John 10:1-16

EXPOSITORY SERMON NO. TEN

THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP

John 10:1-16

Introduction

I.

WHY DID JESUS USE THIS ALLEGORY?

A.

The Jewish rulers and Pharisees had just exhibited themselves as hirelings when they were supposed to be shepherds by casting out the blind man (John 9:1-41) (cf. also Ezekiel 34:1).

B.

This was a term which Jesus used elsewhere to refer to the rulers and the people (cf. Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34).

C.

The Old Testament is filled with this beautiful picture (cf. Psalms 23:1-6; Ezekiel 34:1-31, etc.). Many prophetic passages depict the Messiah coming as a shepherd (cf. Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:23). FOR THESE REASONS JESUS USED THIS ALLEGORY.

II.

THIS ALLEGORICAL PICTURE WAS FAMILIAR TO THE PEOPLE

A.

For us to fully understand the depth of this allegory we need to study just how the shepherds of that place and time worked.

B.

Life was very hard for these shepherds. They were never off duty. There was little grass and the sheep were bound to wander often. There were no protecting fences and the sheep had to be watched every moment lest they get lost or be attacked by wild animals or robbers.

C.

Constant vigilance, fearless courage, patient love for his flock were the necessary characteristics of the Palestinian shepherd.

Discussion

I.

THE SHEPHERD

A.

He knows his sheep. In Palestine the sheep are often with the shepherd for years. Often the sheep have names by which the shepherd calls them. They are each one known by name and by their individuality.

1.

Jesus knows every one of His sheep by name, occupation and address (cf. Saul of Tarsus, Ananias of Damascus; Simon the tanner of Joppa; Cornelius, etc.). He knows all men and needs not that any one bear witness to man for He Himself made man.

2.

He knows what man needsknows that man has higher aspirations and needs higher goals and aims than mere animal satisfactions. He knows that man is both reasonable and emotional and appeals to both sides of man's nature. He knows that man needs a power beyond himself. JESUS SUPPLIES ALL THESE NEEDS. HE GIVES AN EXAMPLE OF PERFECTION TOWARD WHICH MAN MUST STRIVE; HE APPEALS BOTH TO THE REASON AND EMOTIONS OF MAN THROUGH HIS WORD; HE GIVES MAN A POWER THAT IS ABLE TO SAVE HIS SOUL AND REGENERATE HIS LIFE THROUGH THE REVEALED WORD OF GOD.

3.

The Great Shepherd knows us better than we know ourselves. Our trouble is that we do not trust Him enough to let Him have His way with us. He knows every man's problems and has the answer for each (He has the answer for broken homes; death; despondency; fear; anxiety; anger). He knows the secret hurts, secret longings and secret evils harbored in our hearts. He knows how we are temptedHe knows the strong desires of the flesh as they war against the spirit. He also knows that it is possible to resist the flesh (cf. Matthew 4:1-11)!

4.

He does not shepherd us en masse, but as individuals. He guarded His little flock of twelve as individuals. He knew Peter's impetuosity, Thomas-' incredulity, the fire of James and John, the guilelessness of Nathanael, the thievery of Judas, the political zeal of Simon. INDEED THE SHEPHERD KNOWS YOU LIKE NO ONE ELSE KNOWS YOUBETTER EVEN THAN YOU KNOW YOURSELF.

B.

The Shepherd leads His sheep. He goes before the sheep. In Palestine the shepherd always went before his sheep and the sheep followed. The shepherd went first to see that the path was safe and that there were no hidden dangers. Sometimes the sheep had to be encouraged to follow. A traveler tells how he saw a shepherd leading his flock come to a ford in the stream. The sheep were unwilling to cross. The shepherd finally solved the problem by carrying one of the lambs across. When the mother of the lamb saw her lamb on the other side she crossed, too, and soon all the rest of the flock had followed her.

1.

Our Shepherd has said, Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me, and so He took up His cross and led the way. He has said, Be baptized, and He walked over 70 miles to be baptized of John the Baptist as He led the way. He has said, Suffer hardship with me as a good soldier. and He has led the way in suffering. He has said, You will receive joy and abundance of joy and He has shown the way. He has said, Have compassion, forgive, love and He has led the way. WHATEVER BE THE ROAD YOU MUST TRAVEL, THE SHEPHERD HAS BEEN THERE BEFORE YOU TO SHOW THE WAY!

2.

We glibly sing, Where He leads me I will follow, but seldom follow where He leads. He leads to green pastures and feeds us fully on His Word (not on material luxuries). He leads beside the still and placid waters of safety and peace of soul (but not peace as this world thinks of peace). He also leads through the valley of the shadow often. The chastening of these dark valleys are sometimes necessary, for we learn to follow and depend upon the Shepherd more completely through these vales of tears, suffering and sorrows. He knows us well enough to know that at times this is the only way we will follow Him. Paul looked through a veil of tears and suffering all of his life here as a Christian. Notice how tenderly and patiently (rebuking when necessary) Jesus led the twelve disciples.

C.

There are hireling shepherds. They enter the fold not by the DoorChrist and His teachings. The hireling disregards God's authority. He does not really believehe simply accommodates himself to the situation. The hireling has no concern for the sheep. He will not lay down his life for them. When the flock is endangered he surrenders or flees. When the sheep stray he is unconcerned and lets them go their own way without correcting them. When the wolves from without and from within attack the flock he loses his courage and runs.

1.

The hireling is the preacher who has no spine and will not stand for the truth. When threatened with dismissal, he will compromise the Gospel rather than lose his pay check.

2.

The hireling is the elder or deacon who resigns rather than face the troubles and troublemakers of the church. Such hirelings see in the eldership only position, and prestige, while service, loving service, is the demand for shepherds of God's flock. The hireling is the Sunday School teacher who waters down the demands of the Gospel plan of salvation or holy living rather than allow a class member to think he is narrow-minded.

D.

The wolf against whom the flock of God is to be protected is more fierce than any animal. He is supernaturalhe has powers we do not have. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. How eternally important it is that we have a Divine Shepherd.

II.

THE SHEEP

A.

They know the Shepherd. Many people today have deluded themselves into thinking they are the flock of Christ when they do not even know the Shepherd. God's people of the Old Testament lost their relationship to Him as Shepherd because they did not know Him. Hosea said the people were perishing because of lack of knowledge of their Shepherd (cf. also 1 Kings 22:17 Zechariah 10:2). They refused to be fed by God their Shepherd. They sought the earthly pleasures offered by the hireling shepherds.

1.

There is an alarming ignorance of Christ and His word, even among those who are professed believers. It is no wonder the world is in such a state of affairs. It is no wonder that the church loses about as many converts as she gains, The sheep must be fed. Elders, shepherds of the flock, must see to it that the members have opportunities and motivation to feed on the Bread of Life. Elders and evangelists (preachers) have no right to say, We offer it, if they don-'t take it, it is not our fault. If these shepherds of the flock had a sick son or daughter, dying of malnutrition, they would try every way possible to coax them to eat. As shepherds of the flock as those that shall give account, you have brothers and sisters in Christ dying of spiritual malnutritionFEED THEM!

2.

We know Him through His word, through what He has revealed to us. But how many of the sheep read their Bibles even thirty minutes each day in order to know Him better? Some take over three hours each day to eat bread and potatoes, but not even three minutes per day to partake of the food that perishes not.

3.

We know Him by speaking to Him in prayer. But how many of the sheep spend fifteen minutes per day in prayer? Most people spend more time than that talking on the telephone each day. God has never heard the voice of many people ever lifted to Him in prayer!

4.

We know Him by doing His willby following Him. One of the best ways to know and trust the Shepherd is to do what He says and learn of the wisdom of His commands. But how many of the sheep seek first the kingdom of God, trusting Him to add all the necessities of life? How many trust Him enough to test His commands to go out and sow the seed and then expect fruits?

5.

If any man willeth to do my will, he will know. WHEN WE HAVE WALKED WITH HIM BY OBEDIENCEWHEN WE HAVE TALKED WITH HIM THROUGH THE BIBLETHEN WE BEGIN TO KNOW THE SHEPHERD AS WE OUGHT TO KNOW HIM!

B.

The Sheep know His voice. It is true of Palestinian sheep that they know the tone of their shepherd's voice. Not only so, but they will follow only that voice and will flee when they hear a stranger's voice.

1.

The true sheep of Christ know the difference between the true Shepherd and false shepherds. They know false doctrines whenever and by whomever they are taught.

2.

No man need think he will remain long in the flock of God if he cannot distinguish the Shepherd's voice from the voice of the thief and robber.

C.

They follow Him. Knowing the shepherd's voice and following it are two different things. Some who know the Bible thoroughly do not obey it. We cannot be one of God's flock without obeying God's Shepherd, Jesus Christ. There is but ONE FLOCK and ONE SHEPHERD.

Conclusion

I.

THE SHEPHERD

A.

He knowstemptations, needs, obedience.

B.

He leadsthe way of the cross, into joy, through trials.

C.

He has all the answers for our lives. He can satisfy as none other.

II.

THE SHEEP

A.

Know Himwalk, talk and listen to Him.

B.

Follow Himthey imitate Him, obey His voice.

III.

ONE DARK VALLEY MUST BE CROSSED BY ALL

A.

The valley of the shadow of death.

B.

When you approach this valley, will you be able to see Jesus, your Shepherd, there with His hand outstretched, saying, Follow me?

HE HAS WALKED THE VALLEY BEFORE YOU. YOU CAN TRUST HIM. YOU CAN TAKE HIS HAND, FOR HE WILL LEAD YOU THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE WHERE THERE ARE GREEN PASTURES, THE TREE OF LIFE, AND THE RIVER OF WATER OF LIFE.
BUT IF HE IS NOT YOUR SHEPHERD, WHOM CAN YOU TRUST? WHO WILL BE THERE TO TAKE YOU THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH? HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS BEEN THERE AND IS ABLE TO LEAD YOU THROUGH.
LISTEN TO HIS PLEADING, COAXING VOICE TODAY. TENDERLY HE'S CALLING, HEAR HIS VOICE AND FOLLOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD.