TEXT: Ezek 34: 11-16. Psa 23: 1-6.
SUB: Seeking, sustaining, and securing the sheep.
Intro: 1) The scriptures are always relevant to us.
2) Its purpose is to also comfort us.
3) This comfort is achieved only through the Holy Spirit.
4) God is using Ezekiel to bring comfort to God's sheep throughout the ages.
1. THE SEEKER OF THE SHEEP.
A. The Seeker is the Lord. vss.11,12. It is very clear here that God searches and He seeks out His sheep; not the other way around.
B. How does He accomplish this? By sending His servants out, through the highways and byways, into the prisons, the hospitals, sharing tracts etc.
C. Interestingly, the first word in the Great Commission is "Go"!
D. It is not in the nature of sheep to seek a shepherd, it is the other way around.
E. Today's modernistic theology will have you believe that the sheep seek the shepherd but the BIBLE IS VERY CLEAR, GOD SEEKS HIS SHEEP.
11. THE SHEEP. vss 12,13. What of the sheep? Who are these "sheep"?
A. They are called His people. His sheep Psa 100:3.
B. They are the Lord's own, those who are claimed by Him and for Him. He calls them "My own sheep" John 10: 3,14.
C. When He seeks His sheep, they come to Him when He calls. John 10: 27.
D. Only His sheep will come not any others. John 5:40. John 10: 26.
E. The Lord's servants are to preach, "whosoever will may come" but also know that only His sheep will come.
F. They are also called " the elect of God" Col 3: 12.
G. God elects them, not the other way around. Eph: 1, 4,5.
H. They are all over the world and only they will come. None else.
111. THEIR SUSTENANCE.vs13-16. He promises to take care of them.
A. We are assured that His word is good and dependable. 2 Cor 1:20.
B. God takes care of the sparrows much more for His sheep. Psa 84:3. Luke 12: 6,7.
C. He will take care of His sheep.Phil 4:19.
1V. THEIR SECURITY. Psa 23: 1-6. The confidence of the sheep.
A. His personal shepherd. vs 1.
B. His sure providence. vs 2
C. His personal faith in God restoring his soul. vs 3
D. His confidence in God's protection.
E. His continued confidence of God sustaining him.
F. His personal security that He will be with the Lord.
CONCL: 1) What then do we have to boast about except that our Lord, seeks out His own, calls them, provides for them, and will ultimately gather them into His sheepfold in Heaven.
2) The message is that God seeks His own, are you one of His sheep, come to Him. Jesus said...Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.
