Message # 5  THE ETERNAL RELATIONSHIP John 10:27 - 30

 

This text is not about the sheep - it is about God and His Son Jesus Christ

 

Yet we will begin this morning talking about the sheep.

 

Sheep:

  • Belong to someone – The Owner
  • Depend on Someone – The Shepherd

 

Sheep need their shepherd – one who knows them, leads them, protects them, insures their safety and life – cares for their every need.

 

In this text Jesus refers to Himself as:

  • The Shepherd
  • The One who knows us
  • The One who leads us
  • The One who gives us eternal life
  • The One who protects us and keeps us

 

A Good shepherd sacrifices his life for the life of the sheep.

  • Separates himself from others to live in the fields
  • Leaves the many to search for the one
  • Puts up with adverse situations and mockery for the sheep
  • Would even die fighting off a wolf or bear to keep the sheep safe

 

Our Good Shepherd has done all these things…and more because in Jesus we have not only the Shepherd but also the Owner.

 

This is about an eternal relationship.

 

So many relationships today are not considered eternal - or even long lasting.  The reality is that many relationships do not last longer than an inkjet printer cartridge.

  • Dating
  • Marriage
  • Work

 

So many of the things we use today are considered "disposable" that we begin to believe that everything is. 

Lighters, computers, telephones, televisions, relationships:  When they get old or broken we do not try to repair them anymore; we simply discard them and shop for a replacement.

 

Not God.  God has made a significant investment into every one of your lives. 

 

He does not throw anyone away.  If we end up being cast into destruction it is our own choice – NOT GOD’S!

 

God is in the sheep repair business.   God is in this relationship for the long haul.

 

  • God works in the broken lives of man and repairs them - giving them a new eternal life that cannot be broken again.
  • God gives a great warranty with His repairs - lifetime is for the appliances of this world - God gives eternal security.
  • God is the ultimate repairer of lives.  He alone has the power to make repairs and know they will last forever.

 

The fruit of a long-term relationship is that you begin to recognize the voice of the one you are talking with.

 

Think about telephone calls.  In a new relationship, you tell the person you have called who you are.  "Hi!  It's Bill."

 

In a long-term relationship you just say, "Hi! It's me."  Because you have spoken to them enough, developed your relationship to the point that they know your voice.

 

This is how our relationship should be with God.  When we pray we do not have to tell God "Hi this is Bob Alderman from Rio Grande City, TX" ; neither do we have to say His name every six seconds or say “I pray” before every request.

 

God already knows.

 

We should speak with Him knowing – believing that He knows our voice and we just need to say, "Hi Daddy, it's me"

 

That is a relationship that is solid and eternal.

 

Are you listening for the Shepherds call? Do you hear His voice?

 

Today is your time to respond to Him!