Good Shepherd Sunday

<)) Listen to the sermon here

[John 10:11-30] “…14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep… 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  

The Lord Is Your Shepherd

A New York Times article I read recently says the number of people in the United States turning to religion is increasing – for the first time in a while. To summarize the article, people are seeking answers for three B’s in life: Belief, Belonging, and Behavior.

What should I believe? What standard of truth is there, beyond my own opinions?

Where can I find belonging? A real, physical community to be part of and identify with? Something not online? Where do adults find new friendships?

And, behavior: What will transform me for the better? What has the power to do that? (And what is better? What is right or wrong?) And what about for my kids?

Adults are feeling a little lost. And I suspect current trends might not all be setting well in everyone’s conscious. The basics of God’s Law are etched in our hearts, and the conscience recognizes that some things are not right.

So, it appears, people are increasingly looking for something a little more real – more concrete – from outside their own selves. Even turning to church and religion, reversing the trend. And I think people have been turning to many things, for quite while, to satisfy the need for those three B’s in life.

Popular health fads give people a belief to cling to, a community to belong in, and a behavior to follow. Polarized political camps provide the same. I get to be an “us” who is against a “them”. And religion, church, and spirituality can also mean many things.

But what will last? What will satisfy the need, so I don’t need to keep looking to the next thing? What isn’t just an affirming of my own opinions or a cultural stamp?

And, importantly, what is true? If there are a hundred voices, there are a hundred different answers, but what voice is true? Will I recognize that voice?

“My sheep here My voice,” Jesus said, “and they follow Me.”

“I am the Good Shepherd… I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep… 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand…” [John 10:11-29]

There is a sure and certain voice. It won’t be proven scientifically. But Jesus said His own know Him when they hear it – “My sheep hear My voice” – and, “a stranger they will not follow” [John 10:5]. Like a child who knows the voice of their mom or dad.

That voice of Jesus is the voice of God – “I and the Father are one” [John 10:30] – and is therefore the voice of Scripture which is “breathed out by God” [2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21]. It’s this voice of Jesus that creates one flock, “…they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd.” [John 10:16]

A belief to believe, a place to belong, and a power that changes my behavior. From the Man-and-God who is “the same yesterday and today and forever” [Hebrews 13:8] – whose voice speaks in the word of Scripture which has not changed.

We have a pretty thorough historical record of what has changed in the Church over time. For example, there’s a pretty good record of the Church’s liturgy over the centuries – of how it has changed and evolved.

We have a vastly more thorough record of the Scriptures over time – of how they have not changed. A much more thorough record than other ancient writings.

Everything in the church’s life – its liturgies, its garb, its institutions – have changed over time. The Scriptures are the one thing that have remained the same. Jesus’ voice has remained unchanged.

Jesus’ flock, where redeemed sinners belong, is not defined by an institutional structure – nor by obedience to any other word – but, instead, His flock still gathers around His voice in Scripture, everywhere it’s heard —

— “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them” [Matthew 18:20]. Where two or three, or thirty, are gathered to hear the Shepherd’s voice, there is the flock and the place to belong and believe. And behave.

In whatever involves man – even in religion and Church – there will always be sin. For example, in our first Scripture reading today [Acts 20:17-35], the Apostle Paul, speaking to the “elders”, the “overseers” (bishops) from Ephesus – biblical words for “pastors” – warns them of what trouble will arise even from among them after his death and departure:

“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” [Acts 20:29-30]

But the voice of the Good Shepherd will always prevail, and He never flees [John 10:12] but will always be able to protect His flock from the wolves – (our) sin, death, deception, and the devil.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life, on the cross, for the sheep and thereby became “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” [John 1:29] because He gave His life “as a ransom for many” [Matthew 20:28].

In Jesus, you have both the belief to believe and the One to believe in. You have a flock to belong in. And you have a Shepherd who loves you enough to shepherd you, by His commandments, away from what is wrong and to what is right.

Being in attendance in His flock, you will have Him as your Shepherd. You will not lack any good thing. You will be well fed and watered by His Word and Spirit. He will restore your soul. He will lead you in paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake.

Even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He will be with you. The two beams of His cross, they will comfort you. He prepares you this table – and prepares you for it – in the midst of this troubled world.

You are anointed with His Spirit. Your cup overflows. And, surely, His goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever [Psalm 23] – “A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages…” [Revelation 7:9]

The belief, belonging, and transformation of behavior that your neighbor feels the need for – is even considering religion for – comes by having the Lord as their Shepherd, in the place where His flock is gathered, where His voice is heard. So be here, believe, and belong – and be encouraged to invite others. Amen.