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JOHN 10:11

"I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD"

Intro: Background--healing of blind man. The religious authorities ex-communicated him, so
       Jesus ex-communicated their whole system.

I. THE SHEPHERD AS THE DOOR.
        A. A sheepfold was an enclosure.
                1. No roof, lustwalls.
                2. Just one opening into it.
                        a. No gate or hinged door.
                        b. The shepherd would like across that opening at night.
                                1. The sheep must go over him to get out.
                                2. The wolf must go over him to get in.
        B. To seek to enter the fold by any other way was the mark of a thief and robber.
                1. The thwf had only evil designs for the sheep.
                        a. Rob, kill, destroy.
                        b. Jesus reference was to man made religious systems.
                                1. Those who would declare that the only entrance heaven was
                                   in following their system.
                                2. So ready to ex-communicate any man who fails to march to
                                   their beat.
                                3. These systems unfortunately have proliferated in Christian
                                   body.
                        c. Jesus said to the man ex-communicated, do you believe in Me?
                                1. You have entrance, I am the door.

Il. THE SHEPHERD'S DESIRE FOR THE SHEEP IS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT MORE ABUNDANTLY.
        A. His desire was always to provide the best possible pasturage for his sheep.
                1. A sheep has about the least self-preservation instincts of any animal.
                        a. Defenseless against the wolf or other predator.
                        b. Cannot instinctively find water or food.
                2. The sheep are very dependent upon the shepherd for their welfare.
        B. Now there are hirelings.
                1. Their primary concern is for their welfare.
                        a. When a crisis arises they forsake the sheep.
 b. They really do not care for the sheep.
                2. Many hirelings today whose chief desire is fleece the flock.
                        a. They have a constant emphasis on giving.
                        b. Seeking to develop techniques to extract an extra buck.
                3. Jesus said to Peter, "If you love Me, feed My sheep."
                4. True Christianity does not emphasize what you can give to God, but what God
                   has given to you.
                5. Many people are burned out with church and rightfully so. They have been
                   fleeced and if they dared challenge ex-communicated.

III. JESUS SAID, "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD."
        A. He knows His sheep.
        B. He loves His sheep.
        C. He desires the best for His sheep.
                1. "Life more abundantly."
        D. He laid down His life for His sheep.
        E. He will defend and keep His sheep.
        F. That's the kind of shepherd I want.
                1. That's the kind I need.
                2. How can I become one of His sheep?
                        a. Can I loin the church?
                        b. Canlmakeapledge? Not here!  That wouldn't get you into the fold
                           anyway.
                        c. Can I subscribed to the Apostles Creed?
                                Sure, or to Readers Digest or Time. They won't save you.
                        d. Do you believe on the Son of God?