Whose Voice Do You Trust in the Chaos? | John 10:1-21 | Darien Gabriel
Series: Signs & Glory
Title: “Whose Voice Do You Trust in the Chaos?”
Scripture: John 10:1-21
Numbers 27:15-16
Ezekiel 34:1-16
Bottom line: Jesus, as the good shepherd, is the voice we should listen to and follow because he loves us personally, practically, and sacrificially.
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
SERMON OUTLINE
CONCLUSION
NOTES
OUTLINES
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.
INTRODUCTION
Our world is chaotic.
Not only are there things happening beyond our control but seemingly beyond anyone's control.
Where were you on 9/11? Talk about a day when we felt out of control.
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Opening Story (recognizing a voice that brings calm in the noise)
During 9/11, amid the smoke and confusion inside one of the Twin Towers, a group of people huddled together trying to figure out where to go. Some were frozen. Some were frantic. But one man—blind from birth—knew exactly what to do. His guide dog, Roselle, led him down 78 floors through darkness, crowds, and debris.
Michael Hingson couldn’t see a thing, but he listened intently to Roselle’s steady movement. Later he said, “I had to trust the one who had always guided me before.” And that trust saved his life.
In a world filled with competing voices—some loud, some deceptive—we need to know who to trust. In John 10, Jesus says there’s a voice that can cut through all the noise. A voice that calls your name. A Shepherd who knows you and will lead you to life. But not all voices are safe. Not all gates lead to life. So how do we know which voice is worth following?
Bottom line: Jesus, as the good shepherd, is the voice we should listen to and follow because he loves us personally, practically, and sacrificially.
OUTLINE
Therefore, as his weak, vulnerable, needy, high-maintenance and wandering people, we listen to and follow the Good Shepherd by:
I. Resting in his personal love, despite what he knows about us. (1-6)
This knowledge is complete including our darkest secrets.
This knoweldge is familiar. He calls us sheep because like sheep we are
Defenseless
Dumb
Needy for help
Prone to wander
High maintenance
II. Resting in his practical provision and protection. (7-10)
He protects us in the day, when we stay near to him.
He protects us in the night by guarding the door/gate.
He abundantly provides for us as we stay near to him.
All this in contrast to the shepherds in his day.
III. Resting in his sacrificial love where he lays down his life for his people. (11-21)
We see this in the cross as the ultimate expression of his love. cf. Romans 5:8
We see this validated by the Father in the resurrection.
We see this in contrast to the way of the world's leaders.
We see this in contrast to how they treated the blind man healed.
We do this for the world to see and respond by following us as we listen to and follow the good shepherd.
CONCLUSION
Bottom line: Jesus, as the good shepherd, is the voice we should listen to and follow because he loves us personally, practically, and sacrificially.
“The Shepherd Who Stayed” (trust rooted in sacrificial love)
In war zones, shepherds often flee with the threat of danger. But there’s a story from Syria of a man who was both a literal shepherd and a village pastor. When ISIS forces were approaching, his friends begged him to flee. But he refused, saying, “If I leave, who will guide the people? If I run, what will they think of Christ?” He stayed—caring for the flock, sharing food, praying with them in secret. He was eventually killed. But his witness and courage led many to follow Christ. They said, “He was the one who showed us what God must be like.”
That’s what Jesus does in John 10—only greater.
He’s not a hired hand. He doesn’t flee in danger. He runs toward it. And He lays down His life not just to protect His sheep, but to save them.
So the question isn’t just, “Do you believe He’s the Good Shepherd?”
The real question is: “Will you follow His voice for the rest of your life?”
INVITATION
As we prepare to come to the Lord’s table, we’ve just heard the story of a shepherd who refused to flee—who stayed with his people even when it cost him everything.
That’s powerful. But Jesus, our Good Shepherd, goes even further. He didn’t just risk His life—He gave it. He laid it down willingly so we could be saved, forgiven, and brought home.
When we take the bread and the cup, we remember the Shepherd who stayed. The one who didn’t abandon us in our weakness but met us in it. The one who didn’t just die for the sheep but with us in mind, by name.
So if you’ve heard His voice today—if you’re trusting in Him—come. Rest in His personal, practical, and sacrificial love. Feed on His grace. And commit again to listen to his voice and follow Him… not just for a moment, but for a lifetime.
What about you?
Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:
““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” Acts 2:36-39 NIV
How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:
Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:
What is God saying to me right now?
What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.
What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.
[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.
Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.
Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.
Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)
Pray
NOTES
OUTLINE
See above
NOTES
Modern-Day Shepherding Parallel
Talk about how a shepherd today still knows sheep individually—calls them, corrects them, protects them.
Sheep were kept in pens usually made of stone walls with one opening where a gatekeeper or shepherd would sleep in as the gate or door.
Some pens were communal meaning that sheep from multiple shepherds would rest there in the night. This would create a problem in the morning of sorting out the sheep unless there were shepherds that the sheep recognized (their voice). He would then walk among them, calling them by name, and then leading them out into pasture the next day.
Compare it to a good parent or mentor who sacrifices and leads with love.
Voice Recognition
A baby knows her mother's voice.
A dog knows it's master's voice and tone.
C. The Hireling
Someone who’s just doing a job vs. someone who’s deeply invested. A substitute teacher vs. a lifelong educator who builds relationships.
A hireling shepherd will run when the wolf shows up vs. a good shepherd that will defend the sheep even if it costs him his life.
The Fence, door or the Gate?
The gatekeeper is the one who sleeps in the opening to the pen so that no one can get in unless they go through him.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
What do I want them to know?
Why do I want them to know it?
What do I want them to do?
Why do I want them to do it?
How do they do this?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/
Read the passage together.
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really true, what should I do?
What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)
What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)
Who am I going to tell about this?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I do? (In light of who I am)
How do I do it?
Final Questions (Write this down)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg
The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce
John, RC Sproul
John, Köstenberger
The Gospel According to John, DA Carson
Let's Study John, Mark Johnston
The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)
The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com
Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion
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