If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
We know that we are safe with God mostly because we can see Jesus, whom He has sent, and Jesus is very evidently a trustworthy person.
People live with a fear of the unknown, and for many God is unknown. God is trustworthy. As we learn to trust Him, we discover He takes us into an adventure that we were created for. As we trust Him we can take the risks in life that lead to life to the full.
Bible Zone
The zone below looks at three parts to John 10 exploring Jesus as the good shepherd..
- A suspicious people - Jesus compares himself with unreliable religious leaders.
- Jesus defends - Jesus was prepared to pay a cost to keep us safe.
- Experience Jesus the defender - A practical suggestion.
- Safe in Jesus’ hands - Jesus will not allow His sheep to be snatched from Him.
However much God claims to have our best interests at heart, we live in a critical society that is suspicious of anyone’s claims of having our best interest at heart. In John 10:7-10 Jesus makes plain that there are those who are worthy of suspicion.
- How does Jesus describe previous spiritual leaders?
- What might it mean to steal, kill and destroy in spiritual terms?
- What has Jesus done for His people spiritually?
John 10:7-10 7 so he explained it to them: "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.8 All who came before me* were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.* They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Jesus is more than one who is above seeking to abuse us. See how He continues his description of Himself as the Good Shepherd. John 10:14-18
- At what cost is Jesus willing to watch over those who are His?
- What is Jesus’ motivation for paying such a price?
- How is Jesus’ relationship with His Father affected by this sacrifice?
John 10:14-18 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
17 "The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded."
It is one thing to know in your head, and to understand the words that we are safe with Jesus. The reality however that trust needs to be developed. The only way trust can be developed is through experience. It is when we find ourselves in difficulty, or in failure, and experience His amazing rescue that we learn that we can trust Him. This cannot happen without a key word - RISK! It will only happen when we allow the Lord to take us out of our comfort zone as He leads us as our Good Shepherd. Then we will see Him come to our rescue and really know that He is who He says He is.
Practically that means - Pray to God, asking Him to remind you the next time you are in a place where doing the right thing is risky. When you are reminded, ask God to defend you and do the right thing. Then look to see what happens. It may take some time for God’s intervention to become apparent. Be patient.
Jesus in discussing with his enemies explains the place of His sheep. John 10:25-30
- What distinguishes those who trust Jesus and those who don’t?
- What does Jesus do for His sheep (people)?
- What can take Jesus’ people from His hand?
John 10:25-30 25 Jesus replied, "I have already told you, and you don't believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father's name.26 But you don't believe me because you are not my sheep.27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else.* No one can snatch them from the Father's hand.30 The Father and I are one."
Jesus is a master at watching over those who have entrusted themselves to Him. We stand with Him in absolute security. This is not based on our own ability to stay in a safe place, but because He knows us and He knows all that we do, and all our weaknesses. It is in that context that He has made the statements above.
SAFE WITH GOD
