“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”
JOHN 10:1-16
LESSON 21
Introduction:
This message continues the “I AM” series. Here we deal with two of the “I AM” phrases: “I Am the Door” and “I Am the Good Shepherd.” Here we recognize who the Shepherd is and His relationship to the sheep.
I. RECOGNIZING THE SHEPHERD.
A. A Thief and a Robber, v. 1, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
1. He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, Matt. 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
2. But climbeth up some other way, Jer. 14:15, “Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.”
3. Their message is a lie, 1 Thess. 5:2-3, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
B. The Shepherd stays with the sheep, v. 11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But 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.”
C. He that enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep, v. 2, “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
1. The Shepherd is the One who preached the Gospel to us, Rom. 10:15, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
2. This Shepherd is the Son of God, v. 30, “I and my Father are one.”
II. “I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP.” v. 7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”
A. Those that came before were thieves and robbers, Mark 13:22, For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
B. The sheep did not hear them, v.8, “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.”
1. They do not know the voice of strangers, John 10:5, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”
2. They do know the voice of the Shepherd, vs. 14, 27, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
III. “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD.”
A. The Good Shepherd gave his life for the sheep, v. 11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
B. The Lord is the Shepherd, Ps. 23:1a, “The LORD is my shepherd;” Isa. 40:11, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
C. The Hireling cared not for the sheep and fled in the face of danger, Phil. 2:19-20, “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20-For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.”
IV. THE SHEEP OF THE SHEPHERD.
A. My sheep hear my voice, v. 27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
B. And I know them, v. 14, I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
C. And they follow me, v. 27; Matt. 16:24-25, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
D. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, v. 28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
CONCLUSION:
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is the Door to the sheepfold. Because He loves the sheep, God’s people, He has given His life for the sheep.