Scripture Text
John 10:1-5
Intro: When we first trusted
in Christ for the forgiveness of our sin and were saved, we then entered into a
journey of a lifetime to follow the leading of Christ for our lives. It is a
daily decision we all must make to follow Jesus. When we follow the good
Shepherd, our lives will be full of the blessings of God and we will have an
intimate and growing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. As we follow the
good Shepherd, we will avoid many difficulties and the devil’s lies, snares and
deceptions as he attempts to lead us away from the Shepherd into harm’s way.
I. Many false shepherds
seek the sheep. John 10:1 (NKJV) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the
sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a
robber. Jesus calls them thieves and robbers. Jesus
calls them that because they did not give their lives for us, only Jesus did. They are hirelings and when hard times
come they will flee. (V:12) They are only after money, power, prestige and
control over others. They seek to lead and control God’s people without doing
it God’s way. They are the devil’s workers, liars and deceivers. They use
smooth and enticing words to lead people away from the Shepherd.
II. Jesus is the true Shepherd.
John 10:2 (NKJV) But he who enters by
the door is the shepherd of the sheep. Jesus came through the door to the sheep
God’s way. The way of God was through the cross. Jesus was the only One who would
leave Heaven and become a man, live the perfect life and shed His blood on the
cross as the sacrifice required for the salvation of and the sheepfold.
III. God is the doorkeeper
to the sheep. John 10:3 (NKJV) To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep
hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. God opens the door for the true Shepherd of
the sheep. He is allowed access to them. The Holy Spirit helps the sheep to
recognize the Shepherd and they respond to His voice. The Shepherd calls each
sheep by their name and He leads them out individually to take care of them.
IV. The Shepherd leads His
sheep. John 10:4 (NKJV) And when he brings out his own sheep, he
goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. The sheep follow the Shepherd. Psalms 23:1 (NKJV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not
want. They are personally acquainted with Him and
know His voice because He has called them by name and they daily read His word
and study it to see what He has to say. Psalms
23:2-3 (NKJV) 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. Jesus the good
Shepherd gives us rest and supplies all our needs. He refreshes our soul and always leads us in the way of
righteousness and goodness. He does this for His namesake!
V. The sheep will not
follow anyone else. John 10:5 (NKJV) Yet they will by no means follow a stranger,
but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." Because they are strangers, foreigners,
aliens, and outsiders. Outside of the true faith of salvation in Christ alone! They will flee from the false shepherd
because they don’t know his voice. They have no relationship to the false
shepherd because they did not come through the doorkeeper. When you hear anything that does not line
up with God’s word, turn a deaf ear to it and run from it. Don’t listen to what
is contrary to God’s word because He has declared His word will stand forever. Jesus said in
Matthew 24:35 (NKJV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but My
words will by no means pass away. 1 Peter 1:25 (NKJV) The word of the Lord endures
forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to
you.
Invitation:
Do you know the good Shepherd? Has He saved your soul? If not now is the time
to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save your soul
from Hell and give you a home in Heaven when this life is over. If Jesus is
your Shepherd, are you following Him daily?
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