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Parable of the Good Shepherd (Part One)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsOld Testament prophecies prepared people to envision the Messiah as a Shepherd, guiding and protecting His flock. Jesus Christ, in John 10:1, contrasts Himself with false messiahs by entering through the gate, the lawful way, as the legitimate Heir who fulfills ancient promises. As the Good Shepherd, He embodies perfect goodness, guiding, supporting, and sacrificing Himself for His sheep with unmatched benevolence. As the Great Shepherd, He sacrificed Himself, rose from the grave, and now intercedes for His sheep from heaven, united with the Father in Their love for the flock. As the Ruling Shepherd, He combines the qualities of shepherd, parent, and ruler, promising to return and reward faithful under-shepherds while assuring His flock of the kingdom. A good shepherd owns his sheep, leading them personally with a unique call, guiding them to beneficial pastures, and protecting them from danger. Jesus refers to His sheep with personal ownership, emphasizing their unconditional obedience and submission as creations of the Creator God through Whom all things were made.
The Shepherd's Guidance (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeJesus Christ, as the Good Shepherd and Chief Shepherd, has appointed under-shepherds to watch over His physical and spiritual flock, a practice that extends from ancient Israel through the New Covenant era and into the Millennium. The Chief Shepherd sets the pattern for these under-shepherds, gifting them to reflect His own shepherding attributes. However, false shepherds, not appointed by God, also exist, described by Jesus as thieves and robbers who come to steal, kill, and destroy, and as hirelings who prioritize their own safety over the sheep's needs, abandoning them in times of danger. God pronounces woe on appointed shepherds who become derelict, destroying and scattering the sheep of His pasture, leading them astray, and failing to attend to their needs. Some shepherds feed themselves instead of the flock, ruling with cruelty and neglecting to strengthen, heal, or seek the lost. Despite these failures, Jesus Christ has established the roles of under-shepherds and gifted them to serve within the order He ordained. The condition of sheep without a shepherd is consistently portrayed as negative and harmful, whether due to being scattered by abuse or neglect, leaving the sheep to beseech the Good Shepherd to gather them to an under-shepherd of His choosing.
The Shepherd's Guidance (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIn the biblical metaphor, the shepherd serves as a vital symbol of guidance and care for the flock. Sheep without a shepherd, whether by circumstance or choice, risk grave spiritual danger, turning to their own ways, developing bad habits, becoming prey for satan, and suffering spiritual malnourishment or disease. Christ, as the Chief Shepherd, has gifted human under-shepherds to aid in bringing the sheep to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, guiding them toward the fullness of Christ. To purposefully reject these under-shepherds is to step outside of His established order, placing oneself in peril. Sheep are responsible for submitting to godly shepherds, comparing their instruction with God's Word, and following their faith only as it aligns with the teachings of Jesus. Despite unrest in the church, with distrust among sheep and shepherds, or even abuse by hirelings, the Good Shepherd remains in control. He oversees the under-shepherds, limits harm, and uses all circumstances for ultimate good, guiding His flock to the best pastures when they look to Him for direction. His assurance stands firm, promising the kingdom to His little flock without fear.
Parable of the Good Shepherd (Part Two)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsJesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, embodies the role of a sovereign Shepherd, benefactor, and ruler over His sheep, demonstrating supremacy, superiority, and an intimate relationship with them. As the Good Shepherd, He knows His sheep deeply, and they recognize His voice, fostering a bond that enables them to anticipate His will and imitate His ways, becoming one with Him as He is one with the Father. His leadership is essential, guiding His sheep who often go astray, ensuring their safety and leading them in paths of righteousness, while they discern and flee from unfamiliar, misleading voices through the discernment provided by the Holy Spirit. The Good Shepherd's willingness to lay down His life for His sheep, an act of voluntary sacrifice, underscores His profound love and obedience to God, providing a means for their salvation. Furthermore, by giving His life, He grants abundant, eternal life to His sheep, securing them in His and His Father's unyielding grip, ensuring that no one can steal them away, and uniting them as one flock under His care, responsive to His voice.
The Shepherd's Voice
Article by Mike FordGod's people are often compared to sheep, yet some question whether they need a human shepherd. How does one know whether a minister is a true shepherd?
Knowing a True Shepherd
Sermonette by Mike FordWe are cautioned to test the spirits contained in what a shepherd says to see whether they come from God. The world is not able to understand this message.
Sheep Rustling
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeSheep are being lured, not with good food, clean water, and peace, but with promises of being a part of something big and of protection from the Tribulation.
From Sheriff to Shepherd: Are We Willing to Be Defrauded?
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasWhich leadership style do you follow: Andy Griffith's or Barney Fife's? The desire to be in control takes a toll on one's relationships and one's health.
Parables of Luke 15 (Part One)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsJesus' discourse in Luke 15 is essentially one distinct parable with three illustrations. He reveals that He came into the world to seek and save the lost.
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingChrist shows His compassion and concern for those who have become distracted and fallen into error, providing an example to us to show mercy to others.
Psalm 23:3
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamCasting takes place when a sheep falls over and its weight causes it to get stuck on its back until the shepherd intervenes.
Psalm 23
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamBoth David and his descendant, Jesus Christ, demonstrated their dedication in protecting the sheep, even at great personal risk, unlike hirelings, then and now.
In Search of a Clear World View (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The modern nations of Israel, by turning its back on the truth, has blown its opportunity for moral leadership every bit as much as ancient Judah did.
John (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe closer we get to God, the more likely we will have persecution, but also the greater and more real He becomes and the more likely we will serve Him correctly.
Preternatural, Natural, Unnatural, Supernatural (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ's life and death were supernatural in that He had God's Spirit from the beginning, giving Him power over things, as well as undeniable logic.
For the Perfecting of the Saints
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughDo Christians need a church? With all the church problems in recent years, many have withdrawn. Yet the church—problems and all—serves a God-ordained role.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWe must learn the lessons of godly leadership now because our positions in the Kingdom will require their use. Society demonstrates a lack of personal leadership.
Spotting False Teachers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughTrue shepherds have genuine concern for the flock, as opposed to hirelings who only devour or take advantage of the flock.
Jehoshaphat
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAfter several catastrophes, Jehoshaphat finally became convinced that any decision without God in the picture is patently stupid.
John (Part Seventeen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe shepherd and door analogies in John 10 depict the close relationship of Jesus with His flock as the security and stability provided by His protection.
Avoiding Superficiality
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSuccess in spiritual things does not consist in growing large and powerful, but humbly living by faith, overcoming, and yielding to God's shaping power.
'I'll Never Follow Another Man!'
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThis is an oft-repeated refrain in these days of distrust of the ministry. But is it a godly attitude? What does the Bible say about human leadership?
Psalm 23 (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughSheep are the most dependent on their owner for their well-being. From the viewpoint of the sheep, the quality of care of the shepherd is of utmost importance.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In the combined history of Judah and Israel, when the leaders abandoned the covenants with God, the citizenry generally followed suit.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We qualify to lead by internalizing the covenants, not only believing God, but doing what He says, realizing that the covenants are not complicated.
The March Toward Globalism (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Satan is cultivating vessels of destruction by turning God's principles of child-rearing upside-down, encouraging permissiveness and destroying the family.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe transfiguration prefigured the Kingdom of God, with the disciples only seeing Jesus in the end, showing salvation is through Him alone.