John 10:10-30

Introduction:

1. Last week we saw Jesus as the entryway to the safety of the sheepfold.

2. Today we see Him as God’s promised Good Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:20-24).

Discussion:

I. The Contrast: Thieves, Robbers, Hirelings, and the Good Shepherd

A. The thieves and robbers clearly have malicious intent (10:10a).

B. The hireling has no vested interest in the sheep (10:12-13).

C. The Good Shepherd has only the good of the sheep in mind; consider some characteristics of the Good Shepherd worth noting:

1. His overarching aim is to give more abundant life (10:10).

2. He provided the gift at the cost of His own life (10:11, 15-18).

3. He has a close relationship with His sheep (10:2-5, 14-16, 26-27).

II. Sheep Without a Shepherd

A. Sheep without a shepherd are food for the beasts (Ezekiel 34:4-8).

B. Though we wandered off from Him, God compassionately gathers His scattered sheep (Ezekiel 34:9-16; Matthew 9:35-38; 1 Peter 2:21-25).

C. Our helplessness and God’s compassion draw us to Him (John 15:4-5; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:14) where we must remain vigilantly (1 Peter 5:8-10).

III. Hardened Hearts, Blinded Minds, and Plugged Ears

A. This discourse grew out of His healing a blind man in John 9.

B. The false shepherds were hardened by Satan’s schemes (John 9:13-29; 10:19-21; Matthew 13:13-15; Acts 28:25-27; Isaiah 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

C. They refused to believe Jesus despite the evidence, so they failed to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd God promised so long ago.

Conclusion:

1. The signs John recorded were to produce saving faith (20:30-31).

2. In the heart given to the ways of sin, it produces hardness instead.

3. The sheep follow their shepherd because they know he is their provider and protector; do we know the Good Shepherd’s voice?