WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.599 I'm going to read for us John chapter 10. The sermon text really begins at verse 14, but I think we need to read everything leading up to that because our Lord Jesus gives this this word picture. 00:00:14.720 --> 00:00:20.940 And now he continues to explain the meaning of it all the way up through verse 21 for today. 00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:26.440 And as you hear me read this and you read for yourself, remember, this is God's own word. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:32.300 It's his inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear and sufficient word for you. 00:00:33.300 --> 00:00:36.000 John chapter 10 verses 1 through 21. 00:00:37.939 --> 00:00:47.920 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 00:00:48.359 --> 00:00:51.700 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:54.120 To him, the gatekeeper opens. 00:00:54.119 --> 00:00:59.119 The sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:06.500 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:14.840 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him for they do not know the voice of strangers. 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:22.060 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:23.340 Verse 7. 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:30.680 So Jesus again said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 00:01:31.020 --> 00:01:36.700 All who come, all who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:38.359 I am the door. 00:01:38.939 --> 00:01:44.099 If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:48.059 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 00:01:48.059 --> 00:01:51.599 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 00:01:52.379 --> 00:01:53.640 I am the good shepherd. 00:01:54.119 --> 00:01:57.159 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:01:57.839 --> 00:02:07.179 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolves coming and leaves the sheep and flees. 00:02:07.180 --> 00:02:10.879 And the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 00:02:11.460 --> 00:02:16.360 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:18.480 I am the good shepherd. 00:02:18.900 --> 00:02:23.099 I know my own and my own know me, just as the father knows me. 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:27.280 And I know the father and I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:31.800 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. 00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:36.379 I must also bring them and they will listen to my voice. 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:39.639 So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:46.319 For this reason, the father loves me because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 00:02:47.139 --> 00:02:51.620 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. 00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:56.159 I have authority to lay it down and I have authority to take it up again. 00:02:56.159 --> 00:02:59.939 This charge I have received from my father. 00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:05.060 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:09.840 Many of them said, he has a demon and he is insane. 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:11.139 Why listen to him? 00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:17.039 Others said, these are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. 00:03:17.519 --> 00:03:20.479 Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? 00:03:21.699 --> 00:03:23.219 This is the word of the Lord. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:24.719 Thanks be to God. 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:26.039 Thanks be to God. 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:26.699 You may be seated. 00:03:39.180 --> 00:03:40.240 Will you pray with me? 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:56.439 Oh Lord, your heart beats. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:00.100 You are alive. 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:04.719 You cry out in a loud voice. 00:04:06.979 --> 00:04:11.199 And you do this through earthen vessels through your church. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:17.519 Please speak once again today for the glory of your name we ask. 00:04:17.980 --> 00:04:18.319 Amen. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:27.159 Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:37.019 The question we need to consider to this is the question that the opponents of Jesus ask at the very end of this passage we read. 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:38.100 Look at verse 20. 00:04:38.100 --> 00:04:43.660 Why do you listen to him? 00:04:45.840 --> 00:04:48.060 Why do you listen to him? 00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:54.340 On a different occasion I shared with you about a tribe in the Amazon. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:04:59.040 Missionaries brought them the gospel but a church never took root. 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:01.420 Years passed. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:08.939 A new team of missionaries arrived and as they started sharing the gospel the people of this tribe told them we have a word for that. 00:05:09.840 --> 00:05:15.180 And the word they use is that word when you're on a trail going back to your village after hunting. 00:05:15.420 --> 00:05:20.460 You give out a call and everyone who hears that jumps on the trail and goes back home. 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:23.199 This is the picture. 00:05:24.419 --> 00:05:26.180 Why do you listen to Christ? 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:28.239 Why do you listen to the gospel? 00:05:30.299 --> 00:05:37.459 Well for the tribe, the hunters, to not listen means that you're choosing to remain lost. 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:39.759 You're going to be hungry. 00:05:40.179 --> 00:05:40.919 You will perish. 00:05:41.919 --> 00:05:48.919 But you do listen because you don't want to be left out in the jungle all alone to be devoured by wild animals. 00:05:50.459 --> 00:05:56.379 If you listen or don't listen, it's a matter of life and death. 00:05:57.439 --> 00:05:59.599 Why do you listen to him? 00:06:01.739 --> 00:06:08.659 Jesus says, I call all who belong to me, to the way, to the life. 00:06:10.199 --> 00:06:11.879 And my own will listen. 00:06:12.339 --> 00:06:13.240 They will follow me. 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:17.939 We saw last week how this word picture was very familiar. 00:06:17.939 --> 00:06:23.839 A fold is a wall in the shape of a circle about waist high with one opening. 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:24.939 That's the door. 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:28.680 A lot of times different flocks will be brought in. 00:06:28.779 --> 00:06:31.779 So you'd have maybe three or four different shepherds sharing one fold. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:34.360 They bring them in at night to protect them from predators. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:37.040 They take them out in the day to enjoy the pastures. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:41.080 And the shepherd himself would sit at the door. 00:06:41.520 --> 00:06:42.300 He is the door. 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:46.760 No one comes in to devour his sheep unless going through him. 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:51.800 And when it's time the next day to go out, he calls his own by name. 00:06:53.220 --> 00:06:55.320 Every single sheep he knows by name. 00:06:55.400 --> 00:06:56.140 He calls them. 00:06:56.580 --> 00:06:58.259 They follow his voice. 00:06:59.080 --> 00:07:02.700 The goats, the other shepherd sheep, they don't follow that shepherd. 00:07:02.820 --> 00:07:03.920 They stay right where they are. 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:06.340 They follow those shepherds. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:10.819 Why do you listen to him? 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:19.220 If you trust Jesus as your good shepherd, that means you trust that he is who he says he is. 00:07:19.840 --> 00:07:21.220 And he says he is God. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:25.720 He says, I am the good shepherd. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:28.360 I laid down my life for you. 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:30.100 I know my own. 00:07:30.280 --> 00:07:31.180 My own know me. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:35.060 If you know me, you will follow my voice. 00:07:36.660 --> 00:07:38.060 Now look at verse 19. 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:45.420 We read in light of this glorious teaching that there was again a division among the Jews. 00:07:47.460 --> 00:07:50.079 He says, I have other sheep that are not of this fold. 00:07:50.280 --> 00:07:52.840 Well, this fold represents the nation of Israel. 00:07:52.839 --> 00:08:01.739 So among the nation of Israel, those hearing the gospel, hearing this good news of who Jesus is, even among those within this fold of Israel, there's a division. 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:05.179 Because of these words. 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:10.279 Why do you listen to him? 00:08:10.719 --> 00:08:16.239 In verse 20, they attack both his his person, both his divinity and his humanity. 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:19.740 They say, why he has a demon spiritually. 00:08:20.660 --> 00:08:23.240 This is not something you want to hear spiritually. 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:25.220 You cannot trust him. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:28.400 They're throwing doubt on his goodness and his divinity. 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:30.079 This man can't be from God. 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:31.639 He has to be from God's enemy. 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:33.860 Why listen to him? 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:38.480 The other phrase is that he is insane. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:39.879 That's an attack on his humanity. 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:41.240 His mind doesn't work right. 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:43.779 The words he's saying do not make sense. 00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:47.159 See how the entire person of Jesus comes under attack. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:49.440 Why do you listen to him? 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:56.820 That's the same doubt that the serpent cast against God to Adam and Eve, wasn't it? 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:58.340 Why do you listen to him? 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:10.899 I believe the doctrine and focus, the reason why we listen to our Lord, is sovereign grace. 00:09:11.680 --> 00:09:13.039 Why do we listen to him? 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:15.460 It's because of his sovereign grace. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:18.419 That's what he's going to open up in today's verses. 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:20.259 What is sovereign grace? 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:23.560 I want to give a simple little definition. 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:25.419 Then I want to read a quote describing. 00:09:25.419 --> 00:09:28.659 Because I think it's something that's almost better described than defined. 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:30.340 Sovereign. 00:09:30.560 --> 00:09:32.500 Sovereign means a king's decree. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:35.379 So picture an empire. 00:09:35.560 --> 00:09:37.779 The king, the sovereign, sits on the throne. 00:09:37.940 --> 00:09:40.759 He's surveying the enemies where they're invading. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:42.440 They got the map laid out on the table. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.740 And he says, we need to raise up our army. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:48.620 I need every man 13 and older to call, report to duty. 00:09:48.820 --> 00:09:50.960 And I'm going to send out my battalions where I need them. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:51.659 He's the king. 00:09:51.659 --> 00:09:55.620 He sovereignly will protect his entire empire, his entire nation. 00:09:55.820 --> 00:09:57.340 Because he's the sovereign king. 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:02.139 In the Bible, we see of God's sovereign grace. 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:05.519 The father has the full view. 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:07.899 The son is the champion. 00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:09.699 He's the captain of our salvation. 00:10:10.299 --> 00:10:14.000 He is boots on the ground, raising up the army and leading them. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:19.759 And it's his Holy Spirit that energizes, that applies the plan of God. 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:22.100 He does it by grace. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:26.700 Because soldiers, just like sheep, they don't deserve to be in his army. 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.980 We all failed. 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:29.379 We failed basic training. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:30.960 But he raises us up. 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:32.279 He energizes us. 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:33.799 And he sends us out. 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:39.719 Here's how a pastor in the 1800s in Scotland described the sovereign grace of God. 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:43.779 His name is Horatius Bonar. 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:50.139 He said, grace bursts forth spontaneously from the bosom of eternal love. 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:53.519 Father, Son, and Spirit, eternal love. 00:10:55.079 --> 00:11:02.159 And rested not until it had removed every impediment and found its way to the sinner's side, 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:05.419 swelling around him in full flow. 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:11.519 Grace does away with the distance between the sinner and God, 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:13.100 which sin had created. 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:16.539 Grace meets the sinner on the spot where he stands. 00:11:17.179 --> 00:11:20.019 Grace approaches him just as he is. 00:11:20.579 --> 00:11:24.259 Grace does not wait till there is something to attract it, 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:30.199 nor till a good reason is found in the sinner for its flowing to him. 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:33.259 Why do the sheep listen to him? 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:36.279 Because of his sovereign grace. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:40.340 Why do you listen to the Lord? 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:43.500 Why do you crack open your Bible? 00:11:45.079 --> 00:11:47.960 Why do you sit and pray? 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:51.039 And ask God, we're just saying it. 00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:52.079 Speak, O Lord. 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:54.659 Why do you listen to him? 00:11:56.579 --> 00:11:58.699 I think we see in this text several reasons. 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:01.620 Number one, you listen to him. 00:12:02.299 --> 00:12:05.759 Because without the good shepherd, you and I are dead. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:07.779 Let's do a brief recap. 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:09.740 This is why we had to read the whole chapter again. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:15.580 We read in verse one that your soul will be stolen away by thieves. 00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:23.379 We read in verse five that all will feel like strangers to you from whom you must flee. 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:30.259 In verse nine, you won't be safe at night without your good shepherd there nearby. 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:40.080 Verse 10, you won't enjoy abundant life on green pastures if you ignore the voice of the shepherd who calls you out into them. 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:48.960 In verse 12, without your good shepherd, you are scattered and you were devoured by ravenous wolves. 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:56.180 And in verse 13, no one will care for you or watch over you. 00:12:56.840 --> 00:13:01.160 You will be an orphan without the good shepherd calling you by name. 00:13:02.060 --> 00:13:04.560 That brings us up to verse 14 for today. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:07.379 Why do you listen to him? 00:13:07.819 --> 00:13:09.679 You and I, we need a good shepherd. 00:13:09.859 --> 00:13:14.259 We need God himself to be our shepherd. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:17.539 We need to know that we belong to his flock. 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:23.179 We need to know that he laid down his life to save you and me. 00:13:25.119 --> 00:13:30.519 So when people mock you or ask you this question, why do you believe that stuff? 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:33.119 Why do you believe him or why do you listen to him? 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:36.019 You can do like they did here in verse 21. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.000 Look at what they say. 00:13:37.580 --> 00:13:42.419 Others, in response to Jesus being called a demon, possessed or insane. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:43.960 Look at verse 21. 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:48.720 They say these are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:52.000 See the words of the Lord. 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:53.799 They are words of life. 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.299 Can you say that? 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:59.560 Is the gospel the word of life for you? 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:01.899 It's your shepherd's good word. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:06.819 And then they say, can a demon open the eyes of the blind? 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:12.139 They're still referring back to this great sign where a man born blind was physically healed. 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:16.939 And our Lord used that to teach that it's not just about physical healing. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:23.939 His sovereign grace opens the eyes spiritually of all those of us, all of us after Adam born in darkness. 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:28.120 And that's the work of the Holy Spirit to open your eyes. 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:31.220 And if that's your testimony, that's the best answer you can give. 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.420 Why do you listen to him? 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.460 Why do you believe this stuff? 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.720 His words are life. 00:14:36.660 --> 00:14:38.280 He opened my eyes. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.180 That's why we listen to him. 00:14:40.900 --> 00:14:43.240 Without the good shepherd, we are dead. 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:50.440 In 1820, there was a baby girl who was born, either born blind or within six weeks became blind. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:52.639 Her name was Fanny Crosby. 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:54.879 We just sang one of her songs. 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:59.299 She wrote over 4,000 songs and hymns in her life. 00:14:59.299 --> 00:15:04.639 You know, when you're blind, physically blind, all your other senses get heightened. 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:08.099 And so her ear was masterful. 00:15:08.339 --> 00:15:11.579 She could hear melodies and she could just hear rhymes. 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:17.000 She was also able, if someone was reading the word to her, the word of God, the Holy Spirit helped her. 00:15:17.359 --> 00:15:18.579 And she just retained it. 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:20.939 Super strong auditory learner. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:26.259 And think about from the perspective of someone who's physically blind, like Fanny Crosby. 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:30.460 Her whole life, she has needed someone to hold her hand and guide her around. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:31.960 Just to survive. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:34.399 Just to do basic life functions. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:40.480 All the way, my Savior leads me. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:43.779 Who have I to ask beside? 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:51.319 How could I doubt his tender mercy, who through life has been my guide? 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:55.779 Fanny Crosby knew why she listened to him. 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:57.059 As her good shepherd. 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:03.240 And if you trust Jesus as your good shepherd, you believe he is who he says he is. 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:06.159 You will listen to him. 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:09.279 Number two, why do you listen to him? 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:13.740 This is something I really enjoyed learning here. 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:17.600 When you hear Jesus say, I am the good shepherd. 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:19.740 What he's saying is, I am God. 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.360 That's what he's saying. 00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:22.379 Look at verse 14. 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:24.559 I am the good shepherd. 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:34.299 Now, this word translated good, it means I am the ideal, the intrinsically lovely, the perfect shepherd. 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:40.359 Remember in Mark 10, when the young ruler came up to Jesus and he said, good teacher. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:43.039 And Jesus just stopped him in his tracks and said, hold on. 00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:45.199 You're calling me good teacher. 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:47.240 You know, only God is good. 00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:49.219 Why do you call me that? 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:49.959 He's testing him. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.899 Are you saying I'm God? 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.939 He's putting him to the test right away. 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:56.159 Do you believe I am he? 00:16:56.159 --> 00:17:03.199 When Jesus says, I am the good shepherd, he's saying I am the only good shepherd. 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:06.599 I am the shepherd that you would dream of having. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:12.500 The shepherd that all other shepherds should strive to emulate intrinsically. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:17.119 There is no flaw in me and my goodness as your shepherd. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:23.739 Now, if you knew your Old Testament, Ezekiel 34, we read a lot of that last week. 00:17:24.159 --> 00:17:26.859 Listen to what verse 15 has promised all along. 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:37.699 God said, I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:48.200 So when Jesus says, I am the good shepherd, he is saying I am the Lord God. 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:54.600 We listen to Jesus because he is God. 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:58.799 He is the word of God taken on the flesh. 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:05.000 We listen to Jesus because God speaks through Jesus. 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:11.440 This gets put to the test for us as well. 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:20.319 When we're going through one of those extremely hard seasons of life and it feels like this world is not my home. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.740 I do not belong here. 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:28.059 You feel like a sojourner, a pilgrim, someone with with no true home on this earth. 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.759 But you remember. 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:34.819 Jesus Christ came to this very earth. 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:44.859 He took on flesh to be my good shepherd and his Holy Spirit speaks and calls me and his word is a lamp to my feet. 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:49.439 He will show me how I need to walk even through this hard path. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:54.759 When there's that fun thing that your whole family, your kids want to do. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:58.860 Or when you're not sure if that check you put in the mail is going to bounce. 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.480 You remember. 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.779 It's God himself. 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.580 Your good shepherd. 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:08.559 Who makes the lilies of the field beautiful in their simplicity. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:16.059 It's your good shepherd who makes the joyful sparrows sing and have something to eat every day. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:26.240 And he promises you in 2 Peter 1 3 that from his loving, loving hand as your good shepherd, he will give you all you need for life and godliness. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.159 And that's all you need. 00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:30.799 He will provide for his sheep. 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:35.859 You listen to your good shepherd because he is your God. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:43.899 And if you trust that Jesus is your good shepherd, believing he is God, you will listen to him. 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:47.619 Number three, why do you listen to him? 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:55.759 Because all whom he knows from every nation will hear his voice. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.960 Look at verse 16. 00:19:57.799 --> 00:20:02.099 Jesus says, I have other sheep that are not of this fold. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:06.460 So the fold he's telling the Jews about is Israel. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:10.920 Now picture yourself in the Middle East, which looks a lot like Colorado. 00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:14.160 You get out of the city and you see these open fields. 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.599 And there are places where you can't grow crops. 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.559 There's not enough water. 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:21.259 So you just have some cattle, skinny sheep and cattle and goats. 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:24.819 And there's this fold over here and this fold on the top of that hill. 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:29.399 And all the shepherds just scatter around because they got to find enough grass to eat. 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:32.220 Jesus says, I see Israel. 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:34.339 I'm calling my sheep out of Israel. 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.659 There are other folds. 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:36.559 There are other nations. 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:40.279 And I have my sheep in those nations as well. 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:44.519 When they hear my voice, they will follow me in the same way. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.819 And I must bring them out. 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:50.200 Notice how he says in verse 16. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.960 He doesn't say there will be one. 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:52.859 What does he say? 00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:53.980 Look at verse 16. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:56.460 He doesn't say there will be one fold. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:21:00.360 He's not going to bring believers out of every other nation into Israel. 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:03.160 He says there will be one flock. 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.279 What defines this flock? 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:08.079 It's that they have one shepherd. 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:10.279 And wherever the shepherd goes, they follow. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:12.099 They follow his voice. 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:18.360 So you see, belonging to the flock of Christ is not about your ethnic line or your bloodline. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.959 It's not about nationality. 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:24.179 It's about do you hear the voice of the good shepherd? 00:21:24.419 --> 00:21:25.579 And do you follow him? 00:21:26.179 --> 00:21:28.379 If you do, then you belong to his flock. 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:33.060 In Zechariah chapter 8, we read this. 00:21:33.060 --> 00:21:36.560 Thus says the Lord of hosts, peoples shall come yet. 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:43.060 Even the inhabitants of many cities saying, let us go at once to seek the favor of the Lord of hosts. 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:47.880 Many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts. 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:55.180 In those days, ten men from the nations of every tongue shall say, let us go with you. 00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:58.820 For we have heard that God is with you. 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:01.400 What a glorious promise. 00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:04.800 Christ shows up and he says, I am the good shepherd. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:07.500 Out of many nations, they will follow me. 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:09.680 I am the one they will trust. 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:12.859 God is with me and I am with you. 00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:16.099 And through me, God is with you. 00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:18.980 So this is our confidence. 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:22.339 This is our confidence for evangelism, for gospel missions, isn't it? 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:27.139 Jesus says, I have other sheep in verse 16. 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:30.399 He doesn't say, I will have other sheep from other nations. 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:31.680 Look at verse 16. 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:33.159 He says, I have them. 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:34.820 They're already mine. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.880 They are in Indonesia. 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:39.380 They are in Algeria. 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.820 They are in Aurora. 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.900 They're in Parker. 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.360 I have them. 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:43.960 They're mine. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:48.640 And when they hear my voice, they will follow me. 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:53.980 That's where we get our confidence to pray and to trust God and to proclaim him. 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:56.259 Look at the way he describes it. 00:22:56.300 --> 00:22:59.120 He says, there will be one flock. 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.740 Do you listen to him? 00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:01.600 Do you believe this? 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:03.379 He will have one flock. 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:06.279 I will be the one shepherd. 00:23:07.699 --> 00:23:11.240 And in what way does the shepherd know all of his sheep? 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:17.139 He says in verse 14, I know my own and my own know me. 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:18.460 Now look at verse 15. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:20.000 I know them in this way. 00:23:20.520 --> 00:23:21.259 Look at 15. 00:23:21.800 --> 00:23:26.220 Just as the father knows me and I know the father. 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:34.720 In the Bible we read of God, the father, God, the son, God, the Holy Spirit. 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:37.120 One God, three persons. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:45.900 The one God, the triune God in three persons exists in eternity past, before time and space were even created. 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:48.780 So how does the father know the son? 00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:50.060 Eternally. 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.980 Relationally. 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:59.220 This word knew to know in the biblical sense is the same way that Adam knew Eve. 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:01.279 It's an intimate bond. 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:04.700 An unbreakable covenant bond. 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:10.599 And Jesus says in verse 15, I know my sheep in that same way. 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.819 I know them eternally. 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.380 Relationally. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:16.579 They are mine. 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:18.460 I have those sheep already. 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:21.059 There will be one flock. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:27.399 So our prayer is that his sheep will hear his voice. 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.299 Romans 10. 00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:32.779 How can they hear unless someone preaches to them? 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.939 How will the Lord call them? 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:36.720 He does it through earthen vessels. 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:39.779 He does it through his people, through his church. 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.240 The gospel goes forth. 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:44.960 And those that belong to Christ, that know him, believe. 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:46.079 They will believe. 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:46.700 They must. 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:49.920 Because Jesus says, I must lead them out. 00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:52.279 They will follow me. 00:24:55.840 --> 00:25:00.539 Blaise Pascal, one of the greatest scientific minds of history. 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:06.340 I believe he was a true sheep who knew sovereign grace. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:10.819 Listen to how Blaise Pascal, again, describes what he experienced. 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:13.000 Just like the blind mate, he opened my eyes. 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.779 Here's Blaise Pascal's words. 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:18.740 The gospel to me is simply irresistible. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:27.019 No man ever believes with a true and saving faith unless God inclines his heart. 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:35.019 And no man, when God does incline his heart, can refrain from believing. 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:38.120 That's the end of Pascal's quote. 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:42.219 And so, what we read in Ephesians 4 is fulfilled. 00:25:42.939 --> 00:25:45.559 There is not one body, one flock. 00:25:45.939 --> 00:25:47.659 Because there is one spirit. 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:51.959 All who were called to one hope that belongs to your call. 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:54.539 One Lord, one faith, one baptism. 00:25:54.539 --> 00:26:03.259 Because if you trust Jesus as your good shepherd, and if you believe that he is God, you will follow him. 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.839 Well, this gets tough now. 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:09.180 This is where we want to say, that sounds insane. 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:13.539 In my mind, I can come up with a hundred objections to this and problems. 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:16.159 Why do you listen to this? 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:23.659 We listen to this because if you hear the good news, the voice of the shepherd, 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:31.680 Jesus says, I must bring you into my flock. 00:26:33.300 --> 00:26:37.140 Now, you're going to want to put your finger on the verses as I point out some key words here. 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.900 Look at verse 16. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:42.840 I have other sheep that I, what's the next word? 00:26:43.080 --> 00:26:45.680 I must also bring out. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:48.320 And they will listen to my voice. 00:26:48.320 --> 00:26:52.540 So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:55.840 Okay, well then let me ask you this question. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:27:07.540 Did God the Father ordain his son to death on the cross without having a definite certain people in mind? 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:12.000 According to Jesus, you have to say no. 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:15.200 He said he does have those he has known. 00:27:15.820 --> 00:27:17.860 He does have those he will bring out. 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:22.160 So when our Lord Jesus lays down his life for his sheep, 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:25.360 he does it for those he will save. 00:27:26.800 --> 00:27:31.140 Isaiah 53 10 says it was the will of the Lord to crush him. 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:38.340 It was the sovereign decree of God to send his son to pay the price for sin. 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:40.460 And here's the promise attached to it, 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:43.360 that when he does that, when he makes an offering for guilt, 00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:46.700 he shall see his offspring. 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:52.340 The lamb will receive the reward for his suffering. 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:57.179 I hope this just sounds to you as truth. 00:27:57.319 --> 00:28:00.459 Like, Jason, why are you getting so worked up about what's just truth? 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:02.259 I hope that's how it sounds. 00:28:02.699 --> 00:28:04.379 But you also need to be warned. 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:06.959 Some will say wrongly this, 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:13.899 that Christ had died to make salvation only hypothetically possible for whoever would choose him. 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:16.560 What that's saying is this. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:21.320 Hypothetically, then, it's possible that none would choose him. 00:28:22.780 --> 00:28:24.340 Those are the only two options. 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:27.019 Either Christ died to save his own, 00:28:27.800 --> 00:28:32.400 or you're saying ultimately no one would choose him necessarily unless they wanted to. 00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:34.900 In that case, he would die in vain. 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.740 Those are the only two options. 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:40.700 And in the words of our Lord Jesus, he says, 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.180 I have other sheep. 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.759 I know them as the Father knows me. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:46.400 I must bring them out. 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:48.660 The shepherd calls the sheep by name. 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:50.680 The sheep follow his voice. 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:52.400 I lay down my life, 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:54.039 not for the goats, 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:56.160 not for someone else's, 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:57.740 some other shepherd's fold. 00:28:58.059 --> 00:29:00.160 I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.519 I know them. 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.460 They know me. 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.960 I will call them out. 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:05.819 They will follow me. 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.140 Do you see that? 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:13.740 Here's why this is so important. 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:18.859 In John 15, 16, Jesus says, 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:22.420 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:26.039 In 1 John 4, 10, we read, 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:29.019 Herein is love, not that we loved God, 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:31.900 but that he loved us and sent his son, 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:35.859 who gave his life for us, for his bride. 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:42.519 We read in Acts how this actually happened. 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:46.900 As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.960 Acts 13, 48. 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.839 If the Lord brings someone to believe, 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:54.779 it's because God has ordained them unto life. 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:58.400 They knew the voice of the shepherd when they heard the gospel. 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.759 How could they not? 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:01.460 It became irresistible to them. 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:03.340 Isn't this a glorious truth? 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.220 It's so comforting. 00:30:06.320 --> 00:30:09.940 Again, because if it's all up to you and up to me choosing God, 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:11.100 it becomes of works. 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:13.100 This is what Paul preaches in Romans 11. 00:30:13.560 --> 00:30:16.460 If we listen and obey the voice of God by our own works, 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.460 Paul says, 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:21.759 Then our following Christ is no more of grace. 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:24.880 In the same way that you choose him, 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.720 you want to un-choose him. 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:30.420 Did you hear the shepherd's voice or did you never hear his voice? 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:33.220 Because if you hear his voice, 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:36.240 you will follow your shepherd. 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.980 I want to read you another testimony. 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:40.259 This is from Augustine of Hippo. 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.980 This is something really cool. 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:45.660 He most likely lived in the northern part of Algeria, 00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:47.660 across the Mediterranean Sea from Europe. 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:52.660 And it's possible that he is from the people group called the Che, 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:54.599 who speak the Berber language. 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:57.180 St. Augustine, as he's called, 00:30:57.259 --> 00:31:00.519 he described his experience of hearing the shepherd's voice this way. 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.900 You called. 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.559 You cried. 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:07.599 You shattered my deafness. 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.759 You sparkled. 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:12.940 You blazed. 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:15.440 You drove away my blindness. 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:19.119 You shed your fragrance. 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:22.440 I drew in my breath. 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:25.660 And I pant for you. 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:32.059 That's a testimony of a sheep who has heard the shepherd's voice. 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:36.039 That's the testimony of a simple soldier 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:39.960 who has been summoned by sovereign grace. 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:44.819 Jesus says to you as well, 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:47.099 if you have an ear to hear his voice, 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:49.759 I am the good shepherd. 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:54.099 I laid down my life for you. 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:57.579 If you hear my voice, 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:59.740 you will follow me. 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:02.039 Into life abundant. 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:05.960 Why do you listen to him? 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:10.759 Because he laid down his life for his sheep 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:13.839 so that he would take it up again. 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:16.839 In verse 11, 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.339 verse 14, 00:32:18.439 --> 00:32:19.220 and verse 15, 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.699 he says this same message. 00:32:20.699 --> 00:32:22.259 This is his refrain. 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:27.959 I lay down my life for my sheep. 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.399 Now, 00:32:29.439 --> 00:32:30.220 this is confusing. 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:32.119 When his hearers heard him say this, 00:32:32.179 --> 00:32:34.779 they thought maybe he was talking about committing suicide. 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:36.279 I laid down my life. 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.000 This man's insane. 00:32:38.899 --> 00:32:40.740 Remember in John chapter 9, 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.319 when he said, 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.200 where I'm going, 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:43.180 you cannot follow me. 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:44.639 That's probably what they thought then too. 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:45.180 Well, 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:47.099 we can't follow you if you're committing suicide. 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.619 And they think he's insane. 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.039 Now he says, 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.059 I'm going to lay down my life. 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:51.899 And he's saying this over and over and over. 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:55.980 So now he clarifies this hard teaching. 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.779 Look at verse 17. 00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.940 For this reason, 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:02.920 the father loves me because I laid down my life. 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.420 But listen, 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:03.940 he says, 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.579 I do that, 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:07.440 that I may take it up again. 00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:09.819 Jesus is, 00:33:09.899 --> 00:33:11.160 is making it very clear. 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:13.359 The purpose of laying down his life, 00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:14.759 the purpose of his death, 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:17.680 it's a sacrifice for salvation. 00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:22.019 He will become a substitutionary atonement. 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:25.039 He will pay the price that sin deserves. 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:28.759 And this is the charge his father has given him. 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:32.180 This is what we testify from Romans eight. 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:34.220 Christ Jesus is the one who died, 00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:35.039 but more than that, 00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:36.379 who was raised, 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.139 who is at the right hand of God, 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:40.359 who is indeed interceding for us. 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:43.700 And because he not only laid down his life with the authority, 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:45.579 obeying the charges father gave him, 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:48.399 but he also has authority to take up his own life. 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:51.279 That's why Paul can ride and we can believe. 00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:56.319 Who then shall separate us from the love of God? 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:58.480 In Christ Jesus, 00:33:58.659 --> 00:33:59.179 our Lord. 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:03.220 He laid down his life for his sheep, 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:05.599 that you will forever belong to him. 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.799 You are his. 00:34:07.879 --> 00:34:08.980 He has ransomed you. 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:17.199 You see how there's a perfect harmony between the will of the father and the will of the son. 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:19.400 In John three 16, 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:21.240 we read how in love, 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:23.500 the father sent his son. 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:26.099 To pay the price for sin. 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.179 Here we read, 00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:27.780 Jesus says, 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.940 no one takes my life. 00:34:29.219 --> 00:34:30.480 I lay it down. 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:33.480 The father sent me to lay down my life. 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.300 That's my charge. 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:35.500 I willingly, 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:37.960 by all the authority my father has given me, 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:39.480 I willingly obey. 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:41.960 I lay my life down. 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:43.199 And by that same authority, 00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:44.480 I take it up. 00:34:46.139 --> 00:34:53.300 The father raises his son fully satisfied by the price he paid and the perfect life he lived. 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:55.219 We read that it was, 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:58.480 it was the spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. 00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:00.159 And Jesus says, 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:02.519 I myself take up my life. 00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:03.380 Father, 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:03.760 son, 00:35:03.820 --> 00:35:04.300 and spirit, 00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:05.199 perfect harmony, 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:07.380 the sovereign will of God, 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:16.820 the decree of God carried out in human history so that nothing can separate you from the love of God. 00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:21.960 The pastor, 00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:22.760 the young pastor, 00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:23.780 Robert Murray machine. 00:35:26.260 --> 00:35:29.200 He describes this experience as well. 00:35:31.740 --> 00:35:33.900 He was a man whose life he, 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.380 he, 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:35.940 he traveled to Israel, 00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:38.619 but his life got cut very short with sickness. 00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:40.480 He died an early death. 00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:43.300 And he described, 00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:45.059 as you come to the Lord's supper now, 00:35:46.260 --> 00:35:47.420 the Lord Jesus, 00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:55.780 it's the flaming eyes of the King on all those who approach his banquet feast because he lives. 00:35:57.099 --> 00:35:57.740 McShane said, 00:35:57.739 --> 00:36:00.599 when the voice of Christ speaks through his word, 00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:03.279 you will rise. 00:36:03.799 --> 00:36:06.979 You will leave all and you will follow him. 00:36:08.359 --> 00:36:09.639 Fanny Crosby again, 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:10.399 all the way. 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.719 My savior leads me. 00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:12.259 Oh, 00:36:12.319 --> 00:36:13.979 the fullness of his love. 00:36:14.819 --> 00:36:14.879 Oh, 00:36:14.959 --> 00:36:19.639 the sureness of his promise in the triumph of his blood. 00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:25.299 Fanny Crosby loved the word of the Lord. 00:36:26.299 --> 00:36:30.659 She heard his truth and it resonated and it fed her soul. 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.699 And it was the life, 00:36:31.819 --> 00:36:34.460 the life abundant that she could enjoy. 00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:42.599 Fanny Crosby memorized five chapters of the Bible each week. 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:47.699 I'm struggling with five verses in about a month, 00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:50.679 five chapters of the Bible each week. 00:36:50.679 --> 00:36:53.179 She started that when she was only 10 years old. 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:55.799 And with the encouragement of her grandmother, 00:36:56.279 --> 00:36:58.339 because her dad died when she was six months old. 00:36:58.419 --> 00:37:00.779 So mother and grandmother raising this little blind girl. 00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:03.440 By the time she was 15 years old, 00:37:03.919 --> 00:37:07.519 she had memorized all four gospels, 00:37:08.799 --> 00:37:10.019 the entire Pentateuch, 00:37:10.379 --> 00:37:10.659 Genesis, 00:37:10.859 --> 00:37:11.099 Exodus, 00:37:11.299 --> 00:37:11.659 Leviticus, 00:37:11.799 --> 00:37:12.079 Numbers, 00:37:12.279 --> 00:37:13.019 and Deuteronomy, 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:15.000 the book of Proverbs, 00:37:15.239 --> 00:37:16.159 the song of Solomon, 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:18.299 and many of the Psalms. 00:37:18.300 --> 00:37:21.260 She knew the voice of her shepherd. 00:37:22.380 --> 00:37:23.560 He is her life. 00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:26.500 His word was the delight of her soul. 00:37:29.800 --> 00:37:34.519 We don't know how many more years the Lord gives to each one of his sheep on this earth, 00:37:34.620 --> 00:37:36.460 but you know what the purpose of our life is? 00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:42.460 It's training us to hear the voice that will speak life to us for all eternity. 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:48.060 It's training your soul to trust God and to love him more and more and more. 00:37:48.300 --> 00:37:50.980 And everything that you have to go through in the body, 00:37:51.100 --> 00:37:54.200 it's preparing our souls for heaven. 00:37:54.700 --> 00:37:59.980 Everything is to prepare your soul for eternity with your good shepherd. 00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:03.460 That same pastor, 00:38:03.559 --> 00:38:04.380 Horatius Benar, 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.079 the Scotsman, 00:38:05.139 --> 00:38:05.900 he's put it this way. 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:06.219 He said, 00:38:06.380 --> 00:38:07.099 it was free, 00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:10.579 sovereign grace when God awakened you as a sinner. 00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:14.880 It was free grace when it found and laid hold of you. 00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:16.559 And it's God's free, 00:38:16.780 --> 00:38:21.099 sovereign grace that will hand you up in glory one day. 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:24.900 Do we think about that day? 00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:28.219 It could be very soon for any one of us. 00:38:30.639 --> 00:38:33.000 We just sang these words from Fannie Crosby. 00:38:33.079 --> 00:38:34.339 The last thing I'll read from her. 00:38:35.279 --> 00:38:36.259 Here's that day. 00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:37.400 Here's what it'll be like. 00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:41.980 When my spirit clothed immortal, 00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:46.420 wings its flight to realms of day. 00:38:47.160 --> 00:38:51.019 This my song through endless ages, 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:55.240 Jesus led me all the way. 00:38:55.239 --> 00:38:58.979 If you know Jesus, 00:38:59.699 --> 00:39:01.379 if you hear his voice, 00:39:01.759 --> 00:39:03.659 you will follow him. 00:39:04.839 --> 00:39:06.319 Why do you listen to him? 00:39:08.299 --> 00:39:11.019 Why would you not listen to him? 00:39:12.979 --> 00:39:16.019 How can you not want to follow Jesus Christ, 00:39:16.259 --> 00:39:16.939 the good shepherd? 00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:22.619 If you love your life, 00:39:22.619 --> 00:39:28.559 if you understand the reality that your soul exists in, 00:39:29.719 --> 00:39:31.119 the reality of heaven, 00:39:32.259 --> 00:39:33.920 if God is in his providence, 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:35.559 brought you to hear the gospel, 00:39:36.179 --> 00:39:38.679 you will hear his voice 00:39:38.679 --> 00:39:41.639 and you will follow him. 00:39:42.639 --> 00:39:44.139 Listen to your good shepherd. 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:47.139 Let's pray. 00:39:52.619 --> 00:39:58.460 Lord, you speak. 00:40:00.159 --> 00:40:01.699 You lead us all the way. 00:40:02.599 --> 00:40:04.319 You lead us in the path of righteousness 00:40:04.319 --> 00:40:05.599 for your name's sake. 00:40:07.699 --> 00:40:09.839 You teach us to walk in your love. 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:14.440 We read in 2 John 1 6 00:40:14.440 --> 00:40:15.719 that this is love, 00:40:15.719 --> 00:40:18.440 that we walk according to your commandments. 00:40:18.440 --> 00:40:21.059 And this is the commandment 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:23.300 that just as we have heard 00:40:23.300 --> 00:40:24.920 from the beginning, 00:40:25.320 --> 00:40:27.980 so we should walk in your truth. 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:31.639 Help us to walk in the truth 00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:32.900 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:40:32.980 --> 00:40:34.059 to obey his commandments 00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:35.220 for his name's sake. 00:40:36.300 --> 00:40:37.240 Lead us, Lord. 00:40:38.340 --> 00:40:39.000 You speak. 00:40:39.720 --> 00:40:40.440 We will listen. 00:40:41.559 --> 00:40:41.840 Amen. 00:40:41.840 --> 00:40:41.960 Amen. 00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:42.000 Amen. 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:42.019 Amen.