What arrangement does the Right Shepherd make for the shepherding of the flock, and how may the sheep distinguish who are the “true shepherds”? 2. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. If your answer is in the affirmative, then you are a very privileged person to belong to such a marvelous inheritance. In fact, the earliest Christian art depicts Christ as the Good Shepherd, not the crucified Savior. SHEEP OF THE BIBLE. In His own words, Jesus tells us in John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. Just like these sheep, what distinguishes us is not so much the “pen” we inhabit, but the shepherd we follow. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. Some sheep come running as soon as their shepherd calls, but some struggle to obey his lead, going astray whenever temptation strikes. If they should give the shepherd a problem it is generally because the presence of a wolf or the butting of a goat has agitated them. Often he was portrayed as a beardless youth. All this is spiritually true because our Shepherd knows everything about us - how weak, how foolish and how wayward we can be - but thank God He still loves us. A true friend will speak the truth, even if it is not easy. Jesus’ credentials and His qualities prove Him to be the true shepherd, whom His sheep follow. Sheep must have a leader (shepherd) and must be told what to do and where to go, other wise they'll wander off and get lost. You can tell a secret to a true friend. 1. To find out if they may have secretly been pulling the wool over your eyes, look out for the following signs next time you see them in person. Works tirelessly to provide protection and security 5. Perhaps the most striking characteristic of sheep is that which the Lord describes in John. As the sheep eat all the forage in an area, the shepherd will move both the sheep and his living quarters to fresh range. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. THE HIRELING AND THE TRUE SHEPHERD" John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Notice the blessings we can glean from this Psalm today as we think about The Shepherd And His Sheep. Surprisingly, the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is still popular. Jesus the Good Shepherd - The Origin Jesus the good shepherd is referenced in the book of John, chapter 10. It takes a lot more energy to follow a wandering shepherd than to be cooped up in a pen! We’ll look first at Jesus’ credentials, then at His qualities, and finally at what He says about His sheep. Simon Peter encouraged elders to “be shepherds of God’s flock” [under their care so that] “when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:2-4). The fates curve of people born in the Year of Sheep / Goat / Ram exhibits an overall slightly ascending trend, which implies they will finally achieve success late in life. 1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. Notice the use of "My Shepherd" in verse 1. Jesus also says there were many who came before Him pretending to be good shepherds. Sheep also have behavioral characteristics that set them apart from goats. They rarely give the shepherd (their leader) problems. Like sheep, we are endangered by those who prey on our vulnerability, the spiritual wolves. … 1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. First, they all pretty much look the same. Keith Kendrick, a professor of medicine at Gresham College in London, found that sheep can distinguish between different expressions in humans and can detect changes in the faces of anxious sheep. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. Sheep also have behavioral characteristics that set them apart from goats. Jesus taught: “The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. He also discovered that sheep recognize the faces of at least 50 other sheep and can remember 50 different images for up to two years. 1. Generally, a wolf in sheep’s clothing will display “red flags” that can potentially unveil their true intentions. You can trust a true friend. Not only that, but a true friend tells you the truth. Am I part of the flock of God? 17. Here are some characteristics of sheep and I think you will agree that it is very applicable to us! Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. And the next day it will try it again, and again,… 3.