Black Sheep

Below are notes from my sermon today at Hesston MB based on John 10:11-21:

Background-

  • In the English language, black sheep is an idiom used to describe an odd or disreputable member of a group, especially within a family. The term stems from the genetic effect in sheep whereby a recessive gene occasionally manifests in the birth of a sheep with black rather than white coloring; these sheep stand out in the flock. The term has typically been given negative implications, implying waywardness (Wikipedia) Have you ever felt like the black sheep?
  • John 10:10-Satan’s Purpose-Steal, Kill, Destroy, God’s Purpose-Abundant Life.
  • I AM-previous sermon- Jesus responds with His identity as fully God, I AM--I Am Statements in John: Bread of Life, Light, Gate, Shepherd, Resurrection & Life, Way/Truth/Life, Vine
 A shepherd’s purpose is to protect, provide, guide. Throughout the Bible, God’s people are compared to sheep).[1]

 (Vs. 11-14a) He is good

  • Vs. 11-Do you believe God is good? When something is repeated in Scripture, we need to pay attention.  Three times in four verses, we are told, He is the Good Shepherd
  • Greek word for good-kalos
    • The word translated “good” means “intrinsically good, beautiful, fair.” It describes that which is the ideal, the model that others may safely imitate. our Lord’s goodness was inherent in His nature. To call Him “good” is the same as calling Him “God”[2]
  • Vs. 12-God does not abandon us as the hired hand does. Joshua 1:5; Deut. 31:6
  • Why is God good? He protects us-Notice that the wolf is not effective as long as someone stays with the sheep (Shepherd or hired hand). Another interesting note is how the wolf “scatters” the sheep.  Satan wants you isolated and hiding.  He does not want you near to Jesus or to the Body of Christ.  Jesus wants a relationship and us to experience community. What is your response when attacked?  Stay or Flee? Hide or be transparent?
  • Vs. 13-He is good because He cares for us.  1 Peter 5:7
(Vs. 14b-16) He knows us

  • Vs. 14-Jesus knows you! He knows you and loves you. How do we know?  He laid down His life for you.
  • Greek “know”- The use of ginōskein (“know”) here is far more than cognitive (factual) knowledge.[3] It speaks of an intimate relationship between God and His people. The Eastern shepherd knows his sheep personally and therefore knows best how to minister to them.[4]
  • He knows all your thoughts, attitudes and He loves you. This should not cause fear, guilt, shame or worry in us. I can remember being told “Jesus knows your thoughts” or “What would Jesus say if he were sitting here next to you as you have this conversation or watch this movie or visit this website.” All of these used fear as motivation to stop a behavior.  I would like to suggest that since Jesus knows all these things and still loves us, his grace towards us motivates us to change internally which affects external.
  • And we can know him. We as a pastoral staff and DMC want to help you know Jesus better. We seek to create opportunities for you to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus.  Will you choose to know Jesus better in 2014?
  • Vs. 16-Part of knowing Jesus is recognizing His voice.  How can we do this? Pastor Jared will share more about this next week. When you know someone well, you immediately recognize their voice.
(Vs. 17-21) He lays down His life

  • Remember if something is repeated in Scripture it is important.  Five times in these 11 verses-we are told Jesus laid down his life (vs. 11, 15, 17, twice in 18)
  • Vs. 17-Why does Jesus lay down His life? Because He loves you. He did not die as a martyr, killed by men; He died as a substitute, willingly laying down His life for us.[5]
  • Vs. 18-Jesus willingly gave us His life.  He was not forced or coerced to do it.
    • Instead, the love of the Father would more likely have led to the Son’s willingness to die for the sheep. Therefore, I would reverse the idea and read the text of 10:17 as, “Because [dia touto] the Father loves me, that is the reason [hoti, therefore] I lay down my life.” The model of the Father provided the model for the Son, which in turn should provide the model for the followers of Jesus[6]
  • Vs. 18-He had authority to lay down and take up his life.
  • Vs. 19-21-Because of Jesus, there was division. Some thought he was demon possessed and others pointed to his miracles. Throughout the book of John we have seen the crowds disagreeing about who Jesus is.  (John 7:43; 9:16).[7]

 Closing: Corporate worship is designed to make you breathe in the nutrients of grace and exhale the joy of gratitude.  (Paul David Tripp). As we close, in silent prayer, thank Jesus for being your shepherd who is good, knows you, and lays down His life for you.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 330). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
 
[3] Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, p. 335). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 330). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 330). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, p. 336). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 331). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

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