Slide 1
(God was spoken of the good shepherd of Israel in the following scriptures too:
Psalm 23
Psalm 100
Ezekiel 34: 11-16)
What we read this morning directly comes on the heels of what we studied last week. Remember, we studied how Jesus healed the blind man. Then, there was all the drama, all the debate, and all the conflict that surrounded that incident. In this scripture, Jesus continues to explain and administer.
People of that time understood that the sheep were under constant threat and predators, such as wolves and hyenas. Therefore, the work of the Shepherd was hard and dangerous. Fulfilling this role was a 24 seven hour responsibility that demanded total attention for the herd by the Shepherd. Today, the role of Jesus in our life is a 24 hour job for him. He gives us his total attention.
The pharisees were religious leaders, who considered themselves, the rulers, the leaders, and the shepherds of Israel. S
o they continue to be angry with Jesus, because he was not one of them. This sounds familiar today. Sometimes, people are angry with us, because we are not one of them. They might feel threatened that we will replace them or jealous of us, but no matter what we do they will not let us in their click. I’m glad that our church has no clicks in it! I love the way everyone welcomes others. I’m proud to be a part of this church because the congregation is true and genuine. Hissom Tabernacle is a wonderful place to serve God and others.
Slide 2
John 10: 1-10 NIV: (Let’s stand as me read the Master’s Love letter today!)
10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Slide 3
Let us pray:
Lord, thank you for letting all these gather this morning. Allow us to meditate upon your word free from distractions this morning. I ask you to give us a little more grace than ever. I ask you Lord to give us ears that will hear and eyes that we will see. Remove the veil from our eyes and help us to fully understand what we are about to read. Lord, you know everyone here. You know what’s going on in each one of their lives. You even know what they need to hear the most. Use me this morning to reach your children. In the name of Jesus, I pray amen.
Slide 4
Jesus begins to use common knowledge to explain how he is the good Shepherd and how he takes care of his people.
He’s talking about his relationship with the sheep.
He is talking about how the sheep react and grow.
And this is what we are going to discover as we dig into these scriptures.
I find it interesting that Jesus would use sheep to kind of describe us. To describe people in general. If you know anything about sheep, you know this is not a compliment. Sometimes, we think a whole lot of our ourselves, but really we are very small.
Now, God had blessed my family with 43 acres and he has recently blessed us with sheep and I would like to give you some “hands on” tales of experience.
The first thing I want you to know about sheep is that they truly are the dumbest animal on the farm. Our sheep are very easily frightened. They are very skittish. One thing I have noticed is that my sheep or Kevin sheep won’t drink from a running water source. I mean, they won’t drink from their container until the water hose is turned off, and the water becomes still. They are afraid of the ripples in the water.
In ancient Israel, still waters were rare and safe—unlike rushing rivers, they could be approached without danger. Sheep were led to them for drinking and rest. Similarly, God leads believers to places where we can draw from His life-giving presence without fear.
The still water symbolizes:
1. God’s presence
2. God spiritual nourishment and refreshment
3. God offers His sheep peace.
Slide 5
Oh my goodness! Does this remind you of a scripture? “The Lord is my shepherd, that leads me beside still waters, because he knows that I am scared and skittish.”
The second thing I’ve noticed about our sheep is that they are weak, they are defenseless, and they need a protector. If a predator comes the sheep needs someone else to protect them.
They don’t run very fast and they don’t run very far, because they have these little short spindle legs and they are often wearing 27 sweaters.
You know this has to slow them down a bit.
My sheep cannot growl, they cannot bark, and they cannot bite. They don’t get up on their hind legs to look bigger either. So, if you are afraid of animals, get you a sheep.
Basically, if a predator comes, the sheep just lay down, because they have no way to defend themselves. A sheep or lamb is entirely dependent on their Shepherd. What do you think God is trying to say to us today?
The Holy Spirit wants us to speak about the words: “Verily, Verily, I say into thee.”
Slide 6
Right here in verse one Jesus says: “10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
Jesus opens this passage rather abruptly, speaking to the Pharisees:
Now, Some versions might say truly, truly, I say to you. And I like the new king James version, because it says it this way: “ most assuredly, I say to you!” The point here is that no matter what version you’re using Jesus is telling us to “ get still, be quiet, and listen to me!”
He is also saying: “This he is important.” so this morning, let’s get quiet, let’s be still, and let’s give our full attention to scripture and the Holy Spirit.
Slide 7
A sheepfold is something very interesting that Shepherd’s used in the day of Jesus. Shepherds spent day and night with their sheep. They were true shepherds.
Today, to Shepherd, our shape we use, sheepdogs, video cameras, and electric fences.
In the day of Jesus Very rarely did the shepherds camp in the open fields. At night time, they needed protection, so the shepherd made a sheep fold. there were predators, thieves, and other things that the shepherd had to protect the sheep from. A sheet fold could’ve been anything from a cave to a corral or pin. Sometimes they took rocks and made a fence, sometimes they took branches and thorns to make a barrier, while, other times they would use sand and water. But what made this enclosure completely safe was the fact that it only had one entrance. The Shepherd, grew very tired and wanted to also sleep; therefore, the Shepherd laid in between the opening of the enclosure. Nothing, was going in and out of that enclosure that the Shepherd did not know about. So, he effectively became the door.
The image painted here is one in which the sheep are herded together, probably to keep them safe, with only one way to get in and out. We are herded together here at his Tabernacle and one reason is for the safety of God‘s flock. 
Slide 8
Often times, shepherds would work together, and sheep herds would share the same enclosure. This did not create a problem, because the sheep knew the shepherds voice. Today, all churches are joined together spiritually to make one church. The church of Christ. 
I’m sure, that the shepherds would take turns sleeping at the gate and taking turns watching to make sure no wolves entered over top of the barrier. according to verse one anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
We know that this is metaphorical language, and we know that Jesus is communicating to us a valid point. This is one of the I am statements that Jesus gives. He says I am the gate. Jesus wants us to know that life is not always going to be easy and calm, but instead it’s going to be a rocky road. Jesus very clearly here tells us that danger exists. That we may even encounter people with nefarious intentions like thieves and murderers, but with him: he will never leave us. He is the good Shepherd! (hebrews 13:5)
Slide 9
There’s all kinds of other scriptures that also gives us this warning. But make note of Mathew 7:15.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
In other words, they come looking like and smelling like the sheep. He goes on to say that you will know them by their fruit. He says they are ravish wolves. But here too, we see that there are dangers; even though, we are saved.
We also see that Paul uses this metaphorical language in the book of acts.
Slide 10
Acts 20: 29 “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
So we see here too, that Paul also warns us that strangers will come amongst us with the goal of stealing and killing the sheep.
This is why when we wander off, from the green pasture, the church, we get into more sin. we stopped, listening to the words of the Holy Ghost. Then we become prideful, and we we quit praying, and we surely do not read the word enough. pretty soon, we become aware of the trouble we’re in. Then, for my experience, and know some people like to blame the enemy for all of it, but we need to take responsibility for our own actions, thoughts, and deeds.
Slide 11
Let’s go ahead and read the next two verses:
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
The voice of the Shepherd invokes trust from the sheep. The good Shepherd is a beautiful image that should resonate with all those who read the New Testament. An intimate relationship emerges between the Shepherd and the sheep. When the relationship is strong, and we know the voice of our Shepherd, Jesus, the stranger does not have a chance
So, we have the picture now! That this is a shared enclosure with many different shepherds. The Shepherd comes to the gatekeeper and removes all of his sheep. The Shepherd leads them out and the sheep follow. Jesus is telling us how we are to listen and follow our Shepherd.
Today, I think some of us would like to have a cattle prod in our backside to keep us going, but Jesus is a gentleman and that is not how he operates. We have our own free will.
The Holy Spirit wants me to make a point here; Jesus goes before us in all things. This brings comfort to my ears. Every difficulty, every trial, every sickness, every injury, and in all things – Jesus goes before us. – And Jesus says, follow me. Sometimes, I think we don’t do following very well. I see people fall from the faith and come back too many times. Way too many times.
Sometimes we get lost and sometimes we stop listening . Sometimes we’re stubborn. Sometimes we get weary and depressed.
So, what does a good shepherd do when we are stubborn? For this answer, let’s look at Psalm 32:8–9.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye onyou. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
Have you ever ridden a horse or had a mule or a stubborn animal? Well, when you ride a horse a horse knows when it has a rider that knows what they’re doing and it knows when it has a rider that doesn’t know what they’re doing. Just like a child knows when it can act up and when it can’t act up. But God doesn’t want us to be like a stubborn animal.
A stubborn animal you have to use a cattle prod. And if you’re on a back of a horse, you’re cranking on the lead rope or the reigns. God says don’t be like that.
Jesus wants us to be sensitive, listening, and following him.
Now let’s look at verse seven. Again, Jesus is using very, very, I say into you. This means he wants us to listen. I also think that he is going from metaphoric speech to reality speech.
Slide 12
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
Jesus wants his readers and the audience that he is to to understand that spiritually he is the door to eternal life. Jesus is the passageway. He is the only passageway. There is no other way.
This is such an important concept that Jesus wants us to understand that he restate this in verse nine. 
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
See, he is talking spiritual reality here. You come through the door, the gate, the passageway, the one and only way, and that is through Jesus Christ.
The end of verse nine can be taken out of context and has been taken out of context by many people. Let’s look at verse 9.
9b: They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
This means that you are living your life. You are moving to and fro on the floor of the Earth. “ finding green pastures” refers to walking and working in the provisions of God. You are not walking after the flesh, and you are walking after the spirit. So we come through the gate, which is Jesus Christ, we are born again, and God will take care of us through this life, and lead us into eternity forevermore. 
We forget, when we’re living our life, sometimes we are running around like a chicken with our hits cut off. Jesus is the good Shepherd. He leases us to “Green pastures” is another way of saying his provision. He’s stating here, that it is my job to take care of you. Doesn’t that give you calm assurance, and even a little bit of peace his morning? It does for me. We don’t have to go through life living frantically. We know that the Lord feeds the birds of the air. Somewhere, in the book of Solomon, it says that King Solomon was the richest man on earth, but he was not clothed with the beauty of a flower or the grass of a field. We know God is in control. We know that he is a sovereign God. We know he knows the beginning from the end. We should live calmly and in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord.
Slide 13
Now let’s read verse 10 together:
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Now God has already told us who is going to come to steal and heal. This is the false profits . They are going to try to enter the sheet fold. They are going to try to come in from another direction other than the doorway. Jesus is talking about other people who are trying to get to his sheep by any way necessary other than through him. Now, I have heard this scripture quoted to mean Satan, but I don’t think that is an accurate description here. I do believe that it’s an accurate description of Satan, however.
I like the flipside to this coin. The scripture goes on to say Jesus came to give us a life more abundant. I’ve been questioning the Holy Spirit to what this word abundantly means. So, the Holy Spirit had made to look it up in the Greek. When you look up the word abundant in Greek, it gives you a whole paragraph of words. What Jesus is really saying is that he wants to give us extra extravagant abundance of blessings in this life . So, this is something beyond the norm of life. Jesus said I come that you have excessive blessings. Jesus has come to give us more of a life, more of a blessing, blessings, overflowing. 
The simple truth is that Jesus is the only way to salvation. He is the only way to truth. But there is another side to calling of a Shepherd: to lead. Since Jesus gods and protects the sheep, the shepherd is the only one with authority to lead the sheep.
Slide 14
Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’”
Today we are called to follow the leading of the good Shepherd in verse John 10:11.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
