WEBVTT

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 Let us pray.

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 Our Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are a loving Heavenly Father.

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! You are a great and mighty God, enthroned on high in the heavens,

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!

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 I usually say there are two kinds of people who should never apologise,

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 and that's cooks and preachers,

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 because the recipients of what they provide may not know any better.

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 However, I'm going to break my own rule this morning with an apology to the children,

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 that you haven't got a set of notes, and that is my fault.

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 You'll just have to listen very hard and carefully, I'm afraid.

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 Jesus saying, I am the Good Shepherd, which we read,

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 and Psalm 23, the Lord is my Shepherd,

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 are among the best known of all Scriptures.

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 But I want us to look this morning at what does it mean to have God as our Shepherd.

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 And look at this through the Scriptures.

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 In fact, quickly from Genesis to Revelation.

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 Now, there is, first of all, we must understand a huge difference.

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 between shepherding in the Bible,

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 and in our culture in Britain today.

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 Psalm 80, verse 1 says,

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 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel,

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 You who lead Joseph like a flock,

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 You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,

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 Shine forth.

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 What do we hear there?

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 The shepherd of Israel leads the flock,

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 leads his people.

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 If you've ever seen a shepherd at work in this country,

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 you'll know it's different.

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 He drives the sheep, probably with the aid of one or two dogs.

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 If you ask me a picture of the shepherd in this country,

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 it's seeing my cousin in the Yorkshire Dale,

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 standing with me on one side of a small valley,

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 and he's whistling to two dogs,

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 that are rounding up the sheep on the other side of the valley.

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 It was something to wonder at, the control.

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 But that was driving sheep.

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 Not like we hear God doing in the Bible,

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 which is leading.

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 The Lord is my shepherd.

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 He leads me beside still waters.

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 He leads me in paths of righteousness,

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 for his name's sake.

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 What we see in Israel is,

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 the shepherd is the leader.

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 It's the same with Jesus,

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 when he says,

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 I know my sheep,

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 my sheep know me,

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 they follow me.

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 The shepherd is the leader.

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 And the first reference we have in the whole of Scripture,

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 to shepherding,

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 is God shepherding his people.

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 It's in a verse in Genesis 48,

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 where the patriarch Jacob,

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 is blessing his son Joseph.

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 And remember, the patriarchs were shepherds.

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 They were a shepherd people,

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 with large flocks.

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 Well, in Genesis 48 and verse 15,

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 Jacob blessed his son Joseph and said,

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 May the God before whom my fathers,

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 Abraham and Isaac, walked,

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 the God who has been my shepherd,

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 all my life to this day.

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 God is the shepherd of Israel,

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 of Jacob, Abraham and Isaac.

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 God being their shepherd,

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 there it meant their ruler.

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 They followed God as their ruler,

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 as he led them from place to place,

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 as he led Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldeans,

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 as he led them into Egypt,

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 and eventually out of Egypt.

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 God the ruler shepherds Israel.

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 And the striking thing is,

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 that when God talks about leaders in Israel,

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 when he talks about kings in Israel,

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 they are to be shepherds.

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 Ruler and leader,

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 come together as the king, the shepherd.

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 So Moses talks in Numbers 27 and verse 15,

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 Moses said to the Lord,

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 May the Lord,

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 the God of the spirits of all mankind,

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 appoint a man over this community,

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 to go out and come in before them,

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 one who will lead them out and bring them in,

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 so the Lord's people will not be

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 like sheep without a shepherd.

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 He was going to give them a leader,

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 to shepherd them.

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 And we remember that David,

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 that most famous king of Israel,

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 before he became king,

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 he was a shepherd.

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 Literally, a shepherd.

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 Psalm 78 and verse 71 says,

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 From tending the sheep,

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 he brought him to be the shepherd

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 of his people Jacob,

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 of Israel his inheritance.

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 David the shepherd king.

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 And what does God tell David?

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 Well, he speaks to him in 2 Samuel chapter 5

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 and verse 2 and says,

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 In the past,

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 while Saul was king over us,

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 you were the one who led Israel

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 on their military campaigns.

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 And the Lord said to you,

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 You will shepherd my people Israel,

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 and you will become their ruler.

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 I think it's very interesting

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 where we see this parallel,

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 that the shepherd was a leader,

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 and the shepherd was a king.

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 And it says something about how

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 that king was to lead

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 the people of God.

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 Rulers commanded to shepherd

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 my people Israel, God says.

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 So it is David the shepherd king

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 who says,

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 The Lord is my shepherd.

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 I shall not be in want.

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 You see that background

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 gives more significance

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 to what David is saying

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 in Psalm 23.

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 The Lord is his shepherd.

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 And the fact that the Lord

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 is the shepherd,

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 I think also means that

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 when Jesus says,

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 I am the good shepherd,

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 not just the use of the words,

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 I am,

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 which speak of God,

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 but the shepherding part

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 speaks of how God

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 had been to Israel as well.

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 So I believe that

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 when Jesus says,

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 I am the good shepherd,

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 he is in fact speaking

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 about him being God's Messiah,

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 him being God come

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 to lead his people.

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 But David,

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 still in the Psalms,

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 Psalm 28 verse 9,

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 he prays to God,

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 Save your people

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 and bless your inheritance.

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 Be their shepherd

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 and carry them forever.

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 Picture of the tender shepherd

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 picking up the lamb

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 from the flock.

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 And so we see that God,

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 he is the shepherd king

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 of Israel,

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 and he takes

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 the shepherd David

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 to be shepherd

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 to his people.

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 And when they look

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 to the future,

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 when the prophets

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 speak of the future,

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 when they speak

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 of God's Messiah

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 saving his people,

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 it's as a coming shepherd.

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 Among the most beautiful

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 verses in scripture

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 are Isaiah 40 verse 11.

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 In Isaiah 40 verse 11,

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 it says of the Messiah

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 to come,

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 he tends his flock

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 like a shepherd.

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 He gathers the lambs

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 in his arms

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 and carries them

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 close to his heart.

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 He gently leads

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 those that have young.

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 What have we got here?

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 What is God doing

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 through his Messiah?

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 He is gathering his flock,

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 gathering his people together.

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 There is an intimate

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 caring,

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 a gentle leading.

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 Isaiah gives us

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 a beautiful picture

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 of what Jesus,

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 the Messiah,

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 the good shepherd,

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 will do

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 for us,

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 his people.

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 Jeremiah the prophet

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 speaks of this as well.

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 Jeremiah in 31.10 says,

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 Hear the word

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 of the Lord,

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 O nations.

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 Proclaim it

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 in distant coastlands.

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 He who scattered Israel

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 will gather them

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 and will watch over

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 his flock

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 like a shepherd.

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 Israel going into exile,

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 judged by God,

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 taken captive

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 by Nebuchadnezzar,

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 scattered,

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 will be gathered

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 in the coming days

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 by God,

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 by his Messiah,

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 like a shepherd.

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 Ezekiel says,

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 as a shepherd,

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 this is Ezekiel 34.12,

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 as a shepherd

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 looks after

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 his scattered flock

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 when he is with them,

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 so will I

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 look after my sheep.

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 I will rescue them

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 from all the places

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 where they were scattered

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 on the day of clouds

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 and darkness.

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 There is hope

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 for God's people.

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 They will be gathered

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 together

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 with God,

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 the Messiah,

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 as their shepherd.

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 verse 16

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 of that chapter,

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 Ezekiel 34.

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 I will search

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 for the lost

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 and bring back

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 the strays.

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 I will bind up

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 the injured

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 and strengthen

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 the weak,

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 but the sleek

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 and the strong

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 I will destroy.

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 I will shepherd

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 the flock

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 with justice.

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 There is the hope

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 for Israel,

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 the Messiah to come

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 to gather the people

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 to shepherd

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 the flock

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 with justice.

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 And again,

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 in that same chapter,

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 Ezekiel 34,

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 verse 23,

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 I will place

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 over them

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 one shepherd,

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 my servant David,

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 and he will tend them.

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 He will tend them

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 and be their shepherd.

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 So there is to be

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 a coming

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 David-like

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 king,

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 to look after

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 God's people

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 as a shepherd.

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 Confirming this,

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 Ezekiel says

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 in chapter 37,

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 verse 24,

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 My servant David

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 will be king

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 over them,

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 and they will all

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 have one shepherd.

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 They will follow

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 my laws

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 and be careful

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 to keep

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 my decrees.

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 Jesus,

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 the good shepherd,

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 is to be

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 David the king

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 over them,

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 the one shepherd.

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 And lastly,

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 from the Old Testament,

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 the prophet Micah

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 says,

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 in Micah 5,

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 4,

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 He will stand

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 and shepherd

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 his flock

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 in the strength

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 of the Lord,

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 in the majesty

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 of the name

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 of the Lord,

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 and they will

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 live securely,

00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:35.819
 for then his

00:11:35.819 --> 00:11:37.100
 greatness will reach

00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:37.860
 to the ends

00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:38.639
 of the earth.

00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:41.000
 So the great

00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:42.039
 shepherd king

00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:43.419
 is coming,

00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:44.919
 and he will

00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:46.059
 protect his people,

00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:47.259
 and his people

00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.919
 will not just be

00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:49.980
 in one little

00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:52.159
 land of Israel.

00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.439
 His greatness

00:11:54.439 --> 00:11:55.279
 will reach

00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:56.139
 to the ends

00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:57.100
 of the earth.

00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:58.659
 This is a verse

00:11:58.659 --> 00:11:59.500
 about the mission

00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:01.340
 of the great shepherd.

00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.799
 So this great

00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:03.600
 shepherd king

00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.240
 is coming,

00:12:05.059 --> 00:12:06.080
 and when Jesus

00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:07.000
 was born,

00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.340
 the Jews

00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:09.379
 understood that

00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:10.659
 Messiah would

00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:11.299
 be a shepherd

00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:11.740
 ruler,

00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.899
 because when

00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:16.059
 the kings

00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:16.899
 from the east

00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:18.379
 went to Herod

00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:19.000
 and asked

00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:19.879
 where the Messiah

00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.860
 was to be born,

00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:22.080
 the religious

00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:23.500
 leaders said,

00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:24.320
 Matthew 2,

00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:24.860
 6,

00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:25.840
 But you,

00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:26.460
 Bethlehem,

00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:26.960
 in the land

00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:27.480
 of Judah,

00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:28.680
 are by no

00:12:28.680 --> 00:12:29.340
 means least

00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:29.860
 among the

00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:30.379
 rulers of

00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:30.740
 Judah,

00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:31.940
 for out of

00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:32.360
 you will

00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:32.820
 come a

00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:33.080
 ruler,

00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:34.080
 who will

00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:35.159
 be the

00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:36.700
 shepherd of

00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:37.360
 my people

00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:37.919
 Israel.

00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:38.700
 Right from

00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:39.180
 the beginning,

00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:40.340
 the babe of

00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.000
 Bethlehem,

00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.680
 to be the

00:12:42.680 --> 00:12:43.720
 shepherd ruler.

00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:44.680
 And of course

00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:45.419
 that was quoting

00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.620
 from the Old

00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:47.039
 Testament.

00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:48.620
 So now do

00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:49.399
 you see more

00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:51.019
 of the significance

00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:51.840
 of what it

00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:53.120
 means when

00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.259
 Jesus says,

00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:56.139
 I am the

00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:56.799
 good shepherd.

00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:57.919
 It's the one

00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:58.639
 who's going to

00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.539
 lead for,

00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:00.860
 lead,

00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.500
 care for,

00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:04.080
 provide for,

00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:05.320
 protect,

00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:06.519
 his sheep,

00:13:07.060 --> 00:13:07.820
 his people.

00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:09.379
 But there's

00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.139
 something more

00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:10.879
 he's going to

00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.200
 do,

00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.820
 which no other

00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:14.399
 shepherd could

00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:15.340
 possibly do.

00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:16.879
 I am the

00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:17.500
 good shepherd.

00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.419
 The good shepherd

00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:20.320
 lays down his

00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:22.259
 life for the

00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:22.639
 sheep.

00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:25.440
 Jesus says

00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:26.379
 he's come to

00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.259
 lay down his

00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.639
 life for the

00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:28.980
 sheep.

00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:30.179
 Now,

00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:30.960
 because we are

00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.620
 so familiar

00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.320
 with this,

00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:34.179
 we can pass

00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:35.299
 over the

00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:35.720
 amazing

00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:36.480
 significance

00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:37.399
 of it.

00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:39.860
 Because if

00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:40.820
 the shepherd

00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.860
 lays down his

00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:42.580
 life for the

00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:42.940
 sheep,

00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.679
 if he dies,

00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:45.419
 what's going to

00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:45.960
 happen to the

00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:46.320
 sheep?

00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:48.139
 Isn't the

00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.220
 flock going to

00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.060
 be savaged?

00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.139
 Aren't they

00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:51.700
 going to be

00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:52.820
 attacked and

00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:53.280
 scattered?

00:13:54.280 --> 00:13:55.420
 Not with this

00:13:55.420 --> 00:13:56.080
 good shepherd.

00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.240
 Because this

00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:58.980
 good shepherd,

00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.300
 who gives his

00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:01.100
 life for the

00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:01.480
 sheep,

00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:02.840
 is the one who

00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:04.100
 rises to

00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:05.200
 life again.

00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:06.980
 As we read,

00:14:07.020 --> 00:14:08.040
 for this reason,

00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.200
 the Father

00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:10.000
 loves me,

00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.680
 because I lay

00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:13.020
 down my life,

00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:14.580
 that I may

00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:15.540
 take it up

00:14:15.540 --> 00:14:16.120
 again.

00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:18.100
 no one takes

00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:18.860
 it from me,

00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.940
 but I lay

00:14:19.940 --> 00:14:20.820
 it down of

00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:21.500
 my own

00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.159
 accord.

00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:23.620
 I have

00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.539
 authority to

00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:25.299
 lay it down.

00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:26.299
 I have

00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:27.240
 authority to

00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:27.940
 take it up

00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:28.419
 again.

00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:29.899
 This charge

00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:30.399
 I have

00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.879
 received from

00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.620
 my Father.

00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:33.980
 Jesus

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:34.820
 willingly

00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:36.139
 gives up

00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:36.940
 his life.

00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:37.899
 In the

00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:38.580
 Gospels,

00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:40.399
 when Jesus

00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.500
 dies upon the

00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:41.820
 cross,

00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:42.620
 he doesn't

00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.419
 use ordinary

00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:44.320
 words for

00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:44.700
 dying.

00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:45.640
 It talks

00:14:45.640 --> 00:14:46.100
 about him

00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:47.200
 sending away

00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:48.020
 his spirit.

00:14:48.540 --> 00:14:48.900
 Why?

00:14:49.160 --> 00:14:50.060
 Because death

00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:50.780
 had no

00:14:50.780 --> 00:14:51.920
 dominion over

00:14:51.920 --> 00:14:52.240
 him.

00:14:52.640 --> 00:14:53.340
 Death had no

00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:54.260
 control over

00:14:54.260 --> 00:14:54.500
 him.

00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.360
 He was

00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.120
 sinless,

00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:57.680
 but he had

00:14:57.680 --> 00:14:58.340
 taken our

00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:58.840
 sin upon

00:14:58.840 --> 00:14:59.140
 him.

00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:00.100
 But he

00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:00.840
 remained in

00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.860
 charging control.

00:15:02.160 --> 00:15:02.520
 He is

00:15:02.520 --> 00:15:03.100
 willingly

00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:04.460
 sacrificing

00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:05.200
 his life.

00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.080
 The shepherd

00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:06.840
 laying down

00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:07.540
 his life for

00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:07.980
 the sheep,

00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:08.820
 knowing that

00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:09.420
 on the third

00:15:09.420 --> 00:15:09.780
 day,

00:15:10.280 --> 00:15:10.720
 the Father

00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.860
 will gloriously

00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.940
 raise him

00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:13.700
 again from

00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:14.200
 the dead.

00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:15.000
 for him to

00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:15.500
 go on

00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.140
 shepherding

00:15:16.140 --> 00:15:16.820
 his people

00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.520
 and to

00:15:17.520 --> 00:15:18.140
 gather a

00:15:18.140 --> 00:15:18.980
 flock from

00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:19.680
 other lands

00:15:19.680 --> 00:15:20.260
 than Israel,

00:15:20.400 --> 00:15:20.879
 from other

00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.500
 peoples.

00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.620
 Hebrews 13,

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.620
 20 says,

00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:26.560
 May the

00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:27.000
 God of

00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.420
 peace,

00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:27.980
 who through

00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:28.640
 the blood

00:15:28.640 --> 00:15:29.440
 of the

00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:29.920
 eternal

00:15:29.920 --> 00:15:30.460
 covenant,

00:15:31.020 --> 00:15:31.780
 brought back

00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:32.260
 from the

00:15:32.260 --> 00:15:32.900
 dead our

00:15:32.900 --> 00:15:33.700
 Lord Jesus,

00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:35.120
 that great

00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.140
 shepherd of

00:15:36.140 --> 00:15:36.680
 the sheep.

00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:37.360
 The

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:37.840
 rising,

00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:38.240
 the

00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.840
 resurrection

00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:40.080
 of Jesus

00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.160
 as shepherd.

00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:42.320
 We have

00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:42.880
 a risen

00:15:42.880 --> 00:15:43.660
 shepherd who

00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.199
 died for

00:15:44.199 --> 00:15:44.419
 us.

00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.059
 We will

00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:45.500
 remember

00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.219
 his death

00:15:46.219 --> 00:15:47.459
 at his

00:15:47.459 --> 00:15:47.939
 table,

00:15:48.199 --> 00:15:48.699
 but we

00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:49.579
 rejoice that

00:15:49.579 --> 00:15:50.000
 he is

00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.419
 risen,

00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:51.439
 ascended,

00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.199
 now at

00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:52.600
 the right

00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.579
 hand of

00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:54.279
 his Father

00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.500
 in heaven.

00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.000
 And we

00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.620
 have,

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.519
 if we

00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.139
 trust in

00:15:59.139 --> 00:15:59.439
 him,

00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:00.959
 this personal

00:16:00.959 --> 00:16:01.939
 relationship

00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:03.259
 with him.

00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:04.579
 I am the

00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:05.179
 good shepherd,

00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.379
 I know my

00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.059
 sheep,

00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:08.039
 and my

00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:08.779
 sheep know

00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.079
 me.

00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:10.159
 Do you

00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:10.740
 know Jesus

00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:12.100
 Christ as

00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.379
 your

00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:12.919
 saviour,

00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.399
 your shepherd?

00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:16.360
 Jesus says

00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:16.819
 he is going

00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.419
 to bring

00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.860
 sheep together

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.339
 from many

00:16:20.339 --> 00:16:21.079
 sheep pens.

00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:23.159
 10.16 in

00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:23.459
 John,

00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.199
 I have

00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:25.019
 other sheep

00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.639
 that are

00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.240
 not of

00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.759
 this sheep

00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.059
 pen.

00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:27.799
 I must

00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:28.339
 bring them

00:16:28.339 --> 00:16:28.799
 also,

00:16:28.959 --> 00:16:29.379
 they too

00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:29.860
 will listen

00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:30.259
 to my

00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:30.759
 voice,

00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:31.639
 and there

00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.019
 shall be

00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.839
 one flock,

00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.419
 one shepherd.

00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:35.219
 And that

00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:35.500
 is the

00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:35.979
 church of

00:16:35.979 --> 00:16:36.319
 God,

00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.899
 brought in

00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.779
 from many

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.339
 lands,

00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.519
 tribes and

00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.199
 tongues and

00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:41.639
 nations,

00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.120
 to be one

00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.979
 new flock

00:16:43.979 --> 00:16:44.699
 of the

00:16:44.699 --> 00:16:45.439
 great shepherd

00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:46.479
 of the

00:16:46.479 --> 00:16:46.860
 sheep.

00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:48.839
 The question

00:16:48.839 --> 00:16:49.240
 is,

00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:49.679
 are you

00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:51.019
 part of

00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.459
 God's

00:16:51.459 --> 00:16:51.799
 people?

00:16:51.959 --> 00:16:52.259
 Are you

00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.599
 part of

00:16:53.599 --> 00:16:53.959
 Jesus'

00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:54.500
 flock,

00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.139
 the follower

00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:55.519
 of the

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.120
 good shepherd,

00:16:56.719 --> 00:16:57.240
 part of

00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.219
 his sheep?

00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.459
 The

00:17:00.459 --> 00:17:01.199
 apostle Peter

00:17:01.199 --> 00:17:01.759
 says,

00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:02.379
 you were

00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.099
 like sheep

00:17:03.099 --> 00:17:04.119
 going astray,

00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.580
 but now

00:17:05.580 --> 00:17:06.019
 you have

00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.759
 returned to

00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.320
 the shepherd

00:17:07.320 --> 00:17:09.340
 and overseer

00:17:09.340 --> 00:17:10.580
 of your

00:17:10.580 --> 00:17:11.220
 souls.

00:17:11.820 --> 00:17:12.340
 Have you?

00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.340
 Have you

00:17:13.340 --> 00:17:13.980
 returned to

00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:14.400
 the Lord

00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.240
 Jesus Christ

00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:15.700
 and know

00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:16.279
 him today

00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.220
 as your

00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.580
 shepherd?

00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:18.920
 Can you

00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.580
 look forward

00:17:19.580 --> 00:17:20.000
 to the

00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.700
 future with

00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:20.940
 him?

00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.660
 Peter writes,

00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.180
 when the

00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.900
 chief shepherd

00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:24.560
 appears,

00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:25.560
 you will

00:17:25.560 --> 00:17:26.340
 receive the

00:17:26.340 --> 00:17:26.960
 crown of

00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.460
 glory,

00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:28.600
 but will

00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:29.900
 never fade

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.600
 away.

00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:32.700
 And this

00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.180
 is the

00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:33.800
 last but one

00:17:33.800 --> 00:17:34.360
 reference,

00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:34.759
 to a

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.039
 shepherd.

00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:36.480
 The final

00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.180
 reference to

00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:37.700
 the shepherd,

00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:38.680
 I said I was

00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.200
 going to take

00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:39.539
 you from

00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.220
 Genesis to

00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:40.759
 Revelation,

00:17:41.320 --> 00:17:42.100
 and here is

00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:42.740
 the Revelation

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.660
 one, which

00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:44.340
 in some ways

00:17:44.340 --> 00:17:44.940
 is the most

00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:46.080
 amazing reference

00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:46.620
 of all.

00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:47.779
 Revelation

00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:49.240
 7, 17.

00:17:50.060 --> 00:17:50.800
 For the

00:17:50.800 --> 00:17:52.400
 lamb at

00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.060
 the center

00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:53.539
 of the

00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.980
 throne will

00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.660
 be their

00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:56.200
 shepherd.

00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.560
 He will

00:17:57.560 --> 00:17:58.200
 lead them

00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.060
 to springs

00:17:59.060 --> 00:17:59.840
 of living

00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.320
 water,

00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.439
 water, and

00:18:01.439 --> 00:18:02.000
 God will

00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.720
 wipe away

00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.599
 every tear

00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.859
 from their

00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:05.419
 eyes.

00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:06.539
 Leading to

00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.079
 springs of

00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.759
 living water

00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:10.419
 reminds us

00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:10.899
 to think

00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:11.980
 back to

00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.019
 Psalm 23.

00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:14.579
 But here

00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.179
 the shepherd

00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:15.879
 is the

00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:16.519
 lamb at

00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.139
 the center

00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:17.639
 of the

00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.099
 throne.

00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:20.079
 What a

00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:20.619
 wonderful,

00:18:20.939 --> 00:18:21.819
 stupendous,

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.259
 mixed metaphor

00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.919
 really,

00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:25.159
 of the lamb

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.120
 being the

00:18:26.120 --> 00:18:26.420
 shepherd.

00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.420
 And who

00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:28.800
 is the

00:18:28.800 --> 00:18:29.140
 lamb?

00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.240
 Jesus, the

00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:31.680
 lamb of

00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.840
 God, who

00:18:32.840 --> 00:18:33.660
 takes away

00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.300
 the sin of

00:18:34.300 --> 00:18:34.840
 the world.

00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:36.100
 Jesus, who

00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:36.820
 sacrifices

00:18:36.820 --> 00:18:38.220
 himself on

00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:38.840
 the cross

00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:39.700
 for our

00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.420
 salvation.

00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:41.500
 He who

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.000
 has done

00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.800
 this, he

00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:43.380
 is now the

00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:43.740
 lamb of

00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.080
 God at

00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:44.640
 God's right

00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.100
 hand in

00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:45.920
 heaven, at

00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.480
 the center

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:46.860
 of the

00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:47.540
 throne, and

00:18:47.540 --> 00:18:48.100
 he is

00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:48.560
 going to

00:18:48.560 --> 00:18:49.340
 shepherd us

00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:50.140
 for all

00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:50.680
 eternity.

00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:51.860
 Lead us

00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.560
 to living

00:18:52.560 --> 00:18:54.100
 water, and

00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:54.660
 God will

00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.140
 wipe away

00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.240
 every tear

00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.420
 from their

00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:57.900
 eyes.

00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.040
 We live in

00:18:59.040 --> 00:18:59.480
 a fallen

00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.120
 world, we

00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.580
 live in a

00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:01.480
 world where

00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:01.840
 there is

00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:02.500
 much sickness

00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.460
 and sorrow.

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.740
 But one

00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.180
 day we

00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:06.020
 learn from

00:19:06.020 --> 00:19:06.620
 the scriptures

00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.280
 this will

00:19:07.280 --> 00:19:07.740
 end.

00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.740
 God will

00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.480
 wipe away

00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.680
 every tear

00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:12.360
 from our

00:19:12.360 --> 00:19:12.800
 eyes.

00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:14.259
 The question

00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:14.800
 this morning

00:19:14.800 --> 00:19:15.460
 is, do

00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.020
 you know

00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:17.320
 Jesus Christ,

00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.500
 the shepherd?

00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:19.840
 Is he

00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:20.420
 your leader?

00:19:21.580 --> 00:19:22.060
 Is he

00:19:22.060 --> 00:19:22.680
 your king?

00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.060
 Do you

00:19:24.060 --> 00:19:24.480
 know his

00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.000
 providing?

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.700
 Do you

00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.039
 know his

00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.539
 protection?

00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.140
 Do you

00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:29.880
 look forward

00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.039
 to his

00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:31.819
 appearing?

00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.339
 Let us

00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:33.640
 pray.

00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.220
 Lord God,

00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.839
 we thank you

00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:38.200
 that you

00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:38.779
 are a

00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.279
 great and

00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:39.940
 marvelous and

00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.700
 gracious God.

00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:41.700
 You

00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.500
 shepherded your

00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.500
 people Israel.

00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.519
 You

00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.480
 shepherded David,

00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.059
 the shepherd

00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.500
 king.

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.180
 You promised

00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.819
 the Messiah,

00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.000
 and you

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:50.680
 sent us the

00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.299
 Lord Jesus,

00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.019
 the Lamb

00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.579
 of God,

00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:53.799
 the shepherd

00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.200
 of the

00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.559
 flock,

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.519
 who laid

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.059
 down his

00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.559
 life for

00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.099
 the forgiveness

00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:57.720
 of our

00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:58.079
 sins.

00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.019
 We thank

00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.379
 you that

00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:00.000
 our Savior

00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.180
 is now

00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:01.519
 risen,

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.240
 he is now

00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.759
 ascended,

00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.799
 he is at

00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.259
 the center

00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:04.619
 of your

00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:05.240
 throne in

00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.480
 heaven.

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.460
 We look

00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.119
 forward to

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.839
 his appearing.

00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.139
 Help us to

00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:09.839
 be strong in

00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.240
 the faith,

00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:11.000
 trusting in

00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.200
 him,

00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:11.980
 and giving

00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.759
 thanks for

00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.279
 all that

00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.500
 you have

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:13.940
 done for

00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.220
 us,

00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:14.920
 in the

00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.480
 Lord Jesus

00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.019
 Christ,

00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:16.519
 the great

00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.039
 shepherd of

00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.480
 the sheep.

00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:18.220
 Amen.