Sermon

How The Living Jesus Christ Shepherds You

April 21, 2024 Sermons of Reformed Heritage Church - Parker, CO

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today's sermon text is john 21 beginning at verse 15 until the end verse 25
this will be our last sermon in this glorious gospel do you remember how the book of john began
john 1 with this great prologue in the beginning was the word many have said this last chapter
this last portion is an epilogue it really sums up major themes from the entire book so as we're
reading our sermon text today listen for those different themes from throughout this entire book
as i read this i invite each one who has the holy spirit to receive god's word as it's inspired
inerrant infallible clear and sufficient the very word of god himself for his people
when they had eaten breakfast jesus asked simon peter simon son of john
do you love me more than these yes lord he said to him you know that i love you feed my lambs he told
him a second time he asked him simon son of john do you love me yes lord he said to him you know that i
you know that i love you shepherd my sheep he told him he asked him a third time simon son of john do you love me
peter was grieved that he had asked him the third time do you love me
he said lord you know that i love you feed my sheep jesus said truly i tell you when you were younger
you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted but when you grow old you will stretch out
your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don't want to go
he said this to indicate by what kind of death peter would glorify god after saying this he told him
follow me so peter turned around and saw the disciple jesus loved following them the one who had leaned
back against jesus at the supper and asked lord who is the one that's going to betray you
and when peter saw him he said to jesus lord what about him if i want him to remain until i come jesus
answered what is that to you as for you follow me so this rumor spread to the brothers and sisters
that the disciple would not die yet jesus did not tell him he would not die but if i want him to remain
until i come what is that to you this is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them
down we know that his testimony is true and there are also many other things that jesus did which
if every one of them were written down i suppose not even the world itself could contain the books
that would be written this is the word of god thanks be to god you may be seated
the grass withers the flower fades but the word of the lord stands forever
let's pray
oh living god
through the ministry of your word by the power of the holy spirit
would you please show us your love fill us with your love that we will follow you today
we ask this for christ's sake amen
i invite you to picture yourself seated with a white lab coat on and a clipboard in front of you
that's a checklist and you're a medical doctor one of your patients comes in and sits down in front of
you you ask them tell me what's wrong they began listing all of their symptoms see if you can
diagnose them diagnose them correctly anxiousness tiredness unusual irritability feeling cold weakness slow wound
healing chronic exhaustion loss of muscle delayed development low energy level and stunted growth
these symptoms describe a person who has been physically malnourished a person who has not been fed a good healthy diet
parents are responsible to feed their children among other things good shepherds are responsible to watch the condition of their flock
make sure that these little lambs and these sheep do not get malnourished
feed them milk when they're little
grow them into solid food
don't let their growth be stunted
the condition of a flock
it reflects
the quality of the shepherd
my message for you today
beloved congregation of our lord jesus christ
it's how the living jesus christ shepherds you
how the living jesus christ shepherds you
i'd like to walk through this sermon text with six questions the first one is this
who does the living jesus christ shepherd
who is it that jesus shepherds
i'm using the word shepherd as a verb
that's the meaning in these these verses 15
16 and 17
it means to tend
to care for
to provide all that's needed
including the food
so who is it that jesus christ
shepherds
we read in verse 15 when they had broken the fast by dining
and jesus christ said to peter
tend my lambs
verse 16
shepherd my sheep
verse 17
feed my sheep
there's one word that doesn't change
and it's the possessive pronoun
these are christ's
who is it that christ shepherds
my sheep
my lamb
my sheep
jesus tends his lambs
he gives his
sheep who are his
he gives them good food
and he matures them
he cares for them
he watches over them
in john 10 he had said
i am the good shepherd
and the good shepherd
lays down his life
for his sheep
so who are these who are his sheep
it's the ones he laid down his life for
he feeds those for whom he laid down his life
he feeds you
who belong to him
first peter
1 18 and 19
the same apostle
listen to how he turned around and preached this to the church
he says that god feeds those whom he purchased
whom he ransomed
with his own
precious blood
in john 10 3
jesus says that he calls his own sheep by name
and he leads them out
so who is it that he feeds
he feeds you who he has called
who he has let out
he feeds you who are following him
john 10 4
he says that the shepherd goes before them
and the sheep follow him
for they know his voice
do you know the voice of jesus
as your good shepherd
he feeds you who know his voice
this same apostle john in the book of revelation
revelation 7 17
he gets this glorious picture of where all these sheep
from all these different people nation tribes and tongues
are heading
and it's an image of a shepherd
guiding those sheep to springs of living water
and he promises to wipe away every tear
from their eyes
Jesus feeds his
he feeds his own
he feeds you who belong to him
you who know his voice and follow him
and he does this because
the flock's condition reflects the shepherd
Jesus Christ shepherds you
in the condition of your soul
it's a reflection of his shepherding
he knows you
he cares for you
he protects you
he feeds you like a good shepherd
because you are a reflection of his care
that's who the living Jesus Christ shepherds
it's those for whom he laid down his life
it's those he called
and those who follow him
second question
he feeds you what's the food
so what is your food
from the hand of Jesus Christ
your good shepherd
Jesus says you are mine
you need food
because he's telling Peter three times
feed my lambs
shepherd them
feed them
I read to you that diagnosis of a person
that has been physically malnourished
think about a spiritual diagnosis
for these spiritual symptoms
anxiousness
anxiousness
tiredness
unusual irritability
feeling cold
weakness
slow wound healing
chronic exhaustion
loss of muscle
delayed development
low energy level
stunted spiritual growth
these describe those who belong to God
whom Christ has purchased
but who are spiritually malnourished
can you look back on a time
when you were
not being fed
from God's word
on a healthy balanced diet
many of us have
felt these symptoms
and maybe you're feeling
some of them right now
as Paul was ministering
to the church in Corinth
in chapter 3
he said
when you were little
like lambs
you were not ready
for solid food
you got the basic
of the gospel
but now
you need to be moving on
to the solid things
you need to eat it all
as you grow in Christ
or else your growth
is going to be stunted
you're going to remain
malnourished
it's God's word
is our food
it's God's word alone
that can feed our soul
the Bible has always
described God's word
as food
listen to Deuteronomy 8
3-5
he humbled you
and he let you hunger
he fed you
to make you know
what Jesus quoted
in Matthew 4-4
man does not live
by bread alone
but on every word
from the mouth
of the Lord
the word of God
is the food
for our soul
Jeremiah 15-16
says
your words were found
and I ate them
and your words
became for me
a joy
and the delight
of my heart
for I have been called
by your name
O Lord God
of hosts
John introduced Jesus
in chapter 1
as the word
of God
and Jesus
in John 6-35
said
I am the bread
of life
whoever comes
takes
and eats
of me
will never
grow hungry
so what is
the food
that our souls
need
our souls
need the food
of Christ's
work for us
the person
and work
of Jesus Christ
as it's been
revealed
and it is contained
in all of the Bible
that's why we read
the Bible
and it feeds us
as the spirit
ministers the work
of Christ
to our souls
a flock's condition
reflects
the shepherd
and the living
Jesus Christ
he is the good
shepherd who knows
you
cares for you
protects you
and he feeds you
he feeds you
from his hand
through the ministry
of his word
because your souls
is a reflection
of his shepherding
care
so the food
is the word
of God
the person
and work
of Jesus Christ
as it's revealed
in all of the Bible
the third question
is this
how does God
feed you
this word
this food
how does
the living
Jesus Christ
feed you
and me
well Peter
is being raised
up
to feed
the church
God gives
you food
through
ministers
that Christ
has called
ministers
that Christ
himself
has fed
and ministers
who Christ
himself
has charged
to feed you
in verse 15
when they had
broken their
fast by dining
Jesus said to
Peter
feed my
lambs
in verse 16
feed my
sheep
verse 17
feed
my sheep
a true
shepherd
shepherd
of Jesus Christ
does not
feed
his own
ego
the reason
for this
is because
you can only
be a true
shepherd
if you are
already full
from the
nourishment
that you
received
from Jesus
Christ
himself
did you
notice how
chapter 15
began
after
Jesus
had
prepared
the
bread
and
the
fish
and
called
them
to
himself
sat
them
down
hosted
them
he fed
their
bodies
now he's
feeding
Peter
he's
healing
and
restoring
Peter
he's
leaving
Peter
full
of
grace
only
then
will
Peter
be
qualified
to
turn
around
and
feed
and
tend
to
the
flock
of
Christ
and
that's
the
charge
Peter
gives
to
other
elders
that
get
raised
up
in
the
church
in
1
Peter
5
2
Peter
wrote
shepherd
the
flock
of
God
that
is
among
you
exercising
oversight
not under
compulsion
but
willingly
as
God
would
have
you
not
for
shameful
gain
but
eagerly
because
you've
already
been
made
so
full
by
Jesus
Christ
not
as
a
proud
man
but
as
one
who
has
been
humbled
like
Peter
who
has
publicly
been
made
to
confess
his
love
for
Christ
just
as
he denied
Christ
three
times
Christ
graciously
allows
him
to
confess
his
love
for
Christ
publicly
as
well
not
as
one
who
is
desperate
and
needs
the
world
to
give
him
something
but
one
who
has
already
been
made
whole
by
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
himself
and
Peter
gives
this
promise
in
chapter
5
when
the
chief
shepherd
appears
Jesus
is
the
chief
shepherd
and
he
is
coming
back
for
his
own
every
minister
that
God
raises
up
is
an
under
shepherd
of
Jesus
Christ
the
chief
shepherd
and
he
will
give
you
his
unfading
crown
of
glory
Romans

Romans 10:12–15
10
verses
12
through
15
we have
this
glorious
chain
that's
set up
how
can
a
sinner
be
believing
and
turned
and
repenting
to be
saved
how
can
that
even
happen
and
Paul
logically
broke
it
down
this
way
how
could
a
sinner
hear
the
gospel
without
a
preacher
and
how
could
the
preacher
preach
to
that
sinner
unless
that
preacher
has
been
sent
by
the
church
and
we
hear
in
Ephesians
4
11
that
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
he
gives
to
a
congregation
some
men
that
will
be
shepherd
dash
teachers
so
that
you
can
hear
so
that
you
can
believe
so
that
you
can
be
fed
so
that
you
can
have
hope
Charles
Spurgeon
in the
1800s
in
London
he
wrote
don't
go
where
it's
all
fine
music
and
grand
talk
and
beautiful
architecture
those
things
will
not
feed
your
soul
go
where
the
gospel
is
preached
the
gospel
that
really
feeds
your
soul
and
go
often
don't
be
malnourished
spiritually
a flock's
condition
reflects
on the
shepherd
the
living
Jesus
Christ
is
your
good
shepherd
and
he
knows
you
he
calls
you
he
feeds
you
he
protects
you
he
will
mature
you
your
soul's
condition
reflects
on
Jesus
Christ
so
how
does
he
feed
you
he
gives
you
food
through
ministers
that
Christ
has
called
fed
and
charged
fourth
question
through
what
type
of
minister
does
Christ
feed
you
through
what
type
of
minister
does
Christ
feed
you
I
think
Peter
is a
wonderful
pattern
here are
three
observations
about
Peter
in this
sermon
text
number
one
Peter
is
ordinary
I
believe
Christ
with
the
language
he uses
underscores
that
number
two
Peter
is one
who
has
been
humbled
before
Jesus
Christ
and
number
three
Peter
is a
man
who
God
has
repurposed
ordinary
humbled
repurposed
through
what type
of minister
does
Christ
feed
his
lambs
now
notice
in our
passage
Jesus
three times
when addressing
Peter
he gives
him a
full name
and he
doesn't
call
him
the
rock
he
doesn't
call
him
Cephas
or
Peter
well
he
does
Peter
but
not
Cephas
not
the
new
name
so
he
says
you
are
Simon
the
son
of
John
in
John

John 1:42
chapter
1
verse
42
this
is
how
Jesus
first
engages
Peter
way
back
in
the
first
chapter
he
calls
him
Simon
son
of
Jonah
or
John
you
shall
be
called
Cephas
we
read
in
John
13
remember
when
this
glorious
last
few
days
are
taking
place
and
it's
the
last
supper
John
13
37
Peter
says
to
Jesus
I
will
lay
down
my
life
for
you
and
here's
all
the
other
disciples
listening
in
and
Peter
is
making
this
big
promise
he's
over
confident
and
he's
boasting
in front
of
all
the
other
disciples
that
his
love
for
Christ
is
so
superior
it
is
a
self
sacrificing
love
Jesus
simply
responds
in
John
13
he
asked
Peter
will
you
lay
down
your
life
for
me
he
says
before
the
rooster
crows
three
times
you
will
have
denied
me
three
times
so
the
Lord
Jesus
takes
an
ordinary
man
Simon
son
of
John
and
he
humbles
him
next
and
there's
Peter
we
read
in
our
sermon
text
that
Peter
was
greatly
troubled
he
was
grieved
because
Jesus
kept
asking
him
do
you
really
love
me
in
Peter's
low
moment
of
being
humbled
I
love
this
encouragement
from
John
Flavel
he
said
as
God
did
not
at
first
choose
you
because
you
were
high
so
he
will
not
forsake
you
because
you
are
low
in
fact
Christ
had
to
make
you
low
Peter
in
order
to
charge
you
and
give
you
any
authority
so
three
times
Jesus
calls
him
by
his
old
name
Simon
son
of
Jonah
or
John
Peter
you
are
an
ordinary
man
this
is
your
old
name
the
first
time
Jesus
asked
him
do
you
agape
me
agape
is
an
unconditional
self
self
sacrificing
love
that
expects
nothing
in
return
Peter
had
said
I'll
lay
down
my
life
for
you
and
the
first
time
Jesus
says
do
you
agape
me
and
Peter
says
I
phileo
you
phileo
is
an
outward
affection
of a
dear
friend
but
it's
not
agape
someone
said
if
agape
is
100%
love
that only
God
can
perfectly
demonstrate
phileo
is
like
40%
it's
mere
affection
that I
could
show
Peter
says
Jesus
you
challenged
me
in
John
13
do
you
really
love
me
will
you
really
follow
me
and
I
failed
miserably
so
every
time
Peter
answers
he
says
Lord
you
know
I
phileo
this
is
what
I
bring
back
to
you
Peter
says
I
phileo
you
Peter
had
to
be
humbled
he's
an
ordinary
man
made
low
but
this
public
restoration
of
Peter
is
kind
see
he
turns
around
and
there's
all
the
other
disciples
do
you
really
love
me
more
than
these
it
could
have
been
he's
pointing
to
the
nets
and
the
boats
I
think
more
likely
he's
pointing
to
the
disciples
that
seems
to
be
the
context
do
you
love
me
better
than
any
other
disciple
so
publicly
Peter
is
having
to
confess
his
sin
confess
his
limitation
confess
Lord
you
have
humbled
me
and
I
profess
that
I
do
love
you
the
best
that
I
can
that's
all
I
can
give
in
verse
18
Jesus
says
I'm
sorry
in
John

John 13:18
13
verse
18
Jesus
said
blessed
are
you
Simon
son
of
Jonah
again
that
old
name
but
he
says
you
are
Peter
he
gives
him
this
new
name
on
this
rock
after
he
had
made
that
statement
of
faith
in
Jesus
as
the
Christ
the
son
of
God
and
Jesus
says
this
was
revealed
to
you
not
by
flesh
but
by
God
himself
and
on
this
rock
this
statement
this
profession
of
faith
this
revelation
of
who
God
is
Jesus
says
I
will
build
my
church
and
the
gates
of
hell
will
not
Christ
is
entrusting
the
good
news
of
the
gospel
the
revelation
of
who
he
is
to
men
like
Peter
who
he
repurposes
and
who
will
pass
this
on
to
other
faithful
men
that
Christ
will
take
an
ordinary
person
humble
them
and
repurpose
them
for
his
glory
and
so
we
have
the
charge
in
2nd
Timothy
4
to
preach
the
word
be
urgent
in
season
and
out
of
season
reprove
rebuke
and
exhort
with
all
patience
teaching
so
men
that
God
has
repurposed
they
do
that
within
a
congregation
they
are
to
stand
up
here
open
up
God's
word
and
tend
to
the
flock
in
this
way
that's
the
type
of
minister
that
Christ
uses
to
feed
his
sheep
now
every
believer
has
a
part
in
making
disciples
but
I
think
Mark
Dever
pointed
out
accurately
how
pastors
ministering
God's
word
that's
at
the
core
of
the
church's
disciple
ministry
so
it
provides
the
food
that
feeds
all
other
discipling
relationships
within
the
church
as
the
ministry
of
the
word
through
these
men
that
God
has
repurposed
God
does
this
he
feeds
you
through
ministers
of
the
word
and
he
tends
to
your
soul
this
way
because
your
soul
is
a
reflection
of
him
as
a
shepherd
and
these
shepherds
will
give
account
to
him
when
he
comes
back
him
and
if
there's
any
good
that
comes
from
the
ministry
of
the
word
it
comes
from
Jesus
Christ
he
is
the
one
who
cares
for
you
protects
you
he
feeds
you
and
he
heals
you
he
does
this
because
the
condition
of
your
soul
is
a
reflection
on
Jesus
Christ
himself
who
laid
down
his
life
for
you
the
fifth
question
is
what
motivates
a
man
like
this
to
be
a
minister
of
God's
word
what
did
Christ
want
Peter
to
understand
his
only
motivation
could
be
Peter
became
a
pastor
of
the
church
in
Jerusalem
why
would
Peter
preach
rebuke
write
encourage
exhort
and pray
for the
church
why
would
he
do
that
what's
motivating
him
to be
such
an
under
shepherd
do
you
love
me
Peter
those
words
would
keep
ringing
in
Peter's
ears
and
every
man
who
God
has
truly
called
do
you
love
me
then
shepherd
my
sheep
in
verse
19
the
Lord
Jesus
prepared
Peter
for
the
kind
of
death
he
would
die
that
glorifies
God
Jesus
wrote
and he
said
John
wrote
most
certainly
I
tell you
when
you
were
young
you
dressed
yourself
and
walked
where
you
wanted
to
but
when
you
are
old
will
stretch
out
your
hands
and
another
will
dress
you
and
carry
you
where
you
don't
want
to
go
in
verse
19
we read
that
after
Jesus
said
this
to
Peter
he
said
follow
me
Peter
I
will
give
you
the
agape
that
you
need
I
will
give
you
this
self
sacrificing
love
that
expects
nothing
in
return
you
will
lay
down
your
life
for
me
but
not
by
your
strength
only
because
you
are
following
me
you
can
only
do
this
after
I
have
done
it
for
you
it
will
be
my
finished
work
worked
out
in
your
life
so
why
would
it
be
according
to
church
tradition
that
Peter
when
he
would
be
put
on
that
cross
bound
up
he
would
say
I'm
not
worthy
to
be
hung
like
this
like
my
Lord
Jesus
put
me
upside
down
it's
because
Christ
put
his
love
inside
of
Peter
Peter
knew
what
Paul
knew
Galatians
2
2
I
have
been
crucified
with
Christ
already
it
is
no
longer
I
who
live
it's
no
longer
I
who
die
a
martyr's
death
as
a
hero
but
it
is
Christ
who
lives
and
even
dies
in
me
in
the
life
I
now
live
in
the
flesh
I
live
by
faith
in
the
son
of
God
who
loved
me
and
gave
himself
for
me
what
is it
that
motivates
pastors
each
of you
are
here
because
some
minister
of
the
word
has
fed
you
from
God's
word
praise
God
for
that
person
ordinary
humbled
repurposed
praise
God
for
that
what
motivates
pastors
like
that
to
keep
the
congregation
on
the
green
pastors
of
God's
word
and
God's
truth
love
for the
living
Jesus
Christ
what
motivates
pastors
to warn
to teach
hard
truths
to try
to protect
Christ's
lambs
from the
evil
one
it has
to be
love
for the
living
Jesus
Christ
what
motivates
pastors
to pray
to lose
sleep
over you
to bear
burdens
with you
because
you
belong
to
Christ
you're
his
sheep
and
they've
been
set
apart
and
they
love
Christ
that's
what
motivates
a
minister
of
God's
word
the
sixth
and
final
question
is
this
demand
is so
high
do you
feel
that
as
well
and
we've
said
that
Peter
could
only
do
this
after
he
saw
Christ
that
did
it
for
him
he's
simply
following
Christ
so
what
spring
spring
of
water
what
spring
could
supply
Christians
with
so
much
needed
love
a
love
for
Christ
my
own
love
for
Christ
falls
short
still
he
needs
to
keep
supplying
me
I
run
out
I'm
so
finite
and
limited
do you
feel
that
where
will
this
supply
or
this
storehouse
this
treasury
where
will
this
come
from
even
even
Paul
asked
this
question
in
2nd
Corinthians
said
who
is
sufficient
for
such
things
the
answer
is
no
one
is
sufficient
on
their
own
I
think
we
get
the
answer
in
John's
last
reference
to
himself
look
at
verse
20
after
this
exchange
between
Jesus
and
John
Peter
turned
around
and
he
saw
now
this
is
coming
from
the
author
the
disciple
Jesus
loved
remember
the
first
time
John
described
himself
that
way
in
this
book
he
wants
to
bookend
it
that
way
he
doesn't
describe
himself
as
one
who
loved
Christ's
sheep
well
though
he
did
the
apostle
John
went
on
to
become
a
pastor
as
an
old
man
at
the
church
in
Ephesus
it's
most
likely
from
the
church
in
Ephesus
that
he
wrote
this
gospel
much
later
than
all
the
others
as
well
as
his
three
letters
in
which
he
addresses
the
church
as
little
children
John
does
not
call
himself
the
disciple
who
outlived
the
others
and
though
that's
what
they
tried
to
make
it
about
and
there
were
rumors
about
that
church
history
and
tradition
tells
us
that
John
himself
was
dipped
in
oil
then
burned
alive
but
he
didn't
die
he
did
outlive
the
other
apostles
and
he
was
banished
to
an
island
of
Patmos
and
from
there
the
Lord
gave
him
the
great
revelation
the
last
book
by
an
apostle
in
the
New
Testament
John
doesn't
even
describe
himself
as
one
who
loved
Jesus
though
he
did
in
Revelation
2
4
he
rebuked
the
church
in
Ephesus
on
behalf
of
Christ
as
having
forgotten
their
first
love
you
should
be
known
by
that
you
are
ones
who
love
Jesus
John
wanted
to
be
known
by
that
as
well
but
that's
not
what
he
calls
himself
he
calls
himself
in
verse
20
the
disciple
whom
Jesus
loved
John
said
put
on
my
tombstone
one
who
received
love
from
God
the
Son
what
did
you
accomplish
John
what
did
you
do
with
your
life
I
received
everything
that's
the answer
to our
question
what
spring
supplies
Christians
with so
much
needed
love
now
notice how
John
corrects
the
church
he
writes
in
first
John
4
19
frente
we
love
Heroes
receipt
right, little children. Only God can supply this much-needed love. In 1 John 4.10, he said,
this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he has loved us and sent his son as an atoning
sacrifice for our sins. This has been a theme throughout this entire gospel. John 13.1,
John wrote, having loved his own in the world, he loved them to the end. And even in Revelation,
Revelation 1.5, listen how John describes the risen Jesus Christ, now glorified at the right hand of
the Father. He calls him Jesus Christ, is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead,
the ruler of the kings of the earth. Now listen, to him who loves us and washed us from our sins by
his blood, and he made us to be a kingdom priest with God the Father. To him be all glory and power,
which forever and ever. Amen. So where did John, where did Peter, where did any faithful minister,
where does any Christian get such love? It comes from Christ himself. Where do you get the energy
to obey even one commandment of Jesus, who rules over you as your king? Paul understood this just as
well. He wrote in Colossians 1.29, that we labor, striving according to his power, which God works
mightily in me. We are ones who receive. We're going to sing in a moment. You'll be invited to add your
voice, declaring this truth of yourself as well. Thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower, raise thou me
heavenward, O power of my power. If I have any power, it's the power of Christ supplying me. He is the power
in any power or anything that I do. Well, most likely in verse 24, it's the church of Ephesus,
the strong, doctrinally sound church that was shepherded by Timothy and by John. They add their
words to John. They say, we know that his witness is true. This is like the old elder in Ephesus
finishing his testimony as an eyewitness before he's about to be arrested and sent away, saying,
this is it. Make sure the Christians everywhere read this testimony as well. The Spirit has inspired me
put it in circulation. And the church says, we receive this. Amen. Let it be scripture and canon.
Let it be passed around. This is from God. Amen means we know that this is true and we who affirm it
stake our lives on it. We finished John's gospel. He said the purpose of this gospel is that you might
believe. After having opened this up and he's given you his eyewitness, he's traced these glorious themes.
I'm going to ask you to say amen if you receive this. Do you believe in the living Jesus Christ?
Can you say with the church in Ephesus, amen? Amen. Well, your condition, beloved congregation of Jesus
Christ, it reflects the chief shepherd of your soul, Jesus Christ himself. Men will fail.
Jesus Christ is the one who knows you, who cares for you. He protects you. He feeds you. He will not let
go of you. If there's one last little lamb far away, he will get it, lift it up, and drag it back.
Tend its wounds. Give it milk. Heal it. Restore it. Jesus Christ loves you so.
He says, I will not leave you nor forsake you. I will be your good shepherd until I take you all the
way home. That's how he cares for you, his sheep. Would you pray with me thanking Jesus for his great work
for us? Let's pray through portions of Psalm 23.
You, O living Jesus Christ, you are our Lord and our good shepherd. We shall not want. You make us to
lie down in green pastures. You lead us beside still waters. You restore our souls. You lead us in the
paths of paths of righteousness for your namesake. Surely your goodness and your covenant faithfulness
shall accompany us all the days of our lives until we dwell in your Father's house forever.
Those who belong to Christ, they say, Amen.