1. The Person and Work of God the Son

2. TEXT: John 10:1-18
The present ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ includes that of being the Shepherd of the sheep, those who follow Him. In that ministry he:

3. I. Leads the sheep
A. It is the inherent function of a shepherd to lead (John 10:3) B. In this His leading is always in that which is right (Psalm 23:2) C. His leadership is a pattern for other shepherds (1 Peter 5:2)

4. II. Feeds the Sheep
A. Again, this is the function of a true shepherd (Psalm 23:2,5) B. As with any owner of livestock, that food must be nourishing with consideration for the health of the sheep C. Again, this is a pattern for undershepherds (John 21:15,16,17; 2 Tim 4:2)

5. III. Protect the Flock
A. The shepherds responsibility is to protect the sheep (John 10:9,11) B. The one who has no desire to protect the sheep is an “hireling.” (John 10:12) …he is not called as a shepherd but merely has a “career” or a “job.” C. The true shepherd is called to protect the sheep (1 Peter 5:1-2: 1 Sam 17:34-36)

6. IV. The chief Shepherd waits
A. He waits for the time of the regathering to the fold of His sheep (1 Thess 4:13-18) B. He is in the process of calling those sheep to His fold (John 10:3,16) C. Meanwhile, He commits a portion of the care and protection to under-shepherds (the word shepherd is also translated “pastor”) who are also elders (1 Peter 5:4)

7. In looking ahead, the Elders are seeking a man who is called to be the Senior Pastor, the Under-shepherd of this church. Pray that the one God has for us will be a true shepherd and not an hireling.