When we begin our worship this evening, we're going to sing to God's praise in Psalm 42, the Scottish Psalter, verse 262.
And to thy countenance approach, and in God's sight appear.
How we come to worship God, thirsting for him and longing for his presence.
Psalm 42, verse 1 to 5, we stand to sing.
Amen.
Psalm 42, verse 1 to 5, we stand to sing.
My heart to me, God, in my heart, where this night of the same.
My soul is poured out in me, when this night of the same.
He was born, because that with the maldiction I here to go, had gone.
With the maldiction I here to sing.
Of the maldiction I here to sing.
Of the mald voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy
!
voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy
Trust down my soul, why in this odyssey?
Trust of for I shall precede,
this countenance is my name.
Let's come to God in prayer. Bow our heads in a word of prayer.
Lord, our gracious God, as we gather in your name,
I knew this evening we are thankful for this, your day.
We are thankful to be able to gather together in this way to come,
offering praise to you, beginning with these words that we have sung,
thirsting for your presence, thirsting for you as the psalmist was.
We pray that that would be our longing and desire this evening as we come,
as we come seeking you and come to hear your word,
come to be in your presence and in the fellowship of your people.
We pray that you will give us that thirsting soul and that longing after you.
And we thank you that in the psalm we are reminded too that,
just like the psalmist in his day who lived in a time when there was so much mocking of you,
when people said to him,
where is this God of yours?
And we live in such a day as well and we see so much mocking of you,
when we hear so many people who just put slander across about you,
who make fun of you, who make a joke out of you.
And we thank you that we can come this evening knowing that you are God and there is no other.
And we pray, Lord, for your mercy upon us as we live in these days,
as we see these things around us.
We pray, Lord, that we will have the confidence of the psalmist,
that we will come maybe feeling our souls cast down,
but yet saying, why are we so dismayed when we can trust God and praise you
and that you are our aid at all times,
that you are the one who is our help and our keeper.
And so, Lord, we pray these words this evening.
We pray that they may bring us close to you in our worship,
that they may, from the outset, give us a focus upon you,
that we'll be able to leave aside other distractions
that maybe we even had as we came through these doors this evening
or even as we sat speaking to one another
when there are things that can easily lead our minds away from you.
We pray that you will give us that focus upon you for this time of worship,
that you will give us a prayerful spirit,
that you will help us even now as we unite our hearts in this way,
offering up all our prayers to you,
spoken and unspoken,
prayers that maybe no one else knows,
but you do.
And we thank you that you are the hearer and answerer of prayer.
And we thank you that we can come to you in that way,
that we can come,
even as Jesus himself taught the disciples so long ago,
to come saying,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
we thank you that we can come in that way,
calling upon you in such an intimate and a personal way,
even though you are Lord and God of all,
that we can say,
Our Father, who art in heaven.
And so hear all our prayers
and guide us by your spirit as we seek to worship you.
We might do so in truth,
that we might hear your truth as we read from it
and as we consider it together this evening.
May it be your truth that guides us in life
and keeps us going on.
Your truth that brings us back to the right paths
and helps us to remain on them.
And we pray for the blessing of your spirit
to be on the reading of your word
and all our meditation upon it,
that you will lead us into it in a fresh way,
in a new way,
and that your word would speak to all our hearts.
We are thankful for it,
for all it says to us,
for all we have been reminded about already this day,
of the wonder of your covenant bond with us,
for all that you have done for us
and for all the generations of your people.
As we were reminded of the covenant with Abraham this morning,
we thank you for how we see it out,
worked and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
And we pray that this evening,
as we continue to worship you as Lord and God,
that you would continue to remind us
of all the blessings that are ours in Christ
and that we have so much to be thankful for.
So hear our prayers, Lord,
and we pray for so many different needs around us.
We pray for our communities.
We pray for our island.
We pray for our nation and the world in which we live.
We pray for all the different needs.
There are so many, Lord,
and yet none hidden from you.
We thank you for your knowledge of us,
that wonderful knowledge that nothing is beyond your reach,
nothing is beyond your control or power,
but that all things are done by you and for you.
And so we pray, Lord, that you will do good to us,
do good to our people, our congregation here.
May you bless us.
May you guide us.
May you help us.
Every step that we take,
may you guide us by your spirit,
unite our hearts in prayer,
and bless us, Lord, with your presence
and with your peace.
We do pray, Lord,
to see your spirit working in our midst,
thankful for all the promises that we have in your word
that remind us that your word does not return to you empty or void.
And we pray that,
whether it's in the preaching of your word from the pulpit here
or in our prayer meetings,
in our Sunday school and creche and twinnies and Bible class
and all the efforts made to reach out with your gospel,
that you would bless it.
We pray for this week ahead as we think of all that goes on
and as we look ahead, God willing,
to our baptism service next Sunday morning.
We thank you for the privilege of that.
We thank you for the families who will be coming for baptism.
We pray for the parents and the children and all the families,
that your spirit be with them, Lord,
as we prepare for that.
We thank you for the blessings that there is in baptism.
And not just for the ones that we look forward to, God willing,
but as we look back as well,
we thank you for the bonds that there are in baptism as a congregation.
And we remember the many children who have been baptized here
over so many years.
Many now even parents themselves or even grandparents.
We're thankful for the blessings that there are
in that community of your people.
We pray for those who have been committed to you over many years,
who have fulfilled their vows,
who have kept the faith,
who have gone to flourish as Christians.
We thank you for that.
Remember those who are maybe still seeking after you,
maybe even over many years seeking for you
and seeking your peace and your presence.
We pray that you will come and bring that peace to them,
that they will find you as their Lord and as their God.
We remember others maybe who have,
although been baptized,
have wandered away,
who have gone maybe to different parts of the world even,
who have even turned their back on you at a time.
But Lord, we pray that you will remember these vows that were taken,
remember these children as they were baptized,
or even adults as they were baptized,
and draw them to yourself in your time and by your spirit.
And so we do thank you, Lord,
that your eyes are upon us.
We thank you for that,
for our community as well,
and all the different things that are going on.
And we thank you that you are not a God who is sleeping,
not a God who will be mocked,
but that you will come in your power and by your ways.
Remember that as our community needs you.
It needs enriching.
It needs enlivening.
It needs your spirit to work,
that we would see many being drawn to you,
turning from darkness to light.
And so we pray for every endeavor made in your name.
And we pray for our nation, O Lord,
that you would bless us,
that you would guide us,
that you would help us,
even as we think of our government at this time.
And even in this coming week,
when there are many decisions that will be made,
many budgets that will be set,
and we think of the great trials that they face
in terms of leading our nation,
helping our nation.
And we pray, Lord,
for your spirit in the midst of it all,
to give wisdom,
to give guidance,
to give a turning to you.
For we neglect you at our peril.
We turn away from you,
and we see the consequences.
But we thank you that your promise in your word
is that when we return to you,
that you will return to us.
And so, Lord,
may you hear our cries,
may you hear our prayers,
and protect your people.
Protect your people to all ends of the earth,
Lord,
as we thank you for the gospel that goes out to all ends.
We pray that it will be blessed,
and that your people,
near and far,
as they are described as your sheep,
even as we think of it this evening,
we thank you for our shepherd,
the one who is gathering his flock together,
the one who is building his church.
And we pray, Lord,
to see and hear great things
throughout all nations of the world.
So remember us, we pray.
Remember our people.
Remember those in need at this time,
as we remember those in hospital,
both here in Stornoway,
and further afield as well,
those who are going through treatment,
those who have gone through operations,
those who are laid aside at this time.
Lord,
may you be their refuge and their strength.
May you be their ever-present aid.
May you watch over them and all the families
and hear our prayers for them.
So remember us, Lord.
Go before us,
comfort us,
guide us by your Spirit.
Receive our praise
and forgive all our sins
as we come confessing them on you this evening.
You know, Lord, our hearts,
and we pray that you will cleanse us,
that you will renew us,
that you will build us up.
And all we ask,
we ask in the precious name
of our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ,
for his sake and glory.
Amen.
We'll again sing to God's praise.
We're going to sing this time in Psalm 139a,
in the Sing Psalms version.
You'll find this on page 180,
Psalm 139a.
We'll sing from verse 1 down to verse 10.
Psalm speaks of the wonderful knowledge
that God has of his people,
has of us all,
how he knows everything about us.
O Lord,
you have examined me,
you know me through and through.
My sitting,
rising,
all my thoughts
are far
are known to you.
My going out
and lying down
are plain before your view.
Before I speak a word,
O Lord,
it is
well known to you.
We will sing
from verse 1
to verse 10
and the tune is
Saint Andrew.
We stand to sing
to God's praise.
O Lord, you have examined me.
You know me through and through.
My Savior Christ, in all my thoughts,
have found my room to live.
My going out and lying down
are plenty for your good.
Before I speak a word, O Lord,
it is my home to you.
You have been behind before.
You hear only your hand.
Such joy is too wonderful.
To hide, to understand.
Where can I from your spirit flee?
Are proper dresses full?
If doom the heavens dear are there,
or in the necks below.
If I should take the wings of God,
and where are beyond the sea,
there also you who give my guide,
your right and holding me.
Amen.
We'll turn together now to read God's word.
We're reading in the Gospel of John,
chapter 10.
Gospel of John, chapter 10.
We read from the beginning of that chapter
down to verse 21.
John, chapter 10, verse 21.
John chapter 10, verse 1.
This passage that speaks of Jesus
and one of the I am sayings in the Gospel of John
where he describes himself as the good shepherd.
I am the good shepherd.
Truly, truly, I say to you,
he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door
but climbs in by another way,
that man is a thief and a robber.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
To him the gatekeeper opens.
The sheep hear his voice,
and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has brought out all his own,
he goes before them,
and the sheep follow him,
for they know his voice.
A stranger they will not follow,
but they will flee from him,
for they do not know the voice of strangers.
This figure of speech Jesus used with them,
but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So Jesus again said to them,
Truly, truly, I say to you,
I am the door of the sheep,
and all who come before me are thieves and robbers.
But the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the door.
If anyone enters by me,
he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd,
who does not own the sheep,
sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees,
and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
He flees because he is a hired hand
and cares nothing for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd.
I know my own and my own know me,
just as a father knows me and I know the father,
and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold.
I must bring them also,
and they will listen to my voice.
So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
For this reason the father loves me,
because I lay down my life,
that I may take it up again.
No one takes it from me,
but I lay it down of my own accord.
I have authority to lay it down,
and I have authority to take it up again.
This charge I have received from my father.
There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.
Many of them said,
He has a demon and is insane.
Why listen to him?
Others said,
These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon.
Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?
And so on.
And may God bless that reading from his word.
Before we turn back to look at this passage,
we'll again sing to God's praise this time in Psalm 106
in the Scottish Psalter,
singing at the beginning of the Psalm.
Psalm 106 from the beginning,
verse 1 to verse 5,
four stanzas.
The tune is St. David.
Give praise and thanks unto the Lord,
for bountiful is he,
his tender mercy doth endure into eternity.
God's mighty works who can express
or show forth all his praise.
Blessed are they that judgment keep,
and justly do always.
We'll sing from verse 1 to 5
into God's praise we stand to sing.
Amen.
Give freedom and sound to the Lord,
for bounty, cool is he.
His tender mercy doth endure unto eternity.
God's mighty works who can express
our show forth all his praise.
God's mighty works who can express
our show forth all his praise.
Blessed are they that judgment keep,
and King,
and just
in due
always.
Remember
me,
Lord, with
God above,
which thou
tonight
us bear.
With
thy
salvation,
O
my God,
to visit
thee
for near.
But I
thy
chosen
could
be seen,
and
in their
joy
rejoice,
and
be
with
thy
inheritance,
on
cheerful
voice.
As we're
singing in
these verses
in Psalm
106,
that verse
4,
there is like
a prayer for
us to offer
up.
Remember me,
Lord, with
that love,
which thou to
thine
dost bear,
with thy
salvation,
O my God,
to visit
me,
throw near.
And sometimes
we can feel
like we're
calling out to
God in
that way.
Remember me,
Lord,
remember me
with that
love which
you show to
your people.
And as we
come to
this passage
this evening
in John
10,
we are
reminded of
how God
has remembered
us,
and how he
has sent
salvation for
us.
And he has
visited us,
he has drawn
near to us
in the
person of
Jesus Christ,
his son.
And that's
what we see
as we were
thinking as
Gordon was
preaching this
morning on
the reminder
of the
covenant,
God's promise
to us,
and how it
will be
fulfilled in
Christ this
evening.
We're just
kind of
following on
on that
theme and
just seeing
how Jesus
is the
one we
see the
fulfillment
of that
in.
He is the
good shepherd
who has
come for
his people.
We're going
to read at
verse 9 in
John 10,
verse 9 to
11.
I am the
door.
If anyone
enters by
me, he
will be
saved and
will go
in and
out and
find pasture.
The thief
comes only
to steal
and kill
and destroy.
I came
that they
may have
life and
have it
abundantly.
I am
the good
shepherd.
The good
shepherd lays
down his
life for
the sheep.
The Bible
often describes
the relationship
between God
and his
people in
this way
of using
the image
of the
shepherd
and the
sheep.
We are
described as
people as
being like
sheep and
I don't
know what
that calls
to mind
for you as
you immediately
start to
think.
When you
think of
sheep,
what do
you think
of?
For some
people,
when you
think of
sheep,
it's a
joyous
thing.
If you
love
sheep,
if you
love
looking
after
sheep,
spending
time on
the moor
or gathering
the sheep,
shearing the
sheep,
whatever it
is, it's
a pleasure
for many
people.
For others,
it may be
just a
pain, a
waste of
a good
Saturday,
or just
a time
that's
misspent.
Sheep are
often seen
in these
two different
ways.
But what
characteristics
of sheep
do you see
and you start
to think,
well, I can
understand why
the Bible
describes us
as sheep
and the need
of a shepherd
that we have.
think of
some of the
characteristics
of sheep.
Maybe some
of the more
negative ones
first, they
easily led
astray.
Many will
just follow
after one
or a part
of the flock
and they'll
just go
with them.
It doesn't
matter which
way they're
heading or
what they're
doing.
They're social
creatures.
They like to
be surrounded
by others.
They like to
be part of
a flock.
Again, that
can describe
people.
They can be
wanderers.
They can just
go off on
their own and
just go
astray,
just thinking
the grass
is greener
over there,
that's the
way I'm
going,
and they
wander off
and end
up lost.
They can
be stubborn.
Again, it's
a characteristic
we see in
ourselves so
often.
We see so
many characteristics
in sheep
that remind
us of
ourselves,
but we're
also like
sheep,
defenseless,
we're
vulnerable.
We're all
of these
things.
The list
could go
on and
you could
perhaps add
your own
description.
But what
about valuable
or precious?
Is that
the way
that you
think of
sheep?
Is that
the way
you think
of yourself
as valuable
or precious?
Well, as we
think of these
words of Psalm
106,
remember me,
Lord,
with that
love which
thou to
thine
dost bear.
The word
of God
reminds us
that we
are indeed
precious.
sheep can
be very
precious.
In
August
2020
in
Lanark,
just
outside
Glasgow,
there was
a sheep
sale
there.
And on
that day,
a Texel
ram by
the name
Double
Diamond
sold for
a world
record fee.
368,000
pounds.
A valuable
sheep.
That just
sounds like
madness to
pay that
much money
for a
sheep.
And yet,
when we
think of
that,
we are
reminded of
those sheep
are vulnerable,
they can be
valuable,
and because
they're valuable,
they come
under threat.
There are
those who
want to
steal them.
There are
thieves who
want to
get a hold
of them
so they
can get
money out
of it.
But there
are shepherds
who want
to protect
them.
And as we
think of the
Bible and
how it
describes
sheep,
and the
shepherd in
this way,
we are
reminded of
so many
different things.
But one of
the greatest
images is
when we
find the
sheep who
are going
astray,
the sheep
who are
precious to
the shepherd.
And because
they're so
precious,
the shepherd
will go
out after
his sheep.
And even
to the extent
as we read
of here in
John 10,
the shepherd
who will
give his
life for
the sheep.
Our idea
of sheep
and the
shepherd
and the
way the
Bible
describes the
relationship
of the
sheep and
shepherd
are
probably
poles
apart.
Modern
day
thinking of
as we
would think
of the
shepherd and
the sheep
is very
different to
what Jesus
would be
describing to
the people
here and
what they
would be
understanding
of this
relationship.
You see
just the
kind of
language that
Jesus uses
here in
this passage.
he says
the sheep
hear my
voice.
They
follow me.
Now when
do you
see that
around our
island here?
The sheep
just listen
to the
voice of
the shepherd.
It has
to be a
very good
shepherd who
will just
speak and
the sheep
will follow.
More often
than not,
the shepherd
is behind
the sheep
driving the
sheep.
So often
it's about
the quantity,
a large
quantity of
sheep in
our idea,
whereas in
Jesus'
day it
would be
smaller
numbers.
Every
sheep would
have a
name.
Today we
don't often
see,
although sometimes
you do,
you have a
lamb,
you call it
a name,
you look
after it,
but it
can soon
be forgotten
about,
whereas the
sheep in
Jesus'
day the
shepherd would
have them
perhaps for
many years
and know
each one
by name
and be
able to
look out
for them
and see
this personal
and protective
oversight of
them.
And so
what Jesus
is talking
about here
is a very
intimate,
it's a very
personal
relationship.
And you
see that
throughout the
Bible.
You see it
in Psalm
100,
when in
verse 3
it says,
no,
the Lord,
he is
God,
it is he
who made
us,
we are
his,
we are
his people,
and then
it describes
and we are
the sheep
of his
pasture.
He has
made us,
we are
his people,
but describes
the sheep
of his
pasture.
So it's
a reminder
that God
has made
us in
that image
of sheep.
There's
a reminder
of where
we are
as sinners
in Isaiah
53,
verse 6,
it says,
all we
like sheep
have gone
astray,
we have
turned
everyone
to his
own way.
So we've
wandered
off,
we've
gone
away.
Jesus
has another
moment in
his experience
when Matthew
9,
verse 36,
when he's
seeing great
crowds of
people and
he has
compassion on
them.
Why does he
have compassion
on them?
It says,
because they
were harassed
and helpless
like sheep
without a
shepherd.
So you're
seeing there,
there's this
close bond
between shepherd
and sheep.
So the sheep
who are harassed
and helpless,
there's no
shepherd to look
after them.
And that's why
he has
compassion,
like sheep
without a
shepherd.
But then you
come to
John 10
and you
have this
wonderful
passage that
describes the
sheep and
the most
precious
shepherd of
all.
As you think
of this in
light of
John's
gospel and
him talking
about the
great I
am sayings
and how
that reminds
us of how
God
remembers his
people.
Well here
we are again
reminded of
Jesus as
the I
am,
the I
am,
the shepherd
of the
sheep.
The shepherd
who ultimately
lays down
his life
for his
sheep because
that's how
precious his
sheep are
to him.
We want to
think of
three things
about this
shepherd this
evening.
Three things
that we see
of Jesus
as the
shepherd of
his sheep.
And the
first is
his perception,
his knowledge
of the
sheep.
shepherd.
The second
thing is
his purpose
as the
shepherd.
And then
thirdly we'll
see the
promise and
protection that
he gives
to his
sheep.
We'll begin
by looking
at his
perception,
his knowledge
of the
sheep.
When we
think of
ourselves and
the people
we have
around us,
what kind
of knowledge
do you have
of the people
around you?
What kind
of knowledge
do you have
of the people
sitting next
to you,
behind you,
or in front
of you?
It depends
maybe how
close you
are to
them.
There'll be
some who
are family,
there'll be
some who
are friends,
there'll be
maybe some
who are
strangers to
you.
Our knowledge
varies depending
on how much
we see of
the people.
And there
might be
some people
you know
pretty well.
You've got to
know them
over a long
period of
time.
You know
their good
habits,
their kind
hearts,
their generous
spirit,
you know
all of
these things
about them.
And then
the more
you get
to know
people,
you also
see the
less positive
side of them,
the bad
habits that
the people
might have,
their failings
as well.
But it's
all about
getting to
know the
people.
And as you
get to know
people,
you realise
all of
these things
about them,
yet even
the person
you know
best,
you don't
know them
better than
Jesus does.
Jesus'
knowledge of
his people,
of his
sheep,
is far
more than
any of
us can
have,
even we
could say
of ourselves,
that Jesus
knows us
better than
we know
ourselves.
And Jesus
speaks of
his knowledge
of his
sheep here
in John
10.
He speaks
of it in
verse 2
and 3
where he
says,
He
knows
his sheep
so
personally.
He knows
them that
just at
the command
of his
voice,
they will
follow.
They will
follow after
him.
You see
it too
in verse
14.
I am
the good
shepherd.
I know
my own
and my
own
know me.
There's
this
relationship
that's
about
knowledge
of how
he knows
his
sheep.
What
kind of
knowledge
is this?
It's
the kind
of knowledge
that the
psalmist
speaks of
in Psalm
139.
The
knowledge
that he
says
is too
wonderful
as he
describes
too high
to
understand.
There's
not a
word
that
comes
to our
lips
that is
not
known
by
him
even
before
we
speak
it.
Our
rising,
our
sitting,
our
sleeping,
everything
about us
it is
known
to him.
The
psalmist
describes
even if
we
go to
the
utmost
parts
of the
sea,
even
there
your
right
hand
is
leading
me.
There
is a
knowledge
that is
so
wonderful,
so
personal
beyond
anything
that
anybody
else
has
of
us,
even
ourselves.
You
think of
a
relationship
with your
parents
and the
knowledge
that they
have of
you and
you have
of them.
Think
back maybe
when you
were younger
or perhaps
you were at
that age
just now
when you
would go
out in
an evening.
You would
go away
for an
evening
and by
the time
you come
home
it's
later
than you
maybe
should
have
been
out.
You're
trying to
sneak
back in.
You're
trying to
sneak
through
the front
door
and then
trying to
sneak
through
the inside
door,
sneak
through
the
rooms,
sneak
up the
stairs
into your
own
bedroom
and go
to sleep
and you
think to
yourself
I've
got away
with it.
They don't
know what
time I
came in.
They don't
know I
was past
the time
I was
meant to
come in
until the
next morning
and they
tell you
exactly what
time you
came in.
They know.
They don't
miss much
but sometimes
they do.
And yet
the knowledge
that Jesus
has of
us,
it goes
way beyond
even that.
Everything
about us,
every little
detail.
When Jesus
says I
am the
door and
I am
the shepherd,
he is
describing
this knowledge
of us,
that there's
nothing that
we do,
nowhere that
we go,
that he
doesn't
know.
And
describing
himself as
the door
and the
shepherd,
it's not
two different
things.
It's the
same thing.
The shepherd
as the
door and
just being
the shepherd
as the
shepherd himself,
they're talking
about the
same thing.
The shepherd
is the
door.
when you
see here
Jesus
talking about
the sheep
fold in
verse 1.
He says
later,
I am the
door for
the sheep.
He's
describing
this setting
where the
sheep would
have to
come in
and go
out of.
A place
that would
have
walls,
four walls
and just
one entry.
And for
every sheep
they had to
go through
this entry,
either coming
out or
going in.
and the
shepherd
would be
the door.
The sheep
would have
to pass
him,
either coming
out or
going in.
So he knew
exactly the
sheep that he
had, he knew
their condition,
and he knew
that he had
them coming
back in at
the end of
the day.
Nothing
was missed.
And that's
the knowledge
that Jesus
has of his
sheep.
And us
as his
sheep,
there's nothing
that passes
by him.
And so when
you think of
your life,
there's no
sneaking past
Jesus,
there's no
thinking,
I got away
with that.
Everything
is known
to him.
This knowledge
is so
wonderful,
it's so
high,
it's beyond
our understanding,
and yet it
should give us
such great
comfort.
Because his
knowledge is
complete.
His knowledge
is past,
present,
and future.
His knowledge
of us means
that we are
watched over
at all times,
wherever we
go.
And there's a
great blessing
in that.
As we think
of ourselves,
as we think
of others,
as we think
even of,
as we're
praying there
for the
baptism service
next week,
God willing,
as we think
of baptized
children,
as we think
of those
who have
gone away
from here,
gone away
from home,
that this
is knowledge
that Jesus
has,
that he is
watching over
his sheep,
that he has
them as his
flock watched
over at all
times.
They're coming
in and they're
going out.
And that as
we pray,
we can pray
in that way
of his
knowing
everything
about us.
So whatever
stage we're
at in life,
we come
to the
shepherd
looking for
his help,
looking for
his guidance,
for his
knowledge to
be revealed
to us,
for his
help to
be given
to us,
for his
rod and
his staff,
as we'll
consider later,
as well as
directing us in
every way that
we should go,
bringing us
back or
putting us
forward.
So as we
think of
what school
subjects we
take,
as we think
about moving
away from
home to
university,
as we think
of going
into the
working life,
as we think
of other
struggles that
will come
our way
through life,
challenges,
as we think
of illness
and bereavement
and all of
these things,
all the
struggles that
we might
have,
whatever it
is,
he knows.
His
knowledge of
us is so
complete.
He is
the good
shepherd who
knows his
sheep.
And that
leads us
then into
his purpose.
His knowledge
of us is so
complete, but
then we begin
to see his
purpose.
Why has
Jesus come?
Why did
God send
his son into
this world?
Well, when you
think of,
again, just
our natural
setting, when
you think of
the lamb
sails or the
sheep sails,
when they
go ahead,
buyers will
come with
a purpose.
They come
for the
best, they
come for the
quality, and
they come to
pay good
money, you
hope for
them.
And you
see the
extraordinary
amounts when
you think of
double diamond
bought for
368,000
pounds.
Vast
sums of
money can
be spent
on sheep.
And how
does the
purpose of
Jesus, the
good shepherd,
compare to
that?
Did he
just come
for the
best?
Did he
come just
to hand
pick the
best for
himself?
Imagine
going to
a sale and
coming home
with sheep
that were
old, sheep
that had no
teeth, sheep
that were
lame or
blind.
It would
seem foolish,
it would
seem madness,
you would be
asked questions,
what have you
done?
Hope you
didn't pay
anything for
them.
And if
you were
to turn
around and
say I
actually paid
top money
for these,
you would
be seen
as being
crazy.
It would
be madness
to spend
any money
on sheep
that are
old and
lame.
And yet
when you
look at the
scriptures and
you see the
relationship of
the shepherd
and his
sheep,
did he
come to
pick the
best?
Did he
come to
pay only
the top
prize for
those who
were worthy?
Did he
look at
their
qualities and
say that
one's not
good enough?
When you
read through
God's word
you see who
Jesus came
for.
As he
came for
his sheep
he came
for them
all.
Each of
them sinful,
lost,
facing God's
judgment.
In order
for them to
become his
sheep,
Jesus had
to come
for his
sheep.
And coming
for his
sheep,
that involved
a great
price.
It involved
a great
cost.
The good
shepherd lays
down his
life for
the sheep.
He pays
the ultimate
price.
He paid
for our
sins.
And this
redemption,
this price
cost much.
And yet
what he
says is
my sheep
they love
to hear
my voice.
My sheep
they hear
my voice
and follow
me.
And isn't
that just a
wonderful reminder
to us?
The purpose
of Jesus
is to call
not the
perfect,
not those
who are
everything
sorted,
but to
call his
sheep as
his own,
to call
them by
their name.
What kind
of sheep
are you?
Are you a
perfect
sheep?
Prime
quality,
top price?
No.
There's none
of us who
could say
we're that.
We're
straying,
we're lost,
we're sinful.
And yet
what kind
of sheep
did Jesus
come to
give his
life for?
The very
sheep that
we think
of as
worthless,
the lame,
the blind,
the sick,
the ones
who are
useless in
other
people's
eyes.
Jesus
says that
himself in
the Gospel
of Mark,
chapter 2,
the scribes
and the
Pharisees
were around
and when
they saw
him eating
with sinners
and tax
collectors,
they said
to his
disciples,
why does
he eat
with tax
collectors
and sinners?
Why?
Why does
he do
that?
Well,
Jesus heard
it and
he said
to them,
those who
are well
have no
need of
a physician,
but those
who are
sick.
I came
not to
call the
righteous,
but sinners.
We are
all sheep
who have
gone
astray.
We're
all
turned
to our
own
way
and
that's
why
Jesus
came.
That's
his
purpose.
We've
all gone
astray,
but he
came to
call his
own
to himself.
The
parable of
the
prodigal
son,
which comes
just after
the parable
of the
lost
sheep
who
left
the 99
to go
out after
the one
sheep
who was
missing.
The
prodigal
son is
along the
same
lines.
When the
prodigal
son goes
away,
wanders
off into
his sinful
life,
fulfills it
the way
he would
see best,
and then
realizes how
empty it
is.
And when
he comes
to his
senses,
he says,
I will
return to
my father.
And there's
that part
in Luke
15,
verse 20,
where it
says,
the father
ran out
to meet
him and
embraced
him.
Another
word of
translation
there for
embrace is
he fell
upon him.
You think
to yourself,
what's the
significance
there?
Why fall
upon him
in this
way?
Well,
if you go
back to
the Old
Testament
and to
Deuteronomy
21,
verse 18
to 21
there,
it speaks
about what
people were
instructed to
do to
a child
who had
disobeyed
and dishonored
his parents.
What was
the price
that was
paid?
Well,
they were
instructed
to stone
that child.
Sounds
so awful,
sounds so
cruel,
that they
would put
that child
to death
for disobeying
their parents
and dishonoring
their parents.
But if you
see that
version and
you see
the prodigal
son,
you realize
just how
significant
that embrace
and that
falling upon
him is.
Because what
the father
was doing
was knowing
what the
people would
be commanded
to do for
that son
who had
dishonored
him.
He fell
upon them,
upon his
son,
he embraced
him to
protect him.
So they
wouldn't
harm him,
so they
wouldn't
touch him.
And that's
exactly what
Jesus is
doing here
for his
sheep.
I am
the good
shepherd,
the good
shepherd who
lays down
his life
for his
sheep.
So I
would put
that into
the same
way,
who lays
down upon
his sheep,
who protects
his sheep.
They
deserve to
die,
but he
took our
sin.
And he
took out
our sin
that we
might have
life and
have it
abundantly,
as is
described here,
that they
might have
life and
have it
abundantly.
So his
purpose was
to save
his sheep.
He knows
his sheep,
he knows
their sin,
but his
purpose is
that he
might save
his sheep
from their
sins,
and that
we might
have life
abundantly.
And the
third and
final thing
we see
here is
his promise
and protection.
There are
many things
calling for
our attention
in life,
many things
that lead us
in different
directions.
And you
think of
Isaiah,
he knew
so well as
he was
describing
there,
all we
like sheep
have gone
as they,
we have
turned each
to his
own way.
We wander
off,
we listen
to the
wrong voices,
we listen
to the
wrong things,
we go
in our
different
directions.
But as
Jesus
describes
himself
here as
the good
shepherd,
he's
describing
himself
in light
of the
thief as
well in
verse 10.
The thief
comes only
to steal
and kill
and destroy.
I came
that they
may have
life and
have it
abundantly.
And what
he's saying
here is
there's
the two
different
outcomes
depending
on whose
voice that
we listen
to.
Do we
listen to
the thief?
Do we
listen to
the devil?
Do we
listen to
his wiles
of forgetting
God?
Even like
the psalm
in which
we're singing,
Psalm 42,
when we
see so many
people saying,
when is
this God
of yours?
is that
what we
listen to?
Is that
the voices
that we
heed and
say,
well,
maybe there
isn't a
God.
Maybe we
shouldn't
listen to
what the
Bible
says.
Maybe it
is just
something to
be forgotten
about.
Well,
we are
reminded here
the thief
comes only
to steal
and kill
and destroy.
There's no
other purpose.
but Jesus
has come.
I came
that they
may have
life and
have it
abundantly.
I am the
good shepherd.
The good
shepherd lays
down his
life for
his sheep.
The thief
has a
purpose,
but there's
nothing good
about it.
It's a bit
like the
shepherd that
we see
described in
the Old
Testament
in Ezekiel
as well,
where the
Lord warns
in Ezekiel
34,
verse 2,
Woe to
the shepherds
of Israel
who only
take care
of themselves.
Should not
shepherds
take care
of the
flock?
They're only
interested in
themselves,
so impersonal,
so selfish.
They come
only to
steal and
kill and
destroy.
And listen
to that
voice,
and that's
where we
end up
ourselves.
So there
is that
warning to
us.
But contrast
that to the
leading of
the shepherd,
the good
shepherd,
the good
shepherd who
lays down
his life
for his
sheep,
the good
shepherd who
knows his
sheep,
the good
shepherd who
has done
everything for
his sheep.
So we'll be
singing in
conclusion in
a few moments
Psalm 23.
that great
psalm just
reminds us of
the leading
of the
shepherd through
every experience
in life.
And his
tender leading,
his care
towards his
own.
And when you
think of the
rod and the
staff as
described in
that psalm,
and as you
read about it
in light of
other scripture
passages, you
see that these
were the key
things that the
shepherd would
use to help
the sheep
along the
way.
The rod was
probably shorter
and used
more closely
to prod the
sheep, to
put them in
the right
direction, to
move them
along the
way.
The staff
was longer
with the
crook at
the top so
the shepherd
could pull
the sheep
back.
And again,
it's just that
reminder of
the way we
are.
Sometimes we
just need the
prod in the
right direction,
just gently
kept on the
right path.
Other times,
we need a
good pull
back onto
the right
path.
But there
was another
purpose of
the rod and
the staff as
well, maybe
more so the
staff.
And it
reminds us of
just how
personal the
care of the
shepherd is,
of his promise
and protection
to his
sheep.
And what it
was, was as
the sheep were
being brought
in at the
end of the
day, the
shepherd would
lay the
staff across
the entrance
into the
sheepfold.
And the
sheep would
stop, each
one, one
at a time.
And the
shepherd would
look over
the sheep
and make
sure that
sheep was
well, that
everything about
that sheep
was right, that
it hadn't been
injured, that
it wasn't
lame, that
nothing had
come upon it
during the
day, no
injury.
And if
the sheep
was fine, he
would lift
up the
staff and
let the
sheep in, and
the next
one would
stop.
And when
you think of
that in
light of
Psalm 23,
and especially
when you think
of the last
words of
Psalm 23,
goodness and
mercy, all
my life, so
surely follow
me, and
in God's
house forevermore
my dwelling
place shall
be.
You think
just of the
care of the
shepherd.
How he's
going to
look over
all his
sheep, and
how he's
going to
heal every
hurt and
every wound.
Why is
that important?
Well, again,
when you go
back to
Ezekiel, in
chapter 20,
verse 37, it
says, I
will make you
pass under
the rod.
I will
bring you
into the
bond of
the covenant.
I will
purge out
the rebels
from among
you.
And those
who transgress
against me.
And there's
a description
there of
the care and
concern of
the shepherd.
Only his
own will
get in.
He will
allow his
own to
pass under
the rod,
but not
those who
have no
place there.
The good
shepherd cares
for his
sheep.
He will
heal his
sheep.
He will
look after
his sheep.
So there
is that
care now
and there
is that
care
eternally.
That the
hope of the
Christian is
just that,
the promise
and the
protection
of Christ
as our
shepherd.
He knows
his sheep
and his
purpose for
his sheep
was that
he would
come and
lay down
his life
for his
sheep.
That we
might have
life abundantly
in him.
His healing
touch,
his caring
touch,
his restoration
of his
sheep.
Well,
do you
know
God
as your
shepherd
today?
Do you
know
the good
shepherd?
And can
you say
the Lord
is my
shepherd?
For some
of us,
the call
tonight
is come.
Come to
me and
I will
save you.
Hear my
voice,
and follow
me.
Perhaps
that's you
this evening.
You're
hearing the
shepherd
calling.
It's time
to follow.
And for
others,
he's saying
stay with
me.
I will
guard you.
There's so
often we're
tempted to
drift off
and go
our own
direction,
to wander
away,
for doubts
to come in,
but he's
saying stay
with me.
I will
keep you.
I will
watch over
you.
I will
care for
you.
I will
heal you.
And each
of us
knows
which voice
to listen
to.
My sheep
hear my
voice
and follow
me.
The call
is
to follow
him.
remember
double
diamond,
the
texel
ram,
sold for
368,000.
Well,
you're even
more precious.
You're worth
far more
than that
to the
shepherd of
his sheep
who has
given his
life for
you.
Let's not
be stubborn.
Let's not
turn away
and go our
own way.
let us
listen to
the voice
of the
shepherd
and follow
him.
Let us
pray.
Our
Father in
heaven,
we thank
you that
you are
the shepherd
who calls
and give us
ears to hear
and to
follow,
to listen
to your
voice and
not to
those who
would seek
to kill
and destroy,
but to
seek to
listen to
the one
who has
come that
we might
have life
and have
it abundantly.
Teach us,
Lord,
your ways
and lead
us in
them.
So we
ask it
all in
your
precious
name.
Amen.
We're
going to
conclude by
singing these
words of
Psalm 23
and the
Sing
Psalms
version.
Page
28 of
the
Psalm
book.
The
tune is
Jehovah's
and
Kenyu.
Psalm
23.
The
Lord is
my
shepherd,
no one
shall I
know.
He
makes me
lie
down
where
the
green
pastures
grow.
He
leads
me
to
rest
with
the
calm
waters
flow.
We'll
sing the
whole of
this
Psalm
and we
stand
to
sing.
The
Lord is
my
shepherd,
no one
shall I
know.
He
makes me
lie
down
where
the
green
master's
grow.
He
leads
me
to
rest
where
the
waters
flow.
He
leads
me
to
rest
where
the
waters
flow.
My
wandering
steps
he
brings
back
to this
day.
He
has
done
his
great name
to
display.
He
has
done
his
great name
to
display.
He
has
done
his
great name
to
display.
!
Lord,
!
walk
in
des
paris
where
darkness
is near.
Because
you are
with me,
no evil
I'll
fear.
Your
rod and
your
suffering
become
heart and
cheer.
Your
heart and
your
suffering
become
heart and
cheer.
In the
sight of
my
enemies
the
table
you
spread.
In
oil of
rejoicing
you
pour on
my
head.
my
cup
overclose
and
I'm
gracious
me
fed.
My
cup
overclose
and
I'm
gracious
me
fed.
So
cheer
in your
covenant
and
mercy
and
grace
will
follow
me
close
me
in
all
of
my
ways.
I
will
dwell
in
the
hands
of
the
Lord
all
my
days.
I
will
dwell
in
the
hands
of
the
Lord
all
my
days.
After
the
benediction
I'll go to
the door
to my
left.
We'll
close
with
the
benediction.
Now may
grace,
mercy and
peace from
God,
Father,
Son and
Holy Spirit
rest upon
and abide
with you
all now
and forever
more.
Amen.