WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.780 But John chapter 10, and in particular, right at the heart of this passage, we'll be looking at chapter 10, verse 10, where Jesus says, 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:13.080 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:18.379 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 00:00:19.620 --> 00:00:21.059 That's what we're actually going to open up. 00:00:21.300 --> 00:00:24.980 And I think you can see almost straight away, this kind of sums up the passage in a sense. 00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:31.219 It gives us two poles, that there are many bad shepherds and that there is one good shepherd. 00:00:31.320 --> 00:00:33.560 That's the point that Jesus is wanting to make in this passage. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:36.120 There are many bad shepherds, but there is only one good shepherd. 00:00:36.480 --> 00:00:39.859 And the many bad shepherds, well, they promise the good life. 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:43.260 They kind of masquerade as shepherds in that they promise the good life. 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:44.960 Their ideas sound appealing. 00:00:46.539 --> 00:00:50.120 They may have a plan, even a ticket, to help you get rich quick. 00:00:50.119 --> 00:00:58.959 They may have a means of establishing a border, perhaps in the shape of a wall, to keep the wrong kind of people out of your life. 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:03.780 A diet, no, a pill to remove unwanted pounds. 00:01:04.979 --> 00:01:08.579 A shampoo that restores volume to your hair. 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:14.659 Joe's dad sent home some shampoo from England last year, one of my favorite shampoos over there. 00:01:14.759 --> 00:01:16.680 But he chose the extra volume shampoo. 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:18.239 What am I supposed to take from that, Joe? 00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:19.420 I have no idea. 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:23.600 All these ideas sound so appealing. 00:01:23.960 --> 00:01:26.420 In fact, in the City Morning Herald on the 10th of January, that's Friday, isn't it? 00:01:26.600 --> 00:01:26.859 Friday? 00:01:27.480 --> 00:01:28.079 Maybe Thursday? 00:01:29.180 --> 00:01:32.020 It only popped up in my news feed on Friday. 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:33.580 So I had to read it. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:34.660 It was like clickbait to me. 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:39.800 Basically, it was entitled, Money Can't Buy You Happiness? 00:01:40.659 --> 00:01:42.480 Here's nine things that prove otherwise. 00:01:44.880 --> 00:01:46.260 That prove that theory wrong. 00:01:46.360 --> 00:01:46.780 There you go. 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:53.420 And what happens in this article is Gregory Karp, the author of the article, he actually picks up on a couple of things. 00:01:53.420 --> 00:02:04.840 He picks up on a couple of things that someone called Gretchen Rubin, who is kind of a bit of a self-help guru, a happiness guru in America, what she thinks about in terms of happiness for living. 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:11.920 Now, she's written books like The Happiness Project, and Outer Order, Inner Calm, and a number of other best-selling books. 00:02:12.920 --> 00:02:16.000 And when asked, can money buy you happiness? 00:02:17.259 --> 00:02:18.560 Her answer is this. 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:21.939 Money can't buy you happiness. 00:02:21.939 --> 00:02:26.639 But you can spend it in a way that brings you more happiness. 00:02:27.859 --> 00:02:28.939 Oh, isn't that enticing? 00:02:29.579 --> 00:02:31.879 You can buy better relationships, she says. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:37.939 And by that she means spend money in a way that actually brings about relational activities. 00:02:38.579 --> 00:02:41.240 You can buy experiences, not things. 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:43.159 You can buy solutions. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:46.840 For example, get a cleaner instead of doing all that cleaning work yourself. 00:02:46.979 --> 00:02:48.879 Free up your time to do something you enjoy. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:54.620 By discipline, can't change your fitness or your diet habits? 00:02:55.219 --> 00:02:57.019 Hire a personal trainer, she says. 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:02.039 Now, in some ways, these things, they're not bad advice. 00:03:03.079 --> 00:03:06.879 But really, how much of a difference is this going to actually make to my life? 00:03:07.460 --> 00:03:10.460 Will it really push my life into the bearable? 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:14.500 Will it fix my brokenness? 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:17.659 Will it mask my pain? 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:21.079 Because that's what we're hoping for. 00:03:21.699 --> 00:03:22.819 To mask it. 00:03:22.859 --> 00:03:24.039 We know it's not going to go away. 00:03:24.299 --> 00:03:25.840 We even have that phrase for it. 00:03:27.579 --> 00:03:30.879 There are shepherds who appear to be good. 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:33.840 They promise the good life. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:36.620 They promise it. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:38.620 But they can't deliver. 00:03:40.219 --> 00:03:45.900 They really only steal, kill and destroy, Jesus says. 00:03:46.359 --> 00:03:47.419 Harsh words, aren't they? 00:03:47.419 --> 00:03:50.399 You think Jesus is a good teacher and a nice bloke? 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:52.059 Listen to those words. 00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:55.879 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 00:03:56.119 --> 00:03:57.099 Why would he say that? 00:03:57.139 --> 00:03:58.079 What would Jesus mean? 00:03:59.739 --> 00:04:06.439 Well, Jesus means that these shepherds are bad shepherds because basically they're in it for themselves. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:09.699 We've all met people like that, haven't we? 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:11.919 The people that kind of use and abuse us. 00:04:14.139 --> 00:04:15.740 These people are in it for themselves. 00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:17.600 They can't deliver. 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:19.240 We buy the book. 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:21.759 The book contains words of wisdom. 00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:27.079 There really are good and bad ways of spending our money and that's worthwhile actually listening to those in some way. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:35.740 But when I live by that wisdom, get the personal trainer, invest in relationships and so on, is it really enough to change my life? 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:46.600 Or do I go on to buy the next book in one of the largest growing industries in Western society, self-help industry? 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:57.019 And even a guru like Gretchen Rubin, who was interviewed for that article, she says, when she's asked if she is a self-help guru, she says, 00:04:57.019 --> 00:05:00.839 my work is self-helpful, not self-help. 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:08.099 And she calls her book on happiness, not how to be happy, but she calls it simply happier. 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:17.279 So she can deliver to a certain point, but she really cannot address the core problems in our hearts and deal with it in a satisfactory way. 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:20.819 So what we find is these bad shepherds, they're in it for themselves. 00:05:21.099 --> 00:05:21.979 They can't deliver. 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:28.280 And finally, most importantly really, they lead us away from the one who can. 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:38.520 All the time that these bad shepherds are leading us down the path, they're actually leading us away from the right path, the life-giving path. 00:05:39.280 --> 00:05:43.600 Really, they're choking the life out of us and leading us away from the one who can truly give us life. 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:46.759 This is what Jesus is saying in these words. 00:05:47.460 --> 00:05:50.580 There are many bad shepherds, but there is only one good shepherd. 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:58.419 Jesus says twice in this passage, in verse 11 and in verse 14, that he is that good shepherd. 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:02.359 Again, a huge claim. 00:06:03.039 --> 00:06:10.500 So it begs at least two questions that I can think of straight away, and that is, I'll give you them up front and then we'll actually try and address them, hopefully to your satisfaction. 00:06:10.599 --> 00:06:14.060 But if not, come to me after the service and I'll be more than happy to continue the discussion. 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:15.919 The two questions. 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:18.639 What can he provide that others can't? 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:20.500 What can Jesus provide that others can't? 00:06:20.579 --> 00:06:24.740 And secondly, why should we trust him above anyone else? 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:28.259 So what can Jesus provide that others can't? 00:06:29.219 --> 00:06:33.459 Well, first, Jesus says, I care for my sheep. 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:39.899 And we see that in the way that his explanation of how he shepherds unfolds. 00:06:40.099 --> 00:06:42.519 Jesus says he knows his sheep by name. 00:06:42.939 --> 00:06:44.060 He knows them personally. 00:06:44.180 --> 00:06:44.959 He leads them. 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:48.599 And he doesn't take them anywhere that he doesn't go first. 00:06:48.719 --> 00:06:50.879 Remember, that's what's implicit in leading. 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:53.740 He's taking them where he first goes. 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:57.279 They are his sheep, he explains. 00:06:57.279 --> 00:07:02.919 Now, we know this sense of bond, don't we, in terms of relationship, this bond of ownership. 00:07:03.679 --> 00:07:06.799 I know because I've got three children that I call my children. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:12.300 And I would do all sorts of things for my children. 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:21.379 When our first child was very young, still in nappies, we didn't realise that he actually had a milk intolerance problem. 00:07:21.520 --> 00:07:24.400 And so we were still feeding him milk product type stuff. 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:28.120 And it was kind of, shall we say, having an explosive effect. 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:36.099 There were times when changing his nappy involved washing his hair. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:37.560 And then we just leave it there. 00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:42.219 But I knew exactly what to do. 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:43.599 I didn't just leave him alone in that. 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:44.599 I gave him to Joe. 00:07:45.659 --> 00:07:49.099 No, Joe and I, it was actually a two-man job when it got to that stage. 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:52.000 But we used to care for him. 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:53.120 We didn't shirk that job. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:58.540 But I can tell you now, someone else's kids are in my arms and they've got, you know, a nappy like that. 00:07:58.579 --> 00:07:59.399 Even a dirty nappy. 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:02.180 This has to be just a normal, I'm bailing on that kid. 00:08:02.840 --> 00:08:03.879 It's not my child. 00:08:05.100 --> 00:08:11.840 We know what it means to have that bond of intimacy that pushes through all kinds of difficulties and challenges. 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:16.660 That loves through flaws and faults and problems. 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:18.660 There's a bond there. 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:21.899 And Jesus is saying, I have that with my sheep. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:27.639 So much so, Jesus says, that he would die for his sheep. 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:30.919 Jesus cares so much for his sheep that he would die for them. 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:33.679 Bad shepherds, they don't do that. 00:08:34.699 --> 00:08:36.740 Heilings don't do that, says Jesus in this passage. 00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:41.279 But he does say, they won't. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:42.879 But he would. 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.620 And he will. 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:50.080 So, first thing he says is, Jesus cares for his sheep. 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:56.399 And the second thing he says then, is it, well, the second thing he does is he actually tells us the truth. 00:08:56.399 --> 00:09:01.360 And part of that truth is this, that we are actually made for relationship. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:06.500 From the beginning of the Bible, it's clear that we are made for relationship. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:08.919 Relationship with God first and foremost. 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.659 The God that we're actually made in the image of. 00:09:11.459 --> 00:09:15.159 And then relationship from there into relationship with each other. 00:09:16.439 --> 00:09:18.399 And instinctively we know the importance of relationships. 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:23.519 Gretchen, in her response, actually started with investing in relationships. 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:31.439 Research has shown, unequivocally, that happiness comes from deep, enduring, loving relationships. 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:34.959 Comfort is nice. 00:09:36.079 --> 00:09:39.500 But comfort without relationship is empty. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:42.820 And experiences are nice. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:48.059 But experiences without relationship are lonely. 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:59.820 In fact, we'll often take the experience of the relationship over the height of experience that we might otherwise look for. 00:10:00.179 --> 00:10:02.460 For example, Joe and I went away for an anniversary weekend. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:04.440 We went to a really nice hotel in Sydney. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:06.759 We had a bridge climb booked. 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:10.139 And when we got down there, Joe came down really quickly with the flu. 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:13.819 And so for that whole weekend, Joe was basically bedridden. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:18.059 We cancelled the bridge climb, which I wasn't too concerned about. 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:20.340 I am secretly a little bit nervous about heights. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:26.000 But there was this whole city for me just to go shopping in, to eat in, to do whatever I wanted in. 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:31.319 But without Joe, it was kind of like, oh yeah, okay. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:32.559 So I would go out and get food. 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:38.579 I'd bring it back in and I'd sit and watch movies on the bed next to Joe while she was just, you know, not very well at all. 00:10:40.479 --> 00:10:48.719 We know instinctively that relationships actually provide a deep, something, a depth of experience of life that transcends anything else. 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:51.879 But here's the problem. 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:54.840 We know, we know we're made for a relationship. 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:57.939 But we just can't do relationships. 00:10:59.799 --> 00:11:10.360 A philosopher called Arthur Schopenhauer, I'm hoping that's how it's said, describes this issue that we have with relationships as the hedgehog dilemma. 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:15.680 Like a number of porcupines huddled together for warmth on a cold day in winter. 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:20.500 But as they begin to prick one another with their quills, they're obliged to disperse. 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:25.700 However, the cold drove them together again when just the same thing happens. 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:34.159 At last, after many times of huddling and then dispersing, they discovered they'd be better off by remaining at a little distance from one another. 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:46.539 Frustratingly, just too far away to be satisfied with the level of intimacy we achieve, but unable to move closer without doing harm to each other. 00:11:49.439 --> 00:11:52.120 Friends, those spines that hold us apart are our own failings. 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:56.819 We long for an intimacy we just cannot produce. 00:11:58.120 --> 00:12:02.899 And even if we do, it only lasts for a short time before we spoil it. 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:06.159 We're made for relationships. 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:07.519 We can't do relationships. 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:11.939 And Jesus gives us a reason for it because we've turned our backs on God. 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:15.980 Jesus cares enough to tell us the truth. 00:12:16.339 --> 00:12:18.299 He tells us straight that we are all sinners. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:21.799 We are all slaves to sin, he says in chapter 8, verse 34. 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:23.319 That's just a couple of pages back. 00:12:23.579 --> 00:12:26.339 And that that sin has a consequence. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.480 It's unraveling the world we live in. 00:12:28.579 --> 00:12:31.220 It's breaking down the relationships we experience. 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:33.360 It's causing suffering and hardship. 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:40.919 So the reason we can't achieve that relational sweet spot is because we're broken. 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:45.980 We get glimpses, but we just can't maintain it. 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:51.779 The relational disconnect in our world is not down to our mobile phones. 00:12:53.800 --> 00:12:55.800 It's down to our problem of sin. 00:12:56.700 --> 00:13:00.920 Our failure to actually be able to do what is right in relationship. 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:04.579 He's struggling to see it. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:13.079 A fellow called Tim Keller uses an example, which I'll try on you now, and that's this. 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:18.839 Imagine someone follows you around all day, every day, every waking hour with a notebook. 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:32.259 And every time he sees you applying a rule to someone, judging someone, he writes down what that rule is that you've applied. 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:35.200 Oh, that was a bit harshly spoken. 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:37.080 Oh, they're a really ignorant person. 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.000 How rude. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:43.799 That person needs to learn how to indicate when they change lanes. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:58.460 And imagine that after the term of your life, that that person then took that rule book, and that was the book that was used to judge you by and your life. 00:13:58.460 --> 00:14:03.240 How would we actually cope with that? 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:08.240 I can tell you now, I'm teaching my youngest child how to drive at the moment. 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:14.519 And it all goes well when he's driving, and I can tell him what to do. 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:18.259 But it is amazing how well he knows that rule book. 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:23.200 And he actually doesn't even need the rule, but he quotes me word for word when I'm driving. 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:25.759 Well, you took that corner a bit fast, didn't you, Dad? 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:28.679 You indicated a bit late then, didn't you? 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:34.059 Man, we know what's right in relationships. 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:36.740 And we expect it from each other. 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:40.080 We just struggle to deliver it. 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:44.299 And it hurts when we don't get it. 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.799 Jesus says we are slaves to sin. 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:53.460 And sin is not the list of rules that you think it is. 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:57.560 Sin is primarily relationship. 00:14:59.100 --> 00:14:59.860 Relationship breaking. 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:06.759 We look out for ourselves, but we struggle to give ourselves to each other. 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.160 And we do this. 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:12.220 We have this struggle because we've turned away from God. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:17.480 Above all other relationships, we were made to be in relationship with God. 00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:18.780 He is the centre. 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:28.100 But without God as our centre, well, we each have to find our own. 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:31.159 And what does that look like? 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:33.519 Well, when I make myself the centre, I become selfish. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:35.240 And selfishness is easy to see, isn't it? 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:36.259 You know when I'm being selfish. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.259 selfishness is selfish. 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:40.399 But I don't always make myself the centre. 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:42.419 Sometimes I make one of you the centre. 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:47.059 And as I do, I crush you under the weight of my expectations. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:50.879 While I get picky and demanding and angry. 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:54.559 Or I get disillusioned and depressed and retreat. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:59.859 I can tell you now which one I'm more likely to be. 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:01.719 I'm more likely to be the one that tends to get angry. 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:05.500 I've been an angry husband. 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:08.179 Jo has carried the weight of my expectations over the years. 00:16:09.319 --> 00:16:10.339 And don't get me wrong. 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.539 Jo is a great wife. 00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:13.339 But she makes a lousy God. 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:22.980 And when I have God at the centre, how much better things are. 00:16:24.180 --> 00:16:31.080 Because then I have a great wife who I'm enjoying because I'm in relationship with an even greater God. 00:16:32.780 --> 00:16:35.080 Only God can bear the weight of our expectations. 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:40.379 But Jesus pushes further into this issue that we have. 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:43.259 He pushes further with his honesty and says, 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:45.080 Man, we're beyond any self-help. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:47.639 We suffer because we're sinners. 00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:51.320 You know, sometimes I hit a rough patch and I ask why. 00:16:51.420 --> 00:16:53.840 Sometimes I suffer as a result of my own stupidity. 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.280 And you know that. 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:55.139 And you recognise that. 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:58.820 I currently have stitches in my ankle because I didn't wait for help to move a trailer. 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.180 Too proud. 00:17:02.300 --> 00:17:03.160 Thought I could do it myself. 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:03.899 I couldn't. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:08.100 Mostly though, we suffer. 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:12.380 Because we're living in a world that God designed. 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:15.940 And we're living in it against the grain of his design. 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:21.300 We're meant to live in harmony with each other in this world. 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:28.680 Now we're living in opposition to God and each other. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:32.460 And we have no way to put it back together again. 00:17:33.419 --> 00:17:35.180 We suffer because we are sinners. 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:38.779 But Jesus says in verse 9 that he is the door. 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:41.639 The only one who can save us. 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:45.280 Only God can bear the weight of our expectations. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:47.300 Only he can save us from the mess we make. 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:51.240 And Jesus says he can deliver more than we ever hoped for. 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.220 Abundant life. 00:17:55.580 --> 00:18:00.000 But the only way back is to put God at the centre again. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:04.000 And if we're slaves to sin, we can't even do that. 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:07.180 So he provides a solution. 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:09.440 Which brings me to my next question. 00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:12.819 Why trust Jesus above anyone else? 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.500 Well, simply this. 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:20.079 Because Jesus did what he said he would. 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.740 He died for his sheep. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:26.380 At the time Jesus first spoke these words. 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:28.700 John first heard them and then he wrote them down later. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:31.559 But at the time Jesus first said these words, he hadn't died yet. 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:34.880 He was declaring his heart for his people. 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:37.120 He was explaining his plan to save them. 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.380 But he hadn't done it yet. 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.539 But then he did. 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.480 And it wasn't an accident. 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.539 Jesus explains that. 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.960 It's not going to be an accident when I die. 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:48.259 I am actually going to give my life over. 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:51.079 The mob didn't finally get him. 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:56.700 He says in this passage that he gave himself of his own accord. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:18:59.519 And it wasn't for nothing. 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:01.839 Jesus died to take our place. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.519 We brought death on ourselves. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:07.359 And he chose to take that death for us. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:13.539 In return, he gave us abundant life. 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:16.420 He became our substitute. 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:20.720 Why trust Jesus above anyone else? 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:24.000 Because he did what he said he would. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.420 He died for his sheep. 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:31.360 And because he rose again from the dead. 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:37.339 He died and he rose again to prove that it was done. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:42.779 To demonstrate without doubt that Jesus had actually conquered death for us. 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:45.380 That he could actually deliver on his promise of abundant life. 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:51.100 And when he did, we need to bear in mind here that his friends and disciples were absolutely dumbfounded. 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:54.200 If you don't know the end of the story, keep reading through in John. 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:58.540 And actually look at the effect that Jesus' death and resurrection has on them. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:20:00.220 When he dies, they're shocked. 00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:01.300 They're just heartbroken. 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:06.120 But then when he rises again, some of them cannot believe it. 00:20:06.760 --> 00:20:09.640 One of them in particular, when you get to the story of Thomas, you'll love that bit. 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:16.340 If you're struggling with believing this, then hang on to that part of the story at least. 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:26.619 When his friends and disciples discovered that he had both died as he said he would and risen again, 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.199 they were dumbfounded. 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:33.720 So much so that they went and told every man and his dog what they discovered. 00:20:35.199 --> 00:20:37.459 And at least four of them that we know of wrote about it. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.799 That's why I can trust Jesus. 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.480 He didn't just tell me the way. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:45.299 You know, give me clearer, better instructions. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:48.200 But still instructions I couldn't keep. 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:51.500 He lived the life that I should have lived. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:53.980 And then he died the death that I deserve. 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:56.539 To earn forgiveness for me. 00:20:58.019 --> 00:21:00.960 So that I could be back in relationship with God again. 00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:07.180 Also, that I could put God back at the centre where he belongs. 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.319 Why trust Jesus? 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:13.480 Because he died like he said he would. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:15.000 He rose again like he said he would. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:22.119 So he alone can shepherd us through both life and death. 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:26.960 You see, with God at the centre, everything starts to fall back into place. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:31.339 I'm not going to pretend to you that it's an instant in a moment type thing. 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.220 But it does. 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:37.259 Even the challenges of life start to transform. 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:42.359 I don't need God to take away every hardship to be happy. 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:47.940 And let's face it, that's the method of achieving happiness that most of our friends, 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:51.759 and perhaps even we've spent a fair bit of our time and energy doing, 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:56.299 is by removing obstacles, removing hardships, removing suffering, removing difficulty. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:22:03.299 I can actually celebrate now, even in the midst of loneliness, pain and suffering. 00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:06.619 Because I'm back in relationship with God. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:09.079 And he is a good God. 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:14.960 He loves me now like no other can or will. 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:22.720 He gives me abundant life beginning now because I am back in relationship with him. 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:25.000 Nobody else has been able to do that. 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:30.400 Every other way relies on a change of circumstances to make me happy. 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:34.380 Or it requires me to lower my expectations. 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:40.740 But only Jesus tells me, it's all my fault. 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:44.080 And then rescues me from myself. 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:48.520 And stays with me through the challenges of this life. 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.020 And into the life to come. 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:58.120 So, how do I know if this is for me? 00:22:58.119 --> 00:23:02.939 What Jesus says in this passage is as well. 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:05.459 He says it at numerous points through this passage. 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:08.500 My sheep, hear my voice. 00:23:10.919 --> 00:23:16.779 That's not code for some out of body or weird, you know, spiritual experience. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.539 What Jesus is saying here is, 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:23.899 the words that I'm speaking, you will hear them. 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:27.879 And they will speak to your heart and they'll make sense to your minds. 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.779 And you'll want to follow me. 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:39.539 Jesus, the good shepherd, offers what I cannot find anywhere else in life. 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.519 By showing me the problem. 00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:45.479 By becoming the solution. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:48.959 And by inviting me, calling me to himself. 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:51.819 Come and have life. 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.279 Abundant life. 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:57.619 Can you hear his call? 00:23:58.119 --> 00:24:03.779 If you can, 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:07.399 or if you want to hear more, learn more about Christianity, 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.959 more about this story, 00:24:09.719 --> 00:24:11.379 then please come and speak to me afterward. 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.979 You've seen Andrew Wilkinson. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.179 He's the guy that's leading the service. 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.339 So, my name's Rob. 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.579 Andrew's leading the service. 00:24:16.679 --> 00:24:18.259 You've seen Jen up the front already as well, 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.619 who led the Quench program. 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.799 Come and speak to one of us after the service. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:25.619 We'd love nothing more than to talk to you more about what this means. 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:30.980 We'd love nothing more to introduce you to the Jesus that we wholeheartedly follow. 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:37.120 And to start to discover the abundant life that he promised for yourselves. 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:39.959 Let me pray. 00:24:44.719 --> 00:24:51.219 Father God, we thank you that you sent your son Jesus to be our good shepherd. 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:57.620 Lord, we thank you that he did that by dying for us, 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:59.000 by doing what we never could. 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:03.319 We thank you that he was willing to tell us the truth about ourselves. 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:09.319 And that you showed your love for us, even knowing that truth about us. 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:15.419 Lord, we pray too for the folk here who don't yet know you as their good shepherd. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:18.879 And we ask that at least something of what I've said today, 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.819 and something of the passages they've heard read out, 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:25.359 would actually be a starting point for them to really start thinking through 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:27.019 who Jesus is, 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:29.679 and discover the good shepherd for themselves. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.339 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.319 Amen.