,

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.099
 an inability

00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:34.839
 for them

00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:35.599
 to discern

00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.859
 the spiritual truths

00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.779
 that Jesus

00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.559
 is laying out.

00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.720
 And so from

00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.659
 verses 7

00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:42.319
 to verse 18,

00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.519
 Jesus unpacks

00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.079
 for them

00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:45.019
 what he is

00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.079
 trying to get at

00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:46.519
 in the first

00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.099
 five verses.

00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.359
 Now I don't know

00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:50.779
 if you're anything

00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.240
 like me,

00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:52.220
 my thinking

00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.460
 is more systematic.

00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.220
 My thinking

00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:55.919
 is a little bit

00:17:55.919 --> 00:17:56.559
 more linear.

00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.279
 My thinking

00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.839
 tends to build

00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:02.240
 one logical path

00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:02.839
 on another.

00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.500
 And John

00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.179
 doesn't think

00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:05.619
 like that.

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.339
 John thinks

00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.059
 in clusters.

00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.000
 John thinks

00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:10.259
 in groups

00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.259
 and patterns.

00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.279
 And here

00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.379
 as he is

00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:13.759
 sharing

00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.640
 Jesus' words,

00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:16.119
 he's conveying

00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.200
 not a stream

00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:17.720
 of thought,

00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:18.579
 but he's

00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:20.019
 sharing groups

00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.720
 and clusters

00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.680
 of thoughts

00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.460
 to build

00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.119
 this argument

00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:23.579
 as he is

00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.099
 conveying

00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:24.559
 the words

00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.000
 of Jesus.

00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:26.720
 So as we're

00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.379
 working our way

00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:28.140
 through this passage,

00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:29.019
 there's not going

00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:30.759
 to be verse 7

00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:32.099
 that speaks

00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:32.579
 of this

00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.460
 and verse 8

00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:33.839
 that speaks

00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:34.519
 of something else,

00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.519
 but it's all

00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.700
 kind of intermingled

00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.740
 and kind of

00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.059
 fits together

00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:39.680
 as one

00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:41.000
 massive group.

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.259
 So,

00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:43.079
 I'd like to

00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.680
 draw out

00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.599
 from verses

00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.920
 7 to 18

00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.900
 some of the

00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.539
 main points

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.119
 that we find

00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:48.779
 about our

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.460
 Savior

00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.519
 and help to

00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.000
 draw your

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.680
 attention to

00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.099
 those

00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:53.440
 and ask you

00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:53.819
 to just

00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.859
 highlight

00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:56.400
 or underline

00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:57.259
 whatever works

00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:57.839
 for you

00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:59.359
 to draw your

00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.059
 attention as you

00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.619
 look back at

00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.339
 this passage

00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.480
 those things

00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.119
 that stand

00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:03.819
 out about

00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:05.900
 this person

00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:06.359
 Jesus

00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.259
 who is the

00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.740
 good shepherd.

00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.859
 He is the

00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:10.640
 legitimate shepherd

00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.400
 and Jesus

00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:12.000
 goes on

00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.440
 from verse

00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:13.300
 7 to 18

00:19:13.300 --> 00:19:13.960
 to make

00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.440
 that point

00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:14.860
 clear.

00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.920
 We find

00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.600
 here in

00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:18.400
 verses

00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:20.500
 7 and

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.140
 verse 11

00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:21.560
 that he

00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:22.220
 refers to

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.940
 himself

00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.840
 excuse me

00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.700
 verses 7 and

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.220
 9 as

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.960
 I am the

00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.700
 door of the

00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.060
 sheep.

00:19:28.060 --> 00:19:28.540
 I am the

00:19:28.540 --> 00:19:29.500
 only way

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.160
 I am the

00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.340
 only path

00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:31.720
 into the

00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.080
 fold.

00:19:33.280 --> 00:19:33.780
 This

00:19:33.780 --> 00:19:34.640
 exclusive

00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:36.380
 right to

00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:37.080
 be the

00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:38.420
 leader

00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:38.500
 shepherd.

00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.120
 As it

00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:39.380
 were.

00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:40.600
 And then

00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:41.019
 in verse

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.900
 11 and

00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.160
 then in

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:43.120
 verse 14

00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.680
 we find

00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.300
 himself

00:19:44.300 --> 00:19:45.140
 amping

00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:45.420
 this

00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.019
 statement up

00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.560
 even more.

00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.620
 I am the

00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.200
 good shepherd

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.720
 he says in

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.279
 verse 11.

00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.120
 And then

00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:50.800
 in verse 14

00:19:50.800 --> 00:19:52.220
 I am the

00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.180
 good shepherd.

00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.620
 Jesus in

00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.000
 these

00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.720
 definitive

00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:58.460
 statements

00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:59.740
 was declaring

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.740
 himself to

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.759
 be the

00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.220
 Messiah.

00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.900
 Was declaring

00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:04.680
 himself to

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.320
 be that

00:20:05.320 --> 00:20:06.259
 shepherd that

00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:06.539
 had been

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.559
 promised in

00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.099
 Ezekiel

00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.960
 chapter 34.

00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.440
 The one who

00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.099
 had come to

00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:12.240
 replace the

00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.220
 illegitimate

00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:14.039
 shepherds.

00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:15.940
 Those scribes

00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.700
 and Pharisees

00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.539
 who only cared

00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.539
 about themselves.

00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:19.980
 Those scribes

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.700
 and Pharisees

00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.879
 whose work

00:20:21.879 --> 00:20:23.279
 was dysfunctional.

00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.279
 Jesus came to

00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:24.899
 set the record

00:20:24.899 --> 00:20:25.440
 straight.

00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:27.539
 He came as

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.039
 the only

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.740
 legitimate

00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.799
 shepherd of

00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.299
 his people.

00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.879
 One voice

00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:32.639
 and one

00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:34.279
 leader knowing

00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:36.019
 who was part

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.319
 of his

00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:36.740
 flock.

00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:38.599
 Jesus

00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.539
 begins this

00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:39.900
 section

00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.579
 identifying

00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.420
 the threat.

00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.400
 What is the

00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:42.980
 threat of not

00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.759
 following the

00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.299
 good shepherd?

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.059
 He says

00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.660
 here in

00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.299
 verse 1

00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:47.839
 those

00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:49.279
 who do not

00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.700
 enter the

00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.259
 sheepfold by

00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.660
 the door

00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.279
 but climb

00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.720
 in another

00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.259
 way that

00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.960
 man is a

00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.960
 thief and

00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.379
 a robber.

00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:55.839
 What is the

00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:56.559
 alternative to

00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.480
 finding and

00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:57.980
 following the

00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.440
 good shepherd?

00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.220
 The alternative

00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.579
 is to

00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.799
 follow those

00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.139
 who are

00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:02.779
 robbers and

00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.220
 thieves.

00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:04.960
 Those who have

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.640
 no interest

00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:05.960
 in the

00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.420
 flock as

00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.140
 we read

00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.779
 from Ezekiel

00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.600
 chapter 34.

00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.779
 Those who

00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.299
 only have

00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.220
 self-interest.

00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:12.579
 Jesus

00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.779
 describes them

00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.259
 even more

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.960
 in verse 8

00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.640
 when he says

00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.600
 all who

00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.360
 came before

00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:17.700
 me are

00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.799
 thieves and

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:20.680
 robbers but

00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.100
 the sheep

00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:21.420
 did not

00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:21.880
 listen to

00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:22.140
 them.

00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:23.900
 They're only

00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.500
 interested in

00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.019
 themselves.

00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.920
 They're only

00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.620
 interested in

00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.000
 their own

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.579
 welfare.

00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:28.779
 They're not

00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.460
 interested in

00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.940
 how to care

00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.340
 for the

00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:33.259
 sheep but

00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.819
 how to care

00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.439
 for themselves.

00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.759
 But Jesus

00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.720
 stands out

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.679
 as the

00:21:37.679 --> 00:21:38.980
 legitimate

00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.139
 shepherd caring

00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:40.659
 for the

00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:41.039
 flock and

00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.720
 we'll learn

00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.159
 about that

00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:43.139
 more as

00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:43.619
 the passage

00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.240
 goes on.

00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.399
 I am

00:21:47.399 --> 00:21:48.559
 the good

00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:48.980
 shepherd

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.200
 Jesus says.

00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.259
 And as

00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.639
 Micah

00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:53.679
 prophesied in

00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:54.240
 Micah chapter

00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.200
 5-4 he says

00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:55.619
 this,

00:21:56.619 --> 00:21:57.439
 the Messiah

00:21:57.439 --> 00:21:58.619
 would arise

00:21:58.619 --> 00:21:59.740
 and shepherd

00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.500
 his flock

00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.500
 in strength

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.019
 of the

00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.359
 Lord.

00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:03.160
 In the

00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.859
 majesty of

00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.160
 the name

00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:04.380
 of the

00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:04.960
 Lord his

00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.299
 God.

00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:05.799
 And here

00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.599
 Jesus has

00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.279
 stepped onto

00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:07.819
 the scene.

00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.440
 Jesus is

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.539
 speaking directly

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.119
 to these

00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:11.759
 Pharisees,

00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.480
 these religious

00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.960
 leaders and

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.380
 he says,

00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:15.380
 I am the

00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:16.579
 only legitimate

00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.460
 shepherd.

00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.599
 One commentator

00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.279
 writes of his

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.279
 experience in

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.859
 the land of

00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.240
 Israel.

00:22:25.140 --> 00:22:25.880
 His experience

00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.920
 of all of

00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.519
 these sheep

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.160
 being joined

00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:28.880
 together in

00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:30.260
 one enclosure.

00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:31.700
 Four different

00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.340
 groups of

00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:32.840
 sheep and

00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.400
 four different

00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:34.160
 shepherds who

00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:35.480
 all put their

00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.480
 sheep in one

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.220
 enclosure for

00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.580
 the night.

00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.840
 One place of

00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.280
 protection.

00:22:40.280 --> 00:22:40.880
 But in the

00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.600
 morning when

00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:42.640
 the sheep are

00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.040
 to be let

00:22:43.040 --> 00:22:43.920
 out, each

00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:45.320
 shepherd calls

00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:46.220
 their sheep

00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.220
 with their own

00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.020
 distinct whistle

00:22:48.020 --> 00:22:48.920
 or their own

00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:50.280
 distinct call.

00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.200
 And all of

00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.780
 those sheep that

00:22:51.780 --> 00:22:52.520
 belong to that

00:22:52.520 --> 00:22:53.340
 shepherd then

00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:54.020
 follow that

00:22:54.020 --> 00:22:54.560
 shepherd out.

00:22:55.040 --> 00:22:55.880
 That is the

00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.860
 picture of what

00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:57.580
 we have here.

00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.720
 The picture of

00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.880
 those who know

00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.920
 the Savior, who

00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.420
 know the

00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:01.920
 shepherd will

00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:03.200
 follow their

00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.539
 shepherd.

00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.640
 But this

00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:06.079
 morning I want

00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:06.900
 to concentrate on

00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.460
 the shepherd

00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:07.980
 himself.

00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:08.559
 And then in a

00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.120
 couple of weeks

00:23:09.120 --> 00:23:09.519
 when we come

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.279
 back to this,

00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.400
 I want to talk

00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.200
 about the

00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.039
 sheep and what

00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.640
 the sheep do.

00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:15.720
 But the

00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.500
 question for us

00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.880
 this morning is,

00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.220
 are you listening

00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:21.079
 to the voice of

00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:21.519
 your shepherd?

00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.740
 Do you know

00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.960
 the voice of

00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.480
 your shepherd?

00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.240
 Are you turning

00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.480
 up the volume of

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.519
 the voice of

00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.380
 your shepherd in

00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:30.940
 your life?

00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:32.819
 Because to do

00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:34.519
 otherwise, to

00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.460
 listen to the

00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.279
 thieves and the

00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:36.860
 robbers, the

00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:37.759
 illegitimate

00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:39.460
 shepherds as

00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:41.460
 they were, could

00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:43.440
 be fatal, could

00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.220
 be risky, could

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.339
 be detrimental to

00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.380
 you spiritually.

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.620
 But the joy is

00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.160
 that he is not

00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.720
 only the

00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:53.200
 legitimate shepherd,

00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.039
 we find here

00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:55.120
 also that he is

00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:56.039
 the loving

00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.460
 shepherd.

00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:56.519
 shepherd.

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.640
 We find that

00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.279
 here in verse

00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:58.700
 three and

00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.519
 also scattered

00:23:59.519 --> 00:23:59.960
 throughout the

00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.880
 rest of these

00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.779
 verses, it says

00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.440
 this in verse

00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.400
 three at the

00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:05.279
 end, the sheep

00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.559
 hear his voice

00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:08.480
 and he calls

00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:10.000
 his own sheep

00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.900
 by name and

00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.960
 leads them out.

00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:17.299
 Sheep hear his

00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.480
 voice and in

00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:20.279
 verse 9b he

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.240
 says, I am the

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.600
 door.

00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:23.319
 If anyone enters

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.299
 by me he will

00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.919
 be saved and

00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:26.019
 he will go in

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.439
 and out and

00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:28.919
 find pasture.

00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.480
 Pasture.

00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:32.319
 Verse 12 and

00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:33.759
 13, Jesus

00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.779
 draws a contrast

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.700
 between his

00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.679
 shepherding and

00:24:36.679 --> 00:24:37.919
 the hired hand.

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.319
 He says, the

00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:40.139
 hired hand and

00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.579
 not a shepherd who

00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.500
 does not own the

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.399
 sheep sees a wolf

00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:43.919
 coming and

00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:44.379
 flees.

00:24:45.159 --> 00:24:46.379
 He flees because

00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:47.079
 he is a hired

00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:48.659
 hand and cares

00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:50.059
 nothing for the

00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:50.359
 sheep.

00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.959
 in contrast

00:24:51.959 --> 00:24:52.939
 with the good

00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:53.500
 shepherd who

00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.579
 cares everything

00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.219
 for the sheep.

00:24:56.719 --> 00:24:57.039
 And then in

00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:58.179
 verse 14, I am

00:24:58.179 --> 00:24:58.859
 the good shepherd.

00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.519
 I know my own

00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:03.079
 and my own

00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:04.139
 know me.

00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.799
 In these verses,

00:25:05.979 --> 00:25:07.039
 this collection or

00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:08.599
 cluster of verses

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.859
 and thoughts that

00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:10.759
 John is bringing

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.979
 together, not in a

00:25:11.979 --> 00:25:12.839
 linear stream but

00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.759
 as kind of a

00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.819
 collective idea,

00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.259
 John is helping

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.259
 his reader understand

00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.479
 that there is a

00:25:18.479 --> 00:25:19.319
 loving shepherd.

00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.439
 shepherd.

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.439
 Jesus is the

00:25:21.439 --> 00:25:22.379
 good shepherd who

00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:23.720
 loves his sheep.

00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.839
 Notice the

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.799
 intimate relationship

00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.639
 that he has with

00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:26.839
 them.

00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.919
 He calls them by

00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:29.279
 name.

00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.799
 They are his

00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.319
 own.

00:25:32.939 --> 00:25:34.460
 In verse 14, he

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.399
 claims them and

00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:36.679
 they claim him.

00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.099
 Their feelings are

00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.579
 reciprocal, flowing

00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.519
 from one to the

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.639
 other and back and

00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:42.919
 forth.

00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.599
 There is this

00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:45.019
 mutual care and

00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:46.119
 love between them.

00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.179
 But notice also the

00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.340
 implicit trust.

00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:51.340
 The sheep hear his

00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:51.799
 voice.

00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.259
 He calls them and

00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.000
 they follow.

00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:55.380
 They follow because

00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:57.220
 they trust in the

00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.200
 places where he

00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:58.600
 leads.

00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.700
 They trust that he

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.320
 has their best

00:26:00.320 --> 00:26:01.320
 interest in mind.

00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:04.100
 But also notice the

00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:04.860
 gracious care.

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.960
 We find that in

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.539
 verse 9.

00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.500
 There is

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.360
 deliverance.

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.039
 Deliverance from

00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.279
 the wolves.

00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:12.960
 There is

00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.640
 protection.

00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.060
 There is

00:26:15.060 --> 00:26:16.019
 provision as he

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.940
 leads them to the

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.359
 pasture.

00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.559
 It is reminiscent of

00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:22.019
 Psalm 23 that we

00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.799
 kind of read

00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.779
 responsibly this

00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.139
 morning.

00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.400
 The Lord is my

00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:25.759
 shepherd.

00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:27.359
 I shall not want.

00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.519
 He leads me in

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.460
 green pastures.

00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.779
 He leads me beside

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.599
 the still waters.

00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.139
 Jesus is making

00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:37.819
 another bold

00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.440
 comparison.

00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:40.240
 He is that good

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.660
 shepherd.

00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:42.000
 The shepherd that

00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.099
 cares for his sheep.

00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.240
 Not only the

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.359
 legitimate shepherd but

00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:46.759
 the good shepherd who

00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:48.240
 loves and cares for

00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:48.720
 his own.

00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.059
 The distinction

00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:52.140
 between this shepherd

00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.099
 and the hired hand

00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:54.359
 comes front and

00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.720
 center.

00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.359
 The hired hand that

00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.220
 cares nothing about

00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:57.660
 the sheep.

00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.599
 Whereas this good

00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:01.599
 shepherd cares and

00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:02.420
 loves for his sheep.

00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:02.980
 And we will see the

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.240
 extent of that love

00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.680
 in a moment.

00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:07.460
 The term for good

00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.720
 is the term

00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.339
 kalos.

00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:11.380
 It is the implication

00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:12.680
 of beauty.

00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:14.720
 The implication of

00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:16.000
 something being

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.600
 authentic.

00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.280
 John I think uses

00:27:19.280 --> 00:27:20.340
 this as he does in

00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:21.180
 many other ways to

00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.640
 call to attention the

00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:24.520
 authentic care and

00:27:24.520 --> 00:27:26.000
 concern of this good

00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.340
 shepherd.

00:27:27.340 --> 00:27:28.340
 All throughout the

00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:29.460
 gospel of John he

00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:31.220
 is drawing attention

00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.520
 to Jesus as the only

00:27:32.520 --> 00:27:33.340
 true one.

00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:35.020
 He is the true

00:27:35.020 --> 00:27:35.400
 light.

00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.140
 He is the true

00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:37.540
 judge.

00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.420
 He is the true

00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:38.940
 bread.

00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.080
 He is the true

00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:40.519
 vine.

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.779
 He is the true

00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.339
 testimony.

00:27:42.919 --> 00:27:43.899
 All throughout the

00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:45.679
 gospel of John he

00:27:45.679 --> 00:27:46.419
 is trying to draw

00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:47.419
 attention to Jesus

00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.980
 as the only one.

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.199
 And here he is the

00:27:50.199 --> 00:27:51.519
 only good shepherd.

00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:53.039
 The only loving and

00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:55.059
 caring leader of his

00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.679
 flock.

00:27:58.359 --> 00:27:59.019
 Describes the

00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:00.919
 significance of his

00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:03.519
 relationship in this

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.480
 term to know.

00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:06.139
 This is the term not

00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:07.740
 only to know facts

00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:09.039
 and data as we saw a

00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.939
 couple of weeks ago

00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:11.019
 we understand that

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:12.620
 when the gospel uses

00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:14.259
 this word know it's

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.900
 talking about the

00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:16.279
 intimacy of relationship.

00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.660
 That Adam knew Eve

00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:20.000
 and they had children.

00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.940
 That God is one who

00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:24.240
 desires this intimate

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.480
 relationship with us.

00:28:25.580 --> 00:28:27.220
 One that goes beyond

00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:29.400
 what we know about him

00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.980
 and leads us to

00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.580
 trusting him and

00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:34.580
 following him and

00:28:34.580 --> 00:28:35.279
 loving him

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.240
 experientially.

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.600
 There is intimacy in

00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.399
 this knowledge with

00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:39.719
 God.

00:28:40.679 --> 00:28:41.779
 The depth of that

00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.119
 knowledge between the

00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.759
 persons of the

00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:46.439
 trinity then shows up

00:28:46.439 --> 00:28:47.079
 here as well.

00:28:48.199 --> 00:28:50.059
 In verse 14 it

00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.439
 says,

00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.279
 I am the good

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.659
 shepherd.

00:28:52.939 --> 00:28:54.819
 I know my own and

00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:56.500
 my own know me.

00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.500
 Notice this.

00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.439
 Verse 15.

00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:02.000
 Just as the father

00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:04.000
 knows me and I know

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.459
 the father.

00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:08.000
 that's the extent to

00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:09.720
 which the relationship

00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.759
 that we can have with

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.500
 God can go.

00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:15.400
 It's almost mysterious.

00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:18.319
 It is almost beyond

00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:20.519
 comprehension.

00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:23.059
 That we can have this

00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.579
 abiding intimate

00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:26.160
 relationship with a

00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:26.819
 holy God.

00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.680
 In a few chapters from

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.700
 now Jesus says,

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:33.180
 abide in me and I

00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:34.160
 will abide in you.

00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:37.000
 My words abide in

00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.240
 you.

00:29:37.580 --> 00:29:39.279
 This ongoing

00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:41.019
 perpetual relationship

00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.860
 that we can have

00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.440
 with God.

00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:44.000
 This intimacy that we

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.539
 can experience with

00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:47.360
 the creator himself.

00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.920
 To think that we can

00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:52.840
 participate in that

00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.819
 kind of knowledge.

00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:55.259
 That kind of

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:57.180
 fellowship with our

00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:57.680
 good shepherd.

00:29:58.620 --> 00:29:59.940
 This morning I wonder

00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.380
 again.

00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:02.680
 Are you one who is

00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:04.279
 listening to the

00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:06.039
 voice of your good

00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:06.299
 shepherd?

00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.740
 Do you see him as a

00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.460
 loving shepherd?

00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.360
 Well he's not only

00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:12.860
 the legitimate shepherd.

00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:14.460
 He's not only the

00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.180
 loving shepherd.

00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:16.160
 But we find here

00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:18.039
 also that he is the

00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:19.559
 leading shepherd.

00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.259
 The leading shepherd.

00:30:21.360 --> 00:30:22.720
 We find that here at

00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:24.940
 the end of verse 3

00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.460
 and then continuing on

00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.240
 to verse 4.

00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:29.599
 It says,

00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.500
 The sheep hear his

00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:30.920
 voice.

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.799
 He calls his sheep by

00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:34.519
 name and he leads

00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.440
 them out.

00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.539
 And when he is brought

00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:39.400
 out all of his own,

00:30:39.620 --> 00:30:40.980
 he goes before them

00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:42.539
 and the sheep follow

00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:42.839
 him.

00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:45.140
 For they know his

00:30:45.140 --> 00:30:45.539
 voice.

00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:48.519
 We find in verse 3

00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.519
 that he is leading

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:49.819
 them.

00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:51.160
 We find in verse 4

00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:52.019
 that he is leading

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.380
 them.

00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:54.759
 In verse 5 we see the

00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.599
 contrast that they

00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:56.740
 will not follow the

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.379
 counterfeits.

00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:59.160
 We find also in verse

00:30:59.160 --> 00:31:00.940
 16 he says that he

00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:02.019
 has other sheep that

00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.400
 he will find and he

00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.420
 will lead them out.

00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:06.079
 He is the leading

00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.539
 shepherd.

00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:10.559
 The shepherd will

00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.180
 lead.

00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.680
 So what does he lead

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:14.379
 us with and what does

00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:15.119
 he lead us to?

00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:18.339
 Well he leads us with

00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:18.900
 himself.

00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:21.339
 He leads us with his

00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:21.900
 truth.

00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:23.700
 And he leads us

00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.440
 into righteousness.

00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.960
 He leads us into

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:27.460
 deeper revelation of

00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:27.940
 himself.

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.460
 He leads us into

00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:31.160
 relationship with

00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:31.460
 him.

00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:34.160
 He leads us to

00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:35.980
 protection and

00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:37.200
 provision and

00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:38.900
 safety in himself.

00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:42.040
 Essentially he leads

00:31:42.040 --> 00:31:42.920
 us to God.

00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:46.259
 The Lord's assertion

00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.660
 is here.

00:31:48.040 --> 00:31:49.200
 All who came before

00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:50.640
 me are thieves and

00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:51.060
 robbers.

00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:52.179
 Now that's an

00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:53.299
 unusual statement.

00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:54.779
 What does Jesus

00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.819
 mean by that?

00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:56.759
 Does it mean that

00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.519
 John the Baptist,

00:31:57.659 --> 00:31:58.240
 does it mean that

00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.399
 Moses and Abraham

00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:00.639
 who came before

00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:02.619
 Jesus are illegitimate

00:32:02.619 --> 00:32:03.279
 in some way?

00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.319
 No, what it means

00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:07.779
 is that those who

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:09.559
 lead to God are

00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.480
 leading for him.

00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.460
 Whereas those who

00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.579
 stand in the way of

00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.839
 God are leading in

00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:15.980
 the way that these

00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.440
 are thieves and

00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.000
 robbers.

00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:20.960
 Jesus was referring

00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:22.200
 to the false

00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:23.519
 shepherds of

00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:23.859
 Israel.

00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.339
 Her wicked kings,

00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.160
 her corrupt

00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.880
 priests, her

00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:27.960
 false prophets,

00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:30.400
 her pseudo-messiahs.

00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:32.579
 Jesus was saying

00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.940
 that the quality of

00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.539
 those who would be

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.500
 true shepherds,

00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.940
 who would represent

00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:39.160
 the over-shepherd,

00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:40.500
 would be those who

00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:42.019
 would be governed by

00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.839
 the truth of God's

00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.819
 word in leading

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:45.159
 people in to

00:32:45.159 --> 00:32:45.639
 truth.

00:32:47.179 --> 00:32:48.099
 Whereas false

00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:48.980
 shepherds always

00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:50.079
 lead away from God

00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:51.439
 rather than leading

00:32:51.439 --> 00:32:52.119
 to God.

00:32:53.699 --> 00:32:54.379
 All throughout the

00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:55.199
 gospels, Jesus'

00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:57.439
 clarion call was

00:32:57.439 --> 00:32:58.299
 follow me.

00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.039
 As the shepherd,

00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:01.039
 he had the right to

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.259
 say, follow me.

00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.220
 And he did on

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:04.440
 numerous occasions.

00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.319
 Twenty-two times he

00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:08.039
 says this throughout

00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:08.799
 the gospels.

00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:11.099
 He says, follow me

00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:12.240
 and uses those

00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.220
 specific words.

00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:14.779
 This would be

00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.700
 synonymous with

00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:16.480
 discipleship.

00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:19.000
 This would be the

00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:20.460
 defining quality for

00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.980
 those who belonged

00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.579
 to him.

00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:24.140
 They would follow

00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:25.119
 the good shepherd.

00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:26.539
 They would follow

00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.000
 Jesus.

00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.740
 As Luke 9, 23

00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.599
 says, if anyone

00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:31.500
 desires to come

00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:31.940
 after me,

00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:33.960
 let him deny

00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:35.660
 himself, take up

00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:36.640
 his cross daily

00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:38.039
 and follow me.

00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.740
 Let me ask you

00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.440
 this morning, are

00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.879
 you following after

00:33:42.879 --> 00:33:44.180
 your Savior?

00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.460
 Are you following

00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.259
 after your good

00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:47.160
 shepherd today?

00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:50.019
 In order to

00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:50.980
 follow your good

00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.779
 shepherd, you have

00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.500
 to know what your

00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.480
 good shepherd says.

00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:55.099
 And in order to

00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:55.700
 know what your

00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.660
 good shepherd says,

00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.599
 you have to be

00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:59.119
 immersed into the

00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:00.200
 truths, into the

00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.519
 word that God has

00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.660
 given to you to

00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.639
 know who he is

00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:04.400
 and to know his

00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:05.139
 instructions for

00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:05.660
 your life.

00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.139
 I've got a

00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:09.079
 confession to make.

00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:11.460
 It is really easy

00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.599
 for me to lose

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:14.920
 touch with the

00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:15.500
 truths of the

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:15.739
 scripture.

00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:17.019
 It's really easy

00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:18.119
 for me to get

00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:19.940
 distracted and

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.900
 caught up in the

00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:22.059
 affairs of life and

00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:23.699
 to set that aside.

00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:27.319
 God, anyone like

00:34:27.319 --> 00:34:28.219
 me out there?

00:34:30.839 --> 00:34:32.739
 How many, how many

00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:37.399
 mornings go by where

00:34:37.399 --> 00:34:38.480
 your good intentions

00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:43.119
 are overcome by a

00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:44.399
 sleepy eyes?

00:34:45.679 --> 00:34:47.119
 Your desire to get

00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:47.799
 up in the morning,

00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:50.039
 your desire to carve

00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:51.679
 out that special time

00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:52.659
 of just you and

00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:54.359
 the Lord is

00:34:54.359 --> 00:34:55.639
 overcome by the

00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.779
 distractions of the

00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:58.399
 day, by the agenda

00:34:58.399 --> 00:34:59.919
 of your schedule,

00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:00.919
 what you know is

00:35:00.919 --> 00:35:01.359
 coming.

00:35:04.259 --> 00:35:05.500
 It's really easy for

00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:08.219
 us to get overcome

00:35:08.219 --> 00:35:12.039
 by the affairs of

00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:13.739
 this life and to

00:35:13.739 --> 00:35:15.519
 miss the voice

00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:16.739
 speaking through his

00:35:16.739 --> 00:35:18.079
 word, the voice of

00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:19.039
 our Savior, our good

00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:20.199
 shepherd speaking

00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:21.399
 speaking through his

00:35:21.399 --> 00:35:21.699
 word.

00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:23.839
 But if you want to

00:35:23.839 --> 00:35:26.939
 be led today, if you

00:35:26.939 --> 00:35:28.539
 want to follow the

00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:29.559
 good shepherd today,

00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:32.139
 you need to listen to

00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:32.739
 his voice.

00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:34.699
 Are you listening to

00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:36.339
 the voice of your

00:35:36.339 --> 00:35:36.779
 good shepherd?

00:35:38.799 --> 00:35:41.359
 And finally, finally

00:35:41.359 --> 00:35:43.179
 we come to this last

00:35:43.179 --> 00:35:44.679
 aspect of our good

00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:45.919
 shepherd, that he is

00:35:45.919 --> 00:35:47.659
 the life-giving

00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.279
 shepherd.

00:35:48.280 --> 00:35:48.380
 shepherd.

00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:51.620
 He is the life-giving

00:35:51.620 --> 00:35:52.320
 shepherd.

00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.640
 And there are two

00:35:53.640 --> 00:35:55.280
 aspects of this last

00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:56.280
 feature.

00:35:57.400 --> 00:35:58.500
 The first is that he

00:35:58.500 --> 00:36:00.640
 gave his life for you.

00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:02.820
 The second is that he

00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:04.280
 offers life, abundant

00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:06.360
 life, for you.

00:36:07.220 --> 00:36:10.160
 So he gave his life so

00:36:10.160 --> 00:36:12.220
 that you could have life

00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:13.480
 and so that you could

00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.900
 have it to the full, so

00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:15.560
 that you could have it

00:36:15.560 --> 00:36:16.160
 abundantly.

00:36:16.159 --> 00:36:19.299
 He is the life-giving

00:36:19.299 --> 00:36:19.899
 shepherd.

00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:22.819
 And five times, in

00:36:22.819 --> 00:36:24.319
 eight verses, this

00:36:24.319 --> 00:36:26.879
 quality of our Savior

00:36:26.879 --> 00:36:28.139
 comes to the forefront.

00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:30.960
 In verse 11, underline,

00:36:31.239 --> 00:36:32.779
 the good shepherd lays

00:36:32.779 --> 00:36:33.940
 down his life for his

00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:34.279
 sheep.

00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:37.460
 In verse 15, underline,

00:36:37.659 --> 00:36:39.460
 I lay down my life for

00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:39.980
 the sheep.

00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:43.079
 In verse 17, I lay down

00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:44.639
 my life that I may take

00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:45.239
 it up again.

00:36:45.839 --> 00:36:47.139
 And in verse 18, two

00:36:47.139 --> 00:36:49.019
 times, I lay it down on

00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:49.739
 my own accord.

00:36:50.179 --> 00:36:51.619
 And I have authority to

00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:52.519
 lay it down.

00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:54.940
 And I have authority to

00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.859
 take it up again.

00:36:56.859 --> 00:36:58.539
 This is a distinct

00:36:58.539 --> 00:37:00.799
 feature of the gospel of

00:37:00.799 --> 00:37:01.059
 John.

00:37:01.179 --> 00:37:02.699
 And in using this phrase

00:37:02.699 --> 00:37:05.139
 of Jesus willingly laying

00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:06.460
 his life down for his

00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:06.759
 sheep.

00:37:06.760 --> 00:37:11.000
 phrase is unique to John.

00:37:11.100 --> 00:37:12.720
 And this is the quality

00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:13.860
 of shepherding that sets

00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:15.820
 Jesus apart from all

00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:16.780
 other shepherds.

00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:20.500
 It was a self-sacrificing

00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:22.640
 love, not a self-serving

00:37:22.640 --> 00:37:23.080
 love.

00:37:24.660 --> 00:37:26.220
 It was the love of Christ

00:37:26.220 --> 00:37:27.840
 in laying it down.

00:37:29.280 --> 00:37:30.460
 Those religious leaders who

00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:31.260
 were standing in this

00:37:31.260 --> 00:37:32.620
 audience were only

00:37:32.620 --> 00:37:33.320
 interested in what they

00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:34.260
 could get from people.

00:37:34.260 --> 00:37:35.720
 And Jesus had confronted

00:37:35.720 --> 00:37:37.040
 them on numerous occasions

00:37:37.040 --> 00:37:39.200
 about their love for

00:37:39.200 --> 00:37:40.780
 attention, their love for

00:37:40.780 --> 00:37:42.420
 authority, their love for

00:37:42.420 --> 00:37:44.060
 prominence in setting the

00:37:44.060 --> 00:37:44.580
 rules.

00:37:45.580 --> 00:37:46.840
 They loaded men down with

00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:47.980
 burdens too hard to bear.

00:37:48.560 --> 00:37:50.040
 They would tie the mint,

00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:52.080
 but they would not tie their

00:37:52.080 --> 00:37:52.440
 works.

00:37:52.560 --> 00:37:54.340
 They would not love God in

00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:56.160
 the justice and grace that

00:37:56.160 --> 00:37:57.280
 he had called them to love.

00:37:58.280 --> 00:38:00.140
 These leaders had fattened

00:38:00.140 --> 00:38:01.420
 themselves in the flock but

00:38:01.420 --> 00:38:03.200
 cared nothing about the

00:38:03.200 --> 00:38:04.060
 souls of those.

00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:05.320
 They were called to lead.

00:38:07.539 --> 00:38:08.840
 But at the end of the day,

00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:11.920
 isn't that what sheep are

00:38:11.920 --> 00:38:12.259
 for?

00:38:13.699 --> 00:38:14.920
 If you were to think about

00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:16.759
 it, aren't sheep for the

00:38:16.759 --> 00:38:17.599
 benefit of the shepherd?

00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:20.719
 In a really practical way,

00:38:20.860 --> 00:38:23.079
 the sheep provide nourishment

00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:23.739
 for the shepherd.

00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:25.559
 They provide clothing for the

00:38:25.559 --> 00:38:25.840
 shepherd.

00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:28.079
 But let's not allow our

00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:30.179
 familiarity with this text and

00:38:30.179 --> 00:38:32.599
 the understanding of Jesus'

00:38:32.599 --> 00:38:35.599
 self-sacrificing love to help

00:38:35.599 --> 00:38:37.440
 bring this into the forefront.

00:38:38.239 --> 00:38:40.339
 This is a unique and divine

00:38:40.339 --> 00:38:40.920
 love.

00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:43.759
 This is a self-sacrificing

00:38:43.759 --> 00:38:44.059
 love.

00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:45.960
 This is a love that goes

00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:47.019
 beyond extraordinary.

00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:50.279
 This is a love of Christ for

00:38:50.279 --> 00:38:50.920
 his people.

00:38:51.759 --> 00:38:52.880
 A divine love.

00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:57.940
 It's a love we find was given

00:38:57.940 --> 00:38:58.340
 willingly.

00:38:59.900 --> 00:39:01.380
 It says in verse 18,

00:39:01.519 --> 00:39:02.760
 no one takes it from me,

00:39:03.140 --> 00:39:04.720
 but I lay it down of my own

00:39:04.720 --> 00:39:05.000
 accord.

00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:09.380
 It was a powerful love.

00:39:09.380 --> 00:39:12.220
 I have authority, he says in

00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:14.039
 verse 18, to lay it down and I

00:39:14.039 --> 00:39:16.079
 have authority to take it up

00:39:16.079 --> 00:39:16.340
 again.

00:39:17.260 --> 00:39:20.500
 It was an obedient love.

00:39:21.200 --> 00:39:22.700
 He says at the end of verse 18,

00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:26.660
 this charge I received from my

00:39:26.660 --> 00:39:27.119
 father.

00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:32.559
 This life-giving shepherd gave his

00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:34.579
 life to show his love.

00:39:34.579 --> 00:39:38.059
 And in giving his life, he offers

00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:38.599
 life.

00:39:39.039 --> 00:39:40.059
 Life for us.

00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:41.219
 Life that is abundant.

00:39:41.340 --> 00:39:44.219
 We find that in verse 10 at the

00:39:44.219 --> 00:39:44.500
 end.

00:39:44.599 --> 00:39:45.360
 It says this,

00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:49.599
 I came that they may have life

00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:52.420
 and have it abundantly.

00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:54.599
 To excess.

00:39:55.059 --> 00:39:56.400
 To the max.

00:39:57.159 --> 00:39:57.759
 Overflowing.

00:39:58.860 --> 00:40:00.400
 Would you describe your life in

00:40:00.400 --> 00:40:01.019
 those terms?

00:40:01.699 --> 00:40:03.199
 That your life is lived to the

00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:03.539
 full.

00:40:04.019 --> 00:40:05.519
 That your life is lived to the

00:40:05.519 --> 00:40:05.939
 max.

00:40:06.859 --> 00:40:09.259
 That your life is abundant and

00:40:09.259 --> 00:40:10.059
 full of joy.

00:40:11.299 --> 00:40:13.179
 That's the life that Christ came

00:40:13.179 --> 00:40:13.559
 to give.

00:40:13.739 --> 00:40:14.879
 And it's not a life that is

00:40:14.879 --> 00:40:16.579
 wrapped up in the circumstances

00:40:16.579 --> 00:40:17.339
 of the day.

00:40:17.639 --> 00:40:21.059
 It is a life that is resting in

00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:22.439
 the hope of eternity.

00:40:22.839 --> 00:40:24.500
 In the accomplishment of Christ.

00:40:24.500 --> 00:40:25.919
 And what he's accomplished for

00:40:25.919 --> 00:40:28.259
 you in leading you to eternity.

00:40:28.699 --> 00:40:30.759
 In giving you eternal life.

00:40:31.239 --> 00:40:32.259
 Forgiveness from sin.

00:40:33.199 --> 00:40:34.699
 In fellowship with the Savior.

00:40:36.359 --> 00:40:38.399
 So we come full circle this

00:40:38.399 --> 00:40:38.619
 morning.

00:40:40.679 --> 00:40:42.699
 We could at the very close of

00:40:42.699 --> 00:40:44.599
 the service offer an invitation

00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:46.379
 for those who don't know Christ

00:40:46.379 --> 00:40:48.539
 to come and to receive him.

00:40:48.719 --> 00:40:50.439
 To enter into fellowship with him

00:40:50.439 --> 00:40:52.500
 and certainly that offer is there.

00:40:55.299 --> 00:40:57.059
 But I would like to invite those

00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:58.299
 of you who do know the Savior.

00:41:00.119 --> 00:41:03.039
 Are you listening to the voice

00:41:03.039 --> 00:41:04.860
 of your Savior today?

00:41:07.259 --> 00:41:09.639
 Are you enjoying his abundant life?

00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:12.519
 Are you blown away by the

00:41:12.519 --> 00:41:14.619
 person of Christ?

00:41:15.400 --> 00:41:18.219
 The good shepherd who sets himself

00:41:18.219 --> 00:41:21.320
 up as the only legitimate standard.

00:41:21.320 --> 00:41:24.019
 the only legitimate leader.

00:41:25.019 --> 00:41:26.940
 The only legitimate lover

00:41:26.940 --> 00:41:27.700
 of his people.

00:41:28.780 --> 00:41:30.980
 The only one who cares

00:41:30.980 --> 00:41:32.740
 for your soul and cares

00:41:32.740 --> 00:41:33.900
 for your situation.

00:41:35.480 --> 00:41:37.760
 He is a worthy shepherd.

00:41:37.760 --> 00:41:37.880
 Lord.

00:41:40.040 --> 00:41:40.760
 I wonder

00:41:40.760 --> 00:41:43.000
 how many mornings

00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:44.480
 have slipped by

00:41:44.480 --> 00:41:45.400
 or how many evenings

00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:46.840
 whenever your time is

00:41:46.840 --> 00:41:48.520
 to be with your Savior

00:41:48.520 --> 00:41:49.540
 in a

00:41:49.540 --> 00:41:51.260
 undistracted way

00:41:51.260 --> 00:41:53.140
 without these competing

00:41:53.140 --> 00:41:54.460
 voices in your ear

00:41:54.460 --> 00:41:56.160
 so that you can

00:41:56.160 --> 00:41:57.360
 turn up the volume

00:41:57.360 --> 00:41:57.960
 of God

00:41:57.960 --> 00:41:59.160
 turn up the volume

00:41:59.160 --> 00:41:59.920
 of his voice

00:41:59.920 --> 00:42:00.920
 and turn down

00:42:00.920 --> 00:42:01.980
 the volume of the world.

00:42:01.980 --> 00:42:04.079
 Are you listening

00:42:04.079 --> 00:42:04.980
 to your Savior

00:42:04.980 --> 00:42:05.639
 this morning?

00:42:08.099 --> 00:42:09.440
 Do the affections

00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:10.059
 of this world

00:42:10.059 --> 00:42:11.920
 have they overshadowed

00:42:11.920 --> 00:42:12.679
 your first love?

00:42:13.420 --> 00:42:14.500
 Or can you say

00:42:14.500 --> 00:42:16.199
 with my friend

00:42:16.199 --> 00:42:17.280
 continually

00:42:17.280 --> 00:42:18.460
 in longing

00:42:18.460 --> 00:42:19.500
 for my first love

00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:20.960
 content with that

00:42:20.960 --> 00:42:21.500
 and no burden?

00:42:22.920 --> 00:42:24.260
 What would happen

00:42:24.260 --> 00:42:26.219
 this week?

00:42:26.780 --> 00:42:27.760
 Let's keep it

00:42:27.760 --> 00:42:29.039
 in manageable chunks.

00:42:29.900 --> 00:42:30.659
 What would happen

00:42:30.659 --> 00:42:32.199
 this week

00:42:32.199 --> 00:42:33.519
 if you turned off

00:42:33.519 --> 00:42:34.199
 the TV?

00:42:35.279 --> 00:42:35.920
 What would happen

00:42:35.920 --> 00:42:36.699
 this week

00:42:36.699 --> 00:42:37.839
 if you turned off

00:42:37.839 --> 00:42:38.519
 the Game Boy?

00:42:39.139 --> 00:42:40.019
 You turned off

00:42:40.019 --> 00:42:41.440
 the games on

00:42:41.440 --> 00:42:42.739
 the phones

00:42:42.739 --> 00:42:43.799
 or the iPads

00:42:43.799 --> 00:42:44.799
 or whatever it is.

00:42:45.440 --> 00:42:46.199
 Turned off

00:42:46.199 --> 00:42:47.119
 the music.

00:42:48.359 --> 00:42:49.259
 Turned on

00:42:49.259 --> 00:42:49.859
 the Word.

00:42:50.599 --> 00:42:51.799
 Listened to the Scripture.

00:42:52.420 --> 00:42:53.420
 Read the Word.

00:42:54.259 --> 00:42:55.199
 Spent some

00:42:55.199 --> 00:42:56.759
 time in prayer.

00:42:57.319 --> 00:42:58.239
 Carved it out

00:42:58.239 --> 00:42:59.519
 free of distraction.

00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:00.659
 In the morning

00:43:00.659 --> 00:43:01.920
 with a coffee cup

00:43:01.920 --> 00:43:02.880
 in your hand perhaps.

00:43:03.059 --> 00:43:04.400
 Whatever works for you.

00:43:04.780 --> 00:43:05.599
 What would happen

00:43:05.599 --> 00:43:07.280
 this week

00:43:07.280 --> 00:43:08.679
 if you turned up

00:43:08.679 --> 00:43:09.300
 the volume

00:43:09.300 --> 00:43:10.980
 of the voice of God

00:43:10.980 --> 00:43:11.599
 in your life

00:43:11.599 --> 00:43:14.119
 and turned down

00:43:14.119 --> 00:43:14.840
 the volume

00:43:14.840 --> 00:43:15.759
 of the world?

00:43:16.820 --> 00:43:17.239
 Let me offer

00:43:17.239 --> 00:43:18.019
 some suggestions.

00:43:19.440 --> 00:43:20.539
 Read the Gospel

00:43:20.539 --> 00:43:21.039
 of John

00:43:21.039 --> 00:43:21.659
 this week.

00:43:22.360 --> 00:43:23.559
 There's 21 chapters,

00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:25.380
 three chapters a day.

00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:26.179
 That's not too bad.

00:43:26.980 --> 00:43:27.280
 You could probably

00:43:27.280 --> 00:43:28.540
 do that in 10 minutes.

00:43:29.140 --> 00:43:30.019
 But as you're reading

00:43:30.019 --> 00:43:30.460
 through,

00:43:30.840 --> 00:43:31.800
 take some notes.

00:43:32.680 --> 00:43:33.480
 Underline some

00:43:33.480 --> 00:43:34.280
 key phrases.

00:43:34.480 --> 00:43:34.620
 Like,

00:43:35.160 --> 00:43:36.100
 maybe circle the word

00:43:36.100 --> 00:43:36.420
 believe.

00:43:36.600 --> 00:43:37.180
 I challenge you

00:43:37.180 --> 00:43:37.580
 to do that

00:43:37.580 --> 00:43:39.040
 and without looking

00:43:39.040 --> 00:43:39.880
 at a concordance,

00:43:40.000 --> 00:43:40.980
 tell me how many

00:43:40.980 --> 00:43:42.340
 times the word

00:43:42.340 --> 00:43:42.860
 believe

00:43:42.860 --> 00:43:44.200
 shows up

00:43:44.200 --> 00:43:45.080
 in the Gospel

00:43:45.080 --> 00:43:45.540
 of John.

00:43:45.680 --> 00:43:46.400
 You will be

00:43:46.400 --> 00:43:47.240
 blown away.

00:43:48.320 --> 00:43:48.560
 I mean,

00:43:48.680 --> 00:43:49.320
 that's why

00:43:49.320 --> 00:43:50.460
 John wrote this.

00:43:50.980 --> 00:43:52.180
 He wrote this

00:43:52.180 --> 00:43:53.120
 so that you would

00:43:53.120 --> 00:43:53.600
 believe.

00:43:53.599 --> 00:43:54.900
 So see

00:43:54.900 --> 00:43:55.779
 how important

00:43:55.779 --> 00:43:56.599
 believing is

00:43:56.599 --> 00:43:57.139
 to John

00:43:57.139 --> 00:43:58.079
 and how it

00:43:58.079 --> 00:43:58.940
 plays itself

00:43:58.940 --> 00:43:59.619
 out throughout

00:43:59.619 --> 00:44:01.059
 this Gospel.

00:44:01.920 --> 00:44:02.599
 See how many

00:44:02.599 --> 00:44:03.380
 times Jesus

00:44:03.380 --> 00:44:04.179
 is in Jerusalem

00:44:04.179 --> 00:44:05.339
 and how important

00:44:05.339 --> 00:44:06.139
 that is

00:44:06.139 --> 00:44:06.980
 as he is

00:44:06.980 --> 00:44:07.380
 bringing

00:44:07.380 --> 00:44:08.360
 the message

00:44:08.360 --> 00:44:09.460
 directly to

00:44:09.460 --> 00:44:10.860
 the shepherds

00:44:10.860 --> 00:44:11.319
 of Israel.

00:44:12.900 --> 00:44:13.519
 Highlight the

00:44:13.519 --> 00:44:14.400
 I am statements

00:44:14.400 --> 00:44:15.039
 and know where

00:44:15.039 --> 00:44:15.539
 they are.

00:44:16.659 --> 00:44:17.279
 Highlight the

00:44:17.279 --> 00:44:17.880
 truly,

00:44:18.119 --> 00:44:19.179
 truly statements

00:44:19.179 --> 00:44:19.860
 in the Scripture.

00:44:21.019 --> 00:44:21.759
 Highlight the words

00:44:21.759 --> 00:44:22.599
 love

00:44:22.599 --> 00:44:23.259
 and whatever

00:44:23.259 --> 00:44:24.380
 else stands

00:44:24.380 --> 00:44:24.860
 out

00:44:24.860 --> 00:44:26.819
 and be amazed

00:44:26.819 --> 00:44:28.259
 once again

00:44:28.259 --> 00:44:29.380
 at your

00:44:29.380 --> 00:44:29.940
 good shepherd.

00:44:30.739 --> 00:44:31.239
 Let's pray.

00:44:35.179 --> 00:44:36.179
 Oh Lord,

00:44:37.079 --> 00:44:38.839
 I pray this week

00:44:38.839 --> 00:44:39.319
 there would be

00:44:39.319 --> 00:44:39.940
 a holy

00:44:39.940 --> 00:44:41.239
 amazement

00:44:41.239 --> 00:44:42.420
 of our God.

00:44:43.199 --> 00:44:44.039
 A brand

00:44:44.039 --> 00:44:44.599
 new

00:44:44.599 --> 00:44:45.259
 appreciation

00:44:45.259 --> 00:44:46.019
 for who

00:44:46.019 --> 00:44:46.519
 you are.

00:44:47.440 --> 00:44:48.279
 A wondering,

00:44:48.559 --> 00:44:49.460
 a marveling

00:44:49.460 --> 00:44:49.839
 at the

00:44:49.839 --> 00:44:50.799
 grace

00:44:50.799 --> 00:44:51.699
 and love

00:44:51.699 --> 00:44:52.279
 of God

00:44:52.279 --> 00:44:52.679
 as you

00:44:52.679 --> 00:44:53.480
 seek to

00:44:53.480 --> 00:44:54.000
 lead us

00:44:54.000 --> 00:44:54.699
 tenderly,

00:44:55.460 --> 00:44:56.399
 compassionately,

00:44:57.219 --> 00:44:58.179
 protectively.

00:44:59.119 --> 00:45:00.159
 Your concern

00:45:00.159 --> 00:45:01.079
 for us

00:45:01.079 --> 00:45:02.559
 stands in

00:45:02.559 --> 00:45:03.059
 contrast

00:45:03.059 --> 00:45:04.159
 with the

00:45:04.159 --> 00:45:05.099
 self-serving

00:45:05.099 --> 00:45:06.099
 love of

00:45:06.099 --> 00:45:06.819
 all those

00:45:06.819 --> 00:45:07.460
 other voices

00:45:07.460 --> 00:45:08.179
 that seek

00:45:08.179 --> 00:45:09.759
 to redirect

00:45:09.759 --> 00:45:10.480
 our attention.

00:45:11.699 --> 00:45:12.239
 So,

00:45:12.379 --> 00:45:12.919
 this week,

00:45:13.039 --> 00:45:13.219
 Lord,

00:45:13.679 --> 00:45:15.480
 we give you

00:45:15.480 --> 00:45:16.319
 our affections,

00:45:16.320 --> 00:45:17.380
 we give you

00:45:17.380 --> 00:45:18.019
 our time

00:45:18.019 --> 00:45:18.460
 and we

00:45:18.460 --> 00:45:21.840
 commit ourselves

00:45:21.840 --> 00:45:22.420
 this week

00:45:22.420 --> 00:45:24.360
 to make it

00:45:24.360 --> 00:45:24.800
 a whole new

00:45:24.800 --> 00:45:25.780
 experience of

00:45:25.780 --> 00:45:26.660
 falling in love

00:45:26.660 --> 00:45:27.660
 with our

00:45:27.660 --> 00:45:27.960
 Savior.

00:45:29.240 --> 00:45:29.460
 So,

00:45:29.539 --> 00:45:29.600
 Lord,

00:45:29.660 --> 00:45:30.160
 help us

00:45:30.160 --> 00:45:30.559
 in that

00:45:30.559 --> 00:45:30.860
 endeavor.

00:45:31.039 --> 00:45:31.920
 I pray that you

00:45:31.920 --> 00:45:32.700
 would show up

00:45:32.700 --> 00:45:34.400
 in unique ways

00:45:34.400 --> 00:45:35.300
 for each person

00:45:35.300 --> 00:45:35.860
 who is here,

00:45:37.059 --> 00:45:37.440
 that you would

00:45:37.440 --> 00:45:39.080
 show the qualities

00:45:39.079 --> 00:45:40.559
 of yourself

00:45:40.559 --> 00:45:41.299
 as the

00:45:41.299 --> 00:45:41.840
 good

00:45:41.840 --> 00:45:42.559
 shepherd

00:45:42.559 --> 00:45:44.079
 who loves

00:45:44.079 --> 00:45:45.079
 his people,

00:45:45.420 --> 00:45:46.139
 who laid down

00:45:46.139 --> 00:45:46.719
 his life

00:45:46.719 --> 00:45:47.539
 for his people,

00:45:47.699 --> 00:45:48.299
 who offers

00:45:48.299 --> 00:45:50.079
 life abundantly

00:45:50.079 --> 00:45:50.739
 and full.

00:45:51.279 --> 00:45:51.759
 May we

00:45:51.759 --> 00:45:52.759
 experience a

00:45:52.759 --> 00:45:53.259
 measure of

00:45:53.259 --> 00:45:53.579
 that

00:45:53.579 --> 00:45:54.840
 this week

00:45:54.840 --> 00:45:56.139
 as we

00:45:56.139 --> 00:45:56.619
 turn up the

00:45:56.619 --> 00:45:57.099
 volume on

00:45:57.099 --> 00:45:57.599
 the still

00:45:57.599 --> 00:45:58.460
 small voice,

00:45:59.079 --> 00:45:59.579
 we listen

00:45:59.579 --> 00:46:00.519
 to your

00:46:00.519 --> 00:46:00.960
 direction

00:46:00.960 --> 00:46:01.579
 and your

00:46:01.579 --> 00:46:01.940
 leadership

00:46:01.940 --> 00:46:03.000
 and all the

00:46:03.000 --> 00:46:03.559
 affairs of

00:46:03.559 --> 00:46:04.059
 this life.

00:46:04.659 --> 00:46:05.079
 We pray

00:46:05.079 --> 00:46:05.779
 these things

00:46:05.779 --> 00:46:06.139
 in Jesus'

00:46:06.319 --> 00:46:06.500
 name.

00:46:06.980 --> 00:46:07.199
 Amen.