John 10:1-3a
Ἀμὴν Ἀμὴν amēn amēn means truly truly - or truly I tell you
in those days, shepherds would use these pens out in the middle of the fields to have a place to rest or take care of the sheep there was one way in and one way out
let’s say you are at the door of one of these pens - you are caring for a flock of sheep and you see someone in there - you’ve been there the whole time, you know you didn’t let him in… what do you think - they are up to no good or they would have come the right way
What is the right way to gain entrance to the ministry?
his is the actual calling of a Pastor - shepherd
a pastor - or a shepherd is first and foremost a servant - who cares for the flock and puts others before himself.
a good pastor/shepherd…..
they will submit to authority -
they will wait for God to exalt them and won’t exalt themselves.
they support those who are in authority, and if there is a problem, they go directly and discretely to them following a model of biblical conflict resolution. there is no subterfuge or games or confusion about what they are doing.
The Sheep Know His Voice vv. 3b-6
their shepherd is familiar -
the second half of v. 3 speaks of the sheep hearing His voice
v. 3 even says the Shepherd calls them by name
for one, this speaks to relationship and familiarity
the sheep know their shepherds voice - and they respond…
The sheep TRUST the Good Shepherd
the sheep have a relationship with the shepherd that is built on trust
end of v 3 and the beginning of vs 4 talks about Him leading the sheep out -
this would be the shepherd leading them to safe pasture land
the Shepherd has provided for the needs of the sheep,
He goes ahead of them (v 4)
this speaks of protection - in going ahead - the shepherd/ pastor is leading the way in uncertain places
he has always protected them and he has always led them to food and water
True Sheep follow Jesus Goats are led away
Consider Matthew 25:31-34 &31
The Pastor’s job is to declare Jesus’ words - make His voice as clear as possible
Jesus is the Gate vv. 7-9
there is one way to get in to the pen - Jesus.
so, yes, this speaks to exclusivity - we know this
John 14:6 “6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
but it also speaks to something else - security
Rom 8:38-39 “38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
a sheep that is part of the flock - who is secure in the sheep pen can’t just wander off.
A wolf, a thief or a robber can’t just wander in without going past Jesus - the good Shepherd
Theme/ Big Idea: God has provided the church with true shepherds and servants - you will know them because they will always be submitted to THE ONE Shepherd - Jesus.
Bad or ‘false’ shepherds are those who use their position to serve their own needs. They forget whose flock they serve. ~ Timothy Laniak
What are some of the motives for bad shepherds to join the ministry
Life and it in abundance
What does it mean for us to have life - and it in abundance with Jesus?