Bible Study - Enough (3) - Our Need for Protection - John10:7-15, 27-30 - March 20, 2016

Bible Study – Enough (3) – Our Need for Protection – March 20, 2016

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “More Than Enough: How JESUS Meets Our Deepest Needs.”

Our focus scripture is John 10:7-15, 27-30

JESUS is the Good Shepherd who can offer us ultimate protection.

JESUS gave us two additional “I AM” statements in our focus scripture. HIS teaching is just as relevant to all people today as the day HE uttered the words, “I AM.” Will we pay attention or dismiss HIS words? IS HE THE PROMISED MESSIAH? HE EITHER WAS OR A LIAR? You decide but be careful because your decision has eternal consequences – eternal life or eternal death.

This lesson is profound and should be studied with earnest hearts for those who seek JESUS as their Savior. Let’s explore!

Let’s read John 10:7-10:

The Good Shepherd

7 So Jesus said again, "I assure you: I am the door of the sheep. 

The word “I” carries the idea of “I and I alone.” There is no other way to GOD. JESUS is door through which all must walk.

8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn't listen to them.

The word “all” carries the idea of all inclusive but in context focuses on all who should know the truth but have been blinded to the truth for earthly reasons. This statement went beyond the Pharisee's, scribes, Sadducee's, rabbis to anyone who used their religious position for personal gain. Personal motives often blind us to truth.

In Greek, the word for thieves is “kleptes.” It is where we get the English word kleptomania and kleptomaniac. It carries the idea of stifle, sly or secret as a part of a person’s nature. Robbers are those who are more open in their activity using hostility, violence or even bloodshed. Robbers use force. All, thieves and robbers, have one thing in common they use their positions of authority to withhold truth and to present their own brand of truth for ill gotten gain. The Good News is that those ordained by GOD, HIS sheep, did not listen to them. They had discernment and held tight to truth in spite of what those who misrepresented truth were saying. By their fruit will you know them! 

Separating truth from error comes from GOD.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 

Again, JESUS used another “I AM” reference.

JESUS spoke to them in terms they could understand. HE referenced sheep. Raising and caring for sheep was common knowledge in that time. When JESUS referred to HIM as being the door, it sent a clear message. Those HE was teaching knew that sheep would be corralled at night to keep them from running off or being attacked by predators. The shepherd would position himself such that he was the only entrance to the coral thus the door. The shepherd was the gatekeeper and knew his sheep and could count them as they entered the coral and check them for any problems.

Once a sheep belonged to the shepherd the sheep could go in and out of the fold. JESUS was not saying that Christians vacillate but they are free to go under HIS care as they, as Christians, are in the world but not of the world. They are the salt and light reflecting JESUS to others in the world. Yes, even HIS sheep are lured into harm’s way but HE, as the Good Shepherd, cares for HIS sheep and rescues them. HIS Sheep are always HIS Sheep.

10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. 

There are those who come as Spiritual thieves and robbers to keep you under the dictates of the Law and their tutor ledge rather than the Spirit of the Law and GOD’S Grace.

I don’t know how JESUS could be plainer “I have come.” HE came to give meaning to human life upon earth which exceeds normal life because HE offers hope and salvation through an eternal relationship with GOD through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. When any person comes through the gate of which HE is the Shepherd, he or she experiences the miracle of Spiritual rebirth into GOD’S family as HIS Son or Daughter and receives eternal life.

When the issue of eternity is settled, life upon earth becomes a foreshadow of eternity with GOD because Christians live in a personal relationship with GOD through faith in CHRIST. Those who have the right relationship with GOD through the miracle of rebirth understand this but those on the outside looking in cannot comprehend it. How do I know? It is because I tried to figure it out before placing my faith in JESUS and trusting HIM to take my life and make out of it what HE desired. Did HE take my will or decision making ability away from me? No, HE does not make us robots. That is why living under GOD’S Grace, I confess my sins, repent and HE cleanses and restores. I am a sinner saved by HIS grace through faith in JESUS, my Savior. HE will do the same for you. Trust HIM by giving HIM your life now and experience life in abundance before it is too late. Let JESUS shepherd you though life upon earth and into eternity and experience life that overflows. That does not mean you will be free of difficulties but it does mean that JESUS will never leave you or forsake you. Once HIS, always HIS! JESUS loves you so much that HE gave HIS life just for you. Accept HIS gift now.

Let’s read John 10:11-13:

11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Again, JESUS stated “I AM the good shepherd.” There were shepherds who were hired to shepherd and there were those who owned the sheep or were committed to care for the sheep. When danger came the hired shepherd had a choice to make; fight the danger or flee. Many would flee. JESUS was making it clear that HE would stay the course and complete HIS assigned mission to give HIS life for the sheep in HIS fold. JESUS would lay down HIS life for all who will place their faith in HIM. Without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins.

12 The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn't own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 

Ownership makes a difference. The scripture reveals to us that we were bought with a price in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

¹⁹ Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.

Our salvation costs JESUS HIS physical life in order for those who place their faith in HIM to have eternal life as guaranteed by the resurrection of JESUS by GOD HIS and our Father. Once we receive CHRIST as our Savior, we receive the guarantee of eternal life because every Christian receives the seal of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:15-17:

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children,

17 and if children, also heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ-seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

In 2 Corinthians 1:22:

22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts. (Holman)

22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)

Let’s continue with our focus scripture:

13 [This happens] because he is a hired man and doesn't care about the sheep. 

The imposter fails and runs away. JESUS is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Who will you trust?

Let’s read John 10:14-15 and 27-30:

Let’s read John 10:14-15:

14 "I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, 

15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep. 

JESUS repeated “I AM the good shepherd.” JESUS knows each person who has accepted HIM as his or her Savior. HE is interested in seeing Spiritual growth and maturity in HIS sheep. That comes through the process of sanctification.

Let’s read John 10:16-26:

16 But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. 

Who are these other sheep? The promised Messiah was first to come to whom? The Messiah was first to come to the Jews as written in Romans 1:16-17:

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

GOD promised the Messiah to the Jews. GOD is omniscient and in HIS foreknowledge HE knew that the Jews, for the most part, would reject HIM. GOD is not exclusive but inclusive and loves all who will come to HIM in faith through JESUS.

17 For in it God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

The key to salvation is faith in GOD. Abraham had faith in GOD and GOD considered his faith as righteousness. It is by faith that we are saved. It is not by works but by faith first and then works. So faith in GOD is all a person needed to be saved until JESUS, The Messiah came to earth as GOD in the flesh. Those who died prior to JESUS’ death were taken to Paradise. They were looking forward to full redemption. The sinless life and passion of JESUS paid, in full, the penalty for sin and thus conquered both sin and eternal death, JESUS is the only way to GOD. Place your faith in HIM. Why? Because HE is the only Son of GOD and GOD resurrected HIM from the dead as proof that HE was and is The Promised Messiah.

17 This is why the Father loves Me, because I am laying down My life so I may take it up again. 

Why does the Father love CHRIST? It is because HE was faithful even unto death. HE gave HIS life. No one took it from HIM.

18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from My Father." 

19 Again a division took place among the Jews because of these words. 

JESUS’ words produced an active discussion that resulted in a division.

20 Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and He's crazy! Why do you listen to Him?" 

21 Others were saying, "These aren't the words of someone demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

Some saw truth but others saw evil. We face this same argument today. Who do we choose? Will it be JESUS or something false? The choice is up to you.

Jesus at the Festival of Dedication

22 Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 

23 Jesus was walking in the temple complex in Solomon's Colonnade. 

24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and asked, "How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

The Jews were looking for a political messiah. They desired physical, temporary political deliverance from Roman rule. JESUS came to give eternal deliverance from the rule of Satan in the lives of all who will place their faith in HIM.

25 "I did tell you and you don't believe," Jesus answered them. "The works that I do in My Father's name testify about Me. 

26 But you don't believe because you are not My sheep. 

JESUS made it plain and clear but even those looking for the promised Messiah were blinded by leaning on their own understanding. Don’t many of us do that today? Don’t many of us develop notions and false assumptions regarding Christianity? Place all your notions and assumptions on the altar of GOD and ask HIM to reveal truth to you and open your heart to HIM as HE teaches you and lights your path as you walk with HIM.

Let’s read John 10:27-30:

27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. 

Have you heard the voice of CHRIST? HE in calling “oh sinner, come home.” Step one is to respond to HIS Call by giving your life to HIM in faith. Trust HIM to lead and guide you to truth as you study GOD’S Word, the Bible and talk to HIM moment by moment as you walk through life. Obediently follow HIM which will build the right relationship with HIM.

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish-ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. 

What do we get out of responding in faith to the call of JESUS? It is eternal life and eternal security. Christians are held in the hand of JESUS and in the hand of GOD sealed for eternity. That is covenant. Christians are sealed by the shed of JESUS.

29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 

30 The Father and I are one."

Is there any greater security than this? NO! Give your heart and life to JESUS now and become the child of GOD, the Sheep of HIS fold. Blessings!!!