“I am the Gate / I am the Good Shepherd”

Apr.5, 2009 Jn.10:1-18    Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (wmv)
●    HARASSED & HELPLESS SHEEP
    ○    Jesus’ compassion for the troubled crowds (Mt 9:36)
    ○    ‘supermom’ hiding problems inside
●    THE GATE TO SAFETY & TRUE SATISFACTION
    ○    dragged down by world’s corruption, ensnarement of sin
    ○    gate offers safety, un-snatchability (9, 28f)
    ○    life abundant ‘beyond measure’ - rich, satisfying (10)
●    RECOGNIZING THE SHEPHERD
    ○    organizing shepherds of G20 nations like ‘herding cats’: big egos
    ○    motive: thief - malicious, hired hand - mercenary, good shepherd - mercy (10f,13)
    ○    method: thief attacks, hired hand abandons, good shepherd advances (Heb 2:10)
    ○    Jesus distressed by Passion ‘cup’ on account of separation from Father, not simply pain (Mk 14:34,36)
    ○    effect: thief/wolf - injury, hired hand - isolation, good shepherd - protection / personal relationship / proliferation (4,14,16,28)
●    WHAT’S A SHEEP TO DO?
    ○    recognize the shepherd’s voice: familiarity, authority (3,5,12,18,30; 9:38)
    ○    follow the leader: sign of ‘healthy’ sheep (4,27)
    ○    may lead to our own cross - lay down life for friends (Lk 9:23; Jn 15:12; Ezek 34:20ff)
●     PREPARED FOR ROUGH ROAD AHEAD
    ○    busy lifestyle but unsettled; faith in God brought peace
    ○    ‘basics of faith’ prepared for transforming family tragedy