The Good Shepherd

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The Good Shepherd

 

TEXT: John 10:11-14

INTRODUCTION: At night, sheep were often gathered into a sheepfold to protect them from thieves, weather, or wild animals. The sheepfolds were caves, sheds, or open areas surrounded by walls made of stones or branches. The shepherd often slept in the fold to protect the sheep. Just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, Jesus, the good shepherd, cares for his flock.

The Shepherd cares for the sheep by . . .

I.          Warning them concerning dangers to the flock.

A.        There is the danger of the thief/robber/stranger. (vs. 1, 5, 8, 10).

1.      He is the one who is outside the flock and steals away the flock for his own benefit.

2.      There are thieves and robbers who encroach upon God's people today.

3.      Paul writes concerning them,

1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

4.      How do we know people who think godliness is a way of gain? By their fruits.

Matthew 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

5.      Satan will use others even preachers to steal you from God

a)      False Doctrine

b)      Create your own salvation.

(1)  I don’t’ believe God would send anyone to hell
(2)  I have been a good person, etc

B.        There is the danger of the hireling (vs. 11, 12).

1.      He is the one who tends to the flock for his own benefit.

2.      Here is the one who is content to only feed, but not defend.

3.      When danger comes, he fails to give the appropriate warning because he has run away.

4.      Here is the man who gains the trust of the flock, but turns his back on them and flees when danger comes.

5.      Jesus is not merely doing a job; he is committed to love us and even lay down his life for us.

C.        There is the danger of the wolf--destroying the flock (vs. 11, 12).

1.      Here is the agent of Satan.

2.      He has no concern at all for the flock but to destroy.

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Acts 20:29 "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock."

II.       Providing for and guarding the entrance to the flock.

A.        "I am the door."

1.      In the sheepfold, the shepherd functioned as a gate, letting the sheep in and protecting them. This is not a figurative thought, but rather a literal one.

2.      Jesus is the one blocking the sheep from going out and blocking the enemy from coming in.

John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

B.        Those who are His enter through Him and one can only enter the fold through him.

1.      Jesus is the gate to God’s salvation for us. He offers access to safety and security

C.        The wolf must come through him to get the sheep.

1.      The wolf cannot get in through Christ.

2.      The wolf must disguise himself and bring another gospel. He must change the gospel of Christ.

III.    Giving life to the sheep.

A.        He leads them to pasture.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

1.      Psalm 23 provides an excellent commentary on the good care of The Shepherd.

B.        He gives abundant life to them.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Literally, there is a surplus of life given by Jesus.

C.        He lays down His life for them--substitutes their life for His life.

John 10:11, 15 " I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." "As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Romans 5:6-8 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"

CONCLUSION:

A.        Are you under the care of the Good Shepherd today?

1.      This Good Shepherd . . .

a)       Warns concerning danger.

b)      Provides for and guards the entrance to the flock . . .

c)      Gives life to His sheep.

B.        If you are a Christian but have fallen away

1.      Why have you wandered astray from the fold of safety?

2.      The Good Shepherd seeks for you now.

3.      Will you return and be His again?

C.        If  you are not a Christian this morning . . .

1.      Bring yourself under the Shepherd's care.

2.      There is only one way into the fold.

3.      That way is through the plan which Jesus gave for us to come to Him.

a)      Believe with all your heart; "Except you believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24).

b)      Repent; Luke 24:46, 47 "And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

c)      Make the good confession like Martha made in John 11:27 "I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."

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