THE SHEPHERD
JOHN 10:1-11
Introduction:
This is the parable of the Good Shepherd. “It is borrowed from the custom of the country, in the management of their sheep. Similitudes [parables], used for the illustration of divine truths, should be taken from those things that are most familiar and common, that the things of God be not clouded by that which should clear them.” –Matthew Henry.
Here the Lord is call the “Porter” or “Gate Keeper.” He is the one who opens the gate for the sheep. He is, in fact, “the Shepherd.”
I. THE SHEPHERD
v. 3, “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”
A. He opens the door, Revelation 3:7, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”
B. He calls His sheep, Mark 10:49, “And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.”
1. His call is a call of compassion, Psalm 86:15, “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”
2. His call is a call of reconciliation, Hebrews 2:17, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
3. His call is a call to Salvation, Luke 19:9-10, “And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
II. THE SHEEP
A. Hear His voice, v. 3.
1. Those that hear will live, John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”
2. Those that do not hear His voice are not His sheep, John 10:26, “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.”
B. He calls his own sheep by name, v. 3.
1. He knows His sheep, John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
2. He knows them by name, Exodus 33:17, “And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.”
a. Their names are in the Book of Life, Philippians 4:3, “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”
b. The Lord knows those that are His, 2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
C. He leads them out, Psalm 78:52, “But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.”
1. He leads us safely, Psalm 78:53, “And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.”
2. He leads us gently with great care, Isaiah 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.”
3. He leads in path that we have not known before, Isaiah 42:16, “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”
D. He goes before them, v. 4.
1. Let us follow Him, John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
2. He is our example, John 13:15, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
III. THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE
A. The sheep hear his voice, v. 3.
1. The “other sheep” will hear His voice, v. 16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
2. His sheep know his voice, v. 27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
3. His sheep follow Him, v. 27; John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
B. A stranger they will not follow, v. 5, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”
1. Take heed what you hear, Mark 4:24, “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”
a. Don’t listen to words that would cause you to err from the truth, Proverbs 19:27, “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.”
b. Search the Scriptures for the truth, Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
2. Take heed how you hear, Luke 8:18, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”
a. Let these things “sink down into your ears,” Luke 9:44, “Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.”
b. Don’t let them slip, Hebrews 2:1, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”