Tag: John 10

Bibliography for “I AM: Seven Identity Markers for Jesus”

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When I conclude a sermon series, I usually share resources I utilized in my study and preparation for sermons. Here is the bibliography for our recent series, “I AM: Seven Identity Markers for Jesus.”

Bibliography for “I AM: Seven Identity Markers for Jesus”

Kenneth E. Bailey. The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2014.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Christ the Center. New York: Harper & Row, 1960.

Raymond E. Brown. The Gospel According to John. ABD. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1966. Particularly Appendix IV: EGO EIMI “I AM,” pp. 533-538.

F. F. Bruce. The Gospel of John: Introduction, Exposition and Notes. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1983.

G. M. Burge. “‘Glory.” In Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pp. 268-270. Edited by Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I Howard Marshall. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

________. “‘I AM’ Sayings.” In Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pp. 354-356. Edited by Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I Howard Marshall. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

John Calvin. John. The Crossway Classic Commentaries. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1994.

D. A. Carson. The Gospel According to John. PNTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1990.

J. Ramsay Michaels. The Gospel of John. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2010.

Eugene H. Peterson. Christ Plays In Ten Thousand Places. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2005.

________. The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus is the Way. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007.

G. F. Shirbroun. “‘Light.” In Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pp. 472-473. Edited by Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I Howard Marshall. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Francis Spufford. Unapologetic. New York: HarperCollins, 2013.

M. M. Thompson. “John, Gospel of.” In Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pp. 368-383. Edited by Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

N. T. Wright. “The Story of John.” In The New Testament and the People of God, pp. 410-417. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1992.

________. Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters. New York: HarperCollins, 2011. 

Resources from the Bible Project:

Jesus the Good Shepherd Who Knows His Sheep Intimately

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A friend of mine once told me a story about his father, Bill, who was a farmer in Pennsylvania. On the farm, they had many animals, some of whom were sheep. Bill took good care of his farm, including the sheep who would follow him around wherever he went.

One spring, Bill became severely ill and had to spend a number of weeks in bed for recovery, on into the early Fall. During that time, others took care of the farming responsibilities, both with the crops and the animals.

As Fall rolled around, Bill was near the end of his recovery. Some friends stopped by one day in order to check in on Bill and to see what help he might need. Bill decided he would venture out into the yard in order to meet with these friends. It was the first time he had done so since the Spring. As he was talking in the yard something interesting happened.

The sheep, who were out to pasture on the other side of a hill suddenly started streaming over the hill to where Bill stood, talking with his friends. Unbelievably, the sheep heard the voice of their shepherd, Bill, and had come over to be around him. They knew his voice and – even over a great distance and separation over a great amount of time – knew the care and leading they would receive from him.

Jesus is not only the good shepherd who lays down His life, but He is also the good shepherd who knows His own. He says, “I am the good shepherd; I known my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14).

The relationship between the shepherd and the sheep is characterized by knowing. They each know who the other is. Jesus highlights this sort of relational knowing in describing Himself as the good shepherd.

Earlier in this passage in verse 3, Jesus tells of how the sheep “listen to the shepherd’s voice” and how the shepherd “calls His own sheep by name and leads them out” (10:3).

You see, the nature of our relationship with Jesus is that He speaks to us and we listen to Him.  He calls us by name and He leads us out.

“I am the Good Shepherd”

Matt EricksonLeave a comment

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus through our preaching series, “I AM: Seven Identity Markers of Jesus,” drawn from the Gospel of John. This week Pastor Femi Ibitoye continued the series by exploring Jesus’ statement, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11).

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-14)

The good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (Verse 10)

The good Shepherd owns the sheep (verse 11)

The good Shepherd knows the sheep and the sheep knows him (verse 14)

The good Shepherd cares for the sheep and does not abandon them when trouble comes (verse 12-13)

The Good Shepherd calls his sheep by name and leads them (Verse 3)

The Good Shepherd versus the Hired hand (10:11-14)

The Good Shepherd loves his sheep.  The hired hand does not

The Good shepherd owns the sheep.  The hired hand does not

The Good Shepherd cares for the sheep. The hired hand does not.

The Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep.  The hired hand runs from danger

Jesus has other sheep (11:15-16)

Jesus’ relationship with his sheep is intimate like his relationship with his Father (verse 15)

Jesus has other sheep that he will own.  Referring to gentiles who will believe

Jesus is shepherd over all sheep that knows him and listens to his voice

Jesus calls his sheep by name (Verse 2)

Jesus leads his sheep and they follow (Verse 3)

Jesus is God.  

      By claiming to be the good Shepherd, Jesus is claiming to be God (Isaiah 40:10-12, 

      Jesus gives us eternal life.  Only God can do that.  John 10:10, 10:28-30; 

      Jesus existed before Abraham was born, (John 8:56-58)

      Jesus uses the phrase “I AM”, which is a personal name of God (Exodus 3:13-15)

Jesus is the Shepherd Lord referenced in Psalm 23

    All the sheep will ever need is provided by the Good Shepherd

    Jesus leads us, Jesus restores us

    Jesus guides us in the right path

    Jesus is with us when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  He never leaves.

    Jesus protects, comforts, defends, saves us with his rod and staff

    Jesus provides for us, Jesus anoints us

    Jesus lavishes us with his goodness and love

Jesus is our dwelling place forever

Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

  • Memorize John 10:11 and/or Psalm 23
  • Draw, ink, or paint Jesus as the good shepherd.  As you do that, let God speak to you about what it means that Jesus is your shepherd. Pay attention to what God draws to the surface as. When you finish, consider sharing your prayer reflections and/or artistry with a friend.

Eastbrook at Home – May 7, 2023

Matt EricksonLeave a comment
Eastbrook-At-Home-Series-GFX_16x9-Title

Join us for worship with Eastbrook Church through Eastbrook at Home at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM. This weekend we continue our preaching series entitled “I Am: Seven Identity Markers of Jesus” based out of the Gospel of John. This week we look at Jesus’ powerful statement: “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11).

Here is a prayer for fifth Sunday of Easter from The Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

If you are able to do so, let me encourage you to join us for in-person services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM this weekend at the Eastbrook Campus.

If you are new to Eastbrook, we want to welcome you to worship and would ask you to text EBCnew to 94000 as a first step into community here at Eastbrook.

Each Sunday at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM, you can participate with our weekly worship service at home with your small group, family, or friends. This service will then be available during the week until the next Sunday’s service starts. You can also access the service directly via Vimeo, the Eastbrook app, or Facebook.

If you are not signed up for our church emailing list, please sign up here. Also, please remember that during this time financial support for the church is critical as we continue minister within our congregation and reach out to our neighborhood, city, and the world at this challenging time. Please give online or send in your tithes and offerings to support the ministry of Eastbrook Church.

Siren Songs or the Shepherd’s Voice?

Matt Erickson1 Comment

In Homer’s Odyssey we trace the epic return journey of Odysseus from Troy to his home in Ithaca. It is a long and arduous journey of ten years filled with many adventures and terrors. At one point along the journey, Odysseus is warned of a coming trial: the Sirens whose song is so irresistible that none can hear it and escape. Many sailors have been lured into destruction by the apparent beauty of the song. As Odysseus and his men approach the Siren’s isle, he orders his sailor to plug up their ears with beeswax until they are out of range of this beautiful, devastating song. Because he wants to hear the song himself, his sailors tie him tightly to the mast.

Today our world reverberates with many siren songs that sound beautiful but lead only to destruction. They are the songs that promise life, joy, and happiness with all the delicacy and delight the world can offer. The counter melody of the siren song, however, drones out hollow and gaunt like death. The siren song leads many lives to shipwreck and devastation. “No wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Penetrating the echo of siren songs, there is another voice speaking with plain simplicity that gives us abundant life. It is the voice of the good shepherd who knows His sheep. “His sheep follow Him because they know His voice” (John 10:4). “He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out” (10:3). He speaks with heavenly wisdom that is “pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). Jesus is that good shepherd who breaks through the devastating siren songs with God-saturated life.

What voices do we choose to familiarize ourselves with? To what extremes must we go in order to not be lured by the siren songs? Like the sailors, we may need to stop up our ears so we do not follow those songs into death. Like Odysseus, we may need companions who will strap us down to prevent our own ruin.

May the voice of the Good Shepherd resonate through our hearts and minds in order to bring us enduring life.