The Good Shepherd of Souls

The Good Shepherd of Souls

John 9:39-41 & 10:1-11

June 9, 2024

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If you have spent any time with sheep, you know how stubborn, obstinate and just plain dumb they can be. At the first sign of trouble, they have one response, run to the barn. If no barn, they are at the mercy of whatever is attacking them. They can’t run very well, they can’t bite, they can’t fight, they can’t claw, and they certainly can’t blend in. They are BRIGHT white or black.

Our Lord uses sheep to teach us what we really are. But unfortunately, this lesson is overlooked in our culture. We miss the weight of this lesson because if I were to ask you, how many in this room has spent more than 24 hours in the presence of a lamb in a herd? Only a few of us. Now, allow me to ask, how many of those has defended, protected, herded and managed more than 10 at one time?

Now our numbers are different. During Jesus’s time, this figure of speech would have been a powerful example. Culturally speaking, there was a good chance that while Christ was speaking, sheep were being lead through the streets of the city. The baying of lambs may have been the background noise to this lesson. Shepherds could have been calling and leading their sheep right in front of the people Jesus was speaking to.

I read the small portion of chapter 9 because chapter 9 and 10 should always be connected. When you read this on your own, you should not stop at the end of 9 and wonder, “what in the world did Jesus say.” Chapter 10 is the explanation to the end of chapter 9. With that, let’s see what Jesus had in mind for us to learn.

1. All sheep have a fold.

A “Fold”: an enclosure for sheep, a group of people with a common faith, belief or interest or a house for sheep.

Allow me to paint a picture of the scene during our Lord’s time. Many people owned sheep. It was a common commodity and required for temple worship, finances and food. Much of the economy was tied to the wool, meat and worship. But not everyone wanted to be a shepherd. It was a hard life. They spent many dark cold nights out with the sheep protecting, mending and guiding them.

If you were a city family, you would combine your sheep with others in your extended family and one of the family members would be selected to shepherd that families sheep. He would be responsible for their safety and care.

At night the shepherd would bring the sheep into the fold (enclosure) for protection and safety. But, as the sheep would come in, the shepherd would inspect each one personally for injury, burs, or anything that would cause harm to the lamb. The shepherd would use his staff to keep the lamb from coming in until full inspection was complete and then the approved lamb was allowed in.

It is important to remember, the shepherd did this to make sure that the lamb was safe but also to make sure that only his sheep got into the fold. There was no chance for mix matches. Only his sheep were allowed into the fold. How does he keep only his sheep from getting in?

a. He knows them by name:

Vs 3 “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them.”

We can see that in the video. The sheep come to his voice. They are not driven, rather come to. Oh, please do not miss this important aspect of what Jesus is teaching us! The entirety of chapter 10 depends on you understanding that one principle. “He calls His sheep, they hear and respond.”

b. They follow only his voice:

Vs 3 “the sheep hear his voice.” Vs 4 “When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”

Imagine please, the night is over, and it is now time to return to the open fields. The gate is opened, and the sheep FOLLOW the shepherd out to pasture. They do not bolt, they follow. They do this because of the voice, the voice of the shepherd.

There is no other voice that they follow but one. These sheep are his sheep not that of another heard. The voice cannot be matched or replicated. The sheep match the cadence, the tone and the smell together. The one thing that sheep can do is hear, smell and recognize their true shepherd. An imposter will only scatter the heard and push them from safety.

Vs 5 “A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Do you realize we are all sheep? I know, not necessarily a great animal to be compared to. The Word of God says in Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep”. We are compared to these defenseless animals and we constantly look for ways to get hurt, mislead, and distracted.

Instead of listening to the voice of our Shepherd, we finish the verse in Isaiah 53:6 that says “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned- every one – to his own way…”

QUESTION: Are you in HIS fold or are you on a walk about away from the Shepherd?

2. The Shepherd is The Lord.

Vs 6 “This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.”

As you well know here at MBC, we exposit the word of God....verse by verse...chapter by chapter....book by book. The main job of a preacher and teacher is to present the key principles and doctrine of the passage boldly.

In this text the doctrine of irresistible grace is on display for us. Not only does the LORD call His own sheep, but He calls them out by their name (it’s personal). This Grace is effectual, meaning when God says He is going to save the soul of a man, He does it. Grace goes out, then it comes back with the desired result, the salvation of the sinner. Thank God for overwhelming me with this Grace LORD!

YES, “I chose you”. Listen to me. If you are saved, do not despise or cheapen His voice to you! It should overwhelm you that you are called by name!

My concern is that we view this key doctrine as if it is a one off or something that I am pulling out of the text on my own but that is NOT the case! When we step over hard sayings, it comes from a lack of reverence for His Word. We must handle His Word right because we are held accountable for our lax attitude for what He Himself views as sacred.

Church, this is why I take this so seriously! Teaching puts more responsibility on me. I and your teachers/elders will be held to a high standard. I for one do NOT want God “against me.” I don’t’ so much care about making men mad, I DO care about making the Great Shepherd mad.

Listen to Galatians 1:9,10:

9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be [a]accursed!

10 For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

A more concerning warning is found in both Ezekiel and Jeremiah 23. I would ask all of us to see this, please turn in your Bible to this passage because I want you to see how we (both the teacher and the learner) are held accountable. This sheds light on what Jesus is saying here in John 10 and our LORD uses it to call out the Pharisees in His time.

Jeremiah 23:1-6

23 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. (PAUSE) 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. IF I DO NOT TEACH THE WORD! 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord. (LOOK AT THIS!) None are missing!!Does this sound like the GOOD SHEPHERD IN JOHN?

5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lordis our righteousness.[2]

But, look closely on how God ends this passage. “For thus says the LORD GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for My sheep and will seek them out.”

Again, who seeks? GOD Himself. Who rescues? God Himself “I will rescue them from all places… I will raise up for David a righteous Branch” This is very much an act by HIM. He, through Christ (“for David a branch), seeks out His sheep who have been scattered. Does He allow His sheep to be scattered in other folds? No, He is bringing back His sheep. How many “I WILLs” can you count? GOD WILL! (5)

These passages along with the end of John 9 that I read earlier is Jesus clearly teaching the problem with the Pharisees and weak preachers today. Do we have these today? YES! I am so sorry to say, these are everywhere in our culture.

These are the ones who do not teach “Thus says the LORD.” These are the ones who uses the sheep for their own gain. These are pastoring some of the biggest congregations in the world and still scatter the sheep because they do not teach the words that save. These are the ones who would rather be popular then save the sheep.

These false shepherds are clearly referenced in our text. Go back to John 10:10.

Vs 10: “The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy.”

Maybe you are here, and you say you have been scattered for years as a result of bad shepherding. Or maybe you are in your position you are in because of something you have done to yourself. Maybe today He is calling your name. Respond to the call, respond to the saving Gospel. When your heart has been changed to a humble and contrite heart, an obedient response is the result.

To conclude this point, how exclusive is a name? Think about that for a second. When you hear your name, you know when to respond. A name is not a group name, it’s a specific title and exclusive. This is how the gatekeeper knows who to let in.

3. The gatekeeper keeps the gate.

Vs 1 “1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and robber. 2 “But He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To Him the gatekeeper opens.”

In the culture that Jesus was teaching in, the gatekeeper was usually an understudy or shepherd apprentice. They would be studying how to become a shepherd. It was usually a son of the shepherd. The Gatekeeper’s job was to guard that gate. Nothing or no one would be allowed past that gate EXCEPT that shepherd.

At night, it is said that that gatekeeper was to lay down at that gate. That way if someone tried to get in, they would have to step over them. Also, if the sheep tried to get out, they would have to step over that gatekeeper.

Think about that kind of understudy. Look, I can’t be the Good shepherd. That is not my job. My job is to be that gatekeeper. I am to keep those sheep protected, keep that gate secure and make sure that no one gets into that fold to scatter the sheep or masquerade as sheep only to divide the fold. Look back vs 1 again: “he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and robber.”

Today, they are the false teachers, have a low view of God’s Word and truths, those willing to compromise truth in exchange for popularity, ascribe to doctrines and philosophies that are divisive all the while ignoring Biblical wisdom. I love what J Gresham Machen says:

“Indifference about doctrine makes no heroes of the faith…strong biblical convictions produce strong witnesses for Christ. Those who have strong beliefs in the doctrines stand the strongest for truth. They did not burn indifferent people at the stake. Only those with deep convictions in the truth proved themselves to be true believers by being willing to die for it.”

The robber and thief will seek to compromise truth for comfort, inclusion and personal gain. Now, before you say that this view makes me “legalistic” or dogmatic, I would argue that the gatekeeper must be a guard for Biblical truth. He must be constantly watching for thieves and robbers.

Vs 10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”

Your elders are to watch that gate and make sure that only His sheep get into that fold so that the thieves and robbers do not steal, kill and destroy. That is why we take membership so seriously. I can personally assure you that your elders are committed to this! We want to make sure that the fold is protected, cared for and preserved for the day that the Good shepherd comes to His sheep.

A true gatekeeper has some specific attributes.

a. They are watching for the Shepherd

b. They guard the truth for the Shepherd

c. They protect the sheep from wolves with church discipline

d. They Stewart the flock

e. They open the door ONLY when the time is right.

Being a gatekeeper is NOT an easy thing. I have been in ministry for going on for 20 years and some of the hardest people to serve are God’s people. You see, sometimes the gatekeeper gets trampled. Let me be very clear. When the gatekeeper does not do a good job allowing only the Shepherds sheep into the fold, and some goats get in, the gatekeeper gets run over.

Maybe you have seen this. I’ll tell you what this looks like. When the same 15 people in church does the entirety of the work, that means that the sheep are not acting like sheep but goats. Or, when 5% of the congregation carries the burden financially of the church, that is when the sheep are acting like goats. To be clear, in this analogy, a goat is an impostor!

I say this as a gatekeeper to show that God’s people sometimes act like goats. Remember please that the elders/deacons of the church body have, under great prayer and sacrifice, have accepted the call to being a gatekeeper all the while knowing the abuse they are going to get.

It is so sad but true. Each of them in every church must count the cost of taking this UNPAID position. A true lamb of The Shepherd should have swallowed hard there because you know. You know how these people get abused every week. Look back over your life and ask, how many times have I run over that gatekeeper? Am I doing that now?

4. Respond in belief to the Shepherd’s voice.

Our Lord shifts half way through this passage from speaking about Him being the “Good Shepherd” to “I am the door.” The fold that is being guarded by the gatekeeper has 1 door. One point of entry, one access, one narrow way in and out. No other but one.

Through it, we see the opposing effects of the thief and robber. Remember the thief and robber comes to “steal, kill and destroy” but the Door offers an opposing three descriptions.

Vs 9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

This statement fits perfectly with the double description of our Lord in this passage. Jesus compares Himself to being the Shepherd that the sheep follow. Then He shows them how to follow Him. Through Him! The plan of salvation is right here! Look, you can’t be saved unless you follow Christ. How do you follow Christ? Through Christ! Meaning it all starts with Christ!

Let me break this down. The Shepherd calls the sheep. We hear His voice; we follow the Shepherd. While following Him, He grants salvation. That salvation is what He provides. Please see this! We cannot come to Him unless we hear that beautiful voice.

Allow me to give a little perspective on this. How this works is up to God. He owes no one mercy. Justice would be getting what we deserve, separation from Him due to our sin. Yet, in His mercy He chose to save sinners by His Grace. When God calls to His sheep, they recognize this Grace and come running.

Has anyone seen western sheep herders? Notice, I did not say shepherd! Here in the states we have sheep dogs to nip at the heels of the sheep, and horses to move sheep. Our entire management of sheep handling is to “move” them NOT lead them! It is completely done differently. Here we push, herd and handle sheep as an object.

Jesus is NOT that!!! He speaks and we come running like in the video. In the video did you hear the sheep baying? In excitement they came. Why? Because the joy in that call from the loving Shepherd, they know that that voice has love, salvation, care, protection, joy, food, life abundance and most of all, connection with the Good Shepherd.

The best biblical example of this is found in:

1 Peter 5:1-3

5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [3]

These passages SCREAM proper leadership, example and shepherding all the while preparing for the Great Shepherd who places Elders, Deacons and structure in place to maintain the flock. And, when the Chief Shepherd appears, we will be found ready, prepared and cared for.

I included this 1 Peter reference because some of you may be here today saying, I’m not a gatekeeper and I don’t’ belong to this thing you called a “fold”. Maybe you would say that none of this applies to you because you do not recognize the need for a leader in your life besides you. Okay, that is a great objection. I have a story for you:

SMOKE STORY

You see, one day you will hear the voice of the MASTER and YOU WILL respond. You will in fact be held in account for your actions, deeds and what you did with your time here on earth. You see, the Bible says that all of us have sinned. Everyone of us have rebelled from God. We have all acted like we don’t need God and when we do that, we rack up a sin debt with the a Holy and perfect God.

The Bible says, we like sheep have ALL gone astray. Like it or not, there is a time period of your life that you have gone astray and the Good Shepherd has had to go and get you. He is calling your specific name now. Hear His voice. Don’t wait! Don’t delay, come running to your salvation. God, being merciful, has sent His only Son, perfect and righteous, to search out the lost sheep. To go, bring them back. All the while paying the price of their rebellion.

I am begging each of you, respond to His calling! Hear His voice! Maybe you are not “lost” but you have been wondering. You have been on a walk about. Did you know that sometimes when a lamb is so wayward that they never listen to the shepherd that the loving shepherd will use His staff and break a leg of that lamb and then lovingly pick that lamb up, put it on His shoulders and carry that lamb all the while mending that leg?

You see, it teaches that lamb to trust and absolutely depend on that Shepherd. Church, I have had my leg broke a time or two. He does that lovingly to draw us back. Don’t despise this correction and view it like it is intended, correction to draw us, not destroy us. Hear His voice and respond! It would be easy to skip over these hard teachings. That would subject me to great correction from the Father. This passage today along with the next one crushes the one thing that keeps people from coming to the LORD and that is pride. Salvation that is outlined in this text crushes the proud heart. It all happens because of God.