Title: The Good Shepherd Meta: Jesus is the door. He's the only way for sinners to enter heaven. But Jesus is not only the door for the sheep, but He's also the Good Shepherd who loves and lays down His life for the sheep. Tags: John 10,New England,Jesus,sheep,shepherd 1 00:00:05,742 --> 00:00:08,248 I've been asked to say just a few words. 2 00:00:08,248 --> 00:00:09,811 Before I say anything else, 3 00:00:09,811 --> 00:00:14,311 I just want to share a providence of God 4 00:00:14,311 --> 00:00:17,873 that you might appreciate. 5 00:00:17,873 --> 00:00:21,737 After Brother Jesse's sermon last night, 6 00:00:21,737 --> 00:00:24,797 I was thinking about meditation. 7 00:00:24,797 --> 00:00:27,396 And this morning, I got up about five, 8 00:00:27,396 --> 00:00:29,686 and I reached over and grabbed my Bible, 9 00:00:29,686 --> 00:00:31,208 and I thought to myself, 10 00:00:31,208 --> 00:00:34,032 well, I might as well put some of this to use. 11 00:00:34,032 --> 00:00:35,550 So, I decided to read, 12 00:00:35,550 --> 00:00:37,139 and I said, I'm going to ponder, 13 00:00:37,139 --> 00:00:38,265 I'm going to meditate 14 00:00:38,265 --> 00:00:39,505 and chew on what I read. 15 00:00:39,505 --> 00:00:41,193 I've been in the same book of the Bible 16 00:00:41,193 --> 00:00:42,466 for about two months now, 17 00:00:42,466 --> 00:00:44,202 and so I just turned to the passage 18 00:00:44,202 --> 00:00:45,422 I'm working through. 19 00:00:45,422 --> 00:00:47,927 And it was a passage I'm familiar with. 20 00:00:47,927 --> 00:00:50,134 It was actually a few verses I heard preached 21 00:00:50,134 --> 00:00:51,453 about fifteen years ago; 22 00:00:51,453 --> 00:00:53,008 the Lord used in a mighty way 23 00:00:53,008 --> 00:00:54,222 about fifteen years ago. 24 00:00:54,222 --> 00:00:55,885 I've been sort of chewing on this 25 00:00:55,885 --> 00:00:59,054 here and there ever since. 26 00:00:59,054 --> 00:01:00,895 And I wrote a few verses down 27 00:01:00,895 --> 00:01:02,758 on this sheet of paper from the hotel 28 00:01:02,758 --> 00:01:04,004 and I put it in my pocket 29 00:01:04,004 --> 00:01:06,079 and I said maybe I'll use that. 30 00:01:06,079 --> 00:01:07,721 And I almost fell over in my seat 31 00:01:07,721 --> 00:01:10,512 when I heard Mack's sermon. 32 00:01:10,512 --> 00:01:12,117 "How blessed is the man 33 00:01:12,117 --> 00:01:14,168 whose strength is in Thee. 34 00:01:14,168 --> 00:01:17,166 In whose heart are the highways to Zion. 35 00:01:17,166 --> 00:01:19,506 Passing through the Valley of Baca. 36 00:01:19,506 --> 00:01:21,147 They make it a spring. 37 00:01:21,147 --> 00:01:23,982 The early rain also covers it with blessings. 38 00:01:23,982 --> 00:01:26,190 They go from strength to strength. 39 00:01:26,190 --> 00:01:28,736 Every one of them appears before God in Zion." 40 00:01:28,736 --> 00:01:34,991 Psalm 84:5-7 41 00:01:34,991 --> 00:01:36,837 I've been asked to say a few words 42 00:01:36,837 --> 00:01:38,895 about the church I pastor. 43 00:01:38,895 --> 00:01:40,242 I'm going to make it brief, 44 00:01:40,242 --> 00:01:42,344 because I really want to get to the Bible. 45 00:01:42,344 --> 00:01:44,368 I'm the pastor of Harvest Bible Church. 46 00:01:44,368 --> 00:01:46,723 I grew up in Gilmanton Ironworks, New Hampshire. 47 00:01:46,723 --> 00:01:48,715 And my family always traveled for church. 48 00:01:48,715 --> 00:01:51,389 We just never had a good Bible church in our area. 49 00:01:51,389 --> 00:01:53,288 So when the Lord called me to ministry, 50 00:01:53,288 --> 00:01:55,543 I thought it fitting to go back to my hometown 51 00:01:55,543 --> 00:01:56,799 and plant a church there. 52 00:01:56,799 --> 00:01:59,849 And so, I led a team in 2013 53 00:01:59,849 --> 00:02:01,563 that's coming up on five years 54 00:02:01,563 --> 00:02:03,465 and it's just been a joy 55 00:02:03,465 --> 00:02:04,639 to preach Christ to them 56 00:02:04,639 --> 00:02:05,702 and to see them grow 57 00:02:05,702 --> 00:02:08,118 and to see other people drawn to the fellowship. 58 00:02:08,118 --> 00:02:09,786 And it's just been a real joy. 59 00:02:09,786 --> 00:02:12,771 So I would ask you to pray for Harvest Bible Church. 60 00:02:12,771 --> 00:02:14,797 We don't want to just plant and stay put. 61 00:02:14,797 --> 00:02:17,595 We're actually looking already at another church plant. 62 00:02:17,595 --> 00:02:19,277 We want to be active. 63 00:02:19,277 --> 00:02:21,925 So, we're just coming off of our final year 64 00:02:21,925 --> 00:02:23,002 of missionary support, 65 00:02:23,002 --> 00:02:24,696 so we're looking at spinning around 66 00:02:24,696 --> 00:02:26,323 and trying to plant another church 67 00:02:26,323 --> 00:02:28,617 hopefully in the northern part of New Hampshire. 68 00:02:28,617 --> 00:02:30,850 So just pray for the work in New Hampshire, 69 00:02:30,850 --> 00:02:32,743 that God would continue to use 70 00:02:32,743 --> 00:02:36,581 His Word and His Gospel expediently. 71 00:02:36,581 --> 00:02:38,313 Well, for my session today, 72 00:02:38,313 --> 00:02:41,023 I want to explore with you 73 00:02:41,023 --> 00:02:44,082 a beloved passage of Scripture. 74 00:02:44,082 --> 00:02:49,728 John 10: The Good Shepherd. 75 00:02:49,728 --> 00:02:51,216 I'm used to having a desk, 76 00:02:51,216 --> 00:02:53,205 and so I don't know what to do 77 00:02:53,205 --> 00:02:57,720 with these podiums. 78 00:02:57,720 --> 00:02:58,532 But John 10. 79 00:02:58,532 --> 00:02:59,842 Last year at my church, 80 00:02:59,842 --> 00:03:01,969 I was able to preach through this text, 81 00:03:01,969 --> 00:03:05,087 and we spent a few weeks in this one passage. 82 00:03:05,087 --> 00:03:08,921 If you'd turn to John 10 with me. 83 00:03:08,921 --> 00:03:10,800 Today, we're going to look at 84 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:12,399 a larger portion of this, 85 00:03:12,399 --> 00:03:13,884 and hopefully I'll be able to 86 00:03:13,884 --> 00:03:15,580 bring some things to mind. 87 00:03:15,580 --> 00:03:21,041 I would just like to preach Christ to you today. 88 00:03:21,041 --> 00:03:24,644 After an encounter with the religious leaders of Israel, 89 00:03:24,644 --> 00:03:27,032 Jesus has the opportunity here 90 00:03:27,032 --> 00:03:29,557 to teach in the public square. 91 00:03:29,557 --> 00:03:31,008 And He's seizing on, perhaps, 92 00:03:31,008 --> 00:03:34,025 one of the most visible occurrences 93 00:03:34,025 --> 00:03:36,241 in ancient Palestine: 94 00:03:36,241 --> 00:03:39,021 the tending of sheep. 95 00:03:39,021 --> 00:03:41,962 Using this imagery of shepherding, 96 00:03:41,962 --> 00:03:43,367 the Lord begins to teach. 97 00:03:43,367 --> 00:03:46,098 Look with me at John 10. 98 00:03:46,098 --> 00:03:49,567 "Jesus says, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, 99 00:03:49,567 --> 00:03:52,444 he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, 100 00:03:52,444 --> 00:03:55,019 but climbs in by another way, 101 00:03:55,019 --> 00:03:57,214 that man is a thief and a robber. 102 00:03:57,214 --> 00:03:59,409 But he who enters by the door 103 00:03:59,409 --> 00:04:01,721 is the shepherd of the sheep. 104 00:04:01,721 --> 00:04:04,823 To him, the gatekeeper opens. 105 00:04:04,823 --> 00:04:06,807 The sheep hear his voice, 106 00:04:06,807 --> 00:04:09,039 and he calls his own sheep by name, 107 00:04:09,039 --> 00:04:10,923 and leads them out. 108 00:04:10,923 --> 00:04:12,936 When he has brought out all of his own, 109 00:04:12,936 --> 00:04:14,393 he goes before them, 110 00:04:14,393 --> 00:04:15,674 and the sheep follow him, 111 00:04:15,674 --> 00:04:17,819 for they know his voice. 112 00:04:17,819 --> 00:04:19,945 A stranger they will not follow. 113 00:04:19,945 --> 00:04:21,617 But they will flee from him, 114 00:04:21,617 --> 00:04:24,811 for they do not know the voice of strangers.' 115 00:04:24,811 --> 00:04:27,382 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, 116 00:04:27,382 --> 00:04:28,844 but they did not understand 117 00:04:28,844 --> 00:04:31,096 what He was saying to them. 118 00:04:31,096 --> 00:04:33,032 So Jesus said again to them, 119 00:04:33,032 --> 00:04:34,568 'Truly, truly, I say to you, 120 00:04:34,568 --> 00:04:36,859 I am the door of the sheep. 121 00:04:36,859 --> 00:04:38,422 All who come before me 122 00:04:38,422 --> 00:04:41,022 are thieves and robbers, 123 00:04:41,022 --> 00:04:43,681 but the sheep did not listen to them. 124 00:04:43,681 --> 00:04:45,554 I am the door. 125 00:04:45,554 --> 00:04:47,045 If anyone enters by Me, 126 00:04:47,045 --> 00:04:48,540 he will be saved 127 00:04:48,540 --> 00:04:50,808 and go in and out and find pasture. 128 00:04:50,808 --> 00:04:54,780 The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. 129 00:04:54,780 --> 00:04:58,285 I come that they might have life, 130 00:04:58,285 --> 00:05:00,881 and have it abundantly. 131 00:05:00,881 --> 00:05:02,538 I am the Good Shepherd. 132 00:05:02,538 --> 00:05:06,479 The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 133 00:05:06,479 --> 00:05:08,358 He who is a hired hand, 134 00:05:08,358 --> 00:05:09,759 and not a shepherd, 135 00:05:09,759 --> 00:05:11,496 who does not own the sheep, 136 00:05:11,496 --> 00:05:12,909 sees the wolf coming, 137 00:05:12,909 --> 00:05:15,084 and leaves the sheep and flees, 138 00:05:15,084 --> 00:05:16,330 and the wolf snatches them 139 00:05:16,330 --> 00:05:18,127 and scatters them. 140 00:05:18,127 --> 00:05:20,590 He flees because he is a hired hand 141 00:05:20,590 --> 00:05:23,051 and cares nothing for the sheep. 142 00:05:23,051 --> 00:05:25,486 I am the Good Shepherd. 143 00:05:25,486 --> 00:05:29,055 I know My own, and My own know Me. 144 00:05:29,055 --> 00:05:30,562 Just as the Father knows Me, 145 00:05:30,562 --> 00:05:31,682 and I know the Father. 146 00:05:31,682 --> 00:05:35,124 And I lay down My life for the sheep. 147 00:05:35,124 --> 00:05:38,254 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. 148 00:05:38,254 --> 00:05:40,144 I must bring them also. 149 00:05:40,144 --> 00:05:42,404 And they will listen to My voice. 150 00:05:42,404 --> 00:05:43,790 So there will be one flock, 151 00:05:43,790 --> 00:05:45,726 one Shepherd. 152 00:05:45,726 --> 00:05:47,537 For this reason the Father loves Me, 153 00:05:47,537 --> 00:05:49,706 because I lay down My life 154 00:05:49,706 --> 00:05:51,648 that I may take it up again. 155 00:05:51,648 --> 00:05:53,790 No one takes it from Me. 156 00:05:53,790 --> 00:05:55,899 But I lay it down of My own accord. 157 00:05:55,899 --> 00:05:58,349 I have authority to lay it down 158 00:05:58,349 --> 00:06:00,943 and I have authority to take it up again. 159 00:06:00,943 --> 00:06:05,423 This charge I have received from My Father.'" 160 00:06:05,423 --> 00:06:08,698 Oftentimes, in Jesus' ministry, 161 00:06:08,698 --> 00:06:12,195 He used common themes and common imagery 162 00:06:12,195 --> 00:06:15,166 as tools to teach about complex and weighty truths. 163 00:06:15,166 --> 00:06:16,590 And if you read the Gospels, 164 00:06:16,590 --> 00:06:18,933 you see these are prevalent. 165 00:06:18,933 --> 00:06:22,866 We see Him using things like light and darkness, 166 00:06:22,866 --> 00:06:24,807 water and birth, 167 00:06:24,807 --> 00:06:26,077 marriage, 168 00:06:26,077 --> 00:06:27,455 fishing, 169 00:06:27,455 --> 00:06:28,647 husbandry, 170 00:06:28,647 --> 00:06:30,148 and shepherding. 171 00:06:30,148 --> 00:06:34,329 Very common illustrations for divine truth. 172 00:06:34,329 --> 00:06:36,430 And the occurrence of shepherding 173 00:06:36,430 --> 00:06:40,443 was probably the easiest and most identifiable 174 00:06:40,443 --> 00:06:44,112 occurrences for his audience to grasp. 175 00:06:44,112 --> 00:06:48,151 Everyone understood shepherding. 176 00:06:48,151 --> 00:06:51,102 But even though the most basic of illustrations 177 00:06:51,102 --> 00:06:52,122 is being used, 178 00:06:52,122 --> 00:06:53,625 verse 6 tells us 179 00:06:53,625 --> 00:06:55,487 that his audience did not understand 180 00:06:55,487 --> 00:06:57,809 what He was saying. 181 00:06:57,809 --> 00:06:59,265 And so for us, this morning, 182 00:06:59,265 --> 00:07:00,190 I would invite you, 183 00:07:00,190 --> 00:07:01,940 for those who have ears to hear, 184 00:07:01,940 --> 00:07:03,445 let them hear. 185 00:07:03,445 --> 00:07:05,242 The teaching of the Good Shepherd 186 00:07:05,242 --> 00:07:07,237 is built on an allegory. 187 00:07:07,237 --> 00:07:10,838 D.A. Carson calls this a narrative parable. 188 00:07:10,838 --> 00:07:13,685 But Jesus uses these common elements 189 00:07:13,685 --> 00:07:14,948 in the shepherding world 190 00:07:14,948 --> 00:07:18,685 as illustrations laced with deeper meaning. 191 00:07:18,685 --> 00:07:20,334 in looking at these 18 verses, 192 00:07:20,334 --> 00:07:24,843 we notice that He changes His metaphor twice. 193 00:07:24,843 --> 00:07:27,408 First, He presents the allegory in v. 1, 194 00:07:27,408 --> 00:07:29,368 and you can see that in your text. 195 00:07:29,368 --> 00:07:31,914 Then He changes it again in v. 7. 196 00:07:31,914 --> 00:07:34,923 And He changes it again in v. 11. 197 00:07:34,923 --> 00:07:37,282 And then He circles back around at the end. 198 00:07:37,282 --> 00:07:39,039 But let's work through this. 199 00:07:39,039 --> 00:07:41,145 In ancient Israel, 200 00:07:41,145 --> 00:07:43,546 and in many places in the East today, 201 00:07:43,546 --> 00:07:46,587 shepherds tend their flocks in the open field. 202 00:07:46,587 --> 00:07:49,506 And then, they bed their sheep at night. 203 00:07:49,506 --> 00:07:52,178 And sometimes they'll use a sheep pen 204 00:07:52,178 --> 00:07:54,139 or a sheepfold. 205 00:07:54,139 --> 00:07:55,345 And in this context, 206 00:07:55,345 --> 00:07:59,297 it was oftentimes a brick and mud structure. 207 00:07:59,297 --> 00:08:02,015 Sometimes they used a cave. 208 00:08:02,015 --> 00:08:05,302 But he would build a wall around the entrance, 209 00:08:05,302 --> 00:08:07,173 and he would sort of close them in. 210 00:08:07,173 --> 00:08:10,593 And he would secure them in the sheepfold. 211 00:08:10,593 --> 00:08:12,673 In the front of that sheepfold 212 00:08:12,673 --> 00:08:13,670 was the entrance, 213 00:08:13,670 --> 00:08:16,757 and that would be the gate or the door. 214 00:08:16,757 --> 00:08:19,635 At night, when all the sheep were in, 215 00:08:19,635 --> 00:08:22,730 the door would be shut until the morning. 216 00:08:22,730 --> 00:08:25,195 And everyone in the audience would have known this. 217 00:08:25,195 --> 00:08:27,318 This would have been common understanding. 218 00:08:27,318 --> 00:08:28,370 Very simple. 219 00:08:28,370 --> 00:08:30,355 And so Jesus says in v. 1, 220 00:08:30,355 --> 00:08:32,180 "Truly, truly, I say to you, 221 00:08:32,180 --> 00:08:34,111 he who does not enter the sheepfold 222 00:08:34,111 --> 00:08:35,807 by the door, 223 00:08:35,807 --> 00:08:37,822 but climbs in another way, 224 00:08:37,822 --> 00:08:40,785 that man is a thief and a robber." 225 00:08:40,785 --> 00:08:44,407 Truly, truly = Amen, amen is the language. 226 00:08:44,407 --> 00:08:46,068 This is Jesus' way of signifying 227 00:08:46,068 --> 00:08:46,912 to the listeners 228 00:08:46,912 --> 00:08:48,674 that what He's about to say 229 00:08:48,674 --> 00:08:51,485 is of supreme importance. 230 00:08:51,485 --> 00:08:53,172 Pay attention! 231 00:08:53,172 --> 00:08:56,571 Listen up is what he's saying. 232 00:08:56,571 --> 00:08:58,674 And immediately He describes this phenomenon 233 00:08:58,674 --> 00:09:00,235 of thieves and robbers 234 00:09:00,235 --> 00:09:03,553 attempting to climb over the walls, 235 00:09:03,553 --> 00:09:06,505 breaking into the sheepfold. 236 00:09:06,505 --> 00:09:07,980 And He uses these two words: 237 00:09:07,980 --> 00:09:11,426 kleptes and lestes: thief and robber. 238 00:09:11,426 --> 00:09:13,162 The thief is the one that connotes 239 00:09:13,162 --> 00:09:16,112 subtlety and trickery in the Greek. 240 00:09:16,112 --> 00:09:18,211 And the robber - the one who is violent, 241 00:09:18,211 --> 00:09:20,009 seeking to plunder. 242 00:09:20,009 --> 00:09:22,281 These men have no honor, 243 00:09:22,281 --> 00:09:23,546 no morality, 244 00:09:23,546 --> 00:09:25,539 no scruples. 245 00:09:25,539 --> 00:09:27,785 They only desire to sneak in 246 00:09:27,785 --> 00:09:32,414 and pilfer the sheepfold. 247 00:09:32,414 --> 00:09:34,904 The shepherd, on the other hand, 248 00:09:34,904 --> 00:09:36,996 enters by the door. 249 00:09:36,996 --> 00:09:38,915 He is authorized. 250 00:09:38,915 --> 00:09:41,169 He is allowed. 251 00:09:41,169 --> 00:09:42,569 Why? 252 00:09:42,569 --> 00:09:44,642 Well, because he's the shepherd. 253 00:09:44,642 --> 00:09:46,225 He's the shepherd. 254 00:09:46,225 --> 00:09:48,153 And v. 3 says that when the gatekeeper 255 00:09:48,153 --> 00:09:49,957 sees him coming, 256 00:09:49,957 --> 00:09:51,454 he opens the door for him 257 00:09:51,454 --> 00:09:52,780 because he recognizes 258 00:09:52,780 --> 00:09:58,233 that he is the rightful shepherd of the sheep. 259 00:09:58,233 --> 00:10:02,421 And then Jesus notes a remarkable phenomenon. 260 00:10:02,421 --> 00:10:04,369 The shepherd enters the fold 261 00:10:04,369 --> 00:10:07,174 and the sheep hear his voice. 262 00:10:07,174 --> 00:10:10,169 And he calls his own sheep by name 263 00:10:10,169 --> 00:10:11,701 and leads them out. 264 00:10:11,701 --> 00:10:14,372 See, sheep inherently know and respond 265 00:10:14,372 --> 00:10:16,729 to the shepherd's voice. 266 00:10:16,729 --> 00:10:19,402 So much so, that even if another person 267 00:10:19,402 --> 00:10:22,164 were to try to imitate the tone 268 00:10:22,164 --> 00:10:25,313 and the verbiage and the loudness 269 00:10:25,313 --> 00:10:27,116 and the timbre of his voice; 270 00:10:27,116 --> 00:10:29,094 even if someone else tries to imitate 271 00:10:29,094 --> 00:10:30,492 the voice of the shepherd, 272 00:10:30,492 --> 00:10:32,287 sheep know the voice. 273 00:10:32,287 --> 00:10:33,815 They will not listen to someone 274 00:10:33,815 --> 00:10:35,816 even imitating the voice of the shepherd. 275 00:10:35,816 --> 00:10:37,335 Did you know that? 276 00:10:37,335 --> 00:10:39,141 The sheep inherently can know 277 00:10:39,141 --> 00:10:42,976 and discern an imposter. 278 00:10:42,976 --> 00:10:44,105 Many times, 279 00:10:44,105 --> 00:10:46,297 if there were many flocks that were together, 280 00:10:46,297 --> 00:10:47,426 that were mingling, 281 00:10:47,426 --> 00:10:48,446 and many shepherds 282 00:10:48,446 --> 00:10:50,144 that would come to a watering hole 283 00:10:50,144 --> 00:10:51,273 or something like that, 284 00:10:51,273 --> 00:10:52,799 and it was time to go, 285 00:10:52,799 --> 00:10:55,005 the shepherd would simply use his voice 286 00:10:55,005 --> 00:10:56,635 and he would call to his sheep 287 00:10:56,635 --> 00:10:57,832 and he'd start walking, 288 00:10:57,832 --> 00:11:00,130 and his sheep would separate from that group 289 00:11:00,130 --> 00:11:02,203 and they would follow. 290 00:11:02,203 --> 00:11:05,042 They know the voice of the shepherd. 291 00:11:05,042 --> 00:11:07,657 V. 4, "When he's brought out all his own, 292 00:11:07,657 --> 00:11:09,453 he goes before them, 293 00:11:09,453 --> 00:11:10,867 and the sheep follow, 294 00:11:10,867 --> 00:11:13,383 for they know his voice." 295 00:11:13,383 --> 00:11:14,712 In the West, 296 00:11:14,712 --> 00:11:20,163 shepherds drive their flocks from behind. 297 00:11:20,163 --> 00:11:21,790 But in the East, 298 00:11:21,790 --> 00:11:26,111 the shepherd goes out in front and leads, 299 00:11:26,111 --> 00:11:28,791 and the sheep follow. 300 00:11:28,791 --> 00:11:32,412 V. 5, "A stranger they will not follow, 301 00:11:32,412 --> 00:11:34,138 and they will flee from him, 302 00:11:34,138 --> 00:11:37,278 for they do not know the voice of strangers." 303 00:11:37,278 --> 00:11:39,403 Again, simple truth, 304 00:11:39,403 --> 00:11:41,190 that anyone in this audience 305 00:11:41,190 --> 00:11:44,282 would have understood. 306 00:11:44,282 --> 00:11:46,570 Yet, they're confused. 307 00:11:46,570 --> 00:11:48,716 After all, Jesus had been teaching in Israel 308 00:11:48,716 --> 00:11:50,425 for about two years at this point. 309 00:11:50,425 --> 00:11:54,242 And they were expecting to hear spiritual teaching. 310 00:11:54,242 --> 00:11:56,457 After all, He was the rabbi, 311 00:11:56,457 --> 00:11:57,381 He was the teacher. 312 00:11:57,381 --> 00:12:00,190 So they were expecting teaching, 313 00:12:00,190 --> 00:12:04,071 but they weren't expecting a story about sheep. 314 00:12:04,071 --> 00:12:10,715 V. 6, "They did not understand what He was saying." 315 00:12:10,715 --> 00:12:11,989 Now immediately, one theme 316 00:12:11,989 --> 00:12:13,999 becomes very clear. 317 00:12:13,999 --> 00:12:19,966 And that is the inherent authority of the shepherd. 318 00:12:19,966 --> 00:12:21,405 He has the right 319 00:12:21,405 --> 00:12:23,436 to enter the sheepfold. 320 00:12:23,436 --> 00:12:26,139 He maintains ownership. 321 00:12:26,139 --> 00:12:28,819 At least, guardianship in this context, 322 00:12:28,819 --> 00:12:30,460 over the sheep. 323 00:12:30,460 --> 00:12:33,170 He calls. They respond. 324 00:12:33,170 --> 00:12:36,006 He leads. They follow. 325 00:12:36,006 --> 00:12:38,024 Very clear. 326 00:12:38,024 --> 00:12:41,197 He commands total authority, 327 00:12:41,197 --> 00:12:43,956 and that is crystal clear. 328 00:12:43,956 --> 00:12:45,874 But then, Jesus explains it further. 329 00:12:45,874 --> 00:12:47,612 Look at v. 7. 330 00:12:47,612 --> 00:12:49,284 Jesus again said to them, 331 00:12:49,284 --> 00:12:50,836 "Truly, truly, I say to you, 332 00:12:50,836 --> 00:12:53,691 I am the door of the sheep. 333 00:12:53,691 --> 00:12:54,973 All who came before Me 334 00:12:54,973 --> 00:12:56,482 are thieves and robbers. 335 00:12:56,482 --> 00:12:58,440 And the sheep did not listen to them. 336 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:00,294 I am the door. 337 00:13:00,294 --> 00:13:01,709 Anyone who enters by Me, 338 00:13:01,709 --> 00:13:02,758 he will be saved, 339 00:13:02,758 --> 00:13:05,014 and go in and out and find pasture. 340 00:13:05,014 --> 00:13:06,509 The thief only comes 341 00:13:06,509 --> 00:13:08,718 to steal, and kill, and destroy. 342 00:13:08,718 --> 00:13:10,677 I came that they might have life, 343 00:13:10,677 --> 00:13:12,376 and have it abundantly." 344 00:13:12,376 --> 00:13:14,393 So now Jesus is inserting Himself 345 00:13:14,393 --> 00:13:16,628 into the allegory. 346 00:13:16,628 --> 00:13:19,079 And He makes very bold claims here. 347 00:13:19,079 --> 00:13:23,840 He says, "I am the door." 348 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:28,766 The door was the only authorized entrance. 349 00:13:28,766 --> 00:13:30,356 The only way in. 350 00:13:30,356 --> 00:13:33,576 And at this point, He tells us, 351 00:13:33,576 --> 00:13:36,065 this is all about one thing. 352 00:13:36,065 --> 00:13:38,391 Look at v. 9. 353 00:13:38,391 --> 00:13:40,717 He says, "I am the door. 354 00:13:40,717 --> 00:13:42,224 If anyone enters by Me, 355 00:13:42,224 --> 00:13:45,034 he will be saved. 356 00:13:45,034 --> 00:13:47,665 He will go in and out and find pasture." 357 00:13:47,665 --> 00:13:50,932 He's talking about salvation. 358 00:13:50,932 --> 00:13:53,575 In v. 10, He's talking about life. 359 00:13:53,575 --> 00:13:57,051 He qualifies it: abundant life. 360 00:13:57,051 --> 00:13:59,349 Now at this point, we must acknowledge 361 00:13:59,349 --> 00:14:01,158 that there is some mystery 362 00:14:01,158 --> 00:14:04,637 surrounding the meaning of the sheepfold. 363 00:14:04,637 --> 00:14:06,192 Some Bible teachers have said 364 00:14:06,192 --> 00:14:08,627 that it represents the realm of salvation, 365 00:14:08,627 --> 00:14:09,948 the Kingdom of Heaven, 366 00:14:09,948 --> 00:14:11,782 and that very well may be. 367 00:14:11,782 --> 00:14:13,049 However, Jesus makes note 368 00:14:13,049 --> 00:14:14,588 of the thieves and the robbers 369 00:14:14,588 --> 00:14:16,770 who are breaking in to the sheepfold. 370 00:14:16,770 --> 00:14:18,785 And we know that nobody has the ability 371 00:14:18,785 --> 00:14:21,213 to break into Heaven, 372 00:14:21,213 --> 00:14:22,744 into the realm of salvation. 373 00:14:22,744 --> 00:14:24,075 That's not true. 374 00:14:24,075 --> 00:14:26,733 In v. 16, Jesus says He has other sheep 375 00:14:26,733 --> 00:14:28,428 that are not of this fold. 376 00:14:28,428 --> 00:14:30,459 And certainly, there are not two heavens. 377 00:14:30,459 --> 00:14:32,608 There are not two salvations. 378 00:14:32,608 --> 00:14:34,325 After all, just a few words later, 379 00:14:34,325 --> 00:14:37,755 He says there is one flock, one Shepherd. 380 00:14:37,755 --> 00:14:39,677 Crystal clear. 381 00:14:39,677 --> 00:14:41,499 Scholars have unanimously agreed 382 00:14:41,499 --> 00:14:42,589 as far as I can tell, 383 00:14:42,589 --> 00:14:44,619 that the reference to the other sheepfold 384 00:14:44,619 --> 00:14:46,463 has to do with the event of the Gospel 385 00:14:46,463 --> 00:14:48,066 going out to the Gentiles 386 00:14:48,066 --> 00:14:49,353 and breaking out 387 00:14:49,353 --> 00:14:52,142 and others coming into the Kingdom. 388 00:14:52,142 --> 00:14:54,854 If that's so, then it's plausible to believe 389 00:14:54,854 --> 00:14:59,440 that the sheepfold here in v. 1-15 is Israel, 390 00:14:59,440 --> 00:15:00,554 but more specifically, 391 00:15:00,554 --> 00:15:03,005 the religious system of Judaism. 392 00:15:03,005 --> 00:15:06,660 That God had set up to keep the believers at the time. 393 00:15:06,660 --> 00:15:08,118 Through the line of Abraham, 394 00:15:08,118 --> 00:15:10,169 God had created for Himself a people 395 00:15:10,169 --> 00:15:11,714 and given them a land. 396 00:15:11,714 --> 00:15:13,498 And to David had given a promise 397 00:15:13,498 --> 00:15:15,592 for the Messiah. 398 00:15:15,592 --> 00:15:18,177 God had given everything to Israel. 399 00:15:18,177 --> 00:15:20,110 Paul notes at the beginning of Romans 9 400 00:15:20,110 --> 00:15:22,023 that the Israelites were the recipients 401 00:15:22,023 --> 00:15:24,071 of the adoption, the glory, the covenants, 402 00:15:24,071 --> 00:15:25,250 the giving of the Law, 403 00:15:25,250 --> 00:15:26,803 the worship, and the promises. 404 00:15:26,803 --> 00:15:28,957 They were to be God's heralds, 405 00:15:28,957 --> 00:15:32,131 announcing the coming of the King of creation. 406 00:15:32,131 --> 00:15:34,840 They had everything. 407 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:36,510 All of it. 408 00:15:36,510 --> 00:15:38,220 If anyone should have recognized 409 00:15:38,220 --> 00:15:39,523 the coming of the Messiah, 410 00:15:39,523 --> 00:15:42,647 it should have been Israel. 411 00:15:42,647 --> 00:15:44,067 John tells us in chapter 1 412 00:15:44,067 --> 00:15:46,219 that Jesus came to His own, 413 00:15:46,219 --> 00:15:48,157 the Israelites at the time - 414 00:15:48,157 --> 00:15:51,018 His own people did not receive Him. 415 00:15:51,018 --> 00:15:52,130 In fact, in John 8, 416 00:15:52,130 --> 00:15:53,176 they opposed Him. 417 00:15:53,176 --> 00:15:54,405 And they said to Him, 418 00:15:54,405 --> 00:15:58,988 "We have Abraham as our father." 419 00:15:58,988 --> 00:16:01,908 In other words, we have religion. 420 00:16:01,908 --> 00:16:04,414 We have the Bible. 421 00:16:04,414 --> 00:16:06,315 We have the temple. 422 00:16:06,315 --> 00:16:08,006 We have the liturgy. 423 00:16:08,006 --> 00:16:11,812 We don't need You. 424 00:16:11,812 --> 00:16:13,344 But Jesus opposes them, 425 00:16:13,344 --> 00:16:14,487 and He says, 426 00:16:14,487 --> 00:16:17,611 "Before Abraham was born, I AM." 427 00:16:17,611 --> 00:16:20,905 He invokes the name of Yahweh to them. 428 00:16:20,905 --> 00:16:22,517 And immediately, their response 429 00:16:22,517 --> 00:16:25,718 is to try to stone Him for blasphemy. 430 00:16:25,718 --> 00:16:27,865 Because He's claiming none other 431 00:16:27,865 --> 00:16:31,228 than the name of God. 432 00:16:31,228 --> 00:16:38,318 I can raise up stones to be children of Abraham. 433 00:16:38,318 --> 00:16:40,251 But John 10, 434 00:16:40,251 --> 00:16:45,930 He is making the claim of authority and exclusivity. 435 00:16:45,930 --> 00:16:49,240 The only way anyone is getting in or out 436 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:50,989 of this covenant is through Me. 437 00:16:50,989 --> 00:16:54,594 He said, "I am the door." 438 00:16:54,594 --> 00:16:57,956 He notes that there are other false Christs, 439 00:16:57,956 --> 00:16:59,333 and other false shepherds, 440 00:16:59,333 --> 00:17:01,033 and other false teachers. 441 00:17:01,033 --> 00:17:02,484 They had tried to come in 442 00:17:02,484 --> 00:17:06,240 and claim the right of the sheep. 443 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:08,186 He says in v. 8, 444 00:17:08,186 --> 00:17:09,640 "All who come before Me..." 445 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:11,795 Again, false messiahs, false shepherds, 446 00:17:11,795 --> 00:17:12,580 false Christs. 447 00:17:12,580 --> 00:17:13,876 "All who come before Me 448 00:17:13,876 --> 00:17:15,433 are thieves and robbers." 449 00:17:15,433 --> 00:17:19,213 But the sheep don't listen to them. 450 00:17:19,213 --> 00:17:21,994 There's no salvation through them. 451 00:17:21,994 --> 00:17:25,087 There's no hope in personalities. 452 00:17:25,087 --> 00:17:27,697 We have lots of personality cults. 453 00:17:27,697 --> 00:17:30,335 There's no hope there. 454 00:17:30,335 --> 00:17:33,163 There's no safety in religion. 455 00:17:33,163 --> 00:17:35,056 The only way to be saved, 456 00:17:35,056 --> 00:17:37,206 the only way to find pasture, 457 00:17:37,206 --> 00:17:39,085 the only way to have life 458 00:17:39,085 --> 00:17:40,991 is to go through the Door. 459 00:17:40,991 --> 00:17:42,772 And the Door is only wide 460 00:17:42,772 --> 00:17:45,297 as the shoulders of Jesus Christ. 461 00:17:45,297 --> 00:17:47,167 He's it. 462 00:17:47,167 --> 00:17:50,770 There's no other way. 463 00:17:50,770 --> 00:17:52,401 He says in John 14:6, 464 00:17:52,401 --> 00:17:57,552 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. 465 00:17:57,552 --> 00:18:01,608 No man comes to the Father, except through Me." 466 00:18:01,608 --> 00:18:05,242 He is the door to eternal life. 467 00:18:05,242 --> 00:18:08,333 This is exclusive. 468 00:18:08,333 --> 00:18:10,486 There are myths today: 469 00:18:10,486 --> 00:18:11,525 many ways to heaven. 470 00:18:11,525 --> 00:18:12,927 And we hear this all the time 471 00:18:12,927 --> 00:18:13,876 in popular culture. 472 00:18:13,876 --> 00:18:16,728 All roads lead to eternal life. 473 00:18:16,728 --> 00:18:18,645 Just be a good person. 474 00:18:18,645 --> 00:18:20,200 Someone told me on a plane once, 475 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,892 "I just have to do one good deed 476 00:18:22,892 --> 00:18:24,679 worthy of greatness, 477 00:18:24,679 --> 00:18:27,854 and God will accept me." 478 00:18:27,854 --> 00:18:28,929 I've heard this, 479 00:18:28,929 --> 00:18:31,112 "It doesn't matter what you believe, 480 00:18:31,112 --> 00:18:33,127 as long as you just believe." 481 00:18:33,127 --> 00:18:34,489 Wrong. 482 00:18:34,489 --> 00:18:38,045 Wrong, wrong, wrong. 483 00:18:38,045 --> 00:18:40,871 Jesus said, "I am the way." 484 00:18:40,871 --> 00:18:43,838 "I am the door." 485 00:18:43,838 --> 00:18:45,367 False teachers and hucksters, 486 00:18:45,367 --> 00:18:46,931 they're only there to steal 487 00:18:46,931 --> 00:18:49,151 and kill and destroy. 488 00:18:49,151 --> 00:18:53,969 But Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life." 489 00:18:53,969 --> 00:18:55,490 And then starting in v. 11, 490 00:18:55,490 --> 00:18:57,916 He shifts His metaphor. 491 00:18:57,916 --> 00:19:01,206 He changes His direction a little bit. 492 00:19:01,206 --> 00:19:02,064 Up to this point, 493 00:19:02,064 --> 00:19:04,576 He's demonstrating the exclusivity of salvation, 494 00:19:04,576 --> 00:19:06,615 claiming to be the door of the sheep. 495 00:19:06,615 --> 00:19:08,357 And then He goes a little bit beyond 496 00:19:08,357 --> 00:19:09,674 and says how about this? 497 00:19:09,674 --> 00:19:12,790 "I am the Good Shepherd." 498 00:19:12,790 --> 00:19:15,271 I'm now the Shepherd of the sheep. 499 00:19:15,271 --> 00:19:16,815 Good in the Greek is kalos, 500 00:19:16,815 --> 00:19:18,911 it's "good" or "beautiful" 501 00:19:18,911 --> 00:19:21,783 but it also is referring to something that is noble 502 00:19:21,783 --> 00:19:25,363 or honorable or of worthiness. 503 00:19:25,363 --> 00:19:28,037 That seems to be the use here. 504 00:19:28,037 --> 00:19:30,102 Because there is more to this 505 00:19:30,102 --> 00:19:34,597 than simply a casual use of the word "good." 506 00:19:34,597 --> 00:19:38,268 We don't really know what good means today. 507 00:19:38,268 --> 00:19:39,802 At all. 508 00:19:39,802 --> 00:19:41,238 And judging from Scripture, 509 00:19:41,238 --> 00:19:43,280 no one else seems to know either. 510 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:45,692 In fact, Jesus chides the rich, young ruler 511 00:19:45,692 --> 00:19:47,732 for calling Him "good teacher." 512 00:19:47,732 --> 00:19:50,876 Without realizing the magnanimity of the word. 513 00:19:50,876 --> 00:19:54,161 And He says, "Why do you call Me good?" 514 00:19:54,161 --> 00:19:55,606 Like you know what good is. 515 00:19:55,606 --> 00:19:56,938 "Why do you call Me good?" 516 00:19:56,938 --> 00:19:57,752 And he says, 517 00:19:57,752 --> 00:20:00,008 "There is none good except God alone." 518 00:20:00,008 --> 00:20:02,636 And that statement becomes even more earth-shattering 519 00:20:02,636 --> 00:20:05,112 in light of the fact that Jesus calls Himself 520 00:20:05,112 --> 00:20:08,796 the Good Shepherd. 521 00:20:08,796 --> 00:20:11,157 Use propositional logic here. 522 00:20:11,157 --> 00:20:13,658 If no one is good except God alone, 523 00:20:13,658 --> 00:20:15,470 and Jesus is the Good Shepherd, 524 00:20:15,470 --> 00:20:18,449 then Jesus is God. 525 00:20:18,449 --> 00:20:19,374 More than this, 526 00:20:19,374 --> 00:20:22,977 He is the Shepherd of infinite value. 527 00:20:22,977 --> 00:20:25,824 Of supreme worth. 528 00:20:25,824 --> 00:20:32,392 Of the highest nobility. 529 00:20:32,392 --> 00:20:35,735 He is the Shepherd of Psalm 23, 530 00:20:35,735 --> 00:20:37,399 Who makes us lie down 531 00:20:37,399 --> 00:20:39,734 in green pastures. 532 00:20:39,734 --> 00:20:43,682 Who leads us beside still waters. 533 00:20:43,682 --> 00:20:46,311 Who restores our souls. 534 00:20:46,311 --> 00:20:49,914 Who leads us in the paths of righteousness 535 00:20:49,914 --> 00:20:54,560 for His name's sake. 536 00:20:54,560 --> 00:20:57,550 However, He's also the Shepherd of Ezekiel 34 537 00:20:57,550 --> 00:20:59,784 Who seeks out His flock - 538 00:20:59,784 --> 00:21:01,656 those who've scattered - 539 00:21:01,656 --> 00:21:03,298 to rescue them from the places 540 00:21:03,298 --> 00:21:04,512 where they have wandered 541 00:21:04,512 --> 00:21:07,820 on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 542 00:21:07,820 --> 00:21:11,958 See, the Good Shepherd beds the flock, 543 00:21:11,958 --> 00:21:14,159 grabs His staff, 544 00:21:14,159 --> 00:21:16,342 and ventures out into the night 545 00:21:16,342 --> 00:21:18,764 searching for lost sheep. 546 00:21:18,764 --> 00:21:21,061 And He will not stop 547 00:21:21,061 --> 00:21:24,065 until He's found them. 548 00:21:24,065 --> 00:21:25,877 That is our Shepherd. 549 00:21:25,877 --> 00:21:27,906 To what ends does He go? 550 00:21:27,906 --> 00:21:30,255 What's He willing to do? 551 00:21:30,255 --> 00:21:33,143 Look at v. 11. 552 00:21:33,143 --> 00:21:34,919 "He says, 'I am the Good Shepherd. 553 00:21:34,919 --> 00:21:38,108 The Good Shepherd lays down His life 554 00:21:38,108 --> 00:21:41,801 for the sheep.'" 555 00:21:41,801 --> 00:21:43,995 Sacrifically. 556 00:21:43,995 --> 00:21:46,920 Substitutionally. 557 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:49,680 There were times when a wolf would attack, 558 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:52,426 and the shepherd would throw himself in front 559 00:21:52,426 --> 00:21:54,898 of the sheep to save it. 560 00:21:54,898 --> 00:21:56,841 Now generally speaking, 561 00:21:56,841 --> 00:21:59,544 it's to no advantage for a shepherd 562 00:21:59,544 --> 00:22:01,450 to lay down his life for the sheep 563 00:22:01,450 --> 00:22:04,334 because then the sheep are without a shepherd. 564 00:22:04,334 --> 00:22:06,686 But here, the Good Shepherd 565 00:22:06,686 --> 00:22:10,490 must die for His sheep. 566 00:22:10,490 --> 00:22:12,758 He must. 567 00:22:12,758 --> 00:22:13,798 V. 14-15 568 00:22:13,798 --> 00:22:15,227 "I am the Good Shepherd. 569 00:22:15,227 --> 00:22:17,057 I know My own and My own know Me. 570 00:22:17,057 --> 00:22:19,021 Just as the Father knows Me 571 00:22:19,021 --> 00:22:20,146 and I know the Father, 572 00:22:20,146 --> 00:22:23,415 and I lay down My life for the sheep." 573 00:22:23,415 --> 00:22:27,428 This word "for" is substitution. 574 00:22:27,428 --> 00:22:29,665 Anytime you see "for" in this context: 575 00:22:29,665 --> 00:22:31,275 substitution. 576 00:22:31,275 --> 00:22:33,629 He dies for His sheep. 577 00:22:33,629 --> 00:22:35,904 In their place. 578 00:22:35,904 --> 00:22:39,270 We know this is penal substitutionary atonement 579 00:22:39,270 --> 00:22:41,587 where the Son of God gives Himself 580 00:22:41,587 --> 00:22:43,700 as a ransom to the Father, 581 00:22:43,700 --> 00:22:45,342 dying in the place of sinners, 582 00:22:45,342 --> 00:22:47,036 to satisfy the wrath of God 583 00:22:47,036 --> 00:22:49,407 and earn forgiveness and justification. 584 00:22:49,407 --> 00:22:50,485 And some people say, 585 00:22:50,485 --> 00:22:53,278 well, I don't like that doctrine. 586 00:22:53,278 --> 00:22:57,888 That sounds a lot like divine child abuse. 587 00:22:57,888 --> 00:22:59,467 Well, let me tell you, 588 00:22:59,467 --> 00:23:03,072 it's the only way that we are forgiven, 589 00:23:03,072 --> 00:23:04,542 we can be justified, 590 00:23:04,542 --> 00:23:06,900 our sins can be removed, 591 00:23:06,900 --> 00:23:08,680 the Father's wrath satisfied, 592 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:10,379 reconciliation restored, 593 00:23:10,379 --> 00:23:12,797 and the peace of God can be declared. 594 00:23:12,797 --> 00:23:14,153 That's it. 595 00:23:14,153 --> 00:23:16,525 Friends, there's no other way. 596 00:23:16,525 --> 00:23:20,642 The only way we truly know the love of God 597 00:23:20,642 --> 00:23:22,916 is through the sacrifice of the Son. 598 00:23:22,916 --> 00:23:25,009 Let me prove it to you. 599 00:23:25,009 --> 00:23:26,775 1 John 3:16 600 00:23:26,775 --> 00:23:28,502 "By this, we know love, 601 00:23:28,502 --> 00:23:35,437 that He laid down His for us." 602 00:23:35,437 --> 00:23:38,614 Isaiah 53:6 tells us that all of us 603 00:23:38,614 --> 00:23:41,724 like sheep have gone astray. 604 00:23:41,724 --> 00:23:45,664 We have turned to our own way. 605 00:23:45,664 --> 00:23:49,482 But the Lord has laid on Him 606 00:23:49,482 --> 00:23:51,551 the iniquity of us all. 607 00:23:51,551 --> 00:23:54,346 Isaiah quotes God and he says, 608 00:23:54,346 --> 00:24:00,427 "It was the will of the Lord to crush Him." 609 00:24:00,427 --> 00:24:01,900 Why? 610 00:24:01,900 --> 00:24:04,531 Because God is merciless? 611 00:24:04,531 --> 00:24:07,090 No. 612 00:24:07,090 --> 00:24:11,658 Because God is merciful towards sinners. 613 00:24:11,658 --> 00:24:15,981 Because He demonstrates His mercy 614 00:24:15,981 --> 00:24:20,718 through the work of the Son. 615 00:24:20,718 --> 00:24:22,516 Look at v. 18. 616 00:24:22,516 --> 00:24:24,757 He says, "No one takes it from Me. 617 00:24:24,757 --> 00:24:26,688 I lay it down of My own accord." 618 00:24:26,688 --> 00:24:28,881 He says, "I have authority to lay it down, 619 00:24:28,881 --> 00:24:30,916 and I have authority to take it up again. 620 00:24:30,916 --> 00:24:32,886 This charge I received from My Father." 621 00:24:32,886 --> 00:24:35,187 He wants to do it. 622 00:24:35,187 --> 00:24:36,781 He was called to do it. 623 00:24:36,781 --> 00:24:38,420 He came to do it. 624 00:24:38,420 --> 00:24:40,797 He said I did not come to be served, 625 00:24:40,797 --> 00:24:41,783 but to serve 626 00:24:41,783 --> 00:24:44,868 and to give My life as a ransom for many. 627 00:24:44,868 --> 00:24:47,580 That is our Christ. 628 00:24:47,580 --> 00:24:51,713 He came to save us. 629 00:24:51,713 --> 00:24:54,021 To give His life. 630 00:24:54,021 --> 00:24:56,410 He says, "nobody takes it from Me." 631 00:24:56,410 --> 00:24:58,397 Goodness... 632 00:24:58,397 --> 00:25:00,539 Jesus knowing and willingly 633 00:25:00,539 --> 00:25:03,537 gave His life for His sheep. 634 00:25:03,537 --> 00:25:04,820 And more than this, 635 00:25:04,820 --> 00:25:06,451 we're called not just His sheep, 636 00:25:06,451 --> 00:25:07,901 but according to John 15, 637 00:25:07,901 --> 00:25:09,911 we're called His friends. 638 00:25:09,911 --> 00:25:11,062 And more than this, 639 00:25:11,062 --> 00:25:12,549 according to Ephesians 5, 640 00:25:12,549 --> 00:25:15,756 we're called His bride. 641 00:25:15,756 --> 00:25:17,734 The bride He loves. 642 00:25:17,734 --> 00:25:19,722 The bride He sanctifies. 643 00:25:19,722 --> 00:25:21,460 The bride He cleanses. 644 00:25:21,460 --> 00:25:24,236 The bride He presents as unblemished. 645 00:25:24,236 --> 00:25:30,625 The bride for whom He gives His life. 646 00:25:30,625 --> 00:25:35,742 He gave up His own sinless, spotless life, 647 00:25:35,742 --> 00:25:38,666 and He died on the cross at Calvary, 648 00:25:38,666 --> 00:25:40,509 was buried, 649 00:25:40,509 --> 00:25:41,926 rose again the third day 650 00:25:41,926 --> 00:25:45,068 to bring life to all who would repent and believe. 651 00:25:45,068 --> 00:25:48,721 That is our Good Shepherd. 652 00:25:48,721 --> 00:25:50,141 That is Whom we serve. 653 00:25:50,141 --> 00:25:54,168 That is Whom we love. 654 00:25:54,168 --> 00:25:56,337 Juxtapose - look at 12 and 13. 655 00:25:56,337 --> 00:25:57,934 We see now the hired hand, 656 00:25:57,934 --> 00:25:59,211 the bad shepherds. 657 00:25:59,211 --> 00:26:00,425 Look at v. 12. 658 00:26:00,425 --> 00:26:01,826 "He who is a hired hand 659 00:26:01,826 --> 00:26:03,551 and not a shepherd, 660 00:26:03,551 --> 00:26:05,263 does not own the sheep, 661 00:26:05,263 --> 00:26:06,644 sees the wolf coming, 662 00:26:06,644 --> 00:26:07,719 leaves the sheep, 663 00:26:07,719 --> 00:26:08,650 flees, 664 00:26:08,650 --> 00:26:11,270 the wolf snatches them and scatters them." 665 00:26:11,273 --> 00:26:14,367 And He says, "he flees because he's a hired hand 666 00:26:14,367 --> 00:26:18,210 and cares nothing for the sheep." 667 00:26:18,210 --> 00:26:20,997 These are professional cowards. 668 00:26:20,997 --> 00:26:22,795 These are those who only care about 669 00:26:22,795 --> 00:26:24,654 drawing a paycheck. 670 00:26:24,654 --> 00:26:29,044 And when things get tough, they bail. 671 00:26:29,044 --> 00:26:31,005 Sadly, there are many flocks 672 00:26:31,005 --> 00:26:34,613 who have hirelings for pastors. 673 00:26:34,613 --> 00:26:39,821 New England seems to be a hireling haven. 674 00:26:39,821 --> 00:26:41,155 I shudder to think 675 00:26:41,155 --> 00:26:43,197 of how many faithful believers 676 00:26:43,197 --> 00:26:46,215 have given their money generationally 677 00:26:46,215 --> 00:26:48,070 to their churches through endowment, 678 00:26:48,070 --> 00:26:49,303 that are now paying 679 00:26:49,303 --> 00:26:51,464 the salaries and retirement of pastors 680 00:26:51,464 --> 00:26:56,300 who are starving the church to death. 681 00:26:56,300 --> 00:27:01,692 Wolves that have fleeced the flocks of New England. 682 00:27:01,692 --> 00:27:05,950 They care nothing for the sheep. 683 00:27:05,950 --> 00:27:09,134 I hear this all the time. 684 00:27:09,134 --> 00:27:12,808 Pastor who refuse to minister the Word to their people. 685 00:27:12,808 --> 00:27:15,956 And when trouble comes, they flee. 686 00:27:15,956 --> 00:27:20,651 And their churches are stranded and they're helpless. 687 00:27:20,651 --> 00:27:22,588 We've suffered the storms of liberalism 688 00:27:22,588 --> 00:27:24,159 and Unitarianism 689 00:27:24,159 --> 00:27:25,904 and Roman Catholicism. 690 00:27:25,904 --> 00:27:28,020 The New England church has been starved 691 00:27:28,020 --> 00:27:30,512 and beaten to the brink of extinction. 692 00:27:30,512 --> 00:27:31,765 Our light is flickering 693 00:27:31,765 --> 00:27:35,408 and one more gust and it could go out. 694 00:27:35,408 --> 00:27:37,482 And we oftentimes as believers, 695 00:27:37,482 --> 00:27:38,601 we feel like Elijah, 696 00:27:38,601 --> 00:27:41,123 we say Lord, they've driven out every faithful pastor 697 00:27:41,123 --> 00:27:41,987 they've ever had. 698 00:27:41,987 --> 00:27:43,345 There's no more believers. 699 00:27:43,345 --> 00:27:44,557 I alone am left. 700 00:27:44,557 --> 00:27:50,134 And they're seeking my life to destroy it. 701 00:27:50,134 --> 00:27:54,620 Believers, let me encourage you. 702 00:27:54,620 --> 00:27:57,307 There is one flock. 703 00:27:57,307 --> 00:27:58,974 One Shepherd. 704 00:27:58,974 --> 00:28:01,010 One body. 705 00:28:01,010 --> 00:28:02,704 One Spirit. 706 00:28:02,704 --> 00:28:04,291 One hope. 707 00:28:04,291 --> 00:28:05,578 One Lord. 708 00:28:05,578 --> 00:28:06,649 One faith. 709 00:28:06,649 --> 00:28:07,854 One baptism. 710 00:28:07,854 --> 00:28:10,575 One God and Father of us all. 711 00:28:10,575 --> 00:28:11,937 And if you are in Christ, 712 00:28:11,937 --> 00:28:15,147 the Good Shepherd is your Shepherd. 713 00:28:15,147 --> 00:28:16,945 There are no second class churches. 714 00:28:16,945 --> 00:28:18,888 There are no second class believers. 715 00:28:18,888 --> 00:28:21,239 And even though we're limping along up here, 716 00:28:21,239 --> 00:28:25,584 this is still the bride of Christ. 717 00:28:25,584 --> 00:28:27,736 He loves this church. 718 00:28:27,736 --> 00:28:30,697 As long as there is a church in New England, 719 00:28:30,697 --> 00:28:33,434 Jesus Christ is the Head. 720 00:28:33,434 --> 00:28:37,880 That should encourage you to know. 721 00:28:37,880 --> 00:28:39,673 And when we come together 722 00:28:39,673 --> 00:28:43,746 and enjoy this rich fellowship in the Spirit, 723 00:28:43,746 --> 00:28:46,046 a fellowship that exists first 724 00:28:46,046 --> 00:28:47,763 between the Father and the Son. 725 00:28:47,763 --> 00:28:52,287 He tells us that's the basis of our fellowship 726 00:28:52,287 --> 00:28:56,048 with each other and with Him. 727 00:28:56,048 --> 00:28:59,392 We are still blood-bought sinners 728 00:28:59,392 --> 00:29:03,969 saved by grace. 729 00:29:03,969 --> 00:29:05,525 There are lost sheep 730 00:29:05,525 --> 00:29:09,144 scattered all over the Northeast. 731 00:29:09,144 --> 00:29:11,834 But take heart, believers. 732 00:29:11,834 --> 00:29:16,062 The Shepherd is coming for them. 733 00:29:16,062 --> 00:29:20,405 Let's pray. 734 00:29:20,405 --> 00:29:28,315 Father God, 735 00:29:28,315 --> 00:29:31,409 Lord, I weep, 736 00:29:31,409 --> 00:29:35,172 when I think about the heritage that we've had here. 737 00:29:35,172 --> 00:29:37,174 So many faithful, 738 00:29:37,174 --> 00:29:39,069 who loved You, 739 00:29:39,069 --> 00:29:42,090 served You, 740 00:29:42,090 --> 00:29:46,262 gave up everything for You, 741 00:29:46,262 --> 00:29:47,914 sent out missionaries 742 00:29:47,914 --> 00:29:49,823 and trained up pastors 743 00:29:49,823 --> 00:29:55,068 and loved in a way that is uncommon among men. 744 00:29:55,068 --> 00:29:58,594 Saints of whom the world was not worthy 745 00:29:58,594 --> 00:30:03,882 that were here. 746 00:30:03,882 --> 00:30:06,581 And so many of them have passed on 747 00:30:06,581 --> 00:30:11,675 and we are weakened. 748 00:30:11,675 --> 00:30:14,049 But Father, I look to You, 749 00:30:14,049 --> 00:30:17,139 and I trust You, 750 00:30:17,139 --> 00:30:20,710 and the church here believes in You, 751 00:30:20,710 --> 00:30:22,701 that You are still our Shepherd, 752 00:30:22,701 --> 00:30:24,866 and You still care for the sheep, 753 00:30:24,866 --> 00:30:28,857 and You still have given Your Son for the sheep. 754 00:30:28,857 --> 00:30:32,034 And I pray Father that You would help us 755 00:30:32,034 --> 00:30:34,112 to be faithful to You. 756 00:30:34,112 --> 00:30:36,870 To listen to Your voice. 757 00:30:36,870 --> 00:30:39,180 To know You intimately. 758 00:30:39,180 --> 00:30:42,221 To love Your Word. 759 00:30:42,221 --> 00:30:44,542 To love Your precepts. 760 00:30:44,542 --> 00:30:47,371 And to follow hard after You. 761 00:30:47,371 --> 00:30:49,756 Not to give up hope up here. 762 00:30:49,756 --> 00:30:53,354 Not just to wither and fade, God. 763 00:30:53,354 --> 00:30:55,956 But that You would ignite our hearts 764 00:30:55,956 --> 00:30:58,459 to burn for You. 765 00:30:58,459 --> 00:31:02,400 That You would restore the work here again. 766 00:31:02,400 --> 00:31:04,552 Not because of anything in us. 767 00:31:04,552 --> 00:31:06,304 Not because of our heritage. 768 00:31:06,304 --> 00:31:09,563 But because Your name is worthy to be praised. 769 00:31:09,563 --> 00:31:11,475 That the name of God our Father 770 00:31:11,475 --> 00:31:15,265 would be heralded in New England again. 771 00:31:15,265 --> 00:31:17,955 That You would glorify Yourself 772 00:31:17,955 --> 00:31:23,338 through this body of believers. 773 00:31:23,338 --> 00:31:26,514 And Father, if it's Your will, 774 00:31:26,514 --> 00:31:28,174 and we die serving You 775 00:31:28,174 --> 00:31:32,417 and that does not come to the way that we are satisfied, 776 00:31:32,417 --> 00:31:35,360 we know that our ways are different than Yours 777 00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:38,924 and Yours are higher. 778 00:31:38,924 --> 00:31:42,644 And so we trust in Your sovereign will. 779 00:31:42,644 --> 00:31:46,479 We trust in Your providential hand. 780 00:31:46,479 --> 00:31:49,943 That You will work and You will save. 781 00:31:49,943 --> 00:31:53,987 And the gates of even the hardest hell up here 782 00:31:53,987 --> 00:31:58,549 will not prevail against Your church. 783 00:31:58,549 --> 00:32:03,365 You alone are worthy of our praise. 784 00:32:03,365 --> 00:32:06,489 We pray this in the name of Your Son Jesus, 785 00:32:06,489 --> 00:32:09,031 Amen.