Chuck Smith emphasizes the biblical analogy of God as the Good Shepherd, contrasting Him with bad shepherds who exploit and neglect their flock. He highlights the responsibilities of true spiritual leaders to care for, heal, and seek out the lost sheep, as prophesied in Ezekiel 34. Smith points out that while false shepherds scatter the flock, the Good Shepherd, represented by Jesus, gathers and restores them, fulfilling God's promise of a righteous leader. The sermon also reflects on the historical context of Israel's scattering and the hope of their regathering under the Good Shepherd. Ultimately, Smith reassures the church that they already know and follow this Shepherd who laid down His life for them.

"THE GOOD SHEPHERD" I. ANALOGIES OF THE SHEPHERD WITH THE FLOCK ARE COMMON IN THE BIBLE. A. David made many allusions to the people as the flock of God. 1. Psalm 23 has become a classic. 2. Psalm 100 another classic: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands....We are His people and the sheep of His pasture..." (Jeremiah 23.. B. Here in this 34th chapter of Ezekiel. C. Zechariah 11 - the reference to the antichrist as the false shepherd. D. John 10 - Jesus declared, "I am the good Shepherd, the good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep." II. THE BAD SHEPHERDS - (SPIRITUAL LEADERS). A. They feed themselves - not the flock. Vs. 2, 3. 1. They live off the flock but are not really concerned for it. 2. More interested in fleecing the flock than feeding the flock. B. They care not for the flock. 1. They don't seek to heal the sick among the flock. 2. They don't search for the lost. 3. They rule over the flock with force and cruelty. III. THE GOOD SHEPHERD. A. Search for my sheep and seek them out. Vs. 11. 1. Gather them again to mountains of Israel. 2. Feed them. 3. Bind up the broken. 4. Restore to health the sick. B. Set-up one shepherd, even David. 1. Now Ezekiel was in Babylon when he was prophesying these things to the scattered remnant. 2. Back in Jerusalem, God was delivering the same message through Jeremiah, 23. a. Woe to false shepherds who had scattered sheep. b. The promise of the good Shepherd, Vs. 5: "Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch." IV. A PROPHESY TO THE NATION ISRAEL. A. The prediction of their being scattered because of their faithless shepherds. 1. It was the spiritual leaders that instituted the plot against Jesus. a. Jesus posed a real threat to them and their lucrative profiteering from the people who came to worship God. b. They had made the house of God a den of thieves. B. The prediction of their being gathered again. 1. At the time of the re-gathering, will the Lord send the righteous branch of David to rule and shepherd over them. 2. There shall be showers of blessings. C. Israel is being re-gathered - the time has come for the righteous Shepherd. 1. But we - the church - do know Him already. 2. We have followed Him as a faithful guide. 3. He laid down His life for us.