WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.000 Well, last Sunday we started back into our series in the Gospel of John, 00:00:05.139 --> 00:00:08.960 and we've come to some of those very dear and precious words of Jesus 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:12.939 about how he is our shepherd and we are his sheep. 00:00:14.200 --> 00:00:15.240 John chapter 10. 00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:19.059 If you have your Bible, please open it up to John chapter 10. 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:26.240 We heard last Sunday a little bit from this chapter already 00:00:26.240 --> 00:00:28.400 what Jesus said to the Pharisees. 00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:32.960 It was kind of a veiled or concealed charge against them. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:37.439 He implied very discreetly that they were thieves and robbers 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:41.479 who were only interested in taking from the people 00:00:41.479 --> 00:00:44.379 and using the people for their own advantage. 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:49.759 And again, very discreetly, Jesus reminded them that the sheep, 00:00:50.439 --> 00:00:53.239 the people, do not belong to them. 00:00:54.039 --> 00:00:56.920 They belong to the shepherd, the true shepherd. 00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:02.460 They, he said, don't really care about the sheep except what they can get from them. 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:07.040 But the true shepherd cares deeply for his sheep. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:11.240 And then we came to that moment in verse 11 when Jesus flat out says, 00:01:11.960 --> 00:01:13.640 I am the shepherd. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:19.099 I have come that they might have life and have it to the full. 00:01:19.099 --> 00:01:25.459 Let's continue listening to Jesus and pick up his words in verse 10. 00:01:25.459 --> 00:01:32.739 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 00:01:33.539 --> 00:01:37.579 I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. 00:01:38.219 --> 00:01:40.719 I am the good shepherd. 00:01:41.399 --> 00:01:45.839 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:53.219 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:58.500 So when he sees a wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. 00:01:59.460 --> 00:02:02.760 Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 00:02:03.719 --> 00:02:07.900 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:10.680 I am the good shepherd. 00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:15.599 I know my sheep and my sheep know me. 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:20.840 Just as the father knows me and I know the father. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:25.500 And I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:02:27.580 --> 00:02:32.340 So Jesus continues in this analogy or parable about shepherd and sheep. 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:39.219 But now he sort of resets the characters and the setting of the story to highlight something different. 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:43.680 He introduces the hired hand and the wolf. 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:46.400 Who is the hired hand? 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:49.140 Well, Jesus makes it very clear. 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:51.120 He is not the shepherd. 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:55.480 He says in verse 12, the sheep are not his own. 00:02:56.400 --> 00:02:57.900 They don't belong to him. 00:02:58.580 --> 00:03:01.180 He's merely there working for the shepherd. 00:03:01.180 --> 00:03:04.840 He's there to look after the sheep for pay. 00:03:05.700 --> 00:03:07.580 And the sheep are not his. 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:11.860 Personal ownership makes a big difference. 00:03:13.460 --> 00:03:17.860 You're going away on summer vacation for three weeks. 00:03:18.260 --> 00:03:21.100 And you need someone to look after your plants. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:23.760 Your garden. 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:29.159 You've already invested countless hours into nurturing those plants. 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:30.979 From little seedlings. 00:03:32.620 --> 00:03:33.460 Watering them. 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:34.280 Pruning them. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:36.120 Perhaps even fertilizing them. 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:39.400 But now you're going away on a summer vacation for three weeks. 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:41.079 And the question arises. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:44.840 Who will I ask to look after my plants? 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:46.699 My garden. 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:53.379 Do I ask that 13-year-old boy who lives down the street? 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:57.639 And offer him a little something for his time? 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:01.340 Or do I ask this person over here? 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:03.240 I know she would do a great job. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:05.799 But, ah, she's so busy. 00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:07.259 And I don't want to burden her. 00:04:09.419 --> 00:04:12.120 Okay, maybe I'll ask the 13-year-old. 00:04:12.120 --> 00:04:14.020 I'll give him a chance. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:18.000 But what will I come back to in three weeks? 00:04:19.280 --> 00:04:20.620 Well, one thing is certain. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:22.360 You probably won't. 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:27.399 The 13-year-old boy probably won't take care of your plants the way that you would. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:29.579 With the same sense of urgency. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:32.040 And the same careful attention. 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:33.480 Why? 00:04:34.300 --> 00:04:36.180 Because the plants don't belong to him. 00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:42.639 He doesn't give a rip about how the fruits and the vegetables will taste at the end of all of this. 00:04:43.100 --> 00:04:44.500 Because he won't be eating them. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:50.540 And so will you be surprised to find out that he came over to water just enough to keep them alive? 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:53.879 Or whenever it suited him best? 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:59.939 Or that after missing four to five days, he saw that those tomatoes looked pretty dry. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:01.340 And so he just drenched them. 00:05:01.780 --> 00:05:03.980 And now all the tomatoes are split. 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:07.140 But personal ownership makes a big difference. 00:05:08.640 --> 00:05:11.439 Maybe something that you men can relate to a little bit more. 00:05:11.840 --> 00:05:17.860 You finally decide that the time is right to get your first brand new or almost brand new vehicle. 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:23.020 For a lot of your life, you've driven well-used or hand-me-downs. 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:28.300 But now you finally get something that's pretty much all yours right from the start of its life. 00:05:29.080 --> 00:05:31.600 And you think to yourself, I'm going to take good care of this thing. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:33.460 I want to keep it nice. 00:05:33.980 --> 00:05:37.800 But then for one reason or another, someone else needs to drive. 00:05:39.080 --> 00:05:42.500 And maybe you're even sitting in the passenger seat with them. 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:52.080 And you find yourself somewhat annoyed and bothered because they don't seem to be driving your vehicle with the same care and attention as you would. 00:05:52.079 --> 00:05:55.000 Maybe it's your 15-year-old son. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:03.060 Maybe he thinks it's kind of fun to hit every one of those deep potholes here in town. 00:06:03.060 --> 00:06:05.920 That's what the suspension is made for, right? 00:06:06.980 --> 00:06:08.180 Makes it a little more fun. 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:13.240 Or maybe you're not in the car, but someone else is driving it. 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:18.620 And if you were driving it, you'd park over here away from all the other vehicles. 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:22.660 Or make sure there's lots of space between other people's vehicles and yours. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:27.120 But someone else is driving your vehicle and they try to pull it right into that tight little spot. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:33.639 Where dings and dents are sure to happen when people are getting in and out. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:38.199 Personal ownership makes a big difference. 00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:50.459 And so in Jesus' little parable, when the guy who has been hired to look after the sheep sees a wolf coming, what does he do? 00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:59.939 He runs towards it with the staff ready to do battle, protect the sheep at all costs. 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:02.039 No. 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:06.099 Jesus says he leaves the sheep. 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:08.159 He abandons them. 00:07:09.079 --> 00:07:09.899 And runs away. 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:14.240 You can almost hear his thoughts. 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:16.599 I'm not risking my neck for them. 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:18.219 It's just a job. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:24.539 It's maybe hard for us to emotionally connect with the danger of a hungry wolf. 00:07:24.539 --> 00:07:28.539 It's not something that we see too often here in southern Saskatchewan. 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:33.719 But let's remember that this is before the days of guns. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:39.460 Most shepherds were not wealthy landowners with huge fenced pastures. 00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:46.459 They had to keep moving the flock around the open hill country and valleys in order to find grass. 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:49.739 They didn't have the kinds of wells and water pumps that we had today. 00:07:49.739 --> 00:07:53.779 We're talking manual drawing or leading them down to the stream or the river. 00:07:53.779 --> 00:08:02.579 So they had to be out there with them a lot of the time just to make sure that they were fed, watered, protected, safe at night. 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:08.599 Most of those wolves that we've maybe seen today are probably lone wolves wandering about. 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:13.699 Kind of docile looking things from the safety of our vehicles. 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:17.240 But wolves out in the wild can be very dangerous. 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:19.039 They are fast. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.959 They are able to run up to 60 kilometers an hour. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:23.899 They are opportunistic. 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:25.860 They hunt in packs. 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:30.659 Believe it or not, a handful of them can take down a buffalo. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:35.860 There are still human deaths that are reported from time to time because of wolf attacks. 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:44.379 And in Jesus' analogy, we're meant to, let's remember that we're meant to identify with both the hired hand and the sheep. 00:08:45.560 --> 00:08:48.539 To sheep, wolves are deadly. 00:08:50.940 --> 00:08:56.080 A couple years back in Germany, there was a wolf that got into a farmer's flock. 00:08:57.060 --> 00:08:58.919 He went out there to find this. 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:02.340 40 sheep had been killed and more injured. 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:09.160 So in one sense, I don't blame the hired hand for leaving, for getting out of there. 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:15.180 I'm not sure I'd want to hang around too long if I knew that there was a wolf lurking about in the dark. 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:23.480 Jesus says that after the hired hand leaves, the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters the flock. 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:30.620 But, says Jesus, I am not like the hired hand. 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:33.240 I am the shepherd. 00:09:33.799 --> 00:09:35.659 The one to whom the sheep belong. 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:40.179 And not just any old shepherd, but the good shepherd. 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:42.500 How good? 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:44.560 So good. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:51.860 He cares and has concern for his sheep so much that he will lay down his life for them. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:56.720 And this is where the analogy seems to be lost on us a little, maybe. 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:59.980 Jesus seems to rise above the analogy. 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:04.139 Would a shepherd really give his life for his sheep? 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:06.779 Even a good shepherd. 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:12.960 The closest thing we've got to shepherds in our church is Rod and Cindy. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:16.320 Not quite sheep, but buffalo. 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:22.960 Would you guys lay down your lives for your buffalo? 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:26.580 I'm guessing not. 00:10:31.540 --> 00:10:33.780 I tried to think of a similar kind of situation. 00:10:33.940 --> 00:10:41.040 Maybe poachers are raiding your buffalo, and for some reason the law enforcement officers just keep turning a blind eye to it. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:43.500 Would you risk your life for the buffalo? 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:45.840 I doubt it. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:50.240 Fortunately for you guys, you can always fall back on the greenhouse. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:56.759 But maybe sometimes a shepherd would risk his life for his flock. 00:10:58.059 --> 00:11:00.500 King David, when he was a young man, did that. 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:07.080 When the bear and the lion came around, he fought with the lion and the bear, and he killed them. 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:14.680 Maybe there's a little bit more incentive to do something like that when this flock represents your entire livelihood. 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:18.259 The majority of your assets as a family. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:24.820 When this flock is the difference between you having something to eat next week and not. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:31.420 And maybe not just your family's sheep, but all your brothers and sisters' families and their children. 00:11:33.520 --> 00:11:38.440 Maybe then you'd think about going toe-to-toe with that bear or that lion or that wolf. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:42.000 But probably most of us would just say, forget it. 00:11:42.780 --> 00:11:43.740 They're just animals. 00:11:45.160 --> 00:11:46.240 They're just animals. 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:48.840 Let the wolf, let the bear, whatever, have them. 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:51.200 They're not worth losing your life over. 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:53.900 They're just animals. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:57.800 But there's the rub. 00:11:58.780 --> 00:12:05.379 This analogy of Jesus, this parable, is not about just animals, is it? 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.680 It's about people. 00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:12.080 It's about the people whom God loves. 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:20.140 It's about the chosen children of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:22.699 To the people whom God loves. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:26.639 To Jesus, the good shepherd. 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:30.439 That man who had been blind and is now sitting at his feet. 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:35.919 And his disciples over here, Peter and James and John. 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.299 They're not just animals. 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.919 They're not just a means to an end. 00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:40.080 He loves them. 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:44.340 And he cares deeply about each one of them. 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:51.620 It's about real, personal relationship with each one of them. 00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:58.000 And Jesus says, I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.519 Verse 14. 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:02.720 I am the good shepherd. 00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:05.620 Lord, I know my sheep. 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:08.160 And my sheep know me. 00:13:09.040 --> 00:13:13.600 And I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:21.500 I lay down my life for this man who had been blind and is now at my feet. 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:24.700 I lay down my life for Peter. 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:26.820 For Mary. 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:27.899 And Martha. 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.100 And Lazarus. 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:31.899 For James. 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:32.580 John. 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:33.779 Thomas. 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:40.779 It's as if Jesus is saying, each one of you who are my sheep is precious to me. 00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:44.699 And I will give my life for you. 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.839 When the wolves come around. 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:52.339 And that's exactly what Jesus will do. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:56.379 He will go to the cross. 00:13:57.199 --> 00:13:58.579 And he will die for them. 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:01.899 To rescue them from the greatest of dangers. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:06.199 The punishment they deserve for their sins. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:12.159 But even now, before Jesus goes to the cross and actually dies for them. 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:14.319 Can you hear how he loves his people? 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:23.579 They're not just followers that he's rounded up to boost his popularity in the polls and carry him to the throne. 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.240 No. 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:28.100 It's a very different kind of relationship. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.439 Isn't it? 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:34.760 It's an I will give my life for you kind of relationship. 00:14:35.400 --> 00:14:42.420 Because I want you to have life and have it to the full kind of relationship. 00:14:42.420 --> 00:14:43.660 Because I love you. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:49.220 It's a very intimate and unique kind of relationship. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:51.420 Unlike anything in our world today. 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:53.860 It's a you are my sheep. 00:14:55.920 --> 00:14:57.420 You belong to me. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:00.440 And I am your shepherd. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.580 Your master. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:03.940 Your leader. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:05.100 Kind of relationship. 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:12.659 And it's not an unhappy situation in which the shepherd dominates his sheep ruthlessly. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:16.639 And treats them like animals where they fearfully submit to him. 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.500 Or else. 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.620 No. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:23.180 We who belong to Jesus want to belong to Jesus. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:26.639 We want to have him as our shepherd. 00:15:26.800 --> 00:15:28.940 We want him to be in charge over us. 00:15:29.060 --> 00:15:29.940 And lead us. 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.040 Why? 00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:31.120 Why? 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:33.419 Because he is good. 00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:37.620 He is really truly good. 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:40.639 And because he loves us. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:44.179 Really truly loves us. 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:48.960 Like no one else in this world ever has or ever can. 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.659 Let's go one more verse. 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:57.039 Verse 16. 00:15:57.039 --> 00:16:00.439 Jesus says. 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:02.659 I have other sheep that are not of the sheep pen. 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:05.740 I must bring them also. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:08.279 They too will listen to my voice. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:10.120 And there shall be one flock. 00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:12.120 And one shepherd. 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:16.159 Well who are these other sheep that Jesus is referring to? 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.419 Jesus doesn't say precisely. 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:23.259 But most interpreters see this as a reference to the Gentiles. 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:26.860 To all the non-Jews who will come to faith in Jesus. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:29.399 From among the nations and be saved. 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:33.639 So most would say this pen refers to Israel. 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:37.980 Or even more specifically to those who are ethnically Jewish. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:45.159 And the other sheep who are not of this pen refers to those outside Israel. 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:50.120 Those who are not heirs of the promises or the covenants made by God to Israel. 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:53.220 But what's interesting to me is what Jesus says. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.360 He says. 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:58.620 They too will listen to my voice. 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:01.340 I must bring them also. 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:04.500 So just picture Peter and James and John. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:06.440 The followers of Jesus. 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:08.880 Standing around listening to this. 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:12.559 Just like Peter and James and John. 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:14.799 And Mary and Martha and Lazarus. 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:16.319 Heard his voice. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.599 And listened. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:19.759 And began to follow him. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.679 They too. 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.159 The Gentiles. 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:25.980 They also will hear his voice. 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:28.919 And come to follow him. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.839 He will bring them. 00:17:32.219 --> 00:17:33.879 They will come under his care. 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:37.980 And Jesus says. 00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:39.279 There shall be one flock. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:41.219 And one shepherd. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:43.079 In other words. 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:44.759 The overarching goal of Jesus. 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.100 The good shepherd. 00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:47.920 Is to bring the two together. 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:50.339 From Gentile. 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.339 From Jew. 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:54.579 Bring the two together. 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:57.120 All of his sheep into one flock. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.519 One people of God. 00:17:58.860 --> 00:17:59.819 Under Christ. 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.779 Their one shepherd. 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.460 Now you might be wondering. 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:04.779 Well. 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:06.619 How does that fit. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.660 With all the promises. 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:08.779 And the prophecies. 00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:09.759 Made to Israel. 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.720 Which are yet to be fulfilled. 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.619 How does that fit. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.480 With all the promises. 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.319 And prophecies. 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:16.399 Made about the church. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.119 The body of Christ. 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.960 And then today. 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:21.440 We've got the modern day church. 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.259 With all of its various expressions. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.379 Throughout the world. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.680 And we've got. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:27.059 Modern day Israel. 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:28.240 How do all these things. 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.000 Come together. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:31.579 When will we see. 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:33.160 That one flock unity. 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:34.519 That Jesus. 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.059 Speaks about here. 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.440 Some of you may have. 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.140 Your own ideas. 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:40.539 And answers to that already. 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:42.759 I know I have some ideas. 00:18:43.400 --> 00:18:44.359 But I'm not sure. 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.240 It's the easiest thing. 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:46.000 To figure out. 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:47.200 From our Bibles. 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.099 Paul wrote a whole chapter. 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:50.779 About this. 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.720 About the church. 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.339 And Israel. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.319 Or Jew. 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.240 And Gentile. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.819 And after trying. 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.720 To explain. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.440 What he knew. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.660 What God revealed to him. 00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:00.180 This is what he had to say. 00:19:00.820 --> 00:19:01.259 He said. 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.380 Oh the depth. 00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:03.660 Of the riches. 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:04.980 Of the wisdom. 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:06.259 And knowledge of God. 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.960 How unsearchable. 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.480 His judgments. 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:12.480 And his paths. 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:14.200 Beyond tracing out. 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:18.380 Beyond tracing out. 00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:20.880 Unsearchable. 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:24.160 God alone knows. 00:19:24.300 --> 00:19:25.800 How he's going to bring this about. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.740 This unity. 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:29.180 Of all of his people. 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:30.200 All of his sheep. 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:31.279 Worldwide. 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:33.200 And make one flock. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.140 Out of all. 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.039 Of them. 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:37.740 Jesus. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.779 Will do it. 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:45.599 He is the servant of the Lord. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.460 And as the words. 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:48.079 Of Isaiah. 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:48.680 Say. 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:50.059 Isaiah 44. 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:51.140 Verse 26. 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:54.380 God will carry out. 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:55.740 The words of his servants. 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:57.820 And fulfills the predictions. 00:19:58.540 --> 00:19:59.759 Of his messengers. 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:00.860 And yet. 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:03.080 The verse just before. 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.460 He often does that in a way. 00:20:05.540 --> 00:20:07.580 That overthrows the learning of the wise. 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:10.300 And turns it into nonsense. 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:13.120 He has a way of being able to say. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:13.460 See. 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.680 I declared it. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.700 From the beginning. 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:17.140 And nobody else. 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.680 Knew exactly how it was going to go. 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:22.539 So I'm not too worried about trying to figure it out. 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.559 For myself. 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.940 Somehow God will do it. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.140 There will be one flock. 00:20:26.340 --> 00:20:27.819 From Jew and Gentile. 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:29.480 One people of God. 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:31.700 And one shepherd over all of them. 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.759 The Lord Jesus. 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:35.720 And much more important than how. 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.140 And when. 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.840 Is whether. 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.840 Whether you are in. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.720 The flock. 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.600 Of Jesus. 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:44.740 Whether you belong to him. 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.840 Or not. 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:47.700 This. 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:48.540 Blessed. 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.900 And special relationship. 00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.600 That we've been talking about. 00:20:51.820 --> 00:20:52.540 Is between. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.240 Shepherd. 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.320 And sheep. 00:20:55.320 --> 00:20:56.720 It's only they. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.460 The sheep. 00:20:57.580 --> 00:20:58.200 Of Jesus. 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.920 Who will have life. 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:03.140 Eternal life. 00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:05.780 And have it to the full. 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:07.720 It's only those. 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:09.180 Who listen to Jesus voice. 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.059 And follow him. 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:11.240 Who will have Jesus. 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:13.119 As their good shepherd. 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.079 And with him. 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:16.480 Salvation. 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:17.799 Protection. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.599 From all. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.700 Which ultimately. 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:20.539 Threatens. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:23.000 And so I want to ask you this morning. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.519 Do you have. 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.440 That relationship. 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:26.139 With Jesus. 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.980 If you do not. 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:32.200 Do you want. 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.000 That relationship. 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.680 With Jesus. 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:37.579 The man who had been blind. 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:39.180 And is sitting at Jesus feet. 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.460 Right here. 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.680 Right now. 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.259 As Jesus. 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.519 Says these words. 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.579 He just got. 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.980 That kind of relationship. 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.599 With Jesus. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.119 Today. 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:51.359 Jesus found him. 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.839 He told him. 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:54.059 That he was the son of man. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.759 A.K.A. 00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:55.720 I am. 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:57.200 God's chosen Messiah. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.079 And king. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.200 And the man said. 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.660 I believe. 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:03.019 And fell at Jesus feet. 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.259 And worshiped him. 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:06.460 Right there. 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.059 He became. 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.559 One of the flock. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.180 And just like he did. 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:15.759 If you have not done that already. 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.859 You can too. 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:20.539 I don't think we can say it too much. 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:22.099 How to do this. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.400 But. 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.720 It's as simple as. 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:27.259 Acknowledging your sins to God. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:30.359 Asking for his forgiveness. 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:33.220 And believing that Jesus. 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.160 Is the one. 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.059 Sent from heaven. 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.940 To save us. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.920 And so if you haven't done that. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.539 I want to ask. 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:41.440 Will you surrender your life. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.559 To his. 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.420 Good. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:45.640 Care. 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:47.440 And to his love today. 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:53.320 If you haven't done that. 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:54.360 I urge you to do it. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.500 Before it's too late. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:59.080 You can have Jesus. 00:22:59.259 --> 00:22:59.759 As your. 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.519 Good shepherd. 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:02.900 I know. 00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:04.100 Many of you here. 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:06.019 Most of you here. 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:06.900 Have done this. 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:09.840 I know you belong to Jesus. 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:10.559 And so. 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.580 For you. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.200 Who do. 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.519 I have a different question. 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.140 This morning. 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:16.660 Are you living. 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.759 In the joy of heart. 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:21.060 And peace of mind. 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.940 That comes. 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.980 With having a good shepherd. 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:25.980 Like Jesus is. 00:23:29.780 --> 00:23:31.400 I'm going to ask it again. 00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:33.520 Are you living. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.780 In the joy of heart. 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:36.840 And peace of mind. 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.780 That comes. 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.680 With having a good shepherd. 00:23:40.820 --> 00:23:42.240 Like Jesus is. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:44.859 Are you trusting him. 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:48.299 Are you entrusting your worries. 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:50.200 And your anxieties. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.339 And your concerns. 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:53.319 About what's going on. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.339 In life. 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.559 To him. 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.700 Are you looking to him. 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.660 For your provisions. 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.339 For. 00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:03.539 Wisdom. 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.640 For strength. 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.400 For guidance. 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.819 Are you listening. 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.859 To him. 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.640 Every day. 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:12.240 To hear. 00:24:12.820 --> 00:24:13.759 What he has to say. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.180 To you. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.340 About how to live. 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.480 In days. 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:17.380 Like we live in. 00:24:22.860 --> 00:24:23.840 Are you actually. 00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:24.440 Following. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.740 And obeying. 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.280 And doing the things. 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:27.900 That Jesus. 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:28.860 The good shepherd. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.400 Has commanded his sheep. 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:30.800 To do. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:35.140 These are serious questions. 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.620 But my hope and prayer. 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.160 Is that the Lord. 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.220 Will speak to our hearts. 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.040 Each one of us. 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:40.500 Let's pray. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.460 And invite him. 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.180 To do that. 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.740 Lord Jesus. 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.740 We thank you. 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.619 That you are. 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.440 The good shepherd. 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.899 And that you did. 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.980 Lay your life down. 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:52.519 For us. 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:55.339 That we have life. 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.079 Because of you. 00:24:56.159 --> 00:24:56.759 We have hope. 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.579 Because of you. 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.559 And whether we feel it. 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:00.599 Or realize it or not. 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.039 Thank you. 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:02.180 That you are looking. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.379 Over us. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.319 In our lives. 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.039 And you care. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.139 For. 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.779 I pray that we would live. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.559 In that hope. 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.639 That joy. 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.659 That confidence. 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.500 No matter what happens. 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:13.980 Tomorrow. 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:14.920 At the polls. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.559 Or later this week. 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.579 No matter what happens. 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.379 In the days ahead. 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:19.940 With COVID. 00:25:20.659 --> 00:25:21.940 You are our shepherd. 00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:23.059 And we pray and ask. 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:24.000 That you would lead us. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:26.139 That you would guide us. 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.680 That you would. 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.980 Give us that life. 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.099 That you promised. 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.920 To your sheep. 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.379 Life to the full. 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:37.380 We ask in your name. 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:38.280 And for your glory. 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:39.720 Amen.