SIX MARKS OF CHRIST’S SHEEP
JOHN 10:1-42
Introduction:
Our Lord left us a great heritage that we must live up to in order to win other to Jesus Christ. It is a very high standard. We live in a world that almost no standard of morality and one that looks down on those of us who would live as the Lord desires us to live.
Here are six marks that are to be seen in God’s people by those around us today.
I. THEY KNOW THEIR SHEPHERD, v. 14
A. 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.”
B. The sheep know the Shepherd and have intimacy with Him, 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
II. THEY KNOW HIS VOICE, vv. 4-5, 8,16
A. They don’t know the voice of strangers, 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.”
B. They will follow in the Lord’s footsteps, 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
III. THEY HEAR HIM CALLING EACH BY NAME v. 3
A. God knows us 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.”
B. We hear His call and respond, John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
IV. THEY LOVE HIM
A. He loved us first, 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.”
B. They keep His commandments, 1 John 5:2-3, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3- For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
V. THEY TRUST HIM, v. 11
A. He is the Shepherd, Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
B. He cares for them, 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.”
1. He seeks His lost sheep, Ezekiel 34:12, “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”
2. He feeds them in green pastures, Ezekiel 34:14, “I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.”
VI. THEY FOLLOW HIM, vv. 4, 27
A. They follow Him wherever He goes, 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. He is our example in life, 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
1. He is meek and lowly in heart, Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
2. We are to be like-minded as Jesus was, Romans 15:5, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:”
3. We are to walk in love, as Christ has loved us, Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
CONCLUSION