The Good Shepherd: A Review of Mark Harris’s Sermon on John 10

[00:05:48] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
and Salvation.
[00:06:18] of the Holy Spirit
[00:08:08] Let's pray.
[00:09:05] Let's pray.
[00:09:44] Let us pray.

[00:11:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
On the far away strand Tis a beautiful home of the soul Built by Jesus on high There we never shall die Tis the land where we
[00:11:38] In a land where we'll never grow old In a land where we'll never grow old In that beautiful home where we'll never grow old
[00:12:07] We shall be in the sweet by and by Happy praise to the King Through eternity sing Tis a land where we never shall die Never grow old We'll never grow old
[00:12:47] In the land where we stand
[00:12:57] The work here is done, and the life from it is won, and our troubles and trials are won.
[00:13:09] And our sorrow will end, and our voices will blend with the loved ones who've gone on before.
[00:13:28] We'll never grow old in a land where we'll never grow old.
[00:13:37] Never grow old.
[00:13:40] We'll never grow old in a land where
[00:13:54] In a land where we'll never grow old In a land where we'll never grow old Never grow old In a land where we'll never grow old

[00:14:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, amen and amen.
[00:14:29] Thank you Men's Quartet for blessing us this morning and reminding us all how we look forward to that day and that land where we will spend eternity with the Lord, never to grow old.
[00:14:41] And we are excited that you're here this morning.
[00:14:44] You look great this morning.
[00:14:45] It's good to see each of you here in this place as we've gathered here at Trinity Baptist just to worship and to lift up.
[00:14:51] and magnify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we welcome you here as we gather for worship just to magnify and glorify his name if you're visiting with us this morning we want to bid you a warm welcome in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the Trinity Baptist family in fact our deacons have some gift bags that they would love to share with those of you who are visiting with us this morning some information in there that we want you to take home and it'll remind you of your visit here at Trinity but there's a guest card in there as well and we want you to take a moment
[00:15:21] Fill that out placed in the offering plate a little bit later in the service when it comes by so if you are visiting with us this morning if you'll lift your hand about like this as they make their way down the aisle give them a moment to pass this to you and again we're grateful to have you joining in worship with us and if you'll take a moment to fill out that card and drop it in the offering plate that will be wonderful
[00:15:43] If you're with us via livestream this morning, we want to welcome you into the sanctuary here at Trinity Baptist in Mooresville on Irvin Road.
[00:15:51] And we're thankful that you've chosen to be a part of what God's doing here in this hour as we lift up and magnify the name of Jesus.
[00:15:59] And we want to just invite you to participate in every aspect of this service this morning.
[00:16:04] So when we're singing here in the sanctuary, we invite you to sing along with us.
[00:16:08] When we go to God's Word in just a few minutes, we hope that you will open up God's Word and follow along with us as well.
[00:16:15] We're in the Gospel of John, and we'll be continuing our study there this morning, going to the 10th chapter in just a few minutes.
[00:16:22] And we're again grateful that you've chosen to be a part of what the Lord is doing here in our midst this morning.
[00:16:29] Well, let's go to the Lord in prayer as we begin our service here today.
[00:16:33] Father, we do just pause right now, grateful for who you are.
[00:16:39] We're grateful for the many, many ways that each and every day your presence changes everything.
[00:16:48] Father, we're thankful that you've led us into this place this morning.
[00:16:53] We believe that none of us are here by accident, but Father, we're truly here by divine appointment, and you brought us here because you want to not only engage us as we lift up our voices and praise you, but Father,
[00:17:08] We believe you want to speak to us and we ask you to speak to us this morning through your word.
[00:17:14] Let your word just penetrate our hearts.
[00:17:17] Father, let us just hear and hang on the truths that you want to implore to each of us this morning.
[00:17:26] Father, there are various needs that are represented all over this sanctuary and we know that you are the one who will meet those needs as you guide us, as you direct us, as you show us the plans and the purposes that you have for each of us here even this morning.
[00:17:45] We thank you that your word promises us that you'll never leave us nor forsake us.
[00:17:50] You tell us even in the 23rd Psalm that though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
[00:17:56] Father we have no need to fear you're right here with us you're comforting us strengthening us guiding us and directing us and so Lord may we just surrender ourselves to you now we ask that you block out any kind of distraction that would keep us from focusing on you and focusing on who you are and focusing on what you want to tell us today about who you are
[00:18:23] How we might be thoroughly equipped when we walk out of these doors in a little while to be able to share with a lost and dying world about a Savior whose name is Jesus.
[00:18:36] Father, do what only you can do in this very hour.
[00:18:40] For we lift this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus and all God's people said,
[00:18:46] Amen well listen if you have children with you this morning from preschool through third grade we want to invite them to participate in children's church this morning so in a moment when we stand to greet one another we invite the children to make their way to the front to my right and your left they'll met there by Miss Terry and she will get them to children's church this morning
[00:19:06] Let's all stand to your feet if you will, turn around and shake a few hands, hug a few necks, make each other welcome here in the house of the Lord as we just worship Him today in spirit and in truth.

[00:20:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
The assurance Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of glory divine, Heir of salvation, Purchase of God.
[00:20:29] This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
[00:20:55] This is my story, this is my song,
[00:21:00] Visions of rapture, the first of my sight, Angels descending from above, Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
[00:21:22] This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior,
[00:21:26] This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
[00:21:38] Perfect submission, all is at rest I in my Savior am happy and blest Watching and waiting, looking above Filled with His goodness, lost in His love This is my story, this is my song Praising my Savior
[00:22:08] This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
[00:22:24] See, on the hill of Calvary My Savior bled for me My Jesus set me free Look at the wounds that give me life Grace flowing from His side No greater sacrifice
[00:22:52] What he's done, what he's done All the glory and the honor to the Son My sins are forgiven, my future is heaven I praise God for what he's done
[00:23:25] Sing for the freedom He has won Even death is dead and done His life has overcome Speak, say the name above all names Over every broken place He is risen from the grave For He's done
[00:23:55] All the glory and the honor to the Son My sins are forgiven, my picture is heaven I praise God for what He's done
[00:24:26] Now, on a throne of majesty, the fathers will compete.
[00:24:38] He reigns in victory.
[00:24:40] Sing hallelujah to the King.
[00:24:46] He is worthy to receive all the worship He can bring.
[00:24:53] What he's done, what he's done All the glory and the honor to the Son My sins are forgiven, my future is heaven
[00:25:15] All the glory and the honor to the Son My sins are forgiven
[00:25:39] A future is heaven!
[00:25:55] A praise God for what He's done!

[00:26:01] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
A praise God for what He's done!

[00:26:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
I hear the Savior say Thy strength indeed is small Child of weakness watch and pray Find in me thine all in all
[00:26:45] and Reconciliation, Reconciliation and Reconciliation and Reconciliation and Reconciliation and Reconciliation and Reconciliation
[00:27:12] Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
[00:27:25] Sin had left the Prince at stake.
[00:27:39] I'll wash my garments white In the blood of Calvary's Lamb Jesus paid it all All to Him I owe Sin and hurt the crimson stain He washed
[00:28:13] Jesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat.
[00:28:37] Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
[00:28:42] The Holy Spirit had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
[00:28:55] All to Him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow

[00:29:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Well, good morning, church.
[00:29:30] This is the time in our service when we gather our tithes and offerings.
[00:29:34] And if you're watching online and you'd like to participate, you may do so at TrinityBaptist.com.
[00:29:40] Now let us pray.
[00:29:41] Lord Jesus, our Savior, you call us by name and lead us into life.
[00:29:51] You don't abandon the flock, but lay down your life that we might live abundantly.
[00:29:58] As we bring these gifts, we remember that all we have is Yours, and all we give is in response to Your voice.
[00:30:06] Receive these offerings, Lord, not as payment but as praise.
[00:30:11] Use them to gather the scattered, to heal the wounded, to strengthen the weary, and to guide Your people in paths of righteousness.
[00:30:20] May this act of giving be a declaration that we belong to You, and that Your voice is the one we trust,
[00:30:28] For it's in the name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
[00:30:31] Amen.

[00:30:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
When I fear my faith will fail

[00:31:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
He will hold me fast Where the tempter would prevail He will hold me fast I could never keep my hope Through my terrible path For my love is often cold He must hold me fast
[00:31:31] He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast For my Saviour loves me so He will hold me fast
[00:32:11] He will hold me fast.
[00:32:37] He will not let my soul be lost.
[00:32:38] His promises shall last.
[00:32:38] On my human search and coast, He will hold me fast.
[00:32:40] He will hold me fast.
[00:32:40] He will hold me fast.

[00:32:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
For my life he bled and died, Christ will hold me fast.

[00:33:10] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Justice has been satisfied, he will hold me fast.
[00:33:47] We will all be glad

[00:34:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
He will hold me fast.

[00:34:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Thank you choir for blessing our hearts this morning and indeed we have a Savior who will hold us and carry us through the many challenges we face in this life will walk through us or with us through anything that we face and what a great great promise that we have
[00:34:57] in God's very Word.
[00:34:59] Well, turn in your Bibles, if you will, to the Gospel of John, the 10th chapter.
[00:35:03] John chapter 10, as we come this morning to look at a passage that really, in John's Gospel, I'm convinced that one of the main things we see here is we are given some of the most beautiful pictures of Jesus Christ and who He really is.
[00:35:23] I'm talking about pictures that help us understand
[00:35:27] who he is that's what we've seen early in these first nine chapters and even coming to chapter 10 pictures that help us understand the love that he has for us and really pictures that help us understand the sacrifice that ultimately he makes for us
[00:35:45] But I think when you look at all of the different pictures that are drawn for us in John's Gospel, probably the most descriptive picture of all is what we find right here in the 10th chapter.
[00:36:00] And that is the relationship of a shepherd
[00:36:05] With His Sheep.
[00:36:08] And that's really the focal point of the 10th chapter because as you study the Bible, you constantly find that we have a Heavenly Father who is a wonderful shepherd and has an infinite love for His sheep.
[00:36:24] In fact, I realize that the idea of a sheep and a shepherd is not real common in our day.
[00:36:32] I mean, we live in a different society.
[00:36:34] I noticed on my way to church this morning I didn't see a single shepherd or a single flock of sheep as I came down Brawley School Road whatsoever.
[00:36:42] And so I realize it's a different day, but the reason that you and I find this illustration or this comparison made all throughout Scripture is because it was very
[00:36:54] In fact, if you go to Israel, even today, you still see in parts of Israel shepherds tending their flock.
[00:37:12] So listen to me carefully as we get ready to read this passage together.
[00:37:17] You and I are like sheep.
[00:37:22] and every sheep needs a shepherd.
[00:37:28] Don't miss that.
[00:37:29] You and I are like sheep and every sheep needs a shepherd.
[00:37:39] Stand if you will in honor of the reading of the Word of God.
[00:37:42] I want us to pick up in verse 1 of John's Gospel, the 10th chapter.
[00:37:48] Jesus is speaking here and he said most assuredly excuse me I say to you he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way the same as a thief and a robber but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep
[00:38:08] To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
[00:38:18] And when he brings them, or brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
[00:38:27] Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
[00:38:36] Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which he spoke to them.
[00:38:43] Then Jesus said to them again, Most assuredly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
[00:38:51] Whoever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
[00:38:57] I am the door.
[00:38:59] If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
[00:39:05] The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and destroy.
[00:39:11] I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.
[00:39:17] I am the good shepherd the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep but a hireling he who is not the shepherd one who does not own the sheep sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them the hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep
[00:39:45] I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and am known by my own.
[00:39:52] As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.
[00:39:59] And other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
[00:40:11] Therefore, my Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may take it again.
[00:40:16] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself.
[00:40:22] I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.
[00:40:27] This command I have received from my Father.
[00:40:34] Lord, I just pray in these next few moments you would just let your Word speak.
[00:40:42] Lord, let Your Word speak directly into our lives that we may be found faithful, that we might understand and gain understanding this morning from these words that Jesus spoke more than 2,000 years ago.
[00:40:58] Father, I just ask You to guide our thoughts now.
[00:41:02] Everything that we say, everything that we do, Lord, let Your Spirit lead in this moment and in this place.
[00:41:11] And I pray personally that you let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.
[00:41:18] In Jesus' name I pray.
[00:41:20] Amen.
[00:41:21] You may be seated.
[00:41:23] Probably the greatest thing about the figure of the shepherd, the Bible says, is that Jehovah God, our eternal God Himself, is also a shepherd.
[00:41:38] In fact, the great 23rd Psalm composed by David actually leads us to that when that boy shepherd wrote, the Lord is my shepherd.
[00:41:50] How many of you have ever heard of the 23rd Psalm?
[00:41:52] Raise your hand.
[00:41:54] Sure you have.
[00:41:55] And in fact, there's three very significant times in Scripture that you find that title of the shepherd being directly appointed to Jesus.
[00:42:07] One of them is right here in verse 11 that we just saw when Jesus again said, I am the good shepherd.
[00:42:15] In Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 20 it says, And now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, the Lord Jesus.
[00:42:28] And then in 1 Peter chapter 5 and verse 4 the Bible says, And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory.
[00:42:39] And ladies and gentlemen, that is the Jesus that I want to take a few minutes today as we walk through this 10th chapter and really focus on and share with you.
[00:42:50] This is the Jesus that I want to bring before you this very morning.
[00:42:54] But I want to start with a question.
[00:42:56] I want to ask you this morning is this, do you, do you have a shepherd this morning?
[00:43:09] Do you really have a personal shepherd in your life?
[00:43:16] Because listen, every sheep does need a shepherd.
[00:43:22] You know why I make that statement?
[00:43:25] Because every sinner needs a savior.
[00:43:30] Don't miss that.
[00:43:32] Every sheep needs a shepherd.
[00:43:35] Because every sinner needs a Savior.
[00:43:40] Wouldn't it be awesome to know that you have a real shepherd to lead you through the wilderness of this world?
[00:43:47] A shepherd to lead you through the decisions that you make.
[00:43:50] A shepherd to lead you through the things that you face and the barricades and the challenges you come upon.
[00:43:59] Well I want you for the next few minutes this morning just to take the time to discover the shepherd that we have which is described so beautifully right here in the 10th chapter of John's Gospel.
[00:44:16] Now I want you to start here this morning if you're a note taker and jot several things down with me and I want you to leave here this morning being able to say wow what a shepherd
[00:44:28] We have before us.
[00:44:31] And number one, Jesus wants to bring home to these folks he was speaking to and that I want to bring home to you is that Jesus is the real shepherd.
[00:44:45] That's the first thing I want you to jot down.
[00:44:47] Jesus Christ is the real shepherd.
[00:44:51] Now the first ten verses to be honest with you are not real clear unless you understand the background from which Jesus is drawing.
[00:45:00] So let me help you kind of draw a picture this morning if you will.
[00:45:05] In the villages in those days there was what became known as a common sheepfold.
[00:45:11] It was sort of a gathering place where more than one shepherd would come and he would keep his sheep for the night.
[00:45:20] This is how it would work.
[00:45:22] Shepherd would come in around dark.
[00:45:24] They would come to the actual door.
[00:45:27] There would be a doorkeeper there, standing there, and the shepherd would lead the flock in into that sheepfold for the night.
[00:45:36] And the next morning, the shepherd would come back and he would lead them out of the fold.
[00:45:44] To cut through a lot of detail that I really don't have time to dive into this morning, let me just say that when Jesus talks here in these opening ten verses about the sheepfold, He's talking about Judaism.
[00:46:00] He's talking about the religion of the people in the day in which he came.
[00:46:06] And he is attempting, bottom line, to get us to see in these opening verses that he is the real shepherd.
[00:46:17] He is the genuine shepherd.
[00:46:20] He is the real thing.
[00:46:21] He is the predicted shepherd of the prophets.
[00:46:29] In other words, he's trying to say to them, I'm the one the Old Testament promised would come.
[00:46:38] I am the one who the religious leaders are actually looking for.
[00:46:44] I am the true shepherd.
[00:46:47] You say, but Mark, how in the world would they have known that he really was the one they were looking for?
[00:46:55] How would they know for sure?
[00:46:58] Well, Jesus sort of lays out here a couple of reasons why they should know that he's the one.
[00:47:06] Now, for one reason is because he entered the proper way.
[00:47:14] He entered the proper way.
[00:47:17] You see, before the time of Jesus on this earth, during the time of Jesus on this earth, and yes, after the time of Jesus on this earth, there have always been people who claimed that they were the Messiah.
[00:47:35] But Jesus now presents them as thieves and robbers.
[00:47:43] that are trying to come in some other way.
[00:47:47] They try to come in illegitimately.
[00:47:52] And they try and they claim to be Messiah.
[00:47:55] But Jesus is making it clear He came exactly as the Word of God had said the Messiah was to come.
[00:48:06] You say, what do you mean?
[00:48:08] Well, He was appointed by the Father, number one.
[00:48:12] He came at the right time.
[00:48:14] He came to the right country.
[00:48:17] He came to the right place.
[00:48:21] And He did the right things.
[00:48:27] In other words, this is why He keeps stressing entering at the door.
[00:48:37] They should have known that He was for sure the One.
[00:48:42] because He had entered this earth the proper way.
[00:48:51] But they should also know that He is the actual Messiah because He was accepted.
[00:49:02] You say, what do you mean He was accepted?
[00:49:03] Go back and look at verse 3.
[00:49:05] When he says in verse 3, to him the doorkeeper opens and the sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
[00:49:22] Underline that phrase, the sheep hear his voice.
[00:49:27] Ladies and gentlemen, when Jesus Christ came, the sheep heard his voice.
[00:49:33] They recognized He was the Shepherd.
[00:49:36] In fact, in Mark's Gospel, the 12th chapter in verse 37, it says that when Jesus spoke what?
[00:49:43] The Bible says in Mark 12, 37, the common people heard Him gladly.
[00:49:51] Aren't you glad of that?
[00:49:54] Aren't you glad that when Jesus came, he appealed to everyday, down-to-earth people just like you, just like me?
[00:50:03] In fact, the Bible says when he spoke that they were astonished, for he spoke as one with authority, not like the scribes and the Pharisees spoke.
[00:50:15] He was different.
[00:50:18] And the common people heard him gladly.
[00:50:22] You remember the blind guy that we talked about last week in John chapter 9?
[00:50:27] And remember Jesus touched him, touched his eyes, healed him.
[00:50:31] He went and washed in the pool of Siloam as Jesus commanded and he was able to see.
[00:50:36] And you remember the religious leaders got all bent out of shape and they were coming and they were pressing him with question after question.
[00:50:44] And finally that old boy said, look, you're supposed to be the religious leaders.
[00:50:49] You ought to know the answers to this.
[00:50:52] but all I know is this I was blind and now I see bottom line you should have these answers but I was blind but now I see and you remember what they did to him remember he kicked him out of the synagogue and said you don't belong here anymore
[00:51:21] But see they only thought they were kicking him out of the synagogue.
[00:51:27] What actually was happening is Jesus was leading him out of the synagogue.
[00:51:34] And Jesus led him out.
[00:51:37] That's what verse 3 is talking about.
[00:51:39] They hear my voice.
[00:51:42] They hear my voice.
[00:51:46] They hear my voice.
[00:51:51] He calls.
[00:51:53] And that's what we saw happen with the blind man.
[00:51:57] Well listen, I want you to know that's exactly what Jesus came to do.
[00:52:05] There's some of you that are hearing me this morning, and it's what you're desperately in need of.
[00:52:12] Because there's some folks under the sound of my voice this morning that honestly, all you've got is religion.
[00:52:20] Honestly, what you really need is a personal relationship.
[00:52:25] What you really need is a shepherd that's going to lead you through the challenges you face in this life.
[00:52:33] What you need is a shepherd that's going to carry you when you're hurt and when you're down.
[00:52:37] What you need is the real shepherd.
[00:52:41] And Jesus says, I am the real shepherd.
[00:52:47] Now as you move on down, look at verse 7, the picture changes.
[00:52:53] We're no longer in a village where there's a common sheepfold in verse 7.
[00:52:58] Look what it says.
[00:52:59] Then Jesus said to them again, Most assuredly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
[00:53:06] Now he's changing the picture.
[00:53:08] You're no longer in the village.
[00:53:09] You no longer have the, I don't know, I call it sort of a sheep's Hampton Inn that's right there where all the sheep gather in.
[00:53:17] But now the picture changes in verse 7 and you're kind of out in a more rural setting.
[00:53:23] You're now out in the fields where along the way at different places they've constructed very simple enclaves if you will made mostly out of rough stone and and there were there was no roof on these uh stone structures and there were no doors in terms of having hinges and and latches there were just openings if you will
[00:53:49] And that's the setting for the second thing Jesus wants to make clear.
[00:53:55] Not only is he the real shepherd, but he's also the rescuing shepherd.
[00:54:01] You say, what do you mean the rescuing shepherd?
[00:54:04] Well, I want you to recognize here that
[00:54:09] If you look at it carefully beginning in verse 7, underline this phrase.
[00:54:14] Jesus said to them, most assuredly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
[00:54:20] And go down to verse 9 and look what it says.
[00:54:24] I am the door.
[00:54:26] If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.
[00:54:29] Will you underline that phrase, I am the door?
[00:54:34] See, out there in the open fields, in those enclaves, I explained a moment ago, they didn't have doors.
[00:54:44] And in the evening, when the shepherd would get in one of these enclaves and he would put his sheep down there in one of the corners of the enclave, you know what he would do?
[00:54:57] He would go and he would lay down at the entrance
[00:55:03] to that little enclave you say well why did he do that well he would lay down so that literally the shepherd became the door now you know what that meant no wolf could get in and no sheep could get out unless what they had to go through the shepherd
[00:55:31] The wolf had to go through the shepherd to get in there to destroy the sheep, and the sheep had to go through the shepherd even to get out.
[00:55:40] And I hope you're beginning to see the picture by now, because this is one of the Bible's clearest pictures of what it means to be saved, what it means to be born again.
[00:55:54] Because some of you may say,
[00:55:57] I really want to be saved, but I just don't think that I know enough.
[00:56:03] Well, how much do you think you have to know?
[00:56:05] You say, well, Mark, I really want to be saved, but I don't know all the books of the Bible.
[00:56:10] You don't have to know all the books of the Bible in order to be saved.
[00:56:15] Friend, all you need to know to be saved is that you are out and you want to go in.
[00:56:24] That's really what you need to know.
[00:56:27] I mean, listen, let me ask you a question this morning.
[00:56:29] How many, when you think about it, how many of you came into this building this morning?
[00:56:36] Would you just raise your hand?
[00:56:39] That's not a trick question.
[00:56:40] I'm just asking for a show of hands.
[00:56:43] How many of you came into the building this morning?
[00:56:45] I got you.
[00:56:45] All right.
[00:56:46] Now, how did you come in?
[00:56:49] Let's all say it together.
[00:56:50] You came through what?
[00:56:53] A door.
[00:56:54] So the reason that you get in the door this morning is because of why you came through that door.
[00:57:05] And if you stop and think about it, did anybody here struggle to get in the door?
[00:57:18] I mean listen, I stood out there this morning in the lobby for about 20-25 minutes and I saw many of you come through the door.
[00:57:26] David or Craig or somebody was opening the door for you as you came through and you came right through that door.
[00:57:32] I didn't see a single soul that said, oh, this is so hard for me to get through this door.
[00:57:38] I didn't hear a soul that said, it was so complicated for me to figure out how to come through that door.
[00:57:45] I didn't hear anybody say, I'm just not sure that I can go through that door.
[00:57:54] Every one of you came into this building and you came very clearly and simply through the door.
[00:58:06] Why?
[00:58:10] Because you made a decision that you wanted to come in.
[00:58:17] And I am saying to you this morning, if you want to be saved,
[00:58:25] You've got to simply come to Jesus.
[00:58:32] You have to make a decision to come through the door.
[00:58:40] He says, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
[00:58:44] No man cometh unto the Father except through me, by me.
[00:58:54] That's what he's saying here in John 10.
[00:58:57] I am the door.
[00:59:00] As a rescuing shepherd, he saves the sheep.
[00:59:06] He saves the sheep.
[00:59:09] But not only does he save the sheep, he satisfies the sheep.
[00:59:15] I call him the rescuing shepherd because he not only saves but he satisfies.
[00:59:20] Go back and look at verse 9 and then verse 10.
[00:59:23] He says, I'm the door.
[00:59:25] If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
[00:59:32] The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy.
[00:59:38] I have come that they might have life.
[00:59:42] and that they may have it more abundantly.
[00:59:48] Listen, if you really want to know what it means to be a happy or satisfied sheep, you just have to come to the shepherd.
[01:00:08] I love what he says in that part of verse 9 where he says that the sheep go in and out.
[01:00:18] Will you underline that for a moment?
[01:00:21] You know why that's so important?
[01:00:24] Because that means that the shepherd satisfies you with perfect freedom.
[01:00:32] Don't miss that.
[01:00:35] The shepherd satisfies his sheep
[01:00:39] With perfect freedom.
[01:00:42] You say, what do you mean, Mark?
[01:00:44] Well, I mean, listen, you hear the cry of our society, don't you?
[01:00:48] I want my freedom.
[01:00:50] Man, I do my own thing.
[01:00:53] Listen, I'm free.
[01:00:57] Well, there's a lot of you in this room today who had that attitude that I want to do my own thing.
[01:01:06] I want my freedom.
[01:01:08] And you started out doing that.
[01:01:11] And you know what?
[01:01:13] You started out doing your own thing.
[01:01:17] And where's it gotten you?
[01:01:20] Your own thing started doing you.
[01:01:24] That's where it gets you.
[01:01:27] I'm going to do my own thing.
[01:01:28] I'm going to declare my freedom.
[01:01:34] And sooner or later, your own thing's doing you.
[01:01:41] Anybody been there?
[01:01:46] Let me tell you something.
[01:01:48] Some of you learned it the hard way.
[01:01:51] There is no freedom in sin.
[01:01:57] There just isn't.
[01:01:59] I meet folks weekly who are caught, who are bound by the shackles of sin.
[01:02:09] And Jesus is saying right here that you can be a slave to your sin or you can meet up with a rescuing shepherd and go in and out in real freedom.
[01:02:24] Well, what is real freedom?
[01:02:26] Real freedom means that you are free to be who God created you to be.
[01:02:33] That's real freedom.
[01:02:36] And until you discover that,
[01:02:39] You think you're free but you're actually a slave.
[01:02:43] You think you're free but you're actually in bondage.
[01:02:46] Until you discover that real freedom is the freedom to be the man or the woman that God created you to be and want you to be, you've never really tasted real freedom.
[01:03:00] That's why he says in verse 10, I'm come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.
[01:03:09] Listen, when you have a shepherd like this, you really begin to experience real life the way God intended it, sometimes for the first time.
[01:03:29] He saves the sheep.
[01:03:32] He is the door.
[01:03:33] He satisfies the sheep because they can go in and out in real freedom.
[01:03:41] But you know what else?
[01:03:43] He secures the sheep.
[01:03:46] Look at verse 12 while we're looking.
[01:03:50] He says, go back to verse 11, I'm the good shepherd, the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
[01:03:55] Verse 12 says, but a hireling
[01:03:58] He who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees.
[01:04:11] What's he talking about?
[01:04:13] He's talking about the difference between a hireling and a true rescuing shepherd.
[01:04:19] You know what a hireling was?
[01:04:22] Somebody that tended the sheep for money.
[01:04:26] and that's why Jesus says the hireling sees the wolf coming and flees and the wolves come and the wolves scatter the sheep and by the way if you're lost this morning if you've never really come to know Christ you may have a form of godliness but like the power found that God wants to really give you that the reality is this morning that you don't have a shepherd you have a hireling
[01:04:57] And the hireling, his name is the devil.
[01:05:04] And see, he doesn't care one thing about you, period.
[01:05:12] There's not one thing that the devil cares about you.
[01:05:15] In fact, he's already made it clear that the devil's only interested in stealing, killing,
[01:05:26] and Destroying.
[01:05:31] And all of us can look around and we see plenty of lives that have been marked by kill, steal, and destroy.
[01:05:49] And what Jesus is saying, I'm the rescuing shepherd.
[01:05:57] And one thing you can count on, I will never run out on you.
[01:06:08] He never has.
[01:06:11] I mean, I'll testify to that today.
[01:06:14] Many of you would testify to that today.
[01:06:17] And when Jesus said, I'll never leave you nor forsake you, He means business.
[01:06:24] When you're at your weakest point, He said He'd be your strength.
[01:06:29] He said, even when you walk through the valleys, even the shadows of death, I'm going to be right there with you.
[01:06:38] Jesus is making it clear He will never, ever run out on you.
[01:06:48] I mean, here we are.
[01:06:49] Wounded sheep.
[01:06:53] Here we are, crippled sheep.
[01:06:56] Here we are, limping sheep.
[01:07:00] Jesus wants you to understand this morning, He's not a hireling.
[01:07:06] No.
[01:07:11] He's the rescuing shepherd.
[01:07:14] And He will be with you every step of the way.
[01:07:19] Whatever it is you're facing this morning, whatever it is you're going through, that's the shepherd that we have in this Jesus.
[01:07:31] He's the real shepherd.
[01:07:32] He's the rescuing shepherd.
[01:07:35] And one last thing.
[01:07:37] He's also the resurrection shepherd.
[01:07:41] You say, what do you mean the resurrection shepherd?
[01:07:43] Well, look down at verse 15.
[01:07:46] We drop down to verse 15.
[01:07:49] He says, As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father.
[01:07:56] And I lay down my life for the sheep.
[01:07:58] Underline that phrase.
[01:08:01] and other sheep I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they will hear my voice and there will be one flock and one shepherd look at that see verse 16 is where you and I come in
[01:08:20] Listen, there was more that Jesus came for than just the lost sheep of Israel.
[01:08:27] And I got great news.
[01:08:29] We are those sheep.
[01:08:31] He's talking about you in verse 16.
[01:08:34] And listen, as we study through the Bible, we just keep seeing the arms of God are doing what?
[01:08:41] They are stretching and they are extending.
[01:08:43] They are stretching and they are extending.
[01:08:46] They are stretching and they are extending until you get to John 3.16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
[01:09:05] That's the arms of God extending and reaching and reaching and extending until he reaches out.
[01:09:14] Look, four times, four times in three verses, Jesus uses this phrase, you can underline them, I lay down my life.
[01:09:28] In other words, this shepherd was in total control and he laid down his life.
[01:09:35] Voluntarily.
[01:09:37] You and I know the story.
[01:09:38] We read it in the Gospels.
[01:09:40] Jesus, listen, He did not have to be dragged up Calvary's hill kicking and screaming.
[01:09:47] He went.
[01:09:51] He remained calm.
[01:09:54] The thieves that were being crucified beside him, there was cursing, there was blaspheming, there was all kinds of things going on on that hill that day, and yet our Lord Jesus literally laid himself down upon that cross where the nails would be driven in his hands and the spikes would be driven in his feet.
[01:10:21] What a shepherd.
[01:10:25] Who gives his life?
[01:10:29] Four times Jesus said, I lay down my life.
[01:10:40] But did you notice the two times?
[01:10:45] In verse 17 and 18, it says, Therefore my Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may what?
[01:10:56] Take it again.
[01:10:58] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself.
[01:11:05] I have power to lay it down and praise God.
[01:11:09] I have power to what?
[01:11:12] Take it again.
[01:11:14] What's he talking about?
[01:11:18] Resurrection, that's exactly right.
[01:11:21] Not only is he telling us that he laid down his life for the sheep, but praise God, the death of Jesus led to the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
[01:11:32] And look, you and I can hear the great news this morning.
[01:11:36] I'm inviting people to be introduced to a shepherd who died and was buried,
[01:11:42] but not gone forever who died and was buried and on the third day gloriously resurrected and now ascended to the right hand of the Father where He is even today interceding for you and interceding for me and waiting for that moment of that simple nod from the Father to go get my children.
[01:12:07] Go get my sheep and bring them back.
[01:12:11] That moment, that moment, that moment is what Jesus is speaking of.
[01:12:21] Oh listen, I don't know about you, but I need a shepherd like that.
[01:12:30] One last thing, I want you to go back to verse 3 because here's where I close.
[01:12:39] But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
[01:12:45] The end of verse 2, it says, To him the doorkeeper opens, the sheep hears his voice, and please underline this next phrase, and he calls his own sheep by name.
[01:13:08] One of my visits to Israel, I had an opportunity to talk years ago to a shepherd who was literally a young man who was tending a flock out there.
[01:13:18] And I learned that shepherds really do have names for their sheep.
[01:13:27] And they're unique names.
[01:13:29] They may call him Black Legs.
[01:13:32] They may call the sheep Brown Ear.
[01:13:35] They may call the sheep Big Gut.
[01:13:38] I mean, I'm not suggesting that for any of you, but I'm just saying that the shepherd literally had pet names for all of the sheep that were in that flock.
[01:13:53] And I want to leave you with a wonderful truth as we close out today.
[01:14:00] When you come to Jesus Christ as personal
[01:14:07] Savior.
[01:14:10] He knows you by name.
[01:14:18] You say, Mark, seriously, does Jesus really know me by name?
[01:14:33] Well, to the widow that's listening to me this morning,
[01:14:39] Who's just struggling, struggled to get up and even come this morning, struggling to get by.
[01:14:47] Can I tell you, sweet widow, He knows your name.
[01:14:56] There's a lot of college students that are now back at school, some getting ready to go to school.
[01:15:04] They're struggling, maybe some young people to try to find their place in life.
[01:15:12] Well, I'm here to tell you today, Jesus knows you by name.
[01:15:19] To the businessman here today, you're under the pressure and the tension every day.
[01:15:27] You're struggling.
[01:15:29] Maybe some real pressure that you're going to face this week.
[01:15:34] Jesus knows you by name.
[01:15:48] That's why every sheep needs a shepherd.
[01:15:57] It's because every sinner needs a Savior.
[01:16:06] Can I ask you something this morning?
[01:16:10] Do you have that Savior?
[01:16:16] You say, well, preacher, of course I do.
[01:16:19] You said Jesus died for everybody.
[01:16:25] That's right.
[01:16:28] Jesus died for everybody.
[01:16:31] That's why we call Him Savior.
[01:16:37] But that's not the question I asked you.
[01:16:42] Is He your personal Savior?
[01:16:49] Lord and Shepherd of your life today.
[01:16:59] That's the question I asked.
[01:17:03] Have you ever just stopped, admitted that you're a sinner, professed Jesus Christ as Savior, and invited Him to come into your heart and be Lord and Master of your life?
[01:17:21] Have you come through the door?
[01:17:26] See, that's exactly what I mean by personal Savior this morning.
[01:17:36] Every sheep needs a shepherd because every sinner, sir, ma'am, needs a Savior.
[01:17:46] If you bow your heads right where you are, please.
[01:17:49] Heads are bowed and eyes are closed all over the sanctuary.
[01:17:54] You know, I don't know what God may be saying to your heart this morning.
[01:18:02] I don't know what the need is of your individual life.
[01:18:11] But I do know who does.
[01:18:14] And that's the Lord Himself.
[01:18:18] And right now, in the quietness of this moment, my prayer is that the still small voice of the Holy Spirit would do a work that only He can do.
[01:18:33] That right now, that He would be bringing you to that reality.
[01:18:40] That not only does every sheep need a shepherd because every sinner needs a Savior,
[01:18:48] but bringing you to the reality that if you're here without Christ this morning you need that personal savior to come into your life today and to give you a whole new direction to give you that guiding hand imagine trying to make your way through the wilderness
[01:19:17] Without somebody that knows all the twists and turns.
[01:19:21] Imagine yourself trying to navigate through this confused, chaotic world without the shepherd who knows every bend, every turn, every dark corner.
[01:19:48] Do you need the shepherd this morning?
[01:19:53] If you've never come to him, that's my invitation this morning.
[01:19:59] Say, Mark, how do I do that?
[01:20:01] You repent of your sin.
[01:20:02] Admit that you're a sinner.
[01:20:06] Recognize that you need a change in your life.
[01:20:09] You change directions.
[01:20:10] That's what repent means.
[01:20:12] It means to turn around.
[01:20:13] It means to change.
[01:20:15] You repent of your sin.
[01:20:18] You place your faith in Jesus and Jesus alone.
[01:20:21] You recognize no one else, no one else, no thief, no robber, no one else can be your shepherd and guide you through this wilderness.
[01:20:41] You put your faith in Jesus and Jesus alone and then you simply surrender to Him.
[01:20:49] You say, Lord, I want you to be Lord of my life.
[01:20:57] I want to follow.
[01:21:03] Would you come today and make that commitment to Him?
[01:21:05] I'm going to be right down here at the front in just a moment.
[01:21:09] This altar is open for those of you that just want to get alone with God for a few moments.
[01:21:14] You can just kneel on this old-fashioned altar and take a few moments and just ask God to speak into your life.
[01:21:20] You may have a situation and circumstance that you want to pray for.
[01:21:23] You may have a loved one that you're burdened for this morning and you may want to bring their name right here to this altar and just get before God and allow Him
[01:21:33] To move and work in your life as you just surrender and bring that loved one to Him.
[01:21:42] Father, I just ask you to guide this invitation now.
[01:21:45] There's someone here that doesn't know you.
[01:21:47] I pray that you would give them the courage, give them the strength, give them the determination to simply step forward.
[01:21:55] Meet me here at the front and say, I want Jesus as my Savior.
[01:21:59] I want this shepherd to be my shepherd.
[01:22:05] Father, I pray that you guide every heart here under the sound of my voice to simply be obedient to the prompting of your Spirit.
[01:22:13] Lord, if there's a burden that they're carrying, may they come and leave it here on this altar this morning.
[01:22:20] May we bring our needs before you.
[01:22:24] Father, if there's someone looking for a church home,
[01:22:26] Father and you're leading them here and they feel the presence of your spirit guiding them to say hey put my name down I want to be a part of this church family in whatever way we receive members whether it be by baptism by statement by letter Father you guide them to take that step today
[01:22:45] We love you, and this invitation, Lord, belongs to you.
[01:22:50] And we respond, simply right now, in trust and obedience.
[01:22:56] For it's in Christ's name I pray.
[01:22:58] Amen.
[01:22:59] Would you stand to your feet as Brother Grant comes to lead us in this hymn of invitation.
[01:23:04] I invite you to come.

[01:23:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
I have thine own way Thou o'er the potter I am the clay Hold me and make me after thy will

[01:23:50] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[01:23:57] Amen.
[01:24:19] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[01:24:34] Amen.
[01:24:53] The power of the Lord.
[01:25:30] of Christ Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Christ of Latter-day Saints
[01:25:59] I am the water, I am the way.
[01:26:24] Fill me and take me after the grave.
[01:26:24] While I am waiting, hear heaven's way.

[01:27:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Amen.

[01:27:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Would you be seated just one moment?
[01:27:10] It is my pleasure to introduce before you today Rick and Angela Herberger who are standing here with me.
[01:27:18] I told them when they came, I said, folks are going to think that you've been members a long time.
[01:27:22] They've been visiting our church for
[01:27:24] A good long time and just been faithful and seeing God work here at Trinity and just really sense that God was leading them today to take that step of faith and want to unite with our church family.
[01:27:36] Both of them have been saved and baptized by immersion.
[01:27:39] They come from a church up in New Jersey was where their former
[01:27:42] Formally, their membership was before they came here.
[01:27:45] So they're coming by statement of faith today to unite with our church family.
[01:27:50] What's your pleasure in affirming Richard, Rick, and Angela Herberger as they come this morning?
[01:27:55] Motion made.
[01:27:57] Second?
[01:27:58] All in favor, lift your hands.
[01:27:59] There's your friends.
[01:28:00] Rick, Angela, God bless you.
[01:28:03] We're excited to have you with us here today.
[01:28:06] Thank you for taking this step to officially become part of our church family.
[01:28:10] And if you don't mind, just a moment, I'm going to ask you to join me there at the door so you can speak to the folks on their way out.
[01:28:15] Would you stand to your feet if you would today?
[01:28:18] I want to thank you so much for your faithfulness today and just pray that God has spoken to your heart as we've worshipped Him here in spirit and in truth.
[01:28:27] and please pay attention to the announcements that are there in your bulletin of things that are coming up in the days ahead a lot of things that are happening that you're going to want to be involved in in one way or the other so look forward to that time here together Brother Robert's going to come and give us a closing word and then Brother Grant is going to sing us out as we're going to be dismissed here this morning

[01:28:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Amen.
[01:28:56] Thank you, Pastor Mark, for a powerful message.
[01:28:59] Church, our benediction today comes from the book of Ezekiel.
[01:29:03] In chapter 34, we'll start in verse 11.
[01:29:07] For thus says the Lord God, Behold, I...
[01:29:12] I myself will search for my sheep.
[01:29:16] I will seek them out as a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered.
[01:29:23] So will I seek out my sheep.
[01:29:25] I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on the day of clouds and the thick darkness.
[01:29:31] I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries.
[01:29:36] I will bring them into their own land and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel by the ravines and in the inhabited places of the country I will feed them with good pasture and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land and there they shall lie down in good grazing land and on rich pasture I shall feed them on the mountains of Israel
[01:30:00] I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.
[01:30:07] I will seek the lost, I will bring back the strayed, I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.
[01:30:16] Would you pray with me?
[01:30:20] Father God, we are so thankful for such an incredible shepherd and overseer of our souls.
[01:30:26] Father, thank you that you sent your Shepherd King to seek and to save that which is lost.
[01:30:34] Father, we were once lost, but now we're found.
[01:30:37] Someone came to us and told us about the door, and through your Holy Spirit we entered into it.
[01:30:44] Help us to leave this morning here more like Jesus Christ.
[01:30:49] Father, there's other sheep that you're calling into your pasture.
[01:30:52] There are people right here in our own backyard of Mooresville, North Carolina,
[01:30:56] Who are hurting?
[01:30:58] Who are lost?
[01:31:00] Who are weak?
[01:31:01] Who are in need of hope?
[01:31:04] Help us to live out our calling here, to be your ambassadors, to know you, Jesus Christ, and as a result of that relationship, make you known.
[01:31:13] We ask this in your mighty name.
[01:31:15] Amen.

[01:31:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
The Holy Spirit in this place And I know that it's the Spirit of the Lord There are sweet expressions on each face And I know that it's the presence of the Lord
[01:32:05] We lift our hearts in praise, without a doubt we'll know that we have every life when we shall.

[01:33:08] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
The Gospel of the Lord
[01:33:41] The Gospel of the Lord.
[01:34:12] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[01:34:40] Amen.