Sermons

John 10:11-18 Easter 4  ILCW-B Dear Fellow sheep of Jesus Christ who truly is our Good Shepherd Trust Your Good Shepherd! I. He knows you II. You need to know him INTRODUCTION I recently read an article about a well-known actor, who also doubled as a public entertainer by going around to various theaters and auditoriums and giving dramatic presentations of well-known literary works. In one of his performances, an old man in the audience asked him to recite Psalm 23, to which he obliged. After his delivery, the audience gave him yet another resounding ovation. Unexpectedly, he asked the old man to recite the same passage. Nervously and humbly, the old man agreed. At the end of his delivery, however, the only sound in the hall were sobs from the audience. The actor then said, "I may know Psalm 23, but this man truly knows the Shepherd." So which is it for you  can you recite Psalm 23, can you sing as we just did The Lords My Shepherd? But do you also know the shepherd and let him guide you in your life? That is where the Apostle John guides us as we meditate on his account of Jesus words about himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10. Johns words urge us Trust Your Good Shepherd! The words of Jesus himself give us two reasons to live that way  1) He knows you and 2) You need to know him We read again v. 14 of our Gospel lesson from John 10. I. He knows you I know you Perhaps I know you better than you know yourself How do you feel when someone says that to you? Your spouse? A child? A friend? Perhaps they can finish your sentences or maybe they can predict how you are going to react in a certain situation. That is exactly what Jesus says to us  to some that is intimidating. To think that the perfect Son of God says to us I know you makes them realize that he knows their sins and failures, not just the wonderful things we want everyone to see and remember about us. But let me assure you  when your Good Shepherd says I know you, that is meant to be in every way a positive encouragement and reassurance and not something which strikes fear. Perhaps you come here to Gods house with anger in your heart or maybe your heart is filled with grief or sorrow or maybe even despair. Or maybe you come to Gods house not knowing what to think about your life. Your Good Shepherd says to you I know you. He knows our physical needs. If we need someone to be there for us, he knows that and will make sure they are there. He promises to give us the shepherding love and care of giving us everything we need for our body. But he also knows us in another way. He looks into your heart and mine and sees greed and lust, selfishness and pride, disobedience and hatred. He knows us  he knows that if those sins remain as they are, we would have something far worse to worry about. He knows us and loves us and thus he died for us. He not only takes care of our physical needs because he knows us, but much more importantly, he takes care of our spiritual health as well. II. You need to know him But our Good Shepherd not only says to us  I know you, he also says if you want to consider yourself one of my sheep and receive my shepherding care, you also need to know me. I dont mean this to be an invasion of your personal privacy, but I want each of you to consider in your heart How well do you know your good Shepherd?. How close is your relationship to him? Do you know him well enough that you are not afraid to go and talk to him  whether it is something which seems small and insignificant or something which seems larger than life? Is prayer a regular part of your faith life  your lifeline for staying in touch with the Good Shepherd? Do you not only talk to him and ask and beg and plead, but are you also like that one leper who returned to give thanks. When you see the shepherding love of your Savior and when he gives what he knows is best, do you talk to him with a grateful heart? In the last line of the last hymn we are going to sing (437:2) we will sing speak - we hear  at your command. Those words are a reminder to us that those who know the Shepherd not only talk to him as part of knowing him, but they also listen to him as well. How well are you willing and ready to listen to your Good Shepherd? Is his Word as the Psalmist reminds us (119:105) a lamp to my feet and a light for my path? Do you not only speak to your Good Shepherd, but do you also let him speak to you? Do you let his Word guide your heart and life  not only when you want it to, but also when he may have to chastise you or tell you to go against what others are doing? Today our country observes Mothers Day. Christian mothers did you ever stop to think of the wonderful privilege the Good Shepherd gives you to be one of those who helps provide his loving care to his children whom he has entrusted to you? Children did you ever stop to think that when your mother provides for you or when she trains and guides you, that she is really acting on behalf of your Good Shepherd? CONCLUSION For many Christians, their favorite picture of the Good Shepherd is the one King David gives in Psalm 23. But did you ever stop to carefully consider the words which he uses in v. 1 of that familiar Psalm? He says The Lord is my shepherd. Not I think the Lord is my shepherd or I hope the Lord is my shepherd or I wish the Lord was my shepherd. But sure and confidently, the Lord is my shepherd. And because of that, King David says Ill not want. I dont have to be afraid or worry or doubt, because I know that my Lord is also my shepherd. I pray that as you leave Gods house, you are assured beyond all doubt that your Savior is your shepherd and knows you. And that as you continue to walk with him, you come to better know him. Then you will be able to say with King David  I trust and know that The Lord IS my Shepherd. Amen.