The Good Shepherd

          The Shepherd
          The Palestinian shepherd leads his sheep (doesn't drive them like cattle),
     and they follow him.
          He calls them, they hear him, and come to him.
          The sheep who don't belong to him do not come when he calls.
          The shepherd does not call sheep randomly, only the ones who belong to him.
          The shepherd chooses his sheep.


          "I am the good shepherd."
          Jesus is The good shepherd, and he lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).
     He knows his sheep and they know him.  When he calls them, they come to him and
     follow him (John 10:27-28).
          Those sheep who don't belong to his flock do not come to him and follow him
     (John 10:26).


          ****************************************************************

                                                                THE GOOD SHEPHERD:

          Searches for his sheep (Ezekiel 34:11)                         Protects his sheep (Ezekiel 34:12)

          Rescues his sheep (Ezekiel 34:12)                               Calls his sheep (John 10:27)

          Searches for lost sheep (Ezekiel 34:16)                       Binds up the injured (Ezekiel 34:16)

          Strengthens the weak (Ezekiel 34:16)                          Knows his sheep (John 10:14)

          Holds his sheep in his hand (John 10:28)                     Gives his sheep abundant life (John 10:10)

          Dies for his sheep (John 10:11)                                    Saves his sheep (John 10:28)

          Gives his sheep eternal life (John 10:28)                     Preserves his sheep eternally (John 10:28)


                  *****************************************************************


          His sheep listen to the good shepherd and follow him (John 10:27).

          The sheep believe in the good shepherd.  Those who are not his sheep do not believe
     in him because they are not his sheep (John 10:26).  They are unable to hear him because
     they belong to the devil (John 8:43-44).

          Those who belong to him - his sheep - hear what he says (John 8:47).


            *******************************************************************

          The good shepherd chooses his sheep (Ephesians 1:4).

          The good shepherd atoned and propitiated for his sheep, and reconciled them to God the
     Father (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17).

          No one can snatch his sheep out of the good shepherd's hand (John 10:28).

          The good shepherd is the gate - the only way to salvation (John 10:9)!!