John 10:16.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] All right, go ahead and have a seat welcome to Village Church. If this is your first time here [0:05] My name’s Steve [0:05] I’m one of the pastors here at Village Church and as always I am thankful and grateful to see each and every one of you [0:11] If you have your Bibles this morning, go ahead and open them to John chapter 10. We’re gonna be in verse 16 this morning [0:18] This is week six of anchors [0:21] And this is a series on specific verses in the Bible that have been personally helpful in keeping my faith

[0:28] anchored to Jesus and these verses have emboldened comforted and really helped in endurance in [0:37] following Jesus but specifically in [0:40] Obeying Jesus this morning and so last week I shared Galatians 2 20 and this week [0:46] I want to talk about John 10 16 now. Why do I get two verses? Well, the reason is because I want two verses [0:53] By God’s grace. He has given me an entire [0:57] Bible to anchor my life with and so therefore I have personally dozens of texts that anchor my life

[1:05] I’m thankful to be able to share a few of them with you [1:08] If you’ve ever been in a Bible study or anywhere with me like that [1:11] You’ve heard me say this is my favorite book of the Bible probably about 23 different books of the Bible because depending on [1:18] You know what book I’m actually having to be reading at that point [1:21] That’s probably my favorite book of the Bible at that point [1:24] Last week we talked about the personal nature of the Bible because the gospel is

[1:31] Extremely personal. It’s probably the most personal thing in my life [1:36] But it is not private and I must make a clear distinction for us this morning of the [1:43] Really public nature of the work of the gospel in every single one of our lives [1:50] Understanding and applying the gospel as we talked through Galatians 2 20 last week is the most vital thing that you can ever do [1:59] in your life [2:01] But faith also brings a new purpose for your life

[2:06] That purpose is of course to worship God [2:08] But it is also in worshipping God to live his mission and that is what he gives [2:16] for your purpose in life [2:18] To worship Christ is to obey Christ [2:21] That must be understood that when we sing these great songs to Jesus when we enjoy the atmosphere of [2:30] Worshipping Jesus through song we must not truncate our definition of our definition of worship there

[2:36] We must not reduce our definition of worship to that [2:39] But we must understand that worship is something that takes place in every aspect of our lives [2:44] And therefore if we are living lives where we are willfully disobedient [2:48] To Christ well that is not a life that is marked by worship [2:52] But rather that is a life that is marked by false worship and idolatry [2:56] The mission that God has given us to live in worship of him is not mysterious

[3:02] He has clearly revealed it to each and every one of us and I believe that John [3:08] 1016 sheds great light not only on the mission of Jesus [3:12] But also on the promise and hope of the victory of that mission [3:17] And so when we talk about anchor verses and of course where the mission of Jesus is concerned [3:21] I’ve got many many different anchor verses, but this one [3:24] specifically God used in my life to help me understand what it is to live his mission

[3:32] Why I should live his mission and what understanding I should have of both my part in living his mission [3:38] But also greatly in his part of living his mission because if you do not understand God’s part of living his mission [3:46] I will tell you evangelism will become a crushing weight of responsibility on your shoulders [3:52] so much so that it is [3:54] Possibly the reason many give up on evangelism because they think it depends on their own giftedness [4:00] They think it depends on your own shrewdness you think that you’re kind of reduced to someone that’s trying to convince or even worse

[4:06] Manipulate people into believing Jesus and that if they reject faith in Jesus Christ [4:12] Well, then you are the utter failure because you have done God great injustice because clearly you didn’t present it the right way [4:19] And my hope in part is that what was a great relief to me will become also a great relief to you [4:27] This morning and so I want to without delay read John 1016. Here’s what Christ says [4:33] He says and I have other sheep that are not of this fold [4:37] I must bring them also

[4:39] And they will listen to my voice [4:43] So there will be one flock [4:45] one shepherd [4:47] pray with me [4:48] father [4:50] Our hope this morning is a simple one that you would help us to worship you

[4:57] Lord help us to live our lives for you [5:00] Help us to keep at the forefront of our understanding what it is to live for you that you are seeking to reach the world [5:07] with your good news [5:09] That you save [5:12] I pray this morning that you would change our lives so that we could be tools [5:16] To bring in your harvest in the name of christ. I pray amen

[5:22] I want to jump right into the text phrase by phrase this morning similarly to what I did last week [5:28] Number one the mission of jesus must be the driving force [5:32] In my life [5:33] The mission of jesus must be the driving force in my life [5:38] Jesus in this first statement. He says I have other sheep [5:42] That are not of this fold and so he identifies two things there first other sheep

[5:48] Second this fold and so what specifically is he remarked remarking about there? [5:55] Well when he’s speaking about other sheep, he’s giving the scope and aim [5:59] Of his mission [6:00] You see the gospel of jesus is meant to reach people from all race races all ethnicities all nations, etc [6:08] Jesus wants people from all over his world [6:12] And to lay a foundation for that aim the context of this fold

[6:18] Is also very important at the beginning of john chapter 10 [6:22] He gives that context and it’s vital that you understand it frankly this entire chapter is an anchor [6:27] So we’re going to talk a lot about it today in verses one through four jesus speaks specifically [6:32] Of his followers in israel. He’s speaking to the jews at the very beginning of this text [6:37] And that is the audience jesus is the shepherd and they must follow him as he leads them [6:44] If they are his sheep

[6:45] They will follow [6:48] And then he continues on and he says that when he has brought out all of his own [6:55] He goes before them and the sheep follow him for they know [6:59] his voice [7:01] And so he’s speaking israel. He’s saying israel if you are my sheep, what will you do? [7:07] You’ll follow me

[7:09] You will follow me wherever I go [7:11] I will be the one that’s leading you and you will go why because you hear my voice because you trust me [7:17] Because you’re going with me and that is the only way [7:20] That they will know god is through jesus and through following him [7:26] Why? [7:27] Why is jesus worth following?

[7:29] Because he is the good shepherd [7:32] He goes on in the chapter to say that if someone came after the sheep of a bad shepherd [7:37] That that shepherd would let the sheep die [7:41] But then in verses 14 and 15 he describes the good shepherd himself jesus. He says I am the good shepherd [7:48] I know my own and my own know me just as the father knows me and I know the father and I lay down my life [7:56] for

[7:57] the sheep [8:00] So before jesus ever gets to the mission that he wants us to live because we have a way of getting ahead of ourselves [8:07] We have a way of looking to what should I do about christianity before we ever say what did I what am I about christianity? [8:15] And I would say most of the time that’s because we don’t trust jesus [8:19] And we’re conditioned to think I must be doing I must be doing I must be doing I must be doing and we never [8:24] Live in awe of jesus christ. Well, that’s not the gospel

[8:27] We talked about that a lot last week [8:29] The gospel is living in awe of the good shepherd [8:34] Many of you are not in awe of the good shepherd you are in awe of what you need to be doing [8:39] Christianity is not about what you do [8:42] It is about who jesus is and who he says you are [8:46] In him that’s a completely different identity because israel had gotten their minds wrapped up in all about what they were doing

[8:55] And that they were the special ones in the whole world. Jesus is not about you. This is about god [9:00] This is about me. Are you following me? [9:03] And so for us to understand the mission of jesus, we must first understand jesus [9:09] But many of us are so discontented in the lives that we are living that we refuse to slow down [9:15] To saturate ourselves in who jesus is and so what happens then? [9:19] Well religion is what happens then legalism is what happens then self-centeredness is what happens then and a mission that is consumed by the

[9:26] Self is what happens then and so you never get past self-help

[9:32] You never get past it [9:34] And so your life becomes consumed about feeling better about yourself [9:38] Your life becomes consumed about self-esteem [9:41] Your life becomes consumed not with the good shepherd, but who’s your life consumed by your life is consumed by you [9:50] The most unmissional thing that you can do in this world is live a life consumed by yourself [9:57] And that is the grave thing that jesus is calling israel to realize

[10:00] What jesus is calling israel to repent of in this chapter. He’s saying you’re not following the good shepherd. You’re following the bad shepherd [10:05] Yes, of course satan is the bad shepherd many times, but in this text [10:08] I believe jesus is looking to israel saying israel you are the bad shepherd

[10:13] You will flee and leave the sheep to die

[10:20] See jesus cares for the sheep [10:23] He knows his sheep [10:25] Jesus is not some hired hand but rather he is one who is involved [10:32] And jesus lays his life down for the sheep. That is the cross that is [10:38] Substitutionary atonement. And so what is jesus speaking of here? Jesus is preaching the gospel [10:44] Jesus is occupying the office of prophet in this place right before he’s about to occupy the office of priest

[10:51] on the cross [10:53] And so friends when we slow down we must understand that christianity is a confessional faith [11:00] It is a faith that is about jesus. It is not about me when I confess. I confess what christ has done [11:07] When i’m all bound up in what I am doing [11:11] Then I am the center of my confession you see without jesus. I’m a dead man [11:16] Without jesus, I am hopeless

[11:18] But jesus is my shepherd he paid the penalty he gave his life

[11:28] Friends [11:29] The value of life is given by the gospel and it is also given for the gospel [11:35] First the value of my life is shown by the gospel [11:40] It shows the love of god for me and the commitment of god to his glory [11:45] You see jesus desires his sheep to the extent that he went to the greatest length to protect and nourish me [11:53] Jesus gave his very life and then he gave his very victory in resurrection to me

[12:00] You see the gospel is applied to me and I define my worth and value by the love of christ to the glory of god [12:08] But you see in ensuring his glory [12:11] Through the victorious sacrifice of jesus jesus, I know the value given is secure [12:18] My value is definite my value is unchanging [12:23] Because jesus died for it and jesus rose for it [12:26] Therefore any thought of do I have value any thought of do I have worth?

[12:31] It should not be combated with self-esteem rather. It should be combated with jesus’ esteem [12:37] It should be combated with the shepherd’s esteem [12:41] It should be combated with verses 14 and 15 where jesus says I lay down my life for the sheep [12:47] Therefore if I can know one thing about my life in the face of anything that happens in this world. I [12:55] am [12:55] loved

[12:57] By the creator of the universe [13:00] And when I realize that I am loved by the creator of the universe [13:03] I realize that I am loved by the one whose opinion matters far more than anyone else’s even my own [13:11] Therefore when I find myself unlovely that cannot be a condemning [13:16] Thing if I look and I say well someone who is far greater far smarter and far more powerful than me loves me [13:21] Even if I don’t love myself

[13:23] And that is the good shepherd that is [13:27] jesus [13:27] But also the value of my life is for the gospel the value of my life’s defined by the gospel [13:34] But the value of my life is also defined for the gospel god saves us to something [13:39] You see the good shepherd laid his life down for something [13:43] He laid his life down both for the sheep in the fold but also for the sheep that are not

[13:51] Of this fold and that is where the changed life in christ comes in [13:57] You see the life that I live now is given the purpose of reaching other sheep with the good news of what the good shepherd [14:04] has done [14:06] This is what the apostle paul was remarking about in axe chapter 20 verse 24 when he says I do not account my life of any [14:13] value [14:15] And if you stop there you’re gonna think oh man the apostle paul is really down on himself

[14:19] No, that’s not it at all. He says but he goes further. He says nor is precious to myself [14:24] If only [14:26] I may finish my course in the ministry that I receive from the lord jesus [14:33] To testify to the gospel of the grace of god [14:39] You see the apostle paul [14:42] His value is defined by the gospel

[14:43] He’s in christ [14:45] God has called him to himself [14:48] But then note secondly his value is defined for the gospel [14:52] My life is only precious if i’m using it for the purpose that god has called me by the gospel and he’s called me by [14:59] the gospel [14:59] for the proclamation of the gospel

[15:04] You see paul understood his mission. He understood that it was clear [15:08] He says I must testify of the gospel of god [15:12] You see the value of my life is the ministry given by the lord to testify of jesus [15:19] The mission to reach the other sheep is the driving force behind what it means to follow jesus why? [15:27] Because following someone means you’re going in the same direction as they are [15:31] So where’s jesus going?

[15:35] to the other sheep [15:38] Therefore if you want to follow jesus you must be going towards the other sheep [15:45] That is where he’s going. That is where following him will necessarily lead you [15:52] And that is why the abundant discipleship resources that we have [15:57] Mostly are completely corrupt [16:00] That’s why mostly they are completely

[16:04] Harmful to what actual discipleship should look like because most of them are by design [16:10] a reason for you to sit [16:13] And do nothing where living for the gospel is concerned [16:18] They would have us think that it is all knowledge [16:21] That it is all about how you think about yourself [16:24] That you sit and you get all of your problems sorted out before you ever actually go

[16:32] To live the mission of jesus

[16:36] Some of you have been in discipleship for 25 30 35 40 years. How’s that working for you? You resolved any of it yet?

[16:47] No [16:47] You see when we define ourselves by the gospel when we sit back and actually think [16:53] This is not about what I do [16:55] This is about what I am [16:57] then and only then do you possess the freedom to actually be a disciple of jesus christ [17:04] To actually follow him anywhere

[17:07] But when you embrace that identity follow him you must [17:14] And you must follow him to the other sheep. You see real discipleship [17:18] I’m actually going to talk about this a little bit next saturday. Let me plug it a little bit for you, but uh [17:24] Real discipleship when we think about it and it’s very linear for me. It’s point a to point b [17:30] it’s [17:31] I

[17:31] Have come to be a follower of jesus christ to I want to be a mature [17:36] Fully devoted follower of jesus christ. How do I get from point a to point b? Well, I don’t think it’s a straight line [17:43] So that’s how we would measure it because that’s religion [17:45] We measure it by what i’ve done. We’ve measured by what I do we measure about what I can accomplish

[17:52] Let’s see that always leaves other people out

[17:56] See I do think it’s point a to point b but I think it’s cyclical because I think it multiplies [18:01] I do not think that you can repent of sin. I do not think you can get over your selfishness [18:06] I do not think you can ever get past the self-centeredness that so easily besets every single one of you without [18:13] Seeking to live the mission of jesus to reach the other sheep [18:16] Because that is how god designed discipleship because god says discipleship is becoming more like christ [18:21] Well, if jesus is going towards the other sheep me becoming more like him is to go after the other sheep

[18:28] See, but too often [18:31] We sit [18:33] Too often we stagnate [18:36] Too often we get very comfortable in the little bubble not the christian bubble the u bubble [18:41] See too many people complain about the christian bubble, of course christianity has a bubble. It’s jesus’s people [18:45] It’s his city. There’s going to be a bubble around it

[18:49] But the bubble that you’ve got a problem of isn’t the christian bubble the bubble that you’ve got a problem of is the u bubble [18:55] And you need to get over yourself and you need to get out there to live the mission of jesus. Why? [19:01] Because number two this morning god’s sovereignty is the hope of his mission [19:05] God’s sovereignty is the hope of his mission note what he says in the second phrase [19:09] He says I must bring them also and they will [19:13] Listen to my voice because of all I have is that jesus is going after the other sheep

[19:19] And i’ve got to follow jesus towards the other sheep man. I hope I measure up [19:24] Well, that reduces us to car salesmen trying to sell a lease on the jesus mobile [19:30] And I sure hope somebody picks up the option of another year [19:35] See, but the reality is that’s not what evangelism is at all. That’s not what the mission of jesus is at all [19:40] There is much to be said. Let me make this clear about the sovereignty of god [19:44] But i’m going to limit myself to this specific topic this morning to think of god as king

[19:51] With supreme power and authority [19:54] Is the beginning point of understanding his sovereignty? [19:58] In this specific text though, jesus speaks of the sheep as what known? [20:04] The mission of jesus is not one that is up to me [20:08] To empower or complete and this is the great relief of evangelism for my life [20:14] Because the mission is certain

[20:17] Our mission is to make jesus known to the world god has been clear in various texts [20:23] Throughout the old and new testament that that is our mission and we do this through lives of worship through obedient submission [20:29] And of course proclaiming the gospel of jesus, but that can be a crushing weight if understood [20:38] Incorrectly [20:38] And this text came as great relief to me [20:42] Jesus knows his sheep

[20:44] And they will listen [20:47] He is certain that he will bring them [20:51] jesus never [20:53] Speaks of his mission nor does the holy spirit anywhere throughout the 66 books of the bible [20:59] speak of his mission as [21:02] Uncertain whether to its success or failure

[21:07] Never speaks. Oh man, there’s going to be something to get away [21:10] Never speaks to that [21:12] He speaks of it is certain every single time [21:16] The field is ripe for harvest [21:19] Jesus knows his sheep [21:22] To understand it any other way is to put a weight on your shoulders that you cannot hope to bear

[21:31] It will destroy you [21:33] So yes, there is necessity. Yes. There is responsibility [21:38] Yes, there is a stewardship of being a recipient of the grace of god. The scripture is very clear [21:44] But we are not as it may be salesmen who depend on convincing or manipulating [21:51] Others into buying the gospel [21:54] Rather friends we are tools used by a sovereign god to reap his harvest

[22:00] But he is the one that cultivates that harvest. He is the one that brings it in by his hand [22:07] We are simply the tools that god uses to draw them in [22:12] so wait [22:13] Dr. John Piper puts it he says the truth of god’s sovereign election gives hope for effective evangelism [22:20] guarantees the triumph of christ’s mission in the end [22:25] See no other rubric gives us guaranteed victory, but the biblical one. You see john 6 explains it this way

[22:33] Jesus does not lose a single sheep [22:35] He says all that the father gives me will come to me and whoever comes to me [22:40] I will never cast out for I have come down from heaven not to do my own will [22:44] But the will of him who sent me and this is the will of him who sent me that I should lose [22:49] Nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day [22:55] You see this is the promise of security

[22:58] But it is also the promise of reception [23:01] How do they come? [23:03] Well, john 6 44 is clear the father [23:06] Supernaturally draws them by the power of his spirit [23:11] no one [23:13] Can come unless the father who sent me draws him and I will raise him up

[23:19] on the last day [23:21] So we can get a get caught up in one of two things here [23:24] We can get too caught up on the security aspect of I will raise him up on the last day [23:29] to completely ignore the recipient aspect [23:33] Of no one comes to me unless the father draws him [23:37] But we must look at it

[23:39] full

[23:42] But no one’s going to come to god unless god draws them and you say well that’s negative [23:48] Yeah, but it’s a good negative in other words you are never going to ruin the gospel [23:55] Never [23:56] You are never going to present the gospel so bad that god in heaven looks back and he says oh my goodness [24:03] How am I going to recover from this?

[24:07] You are never going to give such a flawed presentation of the gospel that you should walk away saying [24:13] No, I don’t know i’ve blown it now that person’s going to burn in hell forever because of me

[24:21] So because if you carry that mentality around what are you going to do well you’re not going to present the gospel [24:27] Why would you

[24:31] But no the second part is extremely positive

[24:36] See the second part tells us some will come [24:40] You see the gospel is dependent on the work of god [24:44] I am the tool that he uses to give the gospel of god and then he promises that when I [24:51] Obey that god has an interesting way of using me to actually draw his harvest in [24:55] To actually see people come to faith in jesus and then when they come to faith in jesus since I didn’t do the work [25:02] I don’t need to complete the work

[25:05] He says I will raise him up on the last day the gospel of jesus is completely contingent on jesus [25:12] From beginning to end and all those whom god brings in he will never cast out [25:20] You see to have the good news of jesus is to take the good news of jesus to the other sheep [25:27] We follow the shepherd but to know the shepherd is also to know his power [25:33] He has ensured the success [25:37] He will welcome them

[25:39] They will follow him [25:42] our mission is [25:43] And will always be a successful one. I need only [25:48] to trust and obey [25:50] And ordering my life in such a way [25:53] That I can be used by him

[25:57] And speaking of his gospel is the good news that it is [26:00] And when I do that people will come [26:04] You see there’s a power in living for jesus that he always uses and he promises to do because I rarely know [26:13] Every how every single part of my life is being used by god to reap his harvest [26:17] But he promises that it is and that’s why living what what is called a questionable life is so powerful [26:24] You see it is god’s sovereignty

[26:27] That empowers a life that provokes questions of purpose and mission from an unbelieving world [26:32] If god is sovereign his promises are sure his mission is victorious [26:39] And if we believe that we will have changed lives and lifestyles [26:46] That reflect a trust in him [26:50] Too often though we look at a gifted preacher and we say well god could never [26:56] Speak through me like that. I can’t share the gospel like that. If only I had that ability

[27:02] Well, then god could use me [27:05] So i’m just gonna have to sit on the sidelines because god can’t use me [27:08] I’ve got another calling other than his mission friends. I’ve searched the entire scripture. There’s no other calling but his mission [27:17] And so he has not [27:18] Come to your life. I said oh my goodness i’d designed a flaw [27:22] Well, let me give you a new one

[27:23] A new mission that’s unlike the mission i’ve got for every other believer [27:27] And since I screwed up with you and I didn’t give you the great speaking ability that I gave some other people [27:32] Well, clearly i’ve got to use you for something else. No, that is not it [27:36] But you’re looking at the wrong way [27:39] Maybe god doesn’t need you [27:41] To have amazing oration ability

[27:45] Maybe god doesn’t need you to have the amazing gift of gab that he’s given some of us unfortunate folks [27:54] Maybe god doesn’t need you [27:57] To speak with perfection and precision [28:02] Maybe god [28:03] Created your personality to live his mission according to your specific personality [28:08] you see

[28:10] Maybe god desires for you to build a life [28:13] Where you find ultimate satisfaction in the gospel [28:17] A life where you seek to repent of sin [28:20] A life where you seek to make changes because of all that you are in the gospel and all that god is for you [28:27] in the gospel [28:28] and then

[28:30] Answering questions when people wonder why you are changing so much [28:37] You see but this does cause quite a quandary for some of you [28:42] Requires some of you to really realize and apply romans chapter one to your life [28:48] You see roman chapter one speaks of a great idolatry [28:52] That has killed humanity. That’s why we’re born radically corrupt under the force of sin in our lives [29:01] And maybe you need to repent and seek to repent and really

[29:06] Live to find your satisfaction in jesus and see that as the greatest of missional exercises [29:13] You see too many of you [29:16] Yes you because I know enough of you and I know the lives that you’re living to know [29:21] That many of you are finding your satisfaction in the same places that unbelievers find their satisfaction [29:28] And then you simply pay lip service to jesus

[29:34] You see I want you to understand something that when that is your life and it is if you’re like well is that my life yes

[29:41] If you’re even questioning it i’m speaking directly to you

[29:46] No one cares about your gospel. Why because it isn’t changing your life

[29:55] You see too many of you are caught up in your inability to say the right words when you realize that it’s not the words [30:00] The problem it’s your life [30:03] You have no credibility

[30:06] None [30:08] It’s like a personal trainer [30:10] That’s 100 pounds overweight [30:13] Why would I hire him? [30:16] I mean think about it. Why would you hire me to be your personal trainer?

[30:20] It’d be foolish [30:22] I want a personal trainer. That’s a walking billboard [30:25] Because I want to know how he got a six-pack. I know how to get a big belly [30:30] I’ve done it well [30:33] But see too many of you will apply that to every single thing when you get a new roof [30:37] And you look on angie’s list. Do you get the guy with an f no, he’s not doing a good job

[30:42] He has no credibility as a roofer. Do you have gospel credibility?

[30:47] Is it changing your life [30:49] See, it’s not the words [30:50] Sometimes it’s the life that the words ruminate from you see the most missional thing that most of you

[30:57] Think that you can do [31:00] Is there a pen of sin in order to change your life to have some credibility with unbelievers? [31:06] That’s what you need to begin to think about [31:08] That’s what you need to begin to do [31:10] What is different in your life than your neighbor’s life other than where you go on sunday morning?

[31:20] What is different [31:22] Probably not much you are chasing the same idols that they are but you don’t want to call it idolatry [31:29] You want to call it stewardship

[31:33] It’s idolatry [31:34] You’re chasing the same god everyone else is because if you lost it, you would lose the satisfaction of your life [31:42] And that shows me that jesus is not the most satisfying thing in your life [31:45] Maybe if your life wasn’t riddled with idolatry someone would think you actually believed the gospel of god [31:51] And you actually believed god’s sovereign plan would actually come about [31:55] Just maybe just maybe

[31:58] Number three this morning. Jesus is building his church [32:01] Jesus is building his church [32:05] So there will be one flock [32:08] one shepherd [32:10] Notice again the certainty [32:13] Notice again that jesus isn’t saying I hope this works out

[32:18] Jesus is insane. We think the cross is a great plan [32:22] And we’re pretty sure i’m going to rise from the dead now nobody’s ever done that before under their own power [32:27] So we’re taking a risk [32:30] God has never taken a risk ever [32:33] ever [32:34] Okay, I know a lot of bad theologians will tell you that but they’re heretics

[32:38] God is no risk taker. God is always a certain [32:42] taker [32:43] All right, everything’s certain when he does it it works [32:47] So jesus isn’t standing there saying man. I hope this cross thing works out. Hope this resurrection thing works out [32:52] I hope I can build this church. I hope I can redeem for myself a people [32:55] I hope I can restore them to god’s created order. I hope my kingdom comes

[32:59] I hope all of this actually works out because I kind of want to come back and I kind of [33:05] Want to glorify a people for myself and I kind of want to set up an eternal kingdom where they will worship me [33:10] And find satisfaction in me forever [33:13] but [33:14] Let’s not count our chickens before they hatch

[33:18] No, jesus says hey guess what I know my sheep [33:23] I’m the good shepherd [33:25] And there will be one flock and there will be one shepherd [33:30] And it is jesus [33:32] You see friends there are many different roads [33:35] That i’ve seen people walk that led them to jesus

[33:39] But if you are a follower of christ the road must lead to jesus [33:44] Can’t lead anywhere else. There’s confusion in our culture about the pathway towards god [33:51] But jesus makes it crystal clear for us you follow him. That’s the only way there is one flock and there is one shepherd [33:59] But you see in this the message of other sheep was not a welcome message to the jews at that point in time [34:08] And sometimes it is an unwelcome message to us [34:11] We must repent of our tendency towards selfishness rather than selfless mission. The shepherd designs the mission

[34:19] We do not design the mission. We want it to be all about us [34:24] But jesus says it is about the other sheep and jesus’s mission is to build his church [34:30] Of the sheep that he has and the sheep that he does not yet have but will have the purpose [34:36] Of mission is not you alone reaching others than them being alone as they follow jesus [34:43] No, god has a greater design for his people on this earth [34:48] Therefore to be unified with christ is to be part of his body

[34:54] Note the specificity that jesus has a few verses later in verse 25 [34:59] Jesus answers him. He said I told you [35:01] And you do not believe the works that I do in my father’s name bear witness about me [35:06] But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep [35:12] Note the certainty jesus says if you don’t know me you’re not among my sheep [35:16] You see my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me I give them eternal life

[35:21] They will never perish no one will snatch them out of my hand [35:26] My father who has given them to me is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the father’s hand [35:34] What certainty? [35:37] about the church of jesus christ [35:40] What certainty about our sovereign savior? [35:44] What certainty about the mission that we have for him and that is why for the flock the church

[35:52] of jesus christ [35:54] Mission must drive our community [35:57] It must it is not an option among many [36:00] It is what must define our purpose as a church see community is the means through which the mission is furthered [36:08] Too often we become completely complacent as we see the church grow [36:13] And we find relationships that give us community within the church. Those are good things

[36:18] But then we can get ingrown and stagnant [36:23] See friends, I want you to understand that the vision for village church must be the vision that jesus has [36:29] We must never lose sight of the other sheep [36:33] We must continue to build god’s church [36:37] You know when we started this church [36:39] Over eight years ago. We laid out mission and community as two core values and that has never and I pray will never change

[36:48] But mission comes first because mission must drive [36:52] community [36:54] It must be the driving force if it doesn’t then it will become the end [36:59] of the church [37:00] You see we will stagnate we will die and as the church grows [37:04] There is more danger of this so it must be the forefront of our vision

[37:09] And as village church has grown and I praise god that it has grown from nine dumb people [37:15] And I can say that because I was one of nine

[37:19] To by god’s grace hundreds [37:23] We are more in danger of drifting from the mission than we have ever been [37:28] We must not [37:30] Let mission drift set in [37:32] as it probably has [37:35] and very much likely could

[37:38] We must live the mission and because of that [37:42] We’re going to continue to make moves to keep it at the forefront of our vision and I want to share two with you this morning [37:47] The first one is is that I truly believe we must get back to the root of mission driving the community here at village church [37:55] By god’s grace [37:56] We have become really what I think is a church of community groups and I love that about our church [38:02] But our groups must become more missional

[38:05] We must have a vision for adding other sheep into the flock of jesus christ [38:11] And because of that starting in the fall semester, we’re going to introduce something called go week here at village church [38:18] What go week will be is is really it’s the step that we’re going to take to show that community must be driven by mission [38:25] We will be introducing this in the last week of every month groups will not meet [38:32] So the last week of every month so the final week of september you’ll not meet the final week of october you’ll not meet [38:39] The final week of every month you will not meet we will be creating margin in your lives to be missional

[38:46] And I know some of you, you know, you’re like, but those relationships don’t get me through the week [38:50] And we’ll give them a phone call meet them. I don’t know meet them for lunch some other time, but here’s the key

[38:57] The reason that we’re doing this [39:00] Is so that you can have some margin to reach people because some of you’re like i’m just so busy [39:05] I mean i’ve got group on this night. I’ve got this other thing the other night and well [39:09] We create environments around here and so we’re going to create an environment where one week a month, you know [39:14] And I know some of you, you know, you’re real jerks and you’re going to use this as an excuse to catch up on on your dvr [39:21] All right, you’re going to hulu that night or something and you know, god will judge you

[39:26] I mean he says all he warns us all through the new testament. So good luck with him [39:30] All right, you’re not going to answer to me. You got the creator of the universe looming over you [39:35] And so what this is going to be you’re not going to get together that night and pray and then leave no you’re not [39:40] Getting together that week you are to find a way to go live the mission of jesus [39:47] You are to invite your unbelieving neighbor over for dinner. You were to go. I don’t know do some activity with an unbelieving [39:54] Coworker you’re to go have coffee or drinks with someone that is not part of village church

[40:00] Someone that you think needs the gospel of jesus christ and I don’t know all the ways that you can do it be creative [40:09] But that is a time slot in every month [40:14] Where we say go [40:16] live the mission of jesus [40:19] And by god’s grace, I hope that you will build relationships that lead to redemption because that is the point [40:27] That’s what we’re supposed to do

[40:28] So that’s number one. You’ll get more information about that later [40:32] But second we’re going to plant churches [40:36] Now we want to live the mission of jesus. We want to reach the other sheep and by god’s grace [40:41] We don’t talk about it enough. But as a church we have partnered to help plant seven churches in eight years [40:48] That’s amazing feet most churches never get to take part in that [40:54] But by god’s grace, I want to send people out of this church

[40:58] He must be the driving force of our lives [41:02] This fall we’re going to launch two new community groups in southern chesterfield in an area of chester [41:09] And that is with a design to plant a village church in chester within the next year

[41:16] And by god’s grace we will reach people it’s one of the fastest growing areas around here [41:21] And by god’s grace, he’s given us great potential and he’s given us many of you who live in chester [41:27] And so you might be sitting there. Well, I live in chester, but my group is in, you know, powhatan [41:31] What should I do? [41:33] Be missional [41:34] All right

[41:35] Why are you in your group of powhatan? [41:37] It’s probably because you’ve got great friends and I wouldn’t tear you away from your great friends unless I was trying to do it to [41:41] plan a church [41:43] You see what I did there

[41:48] Why would we do this [41:51] Because it’s going to take resources [41:54] It’s going to take people why would we do this because we want to reach the other shape [42:02] That’s why [42:04] That’s why [42:06] That’s my sole purpose in life

[42:09] We must [42:11] We must we must [42:13] Friends I share this text with you because it has anchored me to the mission of jesus [42:17] And I by god’s grace and through his power will seek to lead us as a church to follow him into his mission [42:25] His mission drives our lives. His mission is sure his mission is clear [42:31] We must build his church

[42:36] Friends let’s make jesus known and let’s seek to lead others to faith in jesus christ with more [42:42] Commitment than we have ever had before god will bless it [42:49] We must live it [42:52] It’s an amazing thing what god can do in your life when you actually trust his promises are true [42:58] As the band comes up

[43:03] It’s such a privilege to share his word with you week in and week out i’m thankful for that privilege [43:09] This morning I know I have called many of you [43:13] to make some changes [43:15] And some of you I know how it works [43:17] I mean i’ve been sitting in crowds like this for for man over three decades and and i’ve sat there many times [43:22] And i’ve thought to myself i’ve said man if I actually applied that to my life

[43:27] I can already think of a couple of things I need to change

[43:31] Right and it’s the holy spirit that’s showing you those three things [43:36] It is going to require some change it’s going to require some change in my life [43:41] I’ve got plenty to repent of to live the mission of jesus [43:44] So i’m joining you but what i’m telling you is is that jesus is always worth it [43:50] And it’s not about meeting his expectations as much as it is just following him where he’s going [43:57] Every time I make a gospel centered change

[44:01] The lord becomes more precious to me. He becomes more satisfying to me because i’m ridding my life of idols

[44:11] So i’m calling you to that this morning [44:13] Some of you are in here and you don’t know jesus [44:16] All you have in your life are idols [44:19] And friend i’m telling you that if you will turn from that which you’re seeking satisfaction into jesus christ [44:25] He will save you [44:28] If that’s you this morning in just a moment step out of your seat and head out to the foyer

[44:32] Somebody’d love to talk with you and pray with you [44:34] But if you’re in here and you’re like me and you think about the mission of jesus and you think man [44:39] I love jesus and I want to obey him, but it’s hard [44:44] It’s hard [44:46] Friends trust him and the first step is up on these tables and tables in the back [44:51] The bread represents his broken body the cup represents his shed blood

[44:55] And the reason that’s the start is because when we eat and drink [44:59] We proclaim to others, you know christ is inside of me [45:02] And all that he’s called me to do [45:05] He’s equipped me to live [45:08] If you want to proclaim that this morning come