The Door For Shepherds & Sheep

Text: John 10:1-18

Introduction

This sermon by Jesus grew out of the the former blind man being rejected by the religious leaders and kicked out of the synagogue.

The main thrust of this analogy was to teach the religious leaders who just kicked out the former bling man the difference between a real shepherd and a false shepherd (theif/robber/hireling). Unfortunately, much like today, those who carried the title preacher/teacher/proclaimer of the truth/shepherd of God’s people had become carnal, motivated by worldly gain, and cared more about their gain than the spiritual health of others.

LISTEN…not everyone who claims to be a pastor/shepherd actually is!

As we examine this analogy, let us be sure we don’t make its meaning more than Christ intended.

Let me introduce to you who is being symbolized in this analogy:

Sheepfold — the nation of Israel

The door of the sheep — (primarily) Jesus; (secondarily) Porter

Porter — the door keeper; a true caretaker on behalf of the Shepherd

Thieves/robbers/stranger — Jewish religious leaders

What is the setting of the analogy?

The Pharisees supported themselves in their opposition to Christ with this principle, that they were the pastors of the church, and that Jesus, having no commission from them, was an intruder and an impostor, and therefore the people were bound in duty to stick to them, against him. In opposition to this, Christ here describes who were the false shepherds, and who the true, leaving them to infer what they were. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 1982.

Jesus has transitioned to using terminology that his audience should understand. Many of that day had already rejected the phony charade of those who were left to teach and care for God’s people.

The sheepfold was usually an enclosure made of rocks, with an opening for the door. The shepherd (or a porter) would guard the flock, or flocks, at night by lying across the opening. It was not unusual for several flocks to be sheltered together in the same fold. In the morning, the shepherds would come, call their sheep, and assemble their own flocks. Each sheep recognized his own master’s voice. Wiersbe, Warren W. 1996. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Jesus wants you and I to learn a great deal about:

Shepherds of God’s sheep must focus on Christ

Sheep of God’s fold must enter through Christ

Jesus is the exclusive door to God’s flock

1) All Shepherds Must Enter The Door

A. A real shepherd proves himself

Notice how the “porter” (keeper of the gate) opens the gate up to the shepherd.

A pastor/shepherd must live a life of godly integrity!

John the Baptist in one sense was the porter opening up the gate for Jesus the chief shepherd.

He lived with honesty and simplicity to God’s glory.

Illustration: How many who have stood in the position of pastor/shepherd, yet lived a life of lies and secrets.

1 Timothy 3:2 “2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”

Titus 1:7 “7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;”

B. A real shepherd promotes Christ

There are many a motive for someone to step into the position of pastor/shepherd.

What motivation would classify a man to be a genuine pastor/shepherd?

A man who has trusted Christ as their Savior and follow Him as Lord.

A man who carries out his work by faith in Christ.

A man who genuinely helps and feeds God’s people Biblical truth.

There is to be no other focus for the pastor/shepherd than that of Christ!

To preach anything from God’s Word is to step onto a path that leads to Christ.

Illustration: The celebrity pastor is no shepherd! The man who transforms the pulpit to a place of man-centered performance, is no shepherd!

1 Peter 5:2–3 “2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”

John 21:15–17 “15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

C. A real shepherd leads the sheep

a) He knows the sheep personally

It is not unusual for shepherds to give names to their sheep just as we do with dogs, cats, horses, fish, etc. Every sheep recognizes his own name, and comes when called. Travelers in lands where old-fashioned sheep herding methods are still used, have noticed the readiness with which the sheep of a large flock will recognize the shepherd’s voice. Though several flocks are mingled, they speedily separate at the command of the shepherd, while the command of a stranger would have no effect on them.

One thing that remains on my heart is to continue to improve on getting to know each of you more on a person level. To spend more time with you.

b) He provides the sheep with assurance

“leadeth them out” and “he goeth before them”

Example: An eastern shepherd never requires the sheep to go somewhere that he has not went there first. When the shepherd calls them forward, they know it will be a place of safety.

Acts 20:28–29 “28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”

overseer (church) n. — a leader who watches over, directs, cares, and is accountable for an assembly of believers.

D. Real sheep follow a real shepherd

LISTEN…it does not take a seminary degree to detect if a man is a God approved pastor/shepherd or not.

Jesus is indicating that there is a inner instinct of every believer to detect a fraud.

Q — Have you ever had that overwhelming feeling come over you to where you thought, “that’s just not right?”

Illustration: There was a time in a crowded place where Henry walked 20 feet away from me, thinking he was following me. He was looking and listening for my voice. Once I yelled his name, he ran to me and cried with relief.

Here are some practices that will help you: Listen to God’s Spirit, read His words, remain in continual prayer, be intentionally faithful to your church family.

However, I wonder sometimes if those looking for a church care as much about the quality and integrity of a pastor as they do with being entertained?

Illustration: Share a story about researching a church online before visiting—checking their statement of faith, listening to sermon recordings, observing how the pastor interacts with members on social media. Just as we wouldn't buy a house without inspection, we shouldn't follow a shepherd without discernment.

CHECK LIST:

Does this teaching point me to Christ or to the teacher?

Does this align with Scripture or with cultural trends?

Am I being fed spiritually or just entertained?

Does this shepherd know me personally or just from a distance?

2) All Sheep Must Enter The Door

A. Salvation is provided

To be God’s sheep, you MUST enter through Christ.

Notice, Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep.”

The “fold” of the Judaistic religion has proven itself to be dead. Jesus being the door made it possible for Jews to walk out the door of false religion and into the door of His flock.

Jewish religion THREW OUT the beggar. However, Jesus led Him to enter His flock.

Acts 14:27 “27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

Jesus was willing to become THE DOOR for the sheep! (virgin birth, persecuted, conquered temptation, abandoned, crucified, and rose again)

B. Security is provided

While Jesus is an open door to all who will come to the Father flock through Him, He is also a SHUT DOOR of security!

Illustration: I think back to great door of Noah’s ark. It was a door open to anyone who would turn to God. It also became a CLOSED door. What protection Noah and his family experienced!

Psalm 23:4 “I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Matthew 7:13–17 “13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”

C. Satisfaction is provided

“go in and out” = implies a habit of using familiarly a dwelling, and treating it as home.

A Hebraism: It expresses beautifully the habitual communion and happy connection with Christ which a true believer enjoys.

“finding pasture” = implies the satisfaction, comfort, and refreshment of soul which everyone who uses Christ as the door into heaven will experience.

Psalm 23:1–2 “1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.”

Psalm 23:5 “5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

Illustration: There is a difference between a vending machine meal (quick, empty calories) versus a home-cooked family dinner (nourishing, satisfying, communal). Many seek spiritual satisfaction in "vending machine religion"—quick fixes, feel-good messages—but only Christ provides the "green pastures" that truly satisfy.

How wonderful it is that you and I can go about our day and commune with Christ with an understanding that He will never shut you out.

Quote: (Matthew Henry) “True believers are at home in Christ; when they go out, they are not shut out as strangers, but have liberty to come in again; when they come in, they are not shut in as trespassers, but have liberty to go out. They go out to the field in the morning, they come into the fold at night; and in both the Shepherd leads and keeps them, and they find pasture in both: grass in the field, fodder in the fold.”

“the thief” is about your life today as His sheep.

The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

Are you experiencing abundant joy, peace, purpose, relationships?

If not, identify the "thief"—Is it unforgiveness stealing your peace?

Comparison killing your contentment?

Busyness destroying your relationships?

Then bring that specific area to Jesus, the door to abundance.

Conclusion

“that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”

Believer — Suggest starting each morning by "entering the door"—a simple prayer acknowledging Christ as your access to the Father, and ending each evening "finding pasture"—reflecting on how Christ satisfied your spiritual needs that day.

Unbeliever —