JESUS HAD JUST FINISHED A CONFLICT WITH JEWS, BUT HE COULD NOT LEAVE JERUSALEM ANGRY- RATHER LOVE, SADNESS

1. Jesus points with illustration and application to OT Door- Covenant Mercy, Gospel Promises
2. Three great Bible Themes on Shepherds- 1- Good (Ps 22 and John 10) gives life for sheep 2.-Great(Ps 23 and Heb 13:20) care for and perfect she through parables- open to willing ones. 3.-Chief (Ps 24 and I Pet 5:4) comes to reward 
3. Great truths hidden from hard hearts

I.- THE PARABLE SPOKEN BY JESUS John 1:1-6

With the story of the eastern shepherd and the sheepfold Jesus shows the true and false leaders

A.- "HE THAT ENTERETH NOT BY THE DOOR - IS A THIEF AND A ROBBER" V.1

1. The Village sheepfold was cared for by a porter who guarded the sheep by night
2. The door through which God reaches his Sheep- thru mercy, love, compassion - OT Truth taught
3. But the Jewish leadership objected to a man being given sight- on Sabbath day!  Not much love.

B.- "THE TRUE SHEPHERD ENTERS IN THROUGH THE DOOR" v. 2,3 AND HE IS KNOWN BY THE PORTER -

1. The guardian of the Portal could easily recognize the true shepherd- and opened the door to him
2. The real shepherd came through the door - Mercy, Love, Compassion!-  These are attributes of God!
3. But those He called were His sheep- to be led out to be taught, fed, and cared for!-

C.- HE CALLETH HIS SHEEP BY NAME V. 3,4 AND THEY KNOW HIS VOICE AND FOLLOW HIM

1. The sheep recognize their own Shepherd's voice- and come when He calls them- & follow Him
2. They have learned to recognize His voice to trust Him, and to obey Him!- Do you hear Him today?
3. The Stranger is also recognized as a stranger- and not followed- indeed he scares away the sheep

This was a parable- but Greek word suggests more:- a Proverb, or an allegory:- stronger, more real

II.- THE APPLICATION GIVEN BY JESUS v. 7-17

Jesus gave three very pointed pictures of Himself in making application to his parable!

A.- "I AM THE DOOR" v. 9 THIS MEANS HE IS THE ONLY ENTRANCE TO GOD'S KINGDOM OF REST & SECURITY

1. "By me if any MAN" this means more than sheep, & it means more than just earthly grazing!
2. "Shall be Saved" this is man's first need! "in & out, pasture" daily need and guidance
3. Any others are robbers-motive is mutton; but motive of Jesus- v.10b our own abundant life

B.- "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD" V.11 THIS MEANS THE ONE WHO GIVES HIS LIFE FOR HIS SHEEP

1. The principle of Psalm 22 is that of the Savior dying for His own!- Saving us by dying for us
2. The Hireling flees when the sheep are threatened- the wolf, thief, -Satan seeking souls of men
3. But Jesus cares for his sheep- does not exploit, but cares for the sheep.  Are you fleece or mutton?

C.- "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD" v. 14 THIS EMPHASIZES THE ONE WHO KNOWS HIS SHEEP AND IS KNOWN

1. The oriental Shepherd knew & was known!- Those who heard Jesus divided into two- some knew,
2. Jesus has other sheep not of this fold - Gentiles (YOU)- But ALL His sheep know His voice!
3. Some today would use this to draw us into one ecumenical movement- but His Sheep know!

These verses like some Psalms of Assent- rise till they reach the peak - in final unity

III.- WHAT APPLICATION DO YOU MAKE ?? v. 24-28

Now, as then, people argue religious politics, and miss the full truth of the Grace & love of God

A.- "IF THOU BE THE CHRIST, TELL US PLAINLY" V. 24 THE PEOPLE WERE ARGUING OVER THE PERSON OF JESUS

1. I hear these words often about God's leadership for individual lives- Let God show men plain
2. The Lord has told us plainly and often- even as He did them -v.25 He told & He showed works
3. People today don't want to believe Him any more than they did then- we want our own way!

B.- "MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE " v. 27 "AND FOLLOW ME" -HERE IS PLAIN TEACHING ON REAL OBEDIENCE

1. Only one way to become HIS Sheep- that is through the door!- Jesus is the door!-
2. But if you are saved- you will know His voice- if you do not know His voice you aren't saved Do you?
3. If you are saved you will follow Him- little lambs may play, but they OBEY V. 28

C.- "AND I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE, AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH...NO MAN PLUCK THEM"

1. Baptists call this Eternal Security- Strombeck's Book- "Shall Never Perish" Do you believe?
2. If Jesus has given you Eternal Life- it lasts forever!- If it perishes it was not eternal
3. No man pluck you out of His hand!- No false shepherd is able to steal sheep from Lord!-

If you leave His Flock- it means you never were one of His!- Jews took up stones- 31

SHEEP STEALING AND CATTLE RUSTLING WERE AND ARE SERIOUS MATTERS; ARE YOU SAFE WITH THE LORD?

1. Make sure you have come in by the Door!- Through Jesus Christ!- No other way, truth, life
2. Make sure you hear His voice- & follow Him obey him!- Search the word!
3. Rest Secure in His Fold!  If you do hot have real peace and security- find out why!