The Lost Sheep
The Good Shepherd searches for His lost sheep, brings them back home, and provides them with a beautiful home and a fattening diet of grace.
John Henry Jowett preaches on Ezekiel 34:11-19, highlighting the compassionate and diligent nature of the Good Shepherd who searches for His lost sheep in every corner, even in the far country of sin and pride. The Good Shepherd brings the wandering sheep back home to a place of humility, sympathy, and holiness, providing nourishment and renewal in His grace-filled pasture. This sermon emphasizes the relentless pursuit of God for His people and the abundant provision He offers to those who return to Him.
Text
EZEKIEL xxxiv. 11-19.
And now, again, I am bidden to contemplate the gracious ministries of the
Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd searches the "far country" for His lost sheep. "_I will
bring them ... out of all places where they have been scattered._" He goes
into the hard wilderness of cold indifference, and wasteful pride, and
desolating sin, searching "high and low" for His foolish sheep. And no
place is unvisited by the Great Seeker! Every perilous ravine, where a
sheep can be lost, knows the footprints of the Shepherd. And He knows my
far-country, and He is seeking me!
And the Good Shepherd brings His wandering sheep back home. "_I will bring
them ... to their own land._" We return from the land of pride to the home
of lowliness, from hard indifference to gracious sympathy, from the
barrenness of sin to the beauty of holiness. We come back to God's
beautiful "lily-land" of eternal light and peace.
And what nutriment the Good Shepherd provides for the home-coming sheep!
"_I will feed them in a good pasture._" Our wasted powers shall be renewed
and strengthened by the fattening diet of grace. Love shall be both host
and meat! "He will satisfy thy mouth with good things."
Sermon Outline
- The Good Shepherd Searches for His Lost Sheep
- The Good Shepherd Brings His Wandering Sheep Back Home
- The Good Shepherd Provides Nutriment for the Home-Coming Sheep
- The Shepherd searches the far country for His lost sheep
- The Shepherd goes into the wilderness of cold indifference, pride, and sin
- The Shepherd brings His sheep back to their own land
- The Shepherd provides a beautiful home for His sheep
- The Shepherd feeds His sheep in a good pasture
- The Shepherd satisfies His sheep's hunger with good things
Key Quotes
“_I will bring them ... out of all places where they have been scattered._” — John Henry Jowett
“_I will bring them ... to their own land._” — John Henry Jowett
“_I will feed them in a good pasture._” — John Henry Jowett
Application Points
- We should seek out those who are lost and bring them back to God's beautiful home.
- The Good Shepherd's love and determination should inspire us to search for those who are wandering from God.
- We should trust in the Good Shepherd's provision and nourishment, knowing that He will satisfy our hunger with good things.