IMB missionary Kenny Vines opens John 10:1-5 to explore Jesus’ image of the Good Shepherd and His sheep, focusing on three crucial aspects of our relationship with Christ: listening to His voice, being known by name, and following His leading. Kenny challenges us to see that there are ultimately only two options – we either listen to God or we don’t. There is no middle ground.
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The Gospel message begins with understanding our condition: we are lost sheep in need of the true Shepherd. As Kenny pointed out in the sermon, there are only two possible states – we’re either listening to God or we’re not. Without Christ, we’re following the voice of the enemy, separated from God by our sin.
But God, in His great love, sent Jesus Christ – the Good Shepherd – to seek and save the lost. Jesus, being fully God and fully man, lived the perfect life we couldn’t live.
The heart of the Gospel is that Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3-4), taking the punishment we deserved. He was buried and rose again on the third day, conquering death and securing eternal life for all who believe. Ultimately, salvation isn’t about what we’ve done, but about knowing and being known by Christ.
When we trust in Jesus’ finished work on the cross, we become His sheep – called by name, known by Him, and given eternal life. This isn’t about religious activity; it’s about having a personal relationship with our Creator.
The Gospel’s call to response is clear: repent and believe. This means:
This Gospel isn’t just good news for initial salvation – it’s the power that continues to transform us as we follow our Shepherd. Once we’re His sheep, we have the privilege and responsibility to follow wherever He leads, trusting that His grace is sufficient for whatever He calls us to do.