Scripture:
Matthew 18:10-14 NKJV and John 10:7-16 NKJV
[10] “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. [11] For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. [12] “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? [13] And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. [14] Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
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[7] Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. [9] I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. [11] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. [12] But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. [13] The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. [15] As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. [16] And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Observation:
I know that I have taken two different groups of scriptures here, it was only done so that the truth can be seen, and bring our faith to exactly where it needs to be. As we can see and most of us know there is only one way to GOD that’s through the gate that we just had the opportunity to read about. This morning as we dive in, what I hope to encourage all of us to do is get into the word and find out what is being said directly to us. As we look at what is being said in the first portion of scriptures, what we see is the characteristics of a true shepherd, a shepherd who not only loves HIS sheep but wants what’s best for them. Let’s take a look at the first verse which says, “take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” As I started to process what that statement meant. It took me back to Isaiah chapter 6 as Isaiah stood in the throne room of GOD watching the angels fly around GOD describing what they saw as they looked at HIS face, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, is the LORD GOD almighty the whole earth is filled with HIS glory. HIS most prized position is man, I can only imagine the love HE has for that creation, so much love that HE sent a shepherd to lead us back when we are lost, that picture gave me a clear picture of what the first verse we are looking at today was saying, “Do not despise one of HIS.” Don’t look at them as different. As Jesus continues to speak HE starts to build HIS point. The reason HE came is for those whom we tend to look at with indifference. The stance that HE takes is to pursue those who are lost. So much that HE will leave the flock to chase them down. A true shepherd has a heart for all of HIS sheep. Especially the ones that start to head another direction. He pursues them, leaving the rest. Because the one is just as important in HIS mind as the 99. HE came to save the lost, as we look further into the scripture, about sheep and how the process work we can see the difference between the one true shepherd and a hired hand, and that’s the point I’m wanting to get to, Jesus is what our focus should be on, anything else is insufficient. It’s like putting our faith in a hired hand, and as we can see that doesn’t lead to a good end. Looking at exactly what the scripture says the shepherd again is addressing the people not only telling them some hard truth about those who had been placed in positions of leadership, but about HIMSELF as well HE is the way. As I was typing that statement what came to my mind was 1st Corinthians chapter on where Paul is talking about how the church is following particular individuals and forgetting that it was Jesus who is the only way. Verse 7 here in the 10th chapter of John’s gospel tells us that there is no other gate . No one else can get you there. As HE describes all who had come before HIM, there is one word that comes to mind that HE uses to describe them. Well it’s actually a phrase, thieves and robbers. Which brings me to one of my points John chapter 10 and verse 10. The true shepherd is not trying to get something from you. HE is trying to get something to you, a hired hand may have a heart for you and they may not. They may be just trying to fill a sheep pen and never release you to grass fields, and when danger comes rather than helping or protecting they run. Keeping the ones in the pen safe but forgetting the one who needed them. There is so much here. But my point is we can not put our faith in anyone but Jesus. Pastors will let you down. They are flawed. Knowing how to hear the voice of the true shepherd is the key to walking with Christ. Verse 14 is a cornerstone to the whole thing. Placing our faith in anyone but the king of kings and LORD of LORDS is our only hope. A true shepherd is willing to not only leave the flock but HE is also willing to lay down HIS life. I love how Jesus finishes out this statement in verse 16, “ And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they hear my voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” HE is speaking about the Church, not your church “THE CHURCH” not a church led by a hired hand but “THE CHURCH led by the one true shepherd. The one who laid down HIS life rather than running when danger came.
Application:
As long as there are labels over down and men in charge. Sheep will continue to be devoured by the enemy. We can not put our trust in man. They will let us down. The only one who will not leave you in times of trouble is Jesus. HE is the true shepherd. I have had the opportunity of the past several years to attend several churches, and what I have noticed in the last 5 years or so is that a lot of people are putting their trust in man. I have heard the phrase Paul made in the first Corinthians chapter one more than I am willing to admit. It seems like a charismatic leader is what we are seeking. I can see how we run to ear tickling preaching that leads to a lack of conviction. With no conviction there is no repentance. With no repentance there is no redemption, and the sheep will continue to be devoured. As the so-called shepherd’s never leave the 99. In a sense throwing the one to the wolves to save the 99. As “THE CHURCH” we need to have a heart for the lost. We have to be willing to speak the truth in a manner that draws them out of their sin. I am not pointing out anyone in particular. So before you get mad thinking I’m calling out your hired hand (pastor) , hold on. What I’m saying is, in the last days our focus can not be on a pastor it has to be on Jesus. We can not follow man. Over and over in the bible that warning is given. My desire is not to run anyone down. I want to point us all to the gate. It’s not found in pastor so-and-so it’s found in Jesus, you know HIS voice by getting HIS word yourselves. Any real shepherd will not direct you to trust them, and they will not avoid certain parts of the scripture because they bring conviction. They will not tickle your ears telling you that life and treasure here matters. This life is not the one that is important. It’s all about what happens after you leave here. Have you found the gate… or are you trusting man to get you there. The only way is Jesus. Pastor so-and-so could be wrong but the Bible never is. If you are taking your Pastors word for it and he is 1 degree off think about where that will lead over a journey of 1000 miles. The gate is Jesus and it’s narrow. Not many will find it. It’s the only way into the kingdom. John chapter 1 starting at the beginning tells us how to find Jesus. HE is found in the word of GOD. We are the sheep that were not in the fold yet found at the end of the verses that we looked at this morning as we read the scripture the Holy Spirit will reveal our LORD and SAVIOR to us when we learn HIS voice that is found in that scripture we will follow HIM and not be misled. What I am saying is trust GOD and GOD alone. HE is the way maker, no one else can get you there. Don’t be a Facebook follower of some pastor that could be wrong. Dig into the word and allow GOD to reveal HIS truth. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you, ask for wisdom and trust that GOD will do just that. Don’t trust your salvation to a hired hand, trust it to Jesus and Jesus alone.
Prayer:
Father, you have made it clear, your SON is the only way. You have instructed us over and over not to be deceived. You are a personal GOD, and what you desire is our hearts to be set on you and nothing else. Your desire is that we trust you, as the author and finisher of our faith. This morning our request is simple, place a strong desire in us to read and understand your word. That’s where our relationship with you is developed. You are the true shepherd. The one who laid down your life. Help us to see your truth clearly and train our ears to hear you. We do not want to be deceived, and in this day and age that can happen pretty easily if we do not focus on our personal relationship with YOU. Keep our eyes fixed on you. Reveal the traps that the enemy sets guide us into wisdom that is found in the book you chose to reveal yourself through. Overwhelm us with your Holy Spirit. Help us to not only seek your truth but to see the parts that are underneath the surface. We are asking for wisdom so that we would not be deceived, what an amazing GOD you are. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and it’s in HIS mighty name we pray amen.