Larry Siegle · John 10
Link to sermon video: The Good Shepherd Always Makes a Way – L Siegle
God the “Way Maker”
“The GOOD Shepherd Always Makes a Way”
(John 10)
Thesis: Jesus the Way Maker for the Sheep
INTRODUCTION
1. The title of this series is, “God the “Way Maker””
2. The time of this message is, “The GOOD Shepherd ALWAYS Makes a Way”
3. In our previous message we introduced the power of God within the context affirming that HE can and does “make a way” in various aspects of life.
a. Israel crossing over the “Red Sea” (Exod. 14:13-31) while being pursued by the Egyptian armies.
b. When the people had their back against the wall, they complained to God (Exod. 14:12).
4. The people were told to “stand still” and “watch” how God saves them (v. 14)
a. It was the action taken by the people, moving forward, Moses had to “lift up his staff” and then “reach out with his hand over the sea to divide the waters” (v. 16).
1) It is a mistaken notion to think that God does everything while we do nothing.
2) Deliverance required the people to move and for Moses to take action over the waters!
5. God’s enemies (in this case) the Egyptians would come to know God through what HE would do in this circumstance (v. 17, 18).
a. The expression, “know that I am the Lord” is used 77 times in the OT.
1) His own people would see Him at the “Way Maker” and thereby know that He is the Lord (Exod. 6:6-8).
2) The Egyptians would know that He is the Lord (Exod. 7:4-5), that HE is the One who brings deliverance, and rescue, for His people.
3) In the ten plagues, God used Moses to turn the water of the Nile into blood (Exod. 7:17-19)—God did it through the obedient actions of Moses and Aaron.
b. God receives honor and glory by HIS actions to “make a way” for His people and to bring judgment on his enemies, and the nations would know that He is the Lord (Ezek. 36:23).
c. Ultimately, God would restore what had been lost, and cleanse the people of their wickedness (Ezek. 36:224 -32)
6. Joseph confessed that God acts as a “Shepherd” over His people to take care of them (Gen. 48:15)
a. David was appointed by God to be a “shepherd” over Israel (II Sam 5:1, 2), and yet it was David who proclaimed in the psalms “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psa. 23:1)
1) God uses people to accomplish His work in the lives of people.
b. The relationship between “faith” and “works” (actions) is that faith is demonstrated by what we say and what we do. God uses people to “make a way”
8. God foretold the time when He would restore those who were to become “shepherds” of His people (Ezek 34:11-16)
7. God uses some to be “shepherds” within the church of the Lord (Acts 20:28; I Pet 5:1-5)
a. God is the Shepherd, but uses people to act in the role of an Elder, Overseer, Shepherd.
1) Elders and Deacons are not a position (like CEO or someone in the business world). These are works that are accomplished by those who have the qualities described in Titus and Timothy.
2) The phrase “the office of” is not found in the Greek text (I Tim. 3:1)—It is a work for those qualified.
b. Evangelist is not an office, it is a work (II Ti. 4:1-5).
c. There is no hierarchy in the Lord’s church, we complete our mission by doing the work set before us.
JESUS THE SHEPHERD
1. Jesus gives people an illustration to help them to understand HIS nature and the nature of HIS Father.
2. Jesus is the “door of the sheep” (John 10:9; 14:6)—Access into the very “presence of God” is through Christ, He is “the door”—you can list all of the religious leaders of the world and none of them are qualified to provide access to those
who desire to know and to serve and honor God.
3. Jesus, as the “good shepherd” is the One who “lays down His life” (sacrificially) for the “sheep” (John 10:11).
a. Sheep are not perfect but are loved by the “good shepherd” despite their imperfections (Rom 5:6-11).
b. Jesus, the “good shepherd” knows the sheep and the sheep know the voice of the shepherd (John 10:14, 15)
c. Unity among the people, as with unity among the “sheep” is rooted in knowing the “good shepherd” and in “following Him.”
JESUS THE “WAY MAKER”
1. Jesus is the “way maker” who is the “door” for us to enter into, and is the “shepherd” who leads us through the “door” and gives us the quiet rest of His love and His presence (Matt. 11:28, 29).
2. Only Jesus is qualified to “reveal” the nature of the Father to us (Matt. 11:27).
THE WAY MAKER IS AT WORK
1. Christianity is not a “do it yourself” project based on some philosophy, or way of thinking.
2. Christianity is rooted in the work of God through Christ to “lift” our feet out of the mirey clay (Psa. 40:1-3)
3. Our relationship with God is rooted in the “finished” work of Jesus Christ.
4. Our relationship with God is rooted in knowing His “voice” and “listening” and “obeying” it.
CONCLUSION
1. What do we need from God today?
a. Do we need a good doctor to treat our ailments? We need to trust in God’s providence and power to lead us to a great doctor.
b. Do we need more money for our families? God has just the job for us if we are trusting in Him.
c. Do we wish our spouse was more loving and understanding? Have we prayed with them and for them?
d. Do we wish our children would make the right decisions in life? God can work in their hearts and move them in
the right direction—IF we are trusting Him.
2. Whatever the situation, whatever the problem, or circumstance, “Jesus is the answer” and He is the Way Maker that meets and supplies every need.
3. The place to begin is to know who God is, and what God has done in providing salvation and His presence in our lives each and every day.
4. Today is the day to say yes to the redemptive work of God, or to surrender ourselves once again to His Lordship because of the mess WE make of things.
Outline (Word document): Way_Maker_IIa.docx