THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

JOHN 10:1-16

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:

BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM

JOHN 8:37-59

Introduction:

In previous messages we have dealt with the titles of the “I AM”, but here I would like to look at just who Jesus is in regard to the title “I AM.”

He was not just another “teacher” or just another “prophet,” but rather He is the eternal God of Heaven. He is the Creator and Life Giver that we know as Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind.

I. JESUS WAS IN ETERNITY WITH THE FATHER BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN.

A. Jesus was with the Father before the world was, John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

B. Jesus will be with the Father again, but this time with all of His saints, John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

II. JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.

A. Jesus was in the beginning at the creation of the world, John 1:1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God.”

B. Jesus was involved in the creation.

1. Jesus made everything, John 1:3, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

2. He made the worlds, Hebrews 1:2, “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”

3. By Him all things consist, (held together). Colossians 1:17, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” 1 Corinthians 8:6, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

C. Jesus is the “I AM” of the Old Testament,

1. Before Abraham, John 8:56-58, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

2. Before Moses, Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

D. Jacob wrestled with Jesus, the Lord, Genesis 32:22-23, 29-30, “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25-And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 29-And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30-And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

E. Jesus is the First and the Last of the Old Testament, Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.”

F. Jesus is the Saviour of the Old Testament, Isaiah 43:11-13, “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. 12I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. 13Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?”

III. JESUS IS THE GOD OF HEAVEN.

A. Jesus is equal with God.

1. In the form of God, Philippians 2:6, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”

2. Jesus is the very essence of God, Colossians 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

B. The Savior’s claim to deity infuriated the Jewish leaders, John 5:17-18, “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”

C. Because He claimed to be God the Jews accused Him of blasphemy, John 10:33, “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”

CONCLUSION:

The great “I AM” suffered humiliation and death at the hands of sinful men that He might bring salvation to man. Jesus is truly God. He is the creator and sustainer of this world. He is the Savior of this world also and without faith in Jesus Christ you will never see God or enter Heaven.

Trust Jesus Christ as your Savior now. The Bible says, “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:2.

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

JOHN 10:1-16

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.

BETHESDA, THE HOUSE OF MERCY

JOHN 5:1-9

Introduction:

Bethesada was a pool (a pond or bath) of water in Jerusalem where appeared the sick and diseased to be healed. “Dr. Lightfoot’s conjecture is that this was the upper pool (Isaiah 7:3), and the old pool, Isaiah 22:11; that it had been used for washing from ceremonial pollutions, for convenience of which the porches were built to dress and undress in, but it was lately become medicinal.” —Matthew Henry.

I. IT WAS IN JERUSALEM

A. The Pool, Bethesda – “house of mercy,” near the Temple.

B. The great number of disabled people pictures the sad spiritual plight of the world, v. 3, “In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.”

II. THE LORD AT WORK ON THE SABBATH

A. The paralyzed man had lived with death for 38 years, v. 5, “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.”

1. The Lord knew about him, v. 6, “When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?”

a. The Lord knows everything about us, John 21:17, “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

b. There is nothing hid from Him, Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

2. “Wilt thou be made whole?”

a. God offers SPIRITUAL HEALING to a rebellious people, Isaiah 65:2, “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;”

b. This question was put to a blind man, Luke 18:41-42, “Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42-And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

B. This man was so EMPTY OF HOPE that he had to be asked, “Do you want to get well?”

1. The pool of Bethesda was a healing pool, vs. 3-4, “In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4- For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.”

2. This man had A REAL PROBLEM besides his disease, v. 7, “The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”

a. He had NO HELPER, Psalm 72:12, “For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.”

b. NO ONE CARED for his soul, Psalm 142:4, “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.”

c. No one that is, BUT JESUS, Romans 5:6-8, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7-For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8-But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

C. The LORD heals the impotent man, vs. 8-9, “Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9-And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”

1. No mention of faith until later.

2. The man responds immediately, v. 9.

a. The Lord does some things in reverse order, Matthew 9:6-7, “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7-And he arose, and departed to his house.”

b. The man’s problem was related to sin, v. 14, “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

c. The woman with the issue of blood found immediate healing, Mark 5:29, “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.”

3. It was done on the Sabbath, vs. 10-11, “The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11-He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.”

a. He was to do no work on the Sabbath, Exodus 20:10, ” But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:”

b. Jesus was always at odds with the Jews over the Sabbath.

1) The case of eating grain in the field on the Sabbath, Mark 2:23, “And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. 24-And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?”

2) The case “to do good on the Sabbath,” Mark 3:4-5, “And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5-And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”

CONCLUSION:

The Lord did a great work in the life of this impotent man not only by healing him, but by saving his soul also. Next week we will see what is involved in the conflict over the Sabbath.

“I AM”
JESUS ESTABLISHES HIS IDENTITY

JOHN 8:33-59–LESSON 19

Introduction:

This message begins a series of sermons on the “I AM”. In this message the identity of the Lord Jesus is established beyond any doubt. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, you would do well to listen to this message.

I. GOD IS THE FATHER OF JESUS.

A. Jesus is EQUAL with the Father, Philippians 2:6, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”

B. He is MASTER and LORD, John 13:13, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.”

1. Master, or Teacher, John 11:28, “And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.”

2. LORD, the word implies OWNERSHIP, John 5:23, “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

C. He is the Creator, John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

D. He is the CAPITAIN of the Lord’s host, Joshua 5:13-15, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14-And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?”

II. GOD’S POWER REST UPON JESUS.

A. If any man keep my Word, v. 51, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”

1. He shall never see death, John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 11:26, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

2. He is not condemned, John 5:24; 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

3. He has a home in Heaven, John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

B. Jesus’ power was because He HONORED the Father, John 15:41, “I receive not honour from men. v. 50, “And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.” John 7:18, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

III. GOD’S FAVOR REST UPON JESUS.

A. Abraham rejoiced in Jesus, v. 56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.”

1. To see His day,

2. And he saw it and was glad.

B. Abraham left a heritage, Galatians 3:7-8, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.”

1. By faith in Christ we are the children of Abraham.

2. God has blessed all nations through him.

C. Before Abraham, I AM, v. 58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

Proverbs 8:22-30:22   The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23- I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.  24- When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.  25- Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:  26- While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.  27- When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:  28- When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:  29- When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:  30- Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

CONCLUSION:

Who are we to overrule the great “I AM”? He is our SAVIOR! He is our LIFE! Why should we take Him for granted?

He is our LORD, that is, He is our MASTER OR OWNER. He has REDEEMED us, 1 Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 7:23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.