The Good Shepherd 

The Great I Am

Our 2025 Text:

2 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV)

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

How do I grow in the knowledge of him who called?

Series Review:

7 I Am’s of John

  • Bread of Life (week one)
  • Light of the World (week two)
  • Door of the Sheep (week three)
  • Good Shepherd (today)

John 10:11-19

 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 

19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.

Question: What did Jesus say that left them divided— to the point they would pick up stones to kill Him?

  • What did they think would be GOOD for them?
  • What did Jesus claim was actually GOOD for them?

What happens when Jesus comes in a way you didn’t expect? Or when he leads you to a GOOD that is different from what you thought would be GOOD?

God didn’t send a superhero to RESCUE US from darkness—He sent a shepherd to LEAD US out of darkness.

Three Simple Truths That Still Divide us today

First truth:

Jesus said He is ABSOLUTELY GOOD

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

“Good” – the absolute moral opposite of evil. 

Here Jesus claimed for himself a role that only God could occupy.

Ezekiel 34:11–15 (ESV)

11 “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness…15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.

But Jesus said something that didn’t make sense. 

Ezekiel said, “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down.”

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

What kind of shepherd lays down for his sheep?  A GOOD one. 

How can he really be GOOD when BAD things happen around me?

“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 (ESV)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Life Lesson: You will walk rough terrain with ragged valleys and rigid peaks, but do not have to walk them alone; you have a GOOD SHEPHERD who leads you through!

Second truth:

JESUS SAID HE FULLY FAITHFUL. 

12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

How Do You Know If You’re Trusting A Hireling?

✅ Do they care for people, or just for their position?

✅ Do they run when things get tough?

✅ Do they lead for personal gain, or for God’s glory?

✅ Are they leading me closer to Jesus or making me rely on them?

✅ Are they invested in my spiritual growth, or just using me?

A GOOD SHEPHERD IS FULLY FAITHFUL AND DEMONSTRATES IT WITH A LAID-DOWN LIFE

7 Benefits Of Following The Good Shepherd

1. Provision (Ps 23:1).

2. Peace (Ps 23:2).

3. A Path (Ps 23:3).

4. Protection (Ps 23:4).

5. Prosperity  (Ps 23:5).

6. Presence (Ps 23:6).

7. Promise (Ps 23:6).

Look back at the terrain you’ve already covered; He can be trusted in the present because he’s proven himself to be fully faithful in the past!

Third truth: 

JESUS SAID, HE IS CLEARLY SPEAKING

“Just tell us plainly if you are the Christ”

26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 

31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jn 10:26–31.

The question is not if He is speaking; the question is am I listening? 

Something new to try… Seek his direction before you make a decision. 

How to H.E.A.R.

  • H – Humble Yourself:
    Start Here!  Begin every day and every decision in prayer.  If I ask after the fact, where is my trust?
  • E – Express The Need
    Communicate your needs and desires with clarity—specific prayers get specific answers!
  • A – Allow Space
    Create a space in your life where you can pause and listen for His gentle whisper. Don’t rush in.
  • R – Respond with Faith:
    Faith = Obedience to His Word
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