Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. What is life all about?

a. To many, it consists of all the physical things

i. To have a big family

ii. To have money

iii. To own many things

b. But physical things are limited, they will perish

i. They do not mean much after a while

ii. They will not last

2. Jesus wants to give us “abundant life”

a. Christ came to give “abundant life” to us (John 10:10)

b. It is to be discovered as we cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus

c. This personal relationship can be cultivated when we

i. Know the Lord Jesus

ii. Appreciate Him

iii. Relate to Him

KNOWING AND APPRECIATING JESUS OUR WONDERFUL SHEPHERD

1. He protects us

a. The idea of the shepherd as the door

i. Sheep would rest in a sheepfold

ii. The shepherd stations himself at the entrance to guard them

b. The Lord Jesus

i. He is the door   (John 10:7, 9)

ii. If anyone enters through Him, he will be saved   (John 10:9)

iii. He will be safe under the protection of the shepherd

2. He provides for us

a. The shepherd leads the sheep in and out to graze

b. The Lord Jesus

i. He leads us in and out to find pasture (John 10:9)

ii. He provides for us

3. He lays down His life for us

a. A good shepherd lays down his life to guard the sheep   (John 10:11)

b. The Lord Jesus

i. He is our good shepherd   (John 10:11,14)

ii. He laid down his life for us at the cross   (John 10:15)

4. He has given us eternal life

a. We shall never perish   (John 10:28)

b. No one can snatch us from His hand

LEARNING TO RELATE TO JESUS AS OUR SHEPHERD

1. How our Shepherd relates to us   (John 10:3-4)

a. He knows us

b. He calls us by name

c. He leads us

2. How we may respond to Him   (John 10:3-4)

a. Know His voice

b. Hear His voice

c. Follow Him

3. Knowing and hearing the Lord’s voice

a. He speaks to us through His Word

b. We listen to His voice when we

i. Listen to His Word

ii. Remember it

iii. Meditate on it

iv. Check our understanding of it

c. We can relate to the Lord

i. In prayer

ii. On the basis of His Word to us

CONCLUSION

1. Growing older is never easy

2. But we can still find the abundant life which the Lord Jesus wants to give to us

3. We can do so as we learn to relate to Him as our Shepherd

4. Let us find every encouragement to relate to Him!