THE BLESSING OF BEING SHEEP
INTRODUCTION
Of all the animals God could have chosen to depict us, He choose sheep. Volumes have been, and will be, written about the spiritual significance of sheep. The characteristics that we have that are related to contributions of sheep are legion.
1. Sheep give their lives for others.
There are people in the world who possibly would starve to death if it were not for the sheep as a food source.
The Bible says:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. I John 3:16
And why should we do this?
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
Because Jesus set the example
… I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:15
2. Sheep give shelter and clothing to others by voluntarily giving their wool
a. Tents around the world are made of wool
b. Wool is a major source of material for clothing
Observe all the Christian organizations around the world that shelter, clothe and provide hospitals for the needy. The drug dealers don’t do this. No liquor company does this. (Is there any hospital named after a beer company?) No atheists have ever started a chain of hospitals. The same for the first colleges in this country.
It has been said that without the care and concern of God’s people in this present evil world, misery would be so multiplied. Furthermore, because we are God’s sheep, we are so blessed.
THEME: BECAUSE WE ARE GOD’S SHEEP:
I. WE HAVE A SECURE PAST
NOTE: The record of God’s shepherding in the past is a promise of what He will do today and in the future
A. There Was A Great Satisfaction In The Jewish People In Being God’s Special Flock
1. God was called the “Shepherd of Israel”
NOTE: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock … Psalm 80:1
2. Israel was called the “sheep of His pasture”
NOTE: Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3
B. Sheep Have Never Been Able To Survive On Their Own
1. Sheep have always, since Noah, had to have shepherds to look after them
a. Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Psalm 77:20
b. But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. Psalm 78:52
2. When God called David to become Israel’s king, He chose an experienced shepherd
NOTE: What He did not choose
a. An experienced king
b. An experienced administrator
c. An experienced general
d. An experienced politician
NOTE: He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Psalm 78:70-72
C. When The Nation Of Israel Was In Spiritual Decline The Prophet Micaiah Saw … all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd I Kings 22:17
D. Jesus Gives Us The Role Model Of What To Do With Wandering Sheep
1. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34
2. Israel saw God as their Shepherd and their leaders as “under – shepherds” who received authority from God to care for the flock
3. There was special judgment on those who were not faithful shepherds
NOTE: Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Jeremiah 23:1
4. The fate of those sheep without a shepherd
NOTE: And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. Ezekiel 34:5
5. Even a Persian king, Cyrus, did God call His shepherd
NOTE: That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure … Isaiah 44:28
6. The people of God in the Old Testament disobeyed God
NOTE: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way … Isaiah 53:6
E. Jesus Came In Order To Be Our Good Shepherd
1. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Matthew 2:6
2. The world ‘rule’ is the word pertaining to shepherds feeding the flock
T.S. BECAUSE WE ARE GOD’S SHEEP:
I. WE HAVE A SECURE PAST
II. WE HAVE A SECURE FLOCK
A. Because God Cares For His Flock
1. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
2. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:11-14
B. Because God Compares His People (Us) To Sheep
1. Sheep are among the ‘clean’ animals of the earth according to the Mosaic Law
a. Clean animals are acceptable to be used for God
b. Among the unclean animals of the Bible are dogs and pigs
NOTE: But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. II Peter 2:22
2. ‘Church members’ (not saved) are considered unclean
a. They depart from the pure things of God
b. They are entangled in the pollutions of the world in a worse condition than before they tried ‘church’
NOTE: For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. II Peter 2:20-21
NOTE: Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Luke 11:26
C. The Nature Of A Creature (And A Person) Determines Its ( His / Her) Appetites
1. Sheep prefer
a. Green pastures
b. Still waters
2. They desire the pasture, not the garbage dump
NOTE: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. II Timothy 2:19
D. Sheep Know Their Shepherd
1. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:14
2. The Eastern shepherd
a. Has an intimate relationship with his sheep
b. He knows their names
1) … the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. John 10:3
2) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: John 10:27
3) And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. John 10:3
E. Sheep Desperately Need A Shepherd
1. Sheep are defenseless animals
a. Sheep are easily frightened
b. Sheep are quickly led astray
c. Sheep need someone to guide them or they will get into trouble
NOTE: For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. I Peter 2:25
F. God Has Given Pastors To The Local Church
1. The English word ‘pastor’ comes from shepherd
2. Other Biblical terms
a. Elder
b. Bishop
c. Overseer
3. The pastor holds a responsible position
a. Before God
b. Before the people
4. His ministry is not to be taken lightly
a. It is not a job for a novice
b. It is not a job for one who does not possess the qualifications given in Scripture
5. The sheep should follow him as long as:
a. He obeys the Word
b. He follows the Lord Jesus Christ
NOTE: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. I Corinthians 11:1
G. Sheep Are Useful Animals
1. In Bible times, the shepherd did not keep his flock in order to slaughter them
a. Meat was a luxury to the Jews
b. He wanted his sheep alive
c. He profited from their wool
d. He profited from their ability to produce more sheep
e. Sheep were protected as part of the family wealth
f. The loss of a lamb was a costly thing to a family
NOTE: If all we do is enjoy the ‘green pastures’ and ‘still waters’ and do nothing to serve Him, then we are indeed selfish and useless
a. We are to produce for Him
b. We are to reproduce for Him
2. Sheep flock together
a. It is the nature of sheep to want to be with the flock
b. It is the nature of believers to want to be with one another
c. The New Testament knows nothing of isolated Christian living
3. The isolated sheep
a. Is in danger
b. Is dangerous because he could lead other sheep astray
T.S. BECAUSE WE ARE GOD’S SHEEP:
I. WE HAVE A SECURE PAST
II. WE HAVE A SECURE FLOCK
III. WE HAVE THE SECURITY OF THE BEST SHEPHERD
A. Jesus Is The Good Shepherd
1. In this role He died for the sheep
NOTE: … I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:15
2. When Jesus called Himself shepherd, He identified Himself with a group of men who were, for the most part, rejected in the society of that day
a. Shepherds were classified with thieves
b. Pious Jews would not do business with shepherds
c. Judges would not ask shepherds to give testimony in court
3. “Good” Shepherd
a. The word good carries with it the idea of:
1) Beautiful
2) Blameless
3) Noble
b. In the Old Testament and Old Covenant the sheep died for the shepherd in the Tabernacle and Temple
c. In the New Testament and New Covenant the shepherd died for the sheep
B. Can We, As God’s Sheep, Ever Wander Away And Be Lost?
1. Not when Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd
2. When we become His sheep we receive eternal life
3. We are saved by grace
4. If we can’t be saved by our good works, then how can we be lost by our bad works?
5. We are given the promise that we shall never perish
NOTE: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
John 10:28-29
B. The Great Shepherd
1. As the Great Shepherd our Lord finished the work of redemption
2. On the cross He purchased His people
NOTE: When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30
3. He reigns from a throne of Grace, not judgment
a. He seeks to work in us and through us to accomplish His perfect will
b. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:21
NOTE: Make you perfect
a. To soldiers – to equip an army
b. To sailors – to outfit a ship for a voyage
c. To a medical doctor – to set a broken bone
d. To a fisherman – to mend the nets
4. Our Good Shepherd wants to do things in our lives
a. He wants to equip us to fight the good fight of faith
b. He wants to outfit us for the voyage of life
c. He wants to set the bones broken by sin in our spiritual lives
d. He wants to mend us so we can be effective fishers of men
5. The purpose of the perfecting ministry is service to Him
NOTE: The contrasts
a. The Good Shepherd died for the sheep
b. The Great Shepherd lives for the sheep
C. The Chief Shepherd
NOTE: And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. I Peter 5:4
1. One day the Chief Shepherd will come again
a. He will gather all His sheep
b. He will take all His sheep to heaven
NOTE: For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 17:7
2. What is our relationship to the Chief Shepherd?
a. We must keep alert to the voice of the Shepherd as He speaks to us in His Word
1) In the Word we can discover His leading
2) In the Word we obey what He reveals to us
b. We must stay close to the Shepherd
1) No matter where He may lead us
2) He may guide us to comfortable green pastures and refreshing quiet waters
3) He may guide us into the dark valleys of life
4) Once we take our eyes of faith off the shepherd, we will start to wander away
NOTE: Someone has said: “Obstacles are those nasty things you see when you take your eyes off the Lord”
c. If we do stray – We must cry out for the Shepherd’s help and trust Him to restore us
d. We must be a part of the Lord’s flock
1) No flock is perfect
2) Each flock is important
3) Solitary sheep are always in danger, no matter how experienced they think they are
NOTE: Most people would not want to live where there are no churches, but many of them live as though there were no churches Vance Havner
4) It is the nature of sheep to flock together
e. We must be useful to the Shepherd
1) Each believer is called to minister the spiritual gifts that God has given him or her
2) As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. I Peter 4:10
3) When we follow the Shepherd, we automatically get closer to the other sheep who are following Him
CONCLUSION
BECAUSE WE ARE GOD’S SHEEP:
I. WE HAVE A SECURE PAST
II. WE HAVE A SECURE FLOCK
III. WE HAVE THE SECURITY OF THE BEST SHEPHERD
Sermon Outlines 