Shepherd of our Souls
Introduction
1 Peter 2:24-25
The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made as our substitute. John the Baptist spoke of Jesus saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) At the last Passover meal Jesus had with His disciples, He instituted the Lord’s Supper saying, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20) The sinless, perfect Son of God took upon Himself our sin in order to purchase our salvation.
I. SUBSTITUTE FOR OUR SINS
A. JESUS BORE OUR SINS.
1. Personally. “bare our sins in His own body on the tree”
“The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:6
“He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21
2. Punishment.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” 1 Pet. 3:18
“Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.” Eph. 5:2
3. Penalty. Rom. 3:23
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Heb. 2:9
“Once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Heb. 9:26
B. JESUS BLOTTED OUT OUR SIN.
1. Jesus blood washes our sins away. Rev. 1:5
“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”
2. Jesus buries our sins.
“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Ps. 103:10-12
“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Rom. 4:7-8
A mother sends her little son out to play. She tells him not to get his clean clothes dirty. The mother watches from her window as her little boy plays. The little fellow accidentally falls into a mud puddle. He gets up crying, runs inside to his mother, and says, “Mommy, I sorry that I got my clean clothes dirty.” She takes him up into her arms and tells him, “Son, I love you. I’ll get you all cleaned up.”
Another mother sends her son out to play. She tells him not to get his clean clothes dirty either. She watches from her window as her son goes to the nearest mud puddle and starts to jump up and down right in the middle of it. He has water and mud flying everywhere. He intentionally disobeys her. How do you suppose this mother should react to her son? It is one thing for a child of God to fall into sin, but it is completely different when he deliberately and willfully continues to sin.
II. SAVED FROM OUR SINS
A. CHANGE IN THE SAVED.
1. Separated from sin. “being dead” means “remove from” or “to depart.”
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:2
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.”Rom. 6:6-7
2. Righteousness life.
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Rom. 6:13-14
A young boy was taken from the streets of a sinful city where he had learned to steal, lie and live off the garbage. A wealthy couple took this young man into their home. They could buy him anything his heart could desire. But instead, he continued to live his life as he did before he was taken in by this couple. Many who claim to be Christians continue to live just like they did before they confessed to be saved.
B. CURE FOR THE SAVED. “whose stripes ye were healed”
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. Isa. 53:5
III. SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS
A. WANDERING SHEEP. v. 25
1. Shepherd seeks the sheep. Luke 19:8
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:8
2. Sheep turning to the Shepherd. “now returned” means repentance.
3. Shepherd saving the sheep. John 10:11
“I am the good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37
B. WATCHFUL SHEPHERD. v. 25
1. As Shepherd, He leads. John 10:27
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
2. As Bishop, He guards. John 10:28-29
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. Jesus paid our debt of sin so we can be forgiven.
2. We can live a righteous life in the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. We have the Great Shepherd who cares and watches over our souls.
4. You can receive the gift of eternal life if you will turn to Jesus in faith and repentance.