The Parable of the Sheepfold

TEXT: John 10:1-6

INTRODUCTION:

A. THE PURPOSE OF THE PARABLES AND THEIR RECEPTION.

1. They clarify and illustrate religious truths.

2. Not received – Why? (Matt. 13:10-16). Prejudice against the teaching.

B. BACKGROUND SEEN IN REJECTION OF JESUS IN ch. 9.

C. THIS PARABLE IS A DISTINCT AND SEPARATE ENTITY. SAME FIGURES USED DIFFERENTLY IN vs. 7 and 11.

E. EACH SYMBOL HAS AN IMPORTANT MEANING.

I. SHEPHERD – JESUS CHRIST.

A. WE HAVE CHRIST’S ROLE COMPARED TO THAT OF A SHEPHERD.

1. Protects ( John 10:11-15; 1 Sam. 17:34-36 ).

2. Goes before – leads ( Psa.. 23; John 8:32 ).

3. Feeds – poimen, "a feeder." ( Psa. 23; John 6:27, 32-35, 47-51, 63 ).

4. Watches ( Luke 15:3-7 ).

B. JESUS IS THE SUPREME SHEPHERD ( Heb. 13:20 ).

II. SHEEP – DISCIPLES.

A. vs. 3. THEY HEAR – HE LEADS ( vs. 4 ) THEY FOLLOW – KNOW HIS VOICE.

1. Christians follow Jesus ( John 8:32 ). They must to benefit ( John 8:12 ).

2. Involves imitating him ( 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 2:5; 1 Pet. 2:21 ).

3. Involves sacrifice ( Gal. 2:20 ).

4. Involves obedience ( Heb. 5:8-9; Col. 3:17 ).

5. Disciples walk behind Jesus – Not in front! ( 2 John 9 ).

6. Involves a personal relationship.

a. vs. 3. "He calls them by name."

b. vs. 4. "They know his voice."

B. vs. 5. WILL NOT FOLLOW OTHERS ( Col. 2:8; Phil. 1:9-11; Heb. 5:14 ).

III. SHEEPFOLD – BODY OF DISCIPLES.

A. CONSTITUTES PLACE OF AUTHORITY FOR THE SHEPHERD ( Eph. 1:22-23 ).

B. THAT WHICH IS MADE UP OF SHEEP ( Acts 20:28 ).

C. PLACE OF SPIRITUAL BENEFIT ( Eph. 1:22-23 ).

IV. DOOR – THE PROPER ENTRANCE FOR THE SHEPHERD.

A. HELPS IDENTIFY THE TRUE SHEPHERD. REAL SHEPHERD ENTERS THIS WAY. EVERYONE ELSE IS A THIEF AND A ROBBER.

B. THE DOOR IS FULFILLED PROPHECY ( John 5:36-47; 10:24-28, 37-38 ).

C. APOSTLES AND JEWS WERE WITNESSES ( 1 Pet. 1:16-21; Acts 2:22-24 ).

D. SITE SOME EXAMPLES OF PROPHECIES: Psa. 22 – Micah 5:2 – 2 Sam. 7:12-13.

E. WHO ELSE HAS ENTERED BY THIS DOOR?

V. PORTER – DOOR KEEPER, JOHN THE BAPTIST.

A. JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARED THE WAY.

1. Prophesied ( Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1; 4:4-6 ).

2. Fulfilled ( John 1:6-8, 29-34 ).

B. THE JEWS KNEW IT ( John 5:31-36; 10:40-42 ).

VI. THIEVES AND ROBBERS – FALSE CHRISTS.

A. EASY TO SEE – THEY FAIL TO FULFILL!!

B. THEY WILL COME ( Matt. 24:4-5 ).

C. CHRIST’S AGENTS ARE THE APOSTLES. FALSE APOSTLES WILL COME, TOO ( Acts 20:29-30; 2 Cor. 11:13-15 ).

D THEY MUST BE IDENTIFIED, TOO ( 1 John 4:1, 6 ).

CONCLUSION: THE PURPOSE OF THE PARABLE.

A. JESUS IS HERE CLEARLY SET FORTH AS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD – THE GREAT SHEPHERD

B. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH HIM?

1. Will you follow him as a disciple?

2. Will you reject him like the Jews?
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