ONE SHEPHERD

Text: Ezekiel 34, John 10
20 February 2011

(I) THE PROPHECY OF THE ESTABLISHING OF ONE SHEPHERD

1. The context of the prophecy – The failure of false shepherds (Ezekiel 34:2-8)

2. The commitments of God as a true Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:11-15)

3. The provision of one spiritual Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23)

a) He will come from the line of David ( Ezekiel 34:23 )

b) He will feed them ( Ezekiel 34:23 )

c) He will be a prince over them ( Ezekiel 34:24 )

d) He will bring about the covenant of peace ( Ezekiel 34:25 )

(II) THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY SEEN IN THE LORD JESUS

1. Jesus identifies Himself as the good Shepherd (John 10:11)

a) He gives His life for the sheep ( John 10:11, 15 )

b) He leads His sheep and they hear His voice ( John 10:3-4 )

c) He will know them and they will know Him. ( John 10:14 )

2. He must bring in other sheep (Gentiles) into the fold (John 10:16)

a) They too will hear His voice

b) There will be one flock and one shepherd

i) One spiritual shepherd (Christ)

ii) One spiritual flock (The Church)

(III) THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF ONE SHEPHERD AND ONE FLOCK

1. All one in Christ – No barriers (Galatians 3:26-29)

a) All sons through faith in Jesus Christ

b) All baptized into Christ and put on Christ

c) No difference between Jew or Gentile

2. Christ making both one as a Church (Ephesians 2:14-17)

a) Broken down the middle wall of separation

b) Reconcile both to God in one body through the cross of Christ

c) Both have access to God by the Spirit

(IV) RELATING TO THE CHIEF SHEPHERD

1. Returning to the Shepherd and Overseer of our soul (1 Peter 2:25)

2. Relating to Christ’s shepherds who shepherd us (1 Peter 5:2)

3. Looking forward to seeing the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)