Showing posts with label John 10. Show all posts

John 10:1-10 The Gate

The front door of our church building is not the door Christ’s sheep enter. The real door or gate for the sheep is not made of wood or metal, but is a Person. Let’s let Jesus explain this in John 10:1-10.

Background

By way of background to Jesus’ lesson let’s learn a few essentials about sheep.

Sheep are social, flock together and readily follow a good shepherd. Healthy lambs feed frequently. A lamb that bleats all the time is probably hungry. Lambs remain close to their mothers but curiosity can get them into trouble. Sheep have excellent memories and trust a shepherd who handles them gently.

Sheep are generally docile, but rams can be aggressive during breeding season, headbutting to dominate. Ewes may become aggressive to protect their young. Shepherds can train sheep by voice command. Like shepherds, church leaders assemble God’s sheep to tend the flock. Sheep instinctively know that they are better off together.

The idea of “dumb sheep” is a complete myth. They are very intelligent animals. They can remember up to fifty other sheep and ten humans. Sheep find their way out of mazes quickly and are smarter than humans with instinctive ability to find the plants they need for herbal cures.

English sheep taught themselves to roll across cattle grids to feed on neighboring pastures. After meeting a group of people, sheep remember who brought the food. They know by instinct that togetherness is the best defense against predators. They gladly follow a shepherd that they trust. Let’s begin the lesson.

John 10:1-3 I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

There are many voices in the Christian world, popes and patriarchs, theologians and evangelists, reformers and pastors, but none of them is the Great Shepherd. We can tell if the Great Shepherd speaks through those voices, because it is consistent with God’s written word, not the words of the world.

John 10:4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.

Is the voice of Jesus harsh and authoritarian, or soft and effeminate? Neither. The Bible pictures Jesus’ voice as one the sheep hear. People listen to all kinds of voices. Yet Jesus’ sheep listen to His. Others are not trusted. Jesus’ sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

A shepherd leading a flock of sheep calls each by name. The sheep won’t follow another. A sheep farmer is not a shepherd. His is the un-recognized voice of a stranger. We recognize the voice of Jesus, because as the Word, He is always consistent with His inspired written word.

John 10:5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.

How do we get to know Jesus’ “voice?” Some Christians don’t like Jesus as Lamb, while others don’t like Him as Lion. Yet, both Lion and Lamb are Jesus’ true “voice.” In order to get to know the “voice” of the Word, we need to be familiar with His inspired written Word.

John 10:6-7 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”

How is Jesus the door or gate? Picture a shepherd resting at the entrance to a sheep pen. There is no wooden gate. He is the gate. If anyone does not enter by the legitimate gate then he is a thief and a robber. They have also been called heretics.

The only legitimate way to enter the Church is through Jesus. We do not enter the sheepfold via the Pope, the Ecumenical Patriarch, Moses, Paul, Luther, Calvin or Wesley. These great servants of God are not the gate. So, when is a gate a gate? When that gate is Jesus.

John 10:8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.

In one sense are even great leaders of the faith thieves and robbers? Is a particular church the door? Claims of who is one true church are everywhere, but they can’t all be right. Are all who claim to be the door into the sheepfold, except Jesus, thieves and robbers?

John 10:9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.

Jesus is the gateway or gatekeeper for the sheepfold. His voice leads to safety, not the voice of vain traditions or modern heresy, but the voice of the gatekeeper, Jesus. Inside the gate is safety. Outside the gate is freedom to run in green grass, because the Shepherd leads us.

John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Jesus is contrasted with the thief who enters “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Some churches have allowed thieves to rise to prominence. They steal sheep for ancient and modern heresies, many of which are in reality regressivism, because they have returned to naturalism and ancient licentious heresies.

Modern cultural deceptions have brought about spiritual and family destruction. Divorce and crime are direct results of our hedonistic lust for power and wealth. The thief has come and stolen and killed and destroyed us. Will we heed the voice of the Great Shepherd, and follow Him to nourishing pasture?

Let’s study the teachings of Jesus, so we can learn to recognize His true voice and distinguish it from the voices of thieves. He sits at the door as gatekeeper to the sheepfold. Let’s come in and go out through Him to find spiritual pasture and life to the full.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Readings

Acts 2:42-47

Devoting ourselves to a church and sharing things in common are strange concepts in a selfish, modern society, but it is the example set for us by the early church, and is worth thinking about.

Psalm 23

The shepherd’s Psalm reveals sheep lacking nothing, having abundant provision, refreshed souls, being on the right track, fearlessness in dark times, even when the shepherd disciplines, overflowing blessings despite enemies around, and joy in God’s house forever.

1 Peter 2:19-25

We patiently endure wrong for doing good, because our shepherd left an example of suffering without complaining. Once we were like stray sheep, but now we have a shepherd whose example we follow.

John 10:1-10 in Rhyme

If someone sneaks over the wall
Dodging the gate of the sheep stall
Must be a thief and a robber
The gate is the way that’s proper

Through the gate is the shepherd’s choice
And the sheep recognize His voice
So He calls his own sheep by name
And to follow Him is their aim

A stranger they just won’t follow
Deceptive voices won’t swallow
But for them His words were too deep
He said, I’m the gate for the sheep

Before me were robbers and thieves
Their words any true sheep just leaves
Those who come through me will be saved
And the abundant life they’ve craved

Secure in God's Hand

What makes us Christ’s sheep? Are we in danger of being lost for eternity? Are we secure in His hands? Let’s examine John 10:22-30 and see.

The Setting

John 10:22-23 “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.” Jesus showed his approval of Hanukkah by attending it. It’s a winter celebration remembering the miraculous restoration of the Temple.

John 10:24 “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’” Literally, they encircled Him. Some were perhaps sincere, others with deceitful hearts, men who sought to denounce and sabotage Jesus.

The Believers

John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.” Why did these learned men not believe Jesus’ works? Why did they not believe over 300 prophecies from the Bible? What was missing?

John 10:26-27 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep [as I said to you]. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”. This logic is followed by a series of “and’s” which explain why some believe and others don’t.

The Promises

John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Notice that eternal life is already given to them. They will not perish, be lost to eternity, based on continued belief. Jesus, on His part, holds them tightly.

John 10:29-30 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” Though they are one, the Father is greater, and the final guarantor of this “blessed assurance.”

Here is truth: We believe because we are His sheep. Here are promises: believers in Jesus will never perish and no one can snatch them from God the Son’s hand, nor God the Father’s hand.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

The Good Shepherd

Prelude

What is a Good Shepherd? What is the difference between David as a brave young shepherd and Jesus as the Good Shepherd? Did Jesus die for His sheep voluntarily?

Purpose: Let’s understand how good a shepherd Jesus is.

Plan: Let’s look at what it means to be the Good Shepherd in John 10:11-18.

John 10:11 The Good Shepherd

In John 10:11 we read, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” The word “good” also means beautiful of heart, and the word “shepherd” is exactly the same word as pastor. A reason for his goodness is also given, that he will “expose himself to any danger for their safety”.[1] “When the wolf comes, he would still remain to protect them.”[2] We have a literal example of such a good shepherd in David, who protected his flock of sheep from “a lion or a bear” (1 Samuel 17:33-35). More than facing danger, Jesus laid down His life for His sheep.

[1] Benson Commentary [2] Barnes’ Notes

Pastors

The word pastor is one of the least used words for a church leader in the New Testament, but a very meaningful one. Whereas other church leadership roles carry meanings like envoy, servant, older person, teacher and overseer, the word pastor means a shepherd. Every human pastor is an assistant to Jesus. In larger churches assistant pastors or small group leaders become the hands-on pastors of the flock. All pastoral care is vital because there is nothing more important to Jesus than his flock. Human pastors are inadequate and totally incapable of providing what Jesus would, yet it is a privilege to love and be loved by the flock of Christ.

John 10:12-13 The Hired Hand

In John 10:12-13 we read, “But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.” A hired hand or wage worker does not own the sheep nor cares like Jesus does. He does not fight the wolf, but runs. False prophets or other predators come and take sheep by force, “not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29; Matthew 7:15). Human pastors come and go but Jesus will never leave.

John 10:14 I Know My Sheep

In John 10:14 we read, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” Psalm 23 is a picture of life under the Good Shepherd. I once knew a shepherdess who taught me the difference between a sheep farmer and a shepherd. She knew her sheep by name and they knew her. She didn’t drive them like a sheep farmer would, but called them and they knew her voice and came to her. A bond of trust exists between shepherd and sheep. To a stranger all sheep may look alike, but to a loving shepherd, each is an individual and cared for individually.

John 10:15 I Know the Father

In John 10:15 we read, “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” We might ask how is the two-sided intimate knowledge between Jesus and His sheep? His answer is to compare it with the mutual knowledge between Him and His Father. Those of us far removed from ancient agricultural practices may not understand the love of a shepherd for his sheep, but perhaps we can relate in some ways if we’ve ever had pets that we loved and spent many hours with. The love of this Shepherd is so great that He willingly dies for his flock.

John 10:16 Other Sheep

John 10:16 says, “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” Jesus describes one flock, but not one fold or courtyard, and he described one Shepherd Jesus, not any human leader. Mark found sheep in Egypt and the Coptic church became a separate sheepfold. Thomas, Thaddeus and Bartholomew also did the same in Assyria. Later Thomas did the same in Kerala, southwest India. Competing Roman and Eastern Orthodox claims of being the “one true church” are not borne out by history. All Christians are one in Christ.

John 10:17 Because

John 10:17 says, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.” The Father loved the Son from eternity, and that love is culminated and fully justified, because He is the Good Shepherd, and because of His voluntary readiness to sacrifice Himself for the sheep. His desire was to bring the whole world back to the Father. Jesus lay down His life of His own free will and had the power to take His life back again. The Good Shepherd dies, not to leave the sheep defenseless, but to rise again and be the Shepherd of more sheep coming into the flock.

John 10:18 Voluntary Death

John 10:18 says, “No one takes 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 command I have received from My Father.” Nobody, neither the Jews nor Romans, not even the Father, took Jesus’ life from Him. His submission and death was entirely voluntary. He voluntarily went up to Jerusalem, knowing that He would die. He said that Pilate would have no power unless God gave it (John 19:11). The fact that Jesus had power to take His life again, shows His divinity. And, He voluntarily fulfilled the commission from the Father.

Shepherds

I grew up spending summers on my uncle’s sheep farm. Though I learned a lot about sheep, I did not learn much about shepherding. Later I became pastor of a rural church with many sheep farmers. Though I learned a lot more about sheep from them, I still did not learn much about shepherding until I met Robin. She was a shepherd. There is a difference. Sheep farmers have thousands of sheep, but Robin had a small flock and knew each one by name. Sheep often flee a sheep farmer, but when Robin took a small can of grain and shook it, they came to her and they knew her voice. That’s an advantage of small churches. Jesus is like Robin. He is the Good Shepherd and calls us into his flock to be cared for individually (John 10:10-18).

Sacrifices

Soldiers go to war voluntarily. Police officers voluntarily sacrifice their safety. Parents sacrifice for their children. Missionaries sacrifice equity, savings, and personal safety to go overseas and spread Christianity. Even retailers sacrifice privacy in order to be able to make money. Everyone sacrifices something so we can live together in peace. Medical Doctor Commander Edward Jewel wrote in the New Yorker in 2003 that he treated enemy prisoners of war.1 He soon realized that could be his job for the duration of the war in Iraq. The greatest sacrifice is the one who lays down his life for an enemy. Jesus died while we were still enemies (Romans 5:10).

1 https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/06/12/soldiers-stories

Postlude

As a young shepherd, David bravely fought lion and bear, but Jesus is the Good Shepherd who died for His sheep. Jesus died voluntarily and lives again so that we might have life through Him.

John 10:11-18; 1 Samuel 17:33-35; Acts 20:29; Matthew 7:15; Psalm 23; John 19:11; Romans 5:10

Who is Jesus?

Intro

Who is Jesus?

Purpose

Let’s discuss one of the most important questions of Christianity, who is Jesus?

Plan

We will look at John 10:22-30 and find an answer.

John 10:22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

What is the Feast of Dedication? (vs 22)

Hanukkah was not one of the festivals commanded for ancient Israel in Leviticus. It was an added festival, celebrating a later event than the those surrounding the Exodus. It is also called the Feast of Lights or Dedication, referring to the second temple in Jerusalem. Seleucid King Antiochus Epiphanes looted the temple and sacrificed pigs to Zeus, provoking a revolt. 1 Maccabees which is found in some Bibles, tells the story of an 8 day celebration of the defeat of Antiochus. A leader of the revolt, Judah the Hammer, ordered the Temple cleansed but only enough oil for the Menorah to burn one day was found. By a miracle the oil lasted 8 days, in time for a fresh supply.

What Do our Works Say? (vs 24)

The question “Was Jesus the Messiah?” kept the Jews between doubt and hope.1 The suspense was “killing” them. Jesus was careful because anyone who said he was the Messiah would have been put out of the Temple. They had already decided that he was not, but like many reporters, wanted a simplistic yes or no answer instead of another parable. Jesus wisely had not given them yes or no answers. These Jews were similar to some Christians who may say, don’t confuse me with the Bible, my mind is made up. Jesus seems to be saying, look at my deeds and come to your own conclusion about my role. Do our works tell the world that we are Christians?

1 Thayer’s Greek Lexicon

Who is Jesus? (vs 25-27)

The answer to who Jesus is can only come to those who are his sheep. They will know. We have been given to Jesus by the Father. Because of that, it is impossible for anyone to snatch us from Jesus’ hand. Hanukkah reminded the Jews of a political savior who liberated them from the Seleucids and Antiochus Epiphanes. Now under Roman oppression, an immoral minority became fabulously wealthy as most Jews sunk into poverty. Jesus’ works of healing and preaching about a heavenly kingdom did not fit their hopes. They looked for a liberating warrior. God’s true sheep know that his kingdom is hidden in a ministry to the needy, by saving the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned.

Jesus’ Valuable Sheep (vs 28-29)

An alternative rendering of John 10:28-29 is found in several translations of the Bible, that the Father has given Jesus a gift greater than all things (his flock, us). We guard and protect the things that we value most and so does God. Jesus values his sheep as a very precious gift from the Father. No one can snatch them out of his hand. No one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. By deduction, Jesus’ hand and the Father’s hand are doing the same thing. Both esteem us as being of inestimable value. We are not worthless sinners without hope. We are highly valued. This ought to be a substantial word of comfort and guarantee to us.

I and the Father are one (vs 30)

Jesus and the Father are one, the same word as is used in the Shema Yisrael (Deuteronomy 6:4), the Lord is one. God’s angels are his angels (Matthew 13:41; Luke 12:8-9; 15:10). He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). The Word (Jesus) was God (John 1:1). Jesus is an exact representation of God’s nature (Hebrews 1:2-8). In Jesus the fullness of deity dwells bodily (Colossians 1:15-20; 2:9). Jesus is the judge (2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus had the form or nature of God before birth (Philippians 2:5-11). Thomas called Jesus my Lord and my God (John 20:28), a central tenet of true Christianity.

Outro

The answer to who is Jesus is one main difference between true Christianity and heresy. What unites Christians is the idea that Jesus is God. Jesus said that his works showed who he is? Do our deeds show where our faith lies?

The Leadership we Need

Intro

Even the best of human leaders will eventually disappoint us and fail. Where then can we look to find the right leader?

Goal

Let’s understand what right leadership is and where it is to be found.

Sermon Plan

We will look at John 10:10-18 and its description of a Gentle Shepherd.

Indictment of National Leadership

In Ezekiel 34 is an indictment of political leadership, the shepherd kings of Israel, who feed themselves. The people are scattered. Self-indulgent leaders bring national disaster. They covet wealth and ignore the needs of the flock. Our national leadership crisis is caused by an oligarchy, “the fat and the strong” who neglect the starving sheep. Selfish leadership has created a national crisis. The powerful take the bulk of our national wealth. Tax law protects them and burdens the weak. Like selfish animals they leave fouled water behind. Ezekiel prophesies a new government with good leadership. Yahweh will be the good shepherd in Israel. The prophesied new king will be a descendant of David who will do what a shepherd should do, feed the sheep, creating abundant life for all (John 10:10). Yahweh will be Israel’s shepherd, God with us.

The Abundant Life

When we read that Jesus came that we may have life to the full, the abundant life, we may read into the passage a purely materialistic abundance. We may assume that this passage means accumulating things, when it actually refers to an abundant life (John 10:10). An abundance of things can actually detract from an abundant life. Jesus said that we ought to be on our guard against greed because life does not consist of an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:13-21) but in being rich towards God. So, what is the abundant life? It is a life filled over and above our necessary dullness. It is a superior life, a life that is remarkable, one that is lived with greater honor. It is life devoted to the things of God, a life guided by Jesus the Great Shepherd.

Addiction to Materialism vs the Abundant Life

What would be our society’s greatest addiction? When we speak of addiction, we may think of alcohol or drugs, but those are not our world’s greatest addictions. Our economy relies upon creating addictions to products. Two of our greatest addictions are unhealthy foods and materialism. Advertising deceives us that material goods make an abundant life and politics deceives us that fixing America begins with a materialistic solution. We are constantly lied to that materialism and degenerate foods will create the abundant life. Yet, Jesus warned against greedy materialism because that is not life (Luke 12:13-21). Jesus came that we might have truly rich and satisfying lives (John 10:10). It begins by being a faithful member of a church community where Jesus is taught. The church is the sheepfold where Jesus gathers his sheep to be protected and fed.

Shepherds

I grew up spending summers on my uncle’s sheep farm. Though I learned a lot about sheep, I did not learn much about shepherding. Later I became pastor of a rural church with many sheep farmers. Though I learned a lot more about sheep from them, I still did not learn much about shepherding until I met Robin. She was a shepherd. There is a difference. Sheep farmers have thousands of sheep, but Robin had a small flock and knew each one by name. Sheep often flee a sheep farmer, but when Robin took a small can of grain and shook it, they came to her and they knew her voice. That’s an advantage of small churches. Jesus is like Robin. He is the Good Shepherd and calls us into his flock to be cared for individually (John 10:11).

Shepherd Imagery

Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Ancient shepherds were rugged weather-beaten individuals with rough clothing, carrying a wooden staff in one hand. Israel’s kings were also called shepherds after David who learned to fight by defending his flocks. Even Greek philosophers compared human leadership to the art of shepherding a flock. The Gospel uses the imagery of a shepherd, the sheepfold, knowing the sheep, and laying down his life for them, feeding the sheep. In Greek the word for good is kalos, meaning beautiful as an outward sign of honorable character. Several times Jesus says that he lays down his life for his sheep. He cares for his sheep and knows them. This is a contrast between good and bad human leadership in any field. A leader is good because he lays down his life for others.

Pastoral Reality

Human pastors must sleep, have time for their families, and generally take good care that they do not overwork. In church life, there is always more work to do than can possibly be done by one person. So, every church should remember that we all have one Good Shepherd and the human pastor is not it. Unhealthy churches become dependent upon a human pastor instead of Jesus. While human pastors are shepherds, they are only assistant under-shepherds to the Good Shepherd. They are fallible and can only do so much. By laying down his life for the flock, Jesus showed us the love of God in a way that we could understand. Though living a self-sacrificing life is the model that Jesus left for us, there was only one life required for the salvation of the world (John 10:11).

Devoted Protector

Hired hands are quitters who leave us when the going gets tough. Jesus cares for his sheep, but not the hired hand. There is no greater love than laying down our lives for our friends (John 15:13). What is the danger? One danger is the wolf (John 10:12). False prophets are wolves (Matthew 7:15), enemies. A tactic of wolves is to enter the flock and deceptively appear like one of us, but they eventually attack. Every church has experienced those who only entered to get their way. They did not care for us, but only wanted to feed on us. We were fodder for their appetites, their political agendas, their desire for a following and for control. They were only here to destroy not to bless. The Good Shepherd lays down his life to save the sheep.

The Hired Hand

Who is your pastor? That person is not the Good Shepherd, but a hired hand. That is the terminology used in John 10:12-13. All pastors read those words and say to themselves, “I hope that is not me.” Yet it is all pastors except the one, Jesus Christ. We must face the fact that we are being described here. Even Jesus’ disciples ran away during difficult times. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can any of us stay and fight. Pastors often compare themselves by how big their congregations, how long they have served, how many books they have written or other egotistical comparisons. From this passage success as a pastor is not measured by such silly standards but by standing firm when the wolf attacks. A great pastor is one willing to die for their congregation.

Pastors

The word pastor is one of the least used words for a church leader in the New Testament, but a very meaningful one. Whereas other words carry meanings like envoy, servant, elder, teacher and overseer, the word pastor means a shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:14), and every human pastor is an under-shepherd. In larger churches associate and assistant pastors or a pastoral care group become the hands-on pastors of the flock. Whatever level of pastoral care can be given is vital because there is nothing more important to Jesus than his flock. All pastors know that they are inadequate and totally incapable of providing what Jesus would, yet we count it a privilege to love and be loved by the flock of Christ. It is a privilege to bear scars from years of protecting the flock.

The One True Church

Official Catholic teaching is that it is the one true church. Official Orthodox teaching is somewhat alike. Official teaching of a number of denominations large and small is very similar. Yet, they cannot all be the one true church. Such exclusive thinking is not new. There were times that even Jesus’ disciples were caught up in such mentality. John 10:16 adds something interesting to this discussion. Jesus said that he had other sheep not of this fold or sheep pen. The “one true church” mentality on the human level stinks of politics and egotism. I like to call it “exclusive franchise” thinking. There certainly is one true church, but there is nothing in the Bible that specifically speaks of God having just one exclusive organization of human beings. It appears that God’s flock exists in more than one sheepfold.

Other Sheep Pens

John 10:16 speaks of other sheep not of this sheep pen. He says that it is necessary that he must also bring them, who will also listen to his voice, with the goal that they would all become one flock. These other sheep are not in the fold. They are elsewhere possibly in immediate danger. They need to be brought into the protection of the sheep pen so the shepherd can keep a closer watch over them. What distinguishes these sheep is that they will listen to his voice. How will they hear his voice if we do not preach his Word, what he taught? Christian unity begins among those who will listen to Jesus’ Word. Sheep are not individualistic. There is no such thing as a safe sheep of Christ outside of the sheepfold, the community of believers.

Outro

The Great Shepherd of the flock is the example of right leadership. We need no other.

Good News in the Sheep Pen

Intro

Is life meant to be a drudge, wandering from one unfulfilling lust to another or is it meant to be full of joy and wonderful surprises?

Goal

I want us to realize that the real joys in life are found in the things that Jesus provides.

Plan

We will see how Jesus provides every wonderful blessing in life through the metaphor of sheep in a sheep pen from John 10:1-10.

Living with Sheep

Sheep are very social, will flock together and may readily follow the first sheep to make a move. Healthy lambs feed frequently. A lamb that bleats all the time is probably hungry. Lambs remain close to their mothers but their curiosity can get them into trouble. Sheep are generally docile, but rams can be aggressive especially during breeding season. Head butting is a way for rams to dominate the hierarchy. Ewes may become aggressive after lambing to protect their young. Sheep have excellent memories and trust a shepherd who handles them gently. Unlike sheep ranchers who must drive sheep, a shepherd can train sheep to come by voice command. Like church services, various pens and barns are used to receive the sheep for close inspection and group attention. Sheep instinctively know that they are better off together (John 10:1).

The “Dumb Sheep” Myth

Some may see church-goers as just dumb sheep. Yet the idea of “dumb sheep” is just a myth. Sheep are very intelligent animals. Modern research shows that sheep can remember the faces of up to fifty other sheep and ten human faces. They can find their way out of mazes very quickly. Sheep are smarter than humans in being able to find the plants they need for herbal cures of various illnesses. Sheep in Yorkshire, England have even taught themselves to roll across cattle grids to feed on neighboring pastures. After only one feeding from a group of people, sheep remember who brought the food. Very importantly, sheep know by instinct that independent action is not the best battle strategy for defending against a predator. Instead, when threatened they flock together in a technique known as folding (John 10:4).

The Voice of Jesus

What is the voice of Jesus like? Is it harsh and authoritarian? Is it soft and effeminate? John 10:4 presents us with one picture of Jesus’ voice. It is a voice that the sheep hear. People preach and listen to the voice of all kinds of things other than Jesus’ words. Yet his is the voice that the sheep listen to. All other voices are suspect as potential robbers. Just as in a real flock of sheep, where each can be taught its name, so too does the voice Jesus call each by name. It is a personal relationship. The sheep also recognise the voice of Jesus and follow him. They will never follow another. In fact, they go the other way from the un-recognized voice of a stranger. We can all learn to recognize the voice of Jesus.

Figures of Speech in the Sheep Pen

When Jesus spoke of us being sheep and his being the gate for the sheep he was not speaking literally but figuratively (John 10:6). It is like a mother who calls her infant the most beautiful child in the world. She is speaking in what we call hyperbolic language not literal. It is wrong to pride ourselves on taking the Bible literally, when an overly literal interpretation often misses what God intended. We can all be thieves and robbers entering a church to steal the peace, kill the joy and destroy the unity. Yet the more we listen to Jesus, the more we find spiritual pasture that feeds our souls, the more fulfilled our lives are now as we experience paradise on earth in a manner not available to those who never come to church, to the sheep fold.

When a Gate is a Gate

Jesus described himself as the gate for the sheep (John 10:7). Picture a shepherd sitting or sleeping at the entrance to a sheep pen. There is no wooden gate. He is the gate. Who is a true shepherd of Jesus’ flock? Anyone who claims to be a pastor (shepherd) but does not enter by the legitimate gate is a thief and a robber. The only legitimate way is to enter via Jesus, the gate. Entry via Moses is not a legitimate gate, but neither is entry via Paul. Entry via the pope is not legitimate, but neither is entry via Luther, Calvin or Wesley. All of these people may have been wonderful servants of God, but none of them is the gate. Only Jesus is the gate. So, when is a gate a gate? When that gate is Jesus.

Good News in the Sheep Pen

John 10:8 informs us that even though thieves and robbers may sneak into our churches, there is also good news in the sheep pen. We don’t need to be concerned because as we follow the Good Shepherd we will learn to know his voice. It may be the soft words of one who does good works, letting their light shine. It may be in the words of Jesus preached in a sermon. It may be in the words of encouragement given by a spiritual mother or father in the congregation. Jesus leads us into a worship service each week and he leads us back out into the world to where we will be blessed with lush spiritual pastures. The good news is that the Great Shepherd has come that we may have life now, more than what is expected.

The Gatekeeper

Is Christianity a religion of freedom or restraint? It is both. There are times when we need protection and defense. There are also times when we need to run free. In John 10:9 Jesus talks about being the gate. We may say the gatekeeper. If we listen to the voice of the gatekeeper, he will lead us out when it is safe. If we ignore his voice, we may desire to run at the wrong time, headlong into danger. If we enter into safety through the gatekeeper, then we know th

at he will be watching. It is important for us to be following the right voice, the voice of the gatekeeper, Jesus. Inside the gate is freedom from harm, because the gatekeeper guards us. Outside the gate is freedom to run with protection, because the gatekeeper leads us.

Life to the Full

As the cycle of nations takes its natural course in the Anglo Zone, there is a real spiritual opportunity. The Anglo Zone (those nations that speak English) have been at the pinnacle for centuries now. First it was British and then American dominance. As power and wealth arrived, the English speaking nations slowly drifted away from Jesus Christ. Materialism tends to do that. As the delusion of material wealth took over the Anglo culture, spiritual and family destruction have increased hazardously. We have the highest divorce rates in history and the highest crime rates in the world as people have left God in droves in a hedonistic rush for power and wealth. The thief has come and stolen and killed and destroyed us. Will we return to the one who can give us life to the full (John 10:10

Concl

As sheep in God’s flock, we eventually learn to recognize the voice of the Great Shepherd. He sits at the door of his Church acting as gatekeeper. As we come in and go out through him we find spiritual pasture and life to the full.

Sermon: Fixing America, Part 3 — The Opposite of Blasphemy

Intro

We have all bad-mouthed authority figures behind their backs — criticized a law officer, grumbled about a boss or complained about our parents. Worse, we have all taken God’s name in vain.

Goal

Let’s understand how blasphemy destroys us and our country and how praise of God is an answer to fixing America.

Sermon Plan

We will look at your name and God's Name, our best friend’s name, the purpose of the law, hired hands, the one true church, that abundant life, addiction, shepherds, pastors and the opposite of blasphemy.

Your Name, God's Name

Your name is a mark of identification. It labels who you are. The mention of your name carries the honor and reputation you may have in the community, good or bad. How would you like it if your name became a swear word. When something bad or surprising happened, would you like it if people cursed your name? Would you like your name being used for abuse, swearing and generally considered to be a worthless or dirty word? In Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 one of the Ten Commandments asks us not to use God’s name in vain. That means that we respect his name and not use it for evil, lying and similar vain and useless purposes. How should we treat the name of the Good Shepherd (John 10:10-18), the one who lay down his life for us?

Our Best Friend’s Name

Imagine that we had a best friend who loved us more than any other. Suppose that best friend sacrificed everything for our welfare including dying to save our lives. Would we want to bad-mouth that person? Would we like it if others started bad-mouthing that person’s reputation? Would we feel uncomfortable if others used his name as a swear word? As a part of his covenant with ancient Israel, God asked them not to abuse his name (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5). The shepherds of this world (politicians, industry leaders and yes, even church leaders) can not care for us in the same way as the Good Shepherd (John 10:10-18). Jesus loves us as no human being possibly can. How do we treat the name of the Good Shepherd? Ought not his name be revered more than any other?

Purpose of the Law

Imagine someone who loved us more than anyone, yet we turned our backs on him. Not only that, but we bad-mouthed that person, ruined his reputation and used his name as a swear word. Yet, despite all that, he died to save us. Even after he did so, we continued to abuse his name. That is what the law teaches us (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5), that all human efforts fail. The gospel teaches us that God still sent his Son to do what we cannot. That is why Jesus is called the Good Shepherd (John 10:10-18). He knows that his sheep are weak and cannot follow the rules. Those who use the law to puff themselves up do not yet understood the law. The purpose of the law is to humble us and prepare us for the gospel.

Reading of the Text: Read John 10:10-18

The One True Church

Official Catholic teaching is that it is the one true church. Official Orthodox teaching is somewhat alike. Official teaching of a number of denominations large and small is very similar. Yet, they cannot all be the one true church. Such exclusive thinking is not new. There were times that even Jesus’ disciples were caught up in such mentality. John 10:10-18 adds something interesting to this discussion. Jesus said that he had other sheep not of this fold or sheep pen. The “one true church” mentality on the human level stinks of politics and egotism. I like to call it “exclusive franchise” thinking. There certainly is one true church, but there is nothing in the Bible that specifically speaks of God having just one exclusive organization of human beings. It appears that God’s flock exists in more than one sheepfold.

The Abundant Life

When we read that Jesus came that we may have life to the full, the abundant life, we may read into the passage a purely materialistic abundance. We may assume that this passage means accumulating things, when it actually refers to an abundant life (John 10:10-18). An abundance of things can actually detract from an abundant life. Jesus said that we ought to be on our guard against greed because life does not consist of an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:13-21) but in being rich towards God. So, what is the abundant life? It is a life filled over and above our necessary dullness. It is a superior life, a life that is remarkable, one that is lived with greater honor. It is life devoted to the things of God, a life lived within the sheepfold of Jesus.

Addiction or Abundant Life

What would be our society’s greatest addiction? When we speak of addiction, we may think of alcohol or drugs, but those are not our world’s greatest addictions. Our economy relies upon creating addictions to products. Two of our greatest addictions are unhealthy foods and materialism. Advertising deceives us that material goods make an abundant life and politics deceives us that fixing America begins with a materialistic solution. We are constantly lied to that materialism and degenerate foods will create the abundant life. Yet, Jesus warned against greedy materialism because that is not life (Luke 12:13-21). Jesus came that we might have truly rich and satisfying lives (John 10:10-18). Attending church regularly is important, because Jesus gathers his sheep to give them a better life. Fixing America and each of us having a full life begins in his sheepfold.

The Hired Hand

Who is your pastor? That person is not the Good Shepherd, but a hired hand. That is the terminology used in John 10:10-18. All pastors read those words and say to themselves, “I hope that is not me.” Yet it is all pastors except the one, Jesus Christ. We must face the fact that we are being described here. Even Jesus’ disciples ran away during difficult times. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can any of us stay and fight. Pastors often compare themselves by how big their congregations, how long they have served, how many books they have written or other egotistical comparisons. From this passage success as a pastor is not measured by such silly standards but by standing firm when the wolf attacks. A great pastor is one willing to die for their congregation.

Shepherds

Pastors

The word pastor is one of the least used words for a church leader in the New Testament, but a very meaningful one. Whereas other words carry meanings like envoy, servant, older person, teacher and overseer, the word pastor means a shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:10-18), and every human pastor is an assistant to him. As churches grow larger it becomes impossible for one pastor to provide individual care and so assistant pastors or small group leaders become the hands-on pastors of the flock. Whatever level of pastoral care can be given is vital because there is nothing more important to Jesus than his flock. All pastors know that they are inadequate and totally incapable of providing what Jesus would, yet we count it a privilege to love and be loved by the flock of Christ.

The Opposite of Blasphemy

We live in a world where every boss is criticized, where every leader is disrespected and the super-wealthy are automatically suspected of greed. There is plenty of reason to criticize a fellow human being. After all, we all fall far short of any godly ideals. A temptation that we all face is having that jaded, skeptical attitude towards God. Yet, Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:10-18). What does that mean? It means that, even though we are tempted to blaspheme his name because we are worn out by the constant corruption of fellow human beings, Jesus really is not like that. Instead of abusing his name and using it as a curse word, he really deserves the exact opposite. Jesus truly deserves praise, honor, love and abundant thanks for the full life that he bestows upon his flock.

Outro

We are all tempted to grumble against God and taking his name in vain is not censored in the media when barnyard and sexual swear words are. Fixing America starts by praising the name of him who created us instead of cursing God. We need to get back to praising and honoring the name of God.