Scripture reading: Luke 15:4-6; John 10:10-16, 27-28

Burden to Impart:

The Lord Jesus began His earthly ministry at thirty years of age. He ministered for 3 1/2 years, from His baptism until His crucifixion. His ministry on the earth was to reveal God to man by carrying out the Father's will and work of saving men and bringing them to the full knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

Memory Verse: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to send away in release those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18).

Facts to Teach:

1. In His life on the earth, the Lord Jesus only did the Father's will and carried out the Father's work. He did not come in His own name, to speak His own words (John 12:49-50), to give His own teaching (7:16), or to do His own will (5:30; 6:38). He did nothing from Himself (5:19). He only did those things that pleased His Father (8:29).

2. The Lord Jesus spoke and taught God's Word as no one on earth has ever done. He brought good news to the poor, released the people who were captive to Satan and his demons, recovered the sight to those who were blind both spiritually and physically, and sent away in release those who were oppressed and crushed by Satan (Luke 4:18). He loved all men, sympathized with their needs, and had compassion upon them.

3. The Lord's ministry on the earth can be seen in His work as the good shepherd.

a. As the good shepherd, the Lord Jesus comes to seek and to save the lost sheep

(Luke 15:4-6).

b. As the good shepherd, the Lord Jesus heals the wounded ones and feeds the hungry

ones (John 10:9, note 92).

c. As the good shepherd, the Lord Jesus laid down His life for the sheep so that they

may have eternal life (John 10:10-11,28).

d. As the good shepherd, the Lord Jesus rescues the sheep from the thieves and wolves

(JohnlO:8, 11-12).

e. As the good shepherd, the Lord Jesus calls His own sheep by name to follow Him

(John 10:3-4,16b, 27).

f. As the good shepherd, the Lord Jesus brings the sheep into the flock, into the church

life (John 10:16).