The Shepherd, the Thief, and the Hired Hand

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Recap of 6/24/12 (John 10:1-21):

1.  In John 10, Jesus calls Himself both the gate to the sheepfold and the Good Shepherd, figures of speech to express how Jesus guides, provides for, and guards His sheep.  He doesn’t lose even one.  Because of his belief in Jesus, the man born blind of Chapter 9 is put out of the synagogue.  This prompts Jesus to characterize the Scribes and Pharisees as false shepherds, nothing but thieves and hired hands.  In contrast to them, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep.  This would be comforting to future believers among the Jews who would be excommunicated because of their belief in Jesus.

2.  “Why does the Lord compare His people to sheep? They are prone to wander (Isa. 53:6) and need a shepherd to guide them. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep intimately and calls them and provides for them (Ps. 23). How wonderful to be one of His sheep..” (Warren Wiersbe)

3.  “In ancient times the sheepfold was a circular stone corral with a single narrow opening.  After the sheep were inside, the shepherd would lie down across the opening, using his own body to form the gate or ‘door’ of the sheepfold.  Nothing could enter or leave the fold without the shepherd knowing about it.  Keep that image in mind as you read Jesus’ words in 10:7.” (The Daily Walk Bible)

4.  Sheep had to be protected because there were many predators in that day.  Often the shepherd faced death to protect the sheep.  Jesus gave His life for His sheep.  His death was substitutionary, voluntary, under His authority/control, and by command of God the Father.

Seeing is Believing

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Recap of 6/17/12 (John 9:1-41):

1.  John 9 records the 6th of the 7 sign miracles John deals with in his gospel.  Each miracle is to show the divine nature and work of Jesus, each highlights some aspect of what He came to do. Concerning the healing in John chapter nine, Dr. Charles Erdman writes: “This story possesses an irresistible and unfailing charm.  A subtle humor pervades the dialogue between the Pharisees and the man who had been born blind; their ruffled dignity and exasperation, and his irritating irony, are little less than amusing, while against all stands the contrast of the majestic calm of Jesus.”

2.  Healings by Jesus, especially those of opening the eyes of the blind were very specific indications that Jesus was the predicted Messiah (see Isaiah 42:7; 29:18; 35:5). 

3.  The healing of the man born blind in John 9 was a public application or demonstration of Jesus’ words in 8:12, “I am the light of the world.”  Jesus brings light to three groups: the physically blind, the spiritual blind, and his disciples who bought into the wrong thinking of their day especially concerning the connection between personal sin and disease.  (For the Five Suffering Laws which explains the connection between sin and disease, deaths, and difficulties, see Charles Swindoll, Come Before Winter or 2/26/12 message)

4. Jesus urges His disciples to work while there is time, especially in taking His light to a blinded world (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-3).

5.  The healed man’s perception of Jesus changes through-out the encounter and its aftermath.  He originally sees Jesus as only a man, then a prophet, then a man of God.  Jesus challenges him to see that He is God incarnate.  In response the man places his faith in Jesus and is saved. 

Paternity Dispute Part II

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Recap of 6/10/12 (John 8:37-59):

1. Through-out this passage Jesus is trying to get the religious leaders to think beyond the physical to the spiritual. They thought their physical relationship to Abraham was enough to save them. Jesus said that they needed a spiritual relationship to him. As it was they were exhibiting the characteristics of Satan (a liar and murderer) rather than of Abraham (faith, believing God). All of humanity divides along the lines of God as Father or Satan as Father. Being religious is not the answer, a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ is. As the NIV Study Bible says, “Their deeds reveal their parentage.”


2. Jesus calls Satan a “murderer from the beginning” and a liar who “when he lies, speaks his native language” (verse 44). Because of Satan’s lie (Genesis 3:4, 13) physical and spiritual death were brought into the creation. Death in the Bible means separation; physical death is the separation of the body from the spirit; spiritual death is separation from God; eternal death is eternal separation from God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they died spiritually and the process of physical death began in their bodies.

3. Vance Havner says of Satan: “Satan and his legions are out to disable the body, deceive the minds, and discourage the spirit. Some he devours as a roaring lion. Some he leads astray as an angel of light. Others he besets as the accuser. He attacks through morals, through the mind, through moods.” “We need not be surprised if, right on the heels of a new spiritual beginning, we are beset with double force by the devil. It is a good sign. It is evidence that we are making progress, and have aroused him. He will attack body, mind and spirit to disable, deceive, or discourage. Be not discouraged. It is a sure sign of progress. The farther you go, the more you may meet with. But greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Your Ally has conquered your Adversary.”

Paternity Dispute

This week we studied Jesus' teaching in John 8:31-59. Click here to download the sermon.

Recap of 6/3/12 (John 8:31-36):


1. “A Biblical Profile of a Disciple” (taken from Essentials of Discipleship by Francis M. Cosgrove):

-A disciple is a learner—open and teachable.

-A disciple puts Christ first in all areas of his/her life.

-A disciple is committed to a life of purity and is taking steps to separate from sin.

-A disciple has a daily devotional time and is developing in his/her prayer life.

-A disciple demonstrates a desire to learn and apply the Word of God.

-A disciple has a heart for sharing his/her faith.

-A disciple attends church regularly to worship God, to have his/her spiritual needs met, and to make a contribution to the body of believers.

-A disciple fellowships regularly with other believers, displaying love and unity.

- A disciple demonstrates a servant heart by helping others in practical ways.

-A disciple gives regularly and honors God with his/her finances.

-A disciple demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit by an attractive relationship with Christ and his /her fellow man.

2. It would be a good exercise for each believer to turn this list into questions as a test of our growth in discipleship and maturity.