John 10 6/7/26

Introduction John 9:35-41

Who’s Perspective are you trusting? The blind man’s or the Pharisee’s?

The Pharisees had all the Religion in the world, they fasted they prayed. They new scripture as well as anyone. Yet they were spiritually blind.

You see the men in Forged in Fatherhood we talk about this all the time. When we think we are good, when we think we are ok is when we fall.

The Pharisees thought they were good. They thought they were Holy. When Jesus performs a miracle by making the blind see.… With spit and dirt

They are blind to the miracle and quick to claim he is a demon for healing on the Sabbath.

The blind man, with his spiritual sight wide open worships the living god. He can recognize Jesus for who he is. The Messiah

So I ask you again, Do you see like the blind man or the Pharisee.

Point 1 The Shepherd Speaks. John 10:1-6

Most of us out west envision shepherds as riding a horse, staying in a little wagon, with big white fluffy dogs keeping the coyotes away right.

But that’s not what a shepherd was back in biblical times.

Have any of you seen the newer kids movie David? In the beginning of the movie it shows what the shepherd was to the sheep. The Lion comes and he’s trying to eat the sheep but young David gets in front of the flock and fights the Lion.

That’s how much a shepherd cared for his flock back then. David would sing to his sheep and play his harp for them. And the Flock would respond.

When the night would come the Shepherd would take the flock to the Sheepfold. Often times this was a completely enclosed area. With walls all around.

There would be one way in, one way out. Through a door that had a door keeper. This was to keep the flock safe. From wolves, from getting lost, and from Thieves.

With that in mind verse one is saying if you aren’t coming through the door you have no business being here.

If you are leading a flock of Sheep for any other reason than you’ve been called by God to Ministry then you have no business doing it.

If you are in it for the clicks, the views, the likes Then you are a thief and a Robber. If you try to lead for any other reason other than to bring people to Christ then you aren’t truly saved and you will hurt the flock.

If you’re a Christian then you’re in the right place. You’ve seen miracle after miracle for the last few years. Hundreds being baptized, Hundreds giving their life to Christ. Thousands and eggsplosion. Over 1000 at the easter service. Over 100 baptized in one day in Ethiopia. Hundreds raising their hands and accepting Jesus for the first time in the Market..…

What more do you need to see? Are you blind?

Are you a slave to your religion, Do you need things your way, or are you ready to follow the shepard.

If you come to the door and the doorkeeper opens it for you, you have good intentions with the flock.

When you speak they will listen.

Ethiopia Story

The sheep wouldn’t respond to me, or the horn or anyone else but their shepherd. They will not follow a stranger.

But someone that has a relationship with them, someone that calls them by name they will follow, They will follow the Shephard they trust.

The Shepherd Gives John 10:7-21

Jesus is the Door.

Through door he gives you protection, he gives you provision, he gives you calm in the storm or calms you in the storm.

When the big bad wolf comes he gives you a shelter. When Satan is whispering in your ear walk through that door.

Illustrate with Noah’s Ark

The New King James Version Chapter 6

16 You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side

The New King James Version Chapter 7

15 And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. 16 So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.

This isn’t a new thing folks. When God was ready to wipe the slate clean he found a sheep, a sheep that was not blind. A sheep that could hear his voice.

God called Noah by name and said follow me, Do as I command. build an ark. And when the storm starts. When the heavens open up and the world is filled by death enter through the door. Let me shut the door and let me purge the evil from this land.

The Shepherd gave Noah refuge. All he had to do was hear his voice, trust, obey and come through the door.

The Good shepherd gives you salvation. The only way to the father is through Jesus, He is the way the truth and the life.

Once you accept him into your heart, and confess with your tongue that he is your master, he is your savior he will give you everlasting life.

When the heavens open and the rain starts will you hear the shepherd and come through the door?

Will you come through the door and let him still your waters?

When it’s anxiety, depression, lust, fear, greed, coveting what someone else has starts being to much be in the word, pray, repent hear his voice when he calls you by name

See his miracles and walk through the door.

Verse 11 tells us the best news the world has ever heard. The Good Shepherd lays his life down for his flock.

Riff on the Gospel

Church this isn’t the only time the bible uses the shepherd illustration is it.

The New King James Version Psalm 23

The LORD The Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

Forever.

He is the Good Shepard

Now the hireling. This is someone who is only in it for themselves. They aren’t trying to guide the flock to heaven or keep them safe from the enemy.

This is someone who might share a post to further themselves. In today’s society we can talk about social media. TikTok or Facebook or Instagram.

You like your views, you need your likes but when the wolf comes you flee. The wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. They are lost.

The wolf here is not the devil. It’s anyone that comes across the flock with hostile intent.

That Pastor he in it for evangelism, WOLF

The Hill they want to be a mega church, WOLF

It’s Pastors way or the high way, WOLF

Marshal use to drink, WOLF

People in that church use to be users, WOLF

And Guess what. how quickly we forget with out Jesus we are dust, The same dirt he used to heal this mans sight.

No one gets to heaven because you are holier than though, You get to heaven because GOD IN THE FLESH CAME DOWN WAS BORN LIVED A PERFECT LIFE PAID FOR MY SIN FOR YOUR SIN FOR YOUR SIN AND HUNG ON THAT CROSS. 3 DAYS LATER HE ROSE AND DEFEATED THE GRAVE. HE’S CRUSHED THE SERPENTS HEAD. NOT BECAUSE YOU COME TO CHURCH AND JUDGE OTHERS.

YOU ARE SAVED BECAUSE OF HIM!!! BOTTOM LINE!!!

Verse 14 scripture tells us Jesus knows his sheep but this next part I really want to dig into. “AM KNOWN BY MY OWN” wow.

So I ask again church do you know him? can you see him, Can you hear him? How do we know if you know him.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 10

am known by my own—the soul’s response to the voice that has inwardly and efficaciously called it; for of this mutual loving acquaintance ours is the effect of His. “The Redeemer’s knowledge of us is the active element, penetrating us with His power and life; that of believers is the passive principle, the reception of His life and light. In this reception, however, an assimilation of the soul to the sublime object of its knowledge and love takes place; and thus an activity, though a derived one, is unfolded, which shows itself in obedience to His commands” [OLSHAUSEN]. From this mutual knowledge Jesus rises to another and loftier reciprocity of knowledge.

You know him because you feel conviction. That resurrection power of the Holy Spirit is in you and it’s calling you it’s telling you you know this is wrong.

Less Marshal more Jesus, Don’t be quick to anger. Don’t get puffed up. You seal big contracts win big grievances influence great things, But you’re nothing but dirt without the Lord.

That’s when I know I hear his voice. conviction.

Jesus goes on to remind us that he is God. And that he will lay his life down for his flock.

This isn’t because the jews could take his life, the Romans couldn’t take his like. Ciaphus couldn’t take his life. Pilate couldn’t take his life.

God in the flesh gave his life. He could have called Michael the Arch Angel down and watched him end the Roman empire.

But that’s not what The Father comanded. So our All powerful God. The one who speaks and the universe begins.

Laid down his life..… For you. For me. For your Friends...… and your enemies.

He goes on to say that its not just for the Jews but for the Gentiles. Which is really good news for us yea? I mean I don’t know for sure but I don’t see many Isrealites in here.

He will bring all people to him. From the inside out. They will feel the tug and they will seek Jesus. And that my friends is the secret ingredients to a revival.

God calls his people to him. And You all here can attest and have seen many miracles over the last few years amen.

Point 3 The Shepherd Leads

Following requires movement.

The blind man followed.

The Pharisees stood still.

Noah followed.

Abraham followed.

Peter followed.

The disciples left their nets and followed.

"Are you hearing His voice but refusing to move?"

Is God calling you to forgive but your stuck in your anger? God calling you to lead your family, but you are letting the school or friends?

God calling you to serve, but you can’t find the time?

God calling you to repent, yet you think you’re doing ok?

Is God calling you to share your faith, but you’re afraid?

Church now is the time. Take that next step. Hear his voice, See his miracles, walk through the door to salvation.

The blind man saw Jesus and worshipped.

The Pharisees saw Jesus and rejected Him.

Both stood before the same Savior.

The difference wasn't what they saw.

The difference was whether they were willing to follow.