On September 13, Pastor Jeff looked at “I Am the Good Shepherd” from John 10:11–18 at River Corner Church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Continuing our SEVEN series through the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, we explored what Jesus means when he declares, “I am the good shepherd.” This is more than a comforting image. Jesus identifies himself as the Shepherd promised throughout Scripture—the Shepherd who knows his sheep, leads them, protects them, and gives his life for them. In John 10, Jesus contrasts the Good Shepherd with thieves, bad shepherds, and hired hands who abandon the sheep when trouble comes. The Good Shepherd is different. He knows his sheep, and his sheep know him. He knows their needs, knows their names, and calls them to follow his voice. In a chaotic world filled with competing voices, uncertainty, fear, and people who cannot always be trusted, Jesus offers a different way: we can trust the Shepherd because he knows where he is leading us. The message also connects Jesus’ words in John 10 with the familiar imagery of Psalm 23: “The LORD is my shepherd.” In Jesus, we see the fulfillment of that shepherd imagery throughout the Old Testament. The Good Shepherd leads us toward green pastures and quiet waters, refreshes our souls, guides us along the right paths, and remains with us even when we walk through dark valleys. When we do not know what we need, we can rest because the Shepherd knows. When we do not know what is next, we can trust because the Shepherd leads. When we feel alone or afraid, we can remember that the Shepherd knows us. Most importantly, Jesus says that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11–18 points toward the cross, but it also points beyond the cross to the resurrection. Jesus willingly gives his life; no one simply takes it from him. He has authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. Because the Shepherd gives his life and takes it up again, death does not have the final word. In a chaotic and uncertain world, followers of Jesus can have hope because the Good Shepherd remains with his sheep. This sermon is part of the SEVEN series at River Corner Church, a simple community of Jesus followers rooted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Throughout this series, we are exploring the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in John and asking what these declarations reveal about who Jesus is and how we are invited to live in response. As we consider Jesus as the Good Shepherd, we are reminded that we were never meant to navigate life alone. We have a Shepherd who knows us, leads us, protects us, calls us by name, and ultimately gives his life for his sheep. #SevenSeries #GoodShepherd #Jesus #John10 #John101118 #IamTheGoodShepherd #Psalm23 #ChristianSermon #RiverCornerChurch #LancasterPA #ChurchInLancaster #JesusChrist #GospelOfJohn #Christianity Send us Fan Mail Support the show
