“The True Shepherd” (Part 2)

Series: Believe

Text: John 10:7-18

Intro: Today we will continue with the message that we started last week on The True Shepherd. Last week we say His Credentials, The way He calls us by name and the care he has for his sheep. Today we will continue taking a look at what John teaches us about our True Shepherd.

1) The Access to the Shepherd. (v.7-9)
a. (v.7) Our Lord makes it clear that he is the door of the sheep.
b. Note he does not say that He is a door, but He clearly states that He is THE door, and that He is the door of the SHEEP.
c. He is not speaking of a door like the ones we are familiar with. In that day, sheep were kept in an enclosure of stone or branches formed into a wall. An opening was left for an entrance, but there was no literal door hung on hinges. The shepherd became the door of the sheepfold as he laid in the narrow passage way. He was literally their door, their defense, and stay.
d. (v.8) There is great resistance to this still today. There have been others who have come and tried to convince other people that they are a way.
e*.* Man has always south another way to please God rather than through Jesus Christ. They resist that He is the way.
f. But those who have trusted, not resisted, know his voice, and will not heed the voice of strangers.
g. (V.9) Jesus reveals to us here what we gain in following Him.
h. First. All who come to Him SHALL be saved. Second. They are secure. “they shall go in and out”. Jesus is not referring to multiple salvation experiences. The saved are eternally secure in Him. This is referring to the liberty and assurance we have in Christ our Lord. We no longer have to fear death or the storms of this life. We have confidence we are going to make it through Christ. 2 Tim.1:12 – For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Thirdly, note the satisfaction of the sheep. “Finding Pasture”. . The shepherd led the sheep to abundant pastures. It has the idea of “plenty, not wanting or lacking the necessities of life.”
i. This old world has nothing in its pasture that even comes close to the pastures of the True Shepherd.

2) The Attendance of the Shepherd (v.10-15)
a. (10-11) – 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. [11] I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
b. He desires that we live in victory, and that we walk triumphantly in Him.
c. We can and will have abundant, joyous, and victorious lives if we will continuously follow the shepherd.
d. (v.12-13) But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. [13] The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep We are cautioned here to watch who we follow. There are many who appear to care for the sheep, but when trouble came they would run off and leave the sheep.
e. We must be very, very careful about who we are entrusting our spiritual well being to.
f. (v.14-15) – I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [15] As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep
g. We serve One that is committed to us. We are never beyond the watchful care of our Shepherd.
h. Read Illustration on cast down sheep. See attached.
i. In the face of death awaiting the righteous judgment of God for our sin, Jesus never wavered. He willingly laid down His life for the sheep. He died so we might live. He was so committed to us that He gave His life’s blood on the cross for our redemption.

3) The Atonement of the Shepherd. (v.16-18)
a. Atonement = Making right what we made wrong through the blood of Jesus.
b. Jesus was speaking to the Jews, those of the household of Israel, and yet He declares there are other sheep, not of that fold, that He must bring to Himself as they hear His voice! He is referring to the grace of God that would be poured out on all humanity. The Gentiles, you and I, would also have the opportunity of salvation!!
c. (v16b) There will be no segregation in heaven. All the saved make up the body of Christ.
d. No longer viewed in light of our race, heritage, or social class. We are viewed as the children of God, His heirs and jointheirs with Christ. There will be one fold in heaven, and we will all worship the same Lord!
e. (17-18) – Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. [18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
f. Calvary was yet in the distance; Jesus was yet to die, but He foretells coming events. He would soon give His life a ransom for the sins of humanity. He would soon offer Himself as the atonement for sin. His life was not taken from Him. He willingly laid it down. He possessed power over life and power over death.
g. Each of us should rejoice at these words. Had there been no death there would be no life. Had Christ not offered Himself we would yet be condemned in sin. As He died on the cross and declared the work finished, He secured our salvation! We have the assurance of salvation through the finished work of Christ on the cross.