APPROVED

“Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 CSB)

The commendation of a pastor by the congregation is important.  However, the truth is that a shepherd of God’s flock has a higher pursuit— approval by the Great Shepherd.  Commitment in the study of God’s Word with a passion to be correct in the sharing of God’s Word is the elders’ great assignment.  He must do many other things, but feeding the flock of God is paramount.  If he fails here, then he fails.  Hopefully, the sheep will appreciate the meal, but even if they turn their noses up at it or look for another pasture where more sweet treats are offered, the man of God must dig into the Word of God, stand upon it, and speak it with accuracy and authority.  For this, he will give account to God.

Pole Creek is a good church.  Not a perfect church, but a good one.  We have been favored of God by men who have been devoted to preach the Word and a membership largely that has received it with joy and sought to apply it in daily living.  I have sought to be faithful for the quarter century I have been with you.  I have every reason to believe that the next man up will do the same.

It is important to recognize your pastors for their efforts to be sharper swords in God’s hands.  They would not seek such recognition, but I think it appropriate.  During 2019, your staff has been diligent in study.

In June, Ben Heise received his Associate of Arts in Religion/Christian Ministry from Fruitland Baptist Bible College.  He drove back and forth to Hendersonville—often at night for classes—and yet was faithful to his work here at Pole Creek.  Now, he is pursuing his BA from Spurgeon College.

In December, Chase Harris completed his Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from Luther Rice Seminary.  Chase did all that while still building a vibrant student ministry.  His availability for young people and their needs has been undiminished by the volume of study he has had to do.

I appreciate all of our staff—paid and volunteer—who are making an eternal difference.  I thought it appropriate to acknowledge the commitment of these men to diligence in study in correctly teaching the Word of God.

Let me mention in closing that our music ministry is directed by one faithful to God’s Word—Steve Schultz.  You will not get fluff, but truth in the songs that we sing.  He is always concerned about sound theology and not just how a song sounds.  You may not be aware that Steve holds a Master of Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

What about this old head?  I have enrolled in Southeastern to complete my Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership!  I hope to knock that out this year, being only four courses needed.  It has been a while since I have been in school, so pray for me!

Happy New Year!  May God give us 2020 vision!

Pastor Dennis

JESUS, THE TRUE VINE: Abiding in Joy

The Christian life is often misrepresented as one of solemn servitude. Too often we do behave like sad sacks, whose favorite verse is, “Woe is me.”  That is not what Jesus offers.

Yes, there is sacrifice, but it is giving up momentary pleasure for eternal delight.  Satan wants you to think you are losing something. What you can avoid with a holy life is a hangover,  addiction, sexually transmitted disease, unwanted pregnancy, prison, death, and hell—a place of eternal suffering and sorrow.

There is service in the Christian life, but it is not drudgery—it is delight!  Peter expressed this as, “joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).

When we abide in Christ, His joy abides in us!  Even in the face of the deepest sorrow and deadly suffering on the cross, Jesus maintained His joy. “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross” (Heb.12:2). Thus, Christ’s joy is seen to be independent of circumstances—more than an emotion. Don’t get me wrong—feelings matter, but they are fickle things. Jesus offers abiding joy by abiding in Him.

We abide in Him in the Word and in prayer.  “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7). The old hymn says it well:

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.  (Austin Miles)

JESUS, THE TRUE VINE: Abiding in Love

Jesus tells us that the Christian life is about a relationship with Him. This vital connection brings His life into ours and the evidence is the fruit that we bear. At the forefront of that fruit is love.  We are to abide in love.

We are given examples of this in John 15:9, 13 in the Father’s love for the Son and the Son’s love for us. The Father’s love for the Son was demonstrated by sharing all that He is and has with Him (see John 3:35; 5:20; 17:24). The Son’s love for us was demonstrated by sacrificing all He had to save us—laying down His life for His friends (15:13). When I abide in love I follow that example in sharing and sacrifice.

We further note evidences of this in John 15:10, 12, 17. There will be the evidence of love for God (v.10) and man (v.12,17). This sums up the law of God. Jesus said elsewhere it is the Great Commandment (see Matt.22:35-40).

Then, consider the effects of this in John 15:12, 14, 16). There will be intimacy (v.14). Imagine, we are called friends of Jesus!  That suggests the closest of connections. There will be impact (v.16). The life that loves is one of eternal significance.  Our prayer life will be potent as God is pleased to answer those who pray out of a motivation of love.

Why don’t you open your Bible at 1 Cor.13, get on your knees and pray for that kind of love?  It will be life-changing!

JESUS, THE TRUE VINE: Abiding in Fruitfulness

“‘I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.’” (‭‭John‬ ‭15:1-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

This is the seventh and last of the “I AM” statements in John’s Gospel. Jesus declares that He is the True Vine in contrast to Israel that claimed to be God’s vine, yet were a false vine because they were not a fruitful vine. It is through Christ that all the covenant blessings promised to Abraham’s seed are fulfilled.

True followers of Christ are those branches that are vitally connected to Him. Christianity is not the dead branch of religion that may appear good, but has no eternal fruitfulness for there is no real relationship with Jesus. Such branches are destined for the fire. Jesus said that His followers are recognized by their fruit (Matt.7:16-20).

There will be varying degrees of fruitfulness, but there will be genuine fruit (Gal.5:22-23). Our aim is to see increasing fruitfulness and thus to glorify God.

The first essential is a saving connection. The word, “abide” is used eleven times in eleven verses. This is a relationship that comes by faith and is manifested by fruit. You never see a branch on a grape vine straining to produce fruit. It is the connection that makes the difference.  Apart from Christ, you can do nothing (v.5b)—zip, zero, zilch!

The second essential is the pruning action. Jesus is the Vine, but the Father is the Vinedresser. The way branches become productive is by pruning. Good branches are cut back and that makes them produce more fruit rather than more foliage. That it increases is seen in the progression from “fruit” to “more fruit,” (John 15:2), to “much fruit,” (v.5).    

The third essential is the spiritual transformation. This happens as we abide daily in God’s Word until it abides in us and abide in prayer with Him (v.7).  We often have scant and shriveled fruit because we spend little time in hearing from Christ in His Word and conversing with Him in prayer. You cannot expect to be fruitful for Christ in public if you are not faithful with Christ in private.

BAD NEWS; GOOD NEWS

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
— ‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‬‬

Our spiritual condition is a bad news, good news scenario. The bad news is that we are sinners separated from God—a universal condition that we are born in and throughout a lifetime of rebellious choices become entrenched in. Our final destination on that path is hell. Where is the good news?  It is this—God did not leave us in that state without remedy. We can be born again!  That second birth enables us to be in a right relationship with God and repentance brings us to right choices on a path that ends in heaven.

Without Christ, you are lost.  We are wandering farther and farther from God and closer and closer to the Abyss. That’s the bad news.  The good news is Christ is the Way.  Jesus came to be the bridge across the great divide between us and Holy God.

Without Christ, you are deceived.  That’s the bad news.  Our minds are twisted by error. The good news is Christ is the Truth.  His life that He demonstrated and the lessons that He declared revealed the truth about God and His ways.

Without Christ, you are dead in sin.  You are not merely sick, but dead, and dead people cannot fix themselves. That’s the bad news.  The good news is Christ is the Life.  He possesses resurrection power and by His Spirit will summon you through the Word of God to life.

If you have come to Christ, then rejoice and give Him praise. It was not because of anything good you have done, but the good in Him. That’s grace!

If you have not come to Him, will you hear His voice, and respond to His call today?

JESUS IS THE LIFE OF REGENERATION

 “I am the…life…”  (John 14:6).

Apart from Christ, the Bible describes us as dead in trespasses and sins. We are the walking dead.  Our bodies degrade and decay—we die physically.  Even worse, there is the second death—the Lake of Fire—eternal death, for those who reject Christ.

That is why we must be born again—regenerated and becoming a new creation in Christ!  Jesus is the source of life. It comes through a personal relationship with Christ where we receive Him by faith.

Jesus is not only the source, but the substance of life.  Paul put it this way, “For to me to live is Christ...” (Phil.1:21). The Christian life is Christ living in me—not just a changed life, but an exchanged life. Paul described it in Galatians 2:20,  “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
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Jesus is the source, substance and the sum of life.  When it’s all been said and done, all life is summed up in Jesus—to live eternally with Him.  That’s why Paul could say, “For to me to live is Christ, AND TO DIE IS GAIN.”  [Phil.1:21, emphasis added].

See how Jesus put it, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).

Here is the promise of eternal life “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” (John‬ ‭14:18-20‬)

JESUS IS THE TRUTH OF REVELATION

 “I am the…truth…”  (John 14:6).

That Baby born in Bethlehem’s manger was Truth Incarnate. He did not just come with the revelation of God’s truth in His teaching, but that teaching was true because He was the personification of God’s truth in His being.

The religions of the world claim to present truth concerning whatever deity they proclaim.  They claim to have heard from eternity and now declare the message on earth. Someone came to them—an angel, whatever—but, in Jesus we have one who came from eternity and declared Himself to be God on earth!

We are born brain damaged.  Sin has degraded our thinking.  Our eyes are blind to the truth.  The truth is diluted and distorted by the world.  Scripture warns of those ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

You cannot reach God on the ladder of logic or get to heaven on the rocket of reason.  It is logical and reasonable to believe the truth concerning God that is revealed in creation, conscience, and communication in Scripture. Yet, that is not enough. It takes the revelation of the Holy Spirit through the power of the Gospel. It isn’t that logic and reason don’t apply, but that God has ultimate truth that transcends all else. You must move beyond knowing about Jesus, to knowing Him personally!

Jesus did more than speak about God—He showed us God!  His whole life was a revelation of the Father.

“‘If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’ Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, “Show us the Father”?’” (John 14:7-9).

If you ever want to know God, then come and meet Jesus!

JESUS IS THE WAY OF RECONCILIATION

 “I am the way…no one comes to the Father except through Me.”  (John 14:6)

There is a great gulf fixed between sinful humanity and sinless Deity.  Jesus is the Bridge across that chasm.  We are estranged from God because of our sin—our rebellion against Him. We need to be reconciled to God—and there is a way.

Jesus has opened up the way to God, but we must choose that way.  He has come to us as the Way, but we must come to the Father through Him.

He is the only way, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  The Bible pictures us as sheep gone astray who cannot find our way.  We may think we are on the right path and yet the Bible warns, “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but its end is the way of death.”  Jesus said there was a broad way that leads to destruction—sadly, most are on that way—maybe you are.

But, there is another way—a narrow way.  Jesus says, “I am the way.”  Through Him alone, we can be reconciled to God.  I pray the Holy Spirit will confirm in your heart that you are truly following Christ, or show you the way of salvation in Christ if you are on the wrong way.

I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John‬ ‭14:6‬‬)

A picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why Jesus gave us object lessons to teach us the truth we dare not miss, nor forget—"that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor.15:3b-4).

When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, the elements remind us of this Gospel message. So, does baptism, as we bury and raise people in the water, declaring the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus also painted for us seven word pictures to teach us that He is the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection, and this week we will see Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Next week, we plan to consider the final “I Am,” statement—the Vine.

So, get ready to dive into this study. Jesus is the Way to God, the Truth about God, and the Life from God.  This is why Jesus came to earth—His mission to mankind.

THE TEARS OF JESUS

It is the shortest verse in the Bible—“Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Yet, how profound are those two words.

The obvious reason for why He cried is that He was in the presence of those who were mourning—especially his dear friends Mary and Martha, whose brother Lazarus has died. If Christmas means anything, it means that God entered the world as a helpless babe—who despite Luther’s well-intended sentiment, “the little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes,”—likely announced His arrival the same way all do—by crying. Scripture speaks of Jesus’, “vehement cries and tears,” (Heb.5:7) and stresses that He, “sympathizes with our weaknesses,” (Heb.4:15). Jesus knew what it was like to grieve at a graveside. When you cry those bitter tears, be assured that He has too.

Another factor, which may have led Him to weep, was that He was in the presence of those who refused to believe in Him and Jesus knew that the reason for death was unbelief and disobedience. The world had been under the curse ever since man rejected paradise by deciding he knew more than God and could handle things better himself. Jesus came to bring us back to paradise—but, many standing there that day rejected Him still. In fact, the presence of Lazarus after his resurrection provided an impetus to deal with Jesus’ threat to the religious leaders.  “From that day on, they plotted to put Him to death” (John 11:53).

Let me offer another suggestion for Christ’s tears. He knew what Lazarus was enjoying in heaven, and He was summoning Him back into a world of suffering and sorrow!  Lazarus would not be resurrected in the fullest sense, but would be restored to physical life. Since he would not be glorified, he would continue to age and die again!  That is a heartbreaking thought. Unlike many who have made movies and money sharing their journey to heaven and back, we have no recorded words of Lazarus about the experience. We know Paul was forbidden to speak of his trip to Paradise (2 Cor.12:1-4).  No wonder he lived in light of eternity and said, “to depart and be with Christ...is far better” (Phil.1:23).

The next time you go the funeral of a Christian, grieve with the family, and be broken-hearted for living in a broken world, but shed no tears for the departed. They are happier than they have ever been!  When we enter the world we cry and others rejoice, but when we depart they cry and we rejoice.

ULTIMATE FREEDOM

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.””
‭‭John‬ ‭11:25, 43-44‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Lazarus still had a problem. He had been summoned from death, yet he was bound in his grave clothes. He shuffles to the doorway of the tomb and Jesus commands, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:44).

This body can become a prison, as we long for freedom.  I have eternal life as Jesus has summoned me from the graveyard of sin and death. Yet, each day I struggle with these grave clothes. This old body I dwell in is still subject to the bondage of the curse. But, one day, I will break out and soar!

The late Dottie Rambo used to sing it this way:

The holy hills of Heaven call me
To mansions bright across the sea
Where loved ones wait and crowns are given
When the hills of home start calling me

This house of clay is but a prison
Bars of bone hold my soul
But the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open
When the angel sets my spirit free
I'll take my flight like a mighty eagle
When the hills of home start calling me

I see loved ones over yonder
Tears are gone and hearts are free
And from the throne of my Savior beckons
And the hills of home are calling me

This house of clay is but a prison
Bars of bone hold my soul
But the doors of clay are gonna burst wide open
When the angel sets my spirit free
I'll take my flight like a mighty eagle
When the hills of home start calling me
Calling me
 (You can listen on the link below)

Are you afraid of death?  The reality is that you are going to die and after this the judgment.  Listen: “God…now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained, He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30b-31)
https://youtu.be/jXrL-Z44KHc

THE GRACIOUS FULNESS OF DELIVERANCE: A Powerful Liberty

Read John 11:37-44.

Facing death, it is comforting that Jesus cares, but our greatest consolation is that Jesus conquered!  He turned every funeral into a celebration—as He does here.

There was an authoritative cry of command.  It has been well said that if Jesus had not called Lazarus personally, every dead person in the graveyard would have risen!  Some day, maybe soon, that resurrection voice will speak again.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess.4:13-18).

Those words do comfort us.  We know that in Christ, our loved ones gone before us will be waiting for our arrival. Happy reunion day! We will be fully delivered from suffering, sorrow, and sin! This is the powerful liberty we find in the resurrection. Can you imagine the joyful embrace between the sisters and their brother when Lazarus arose?  This is what we are so eager for!

When our other grandchildren are opening Christmas presents this year, we will miss our little Mya’s squeals of delight. But we will hear her laughter again, when we see her in heaven! My father used to sing much about heaven, but then disease took his music as dementia took his mind.  His voice was silenced when death came.  Now, he sings with the saints in glory and I’ll join him in the song of Moses and the Lamb someday.  “When this poor, lisping stammering tongue, lies silent in the grave, then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save.”  (William Cowper)

Do you have that hope of heaven, firmly fixed in your faith in Christ?

THE GLORIOUS FREEDOM FROM DEATH: A Promised Victory

Read John 11:17-36.

The victory is in the Victor (v.25).  One day, Jesus would not just be raising someone else from the dead—incredible as that was—but, He would lie lifeless in a tomb, dead for days.  The earth trembled and the skies grew dark as midnight, as He died.  The demons laughed in that darkness as the chains of death were wrapped around the Son of God.  Yet, Jesus shattered those shackles, and Light burst forth from the tomb, as Jesus conquered!

As He spoke at Lazarus’ tomb, He knew that time was coming, and would face it unflinching. So may we. Look at the promise (v.26).

The very nature of death has been transformed.  Did you hear how Jesus described it earlier? As sleep (v.11-14).

Sleep is harmless.  We aren’t anxious about it, but anticipate it!

Sleep is restful.  “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ “ “Yes, says the Spirit, “that they may have rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Rev.14:13).

Sleep is temporary.  We shall rise!  The body slumbers in the soil, while our spirit soars to God—then comes that great gettin’ up mornin’ when our eternal soul is united with a glorified body!

Death is just moving day.  When I speak of my grandchildren, I say, “I have thirteen—one is in heaven.” My granddaughter Mya is more alive today than she’s ever been.  She’s just in a different location.  She lives because of Jesus!

Have you placed your faith in the Son of God?  You can have that same hope!

THE GRIM FACT OF DEATH: A Present Reality

Read John 11:1-16.

There is nowhere we can run to escape the grim reaper. He will track us down.  Scripture affirms, “It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb.9:27)

Isn’t it remarkable that the Bible says that Jesus loved Lazarus, but His love did not prevent his sickness and death?  Though He had power to heal, He chose to delay with the result being Lazarus’ death.

Joni Eareckson Tada was paralyzed as a teen in a diving accident—a quadriplegic, who now is plagued by chronic pain.  Her faith is tested, but triumphant.  She says, “God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”

Why did Jesus allow Lazarus to die?  He tells the disciples that it was foremost for the glory of the Father (John 11:4) and then for the grounding of their faith (v.15, 41-42).

The disciples didn’t get it.  Martha and Mary were dismayed (v.21, 32).  Later they would know.  We see the whole story.  We live life forward, but understand it backward.  Only heaven may bring answers to our deepest questions.  That is where our faith must kick in (see 2 Cor.4:16-18; 5:6-7).

What Jesus did was share their sorrow (v.33-36).  As we face the grim fact of death, the words of this song are poignant:

“Does Jesus care, when I’ve said goodbye to the dearest on earth to me?  When my sad heart aches, till it nearly breaks, does Jesus know, can He see?  Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares.  His heart is touched by my pain.  When the days are dreary, the long night’s weary, I know my Savior cares.”

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25)

There are many fears that people face.  There is acrophobia—the fear of heights; agoraphobia—the fear of crowds; arachnophobia—the fear of spiders.  By the time we get to the z’s—we end with zoophobia—the fear of animals.

You might laugh at some of those, but there is one fear that plagues us all—necrophobia—the fear of death.  That grim specter haunts humanity.

It is not only our greatest fear, but our greatest foe—rightfully so.  We all must face it, and we cannot fight it.  Yet, one Man battled it and beat it! Christ has conquered death!  Because He lives, we shall live also.  The story of Christ raising Lazarus from the dead—a story documented in the eleventh chapter of John—will be our focus this week. I hope you will join us for the study each day!

CHRIST’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE FATHER

We conclude this week’s study of Christ as the Good Shepherd today. There are three relationships Jesus identifies in John 10:11-42. Two of these that we have previously considered are Christ’s relationship to the false shepherds and to His flock. Today, we will ponder His relationship to His Father.

We know that the Father identifies Himself as the LORD, our Shepherd, in the twenty-third Psalm. Now, in John 10, Jesus identifies Himself with Yahweh Rohi of Psalm 23.

Jesus and the Father are UNITED AS ONE. “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30). This is a direct claim to Deity. The Father and Son are not the same Person, but One in essence.   The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Father, but the Son is as much God as God the Father.

Jesus is UNIQUE AS THE ONLY ONE. “Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?’ The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said, ‘You are gods’?” If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.’ Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.” (John‬ ‭10:31-39).

Jesus quotes Psalm 82:6.  There, human judges, as God’s representatives, are referred to as “gods,”—the Hebrew word, “elohim”—thus, expected to judge righteously, as God does (for further study see: https://www.gotquestions.org/you-are-gods.html ). The thought is that since a human judge can be called a “god,” how much more proper is it for the Son of God to claim to be God. Yet, He was uniquely, the Son of God—not just God’s representative as an elohim, but Elohim in the flesh!  Jesus deserves our worship and demands our allegiance.

Are you a sheep or a goat? Are you part of Christ’s flock and following Him?  It is the difference between heaven and hell.

CHRIST’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE FLOCK: A Lasting Relationship

In previous studies, we have seen that the Good Shepherd has a loving and living relationship with His sheep. He loved them enough to save them by His crucifixion. He laid down His life for the sheep. He loved them enough to seal them by His resurrection. We have a living Shepherd because He arose!  Today, we will consider that we have a lasting relationship with the Good Shepherd, for He loves us enough to secure us by His intercession. As the writer of Hebrews says, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (7:25)

But, what if we wander?  According to the parable in Luke 11, Jesus will relentlessly pursue one stray sheep.  Eternal life is promised and eternal means unending.  Could you have it and lose it, then how might it be said to be eternal?

If we aren’t saved by good works, we can’t be lost by bad ones.  Nothing can pry us from His hands!  The Good Shepherd has a rod and staff. The staff will reach out to us and pull us back. Though the rod is used primarily to club the wolf that attacks and protect the flock, there are times when it becomes a chastening rod to painfully teach the sheep a lesson. That temporal pain, lovingly inflicted by the Shepherd, is for our eternal gain. 

Our security doesn’t give an excuse for sin.  Grace is not a justification for doing what we want, but the power for doing what God wants. If you are looking for an excuse to sin that means you aren’t one of His sheep, for Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭10:27‬). That doesn’t mean we won’t ever stray away, but we cannot stay away. The Good Shepherd will see to that!

CHRIST’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE FLOCK: A Living Relationship

A dead shepherd can offer no real hope for eternal life as heroic as His death might be.  Jesus, however, speaks of His power to seize His life again.  He not only died to save us, but lives to secure us!  I can assert today, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” and it is true!

He knows us (John 10:14). That meant intimacy to the Hebrew mind, as “Adam knew his wife.”  Warren Wiersbe points out in his “Bible Exposition Commentary,” that Jesus knows our names, nature, and needs. Let me expand on that.

He Knows Our Names (v.3).  Jesus knew Simon, and summoned him by name.  He even gave the fisherman a new name—Peter, the Rock.  Jesus walked by a tax collector’s office and called him by name, “Levi,” who took a new name, “Matthew,” which means, “the gift of God.”  This is what Jesus did for the man in calling him to salvation—a gift of forgiveness for him, and what the man became in his call to service—a gift of God to the church.  He looked up in a tree and called, “Zaccheus,” to salvation.  He called Lazarus from the dead.  After His resurrection, Mary came to the empty tomb and did not recognize Jesus, blinded by her grief.  That is until Jesus spoke her name, “Mary.”  Our impersonal, computerized society has reduced us to a number.  We wait in line for service by taking a number. But Jesus calls us by name!

He Knows Our Nature.  If I looked at a bunch of sheep today, I would have a hard time distinguishing among them.  A shepherd, however, knows each one—they are all different.  God doesn’t expect me to be a clone of someone else.  He isn’t surprised by my individual wants and weaknesses.

Also He Knows Our Needs.  Recall what David said, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Want what?  Nothing!  Fill in the blank!  I read the story of John Morgan, pastor of Sagemont Baptist Church in Texas. He and his son were out and their old Chevy Blazer wouldn’t start.  He told his son not to leave the car. During that time, the river flooded and Morgan got back to rescue his son, just in time. The boy said, “Daddy, I knew I could count on you!” You can count on your Good Shepherd!

CHRIST’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE FLOCK: A Loving Relationship

If you are ever tempted to think that God doesn’t love you, just look at the cross.  Roman power did not nail Him there, but love held Him on the tree!

This meant that His death was voluntary. He said, “I lay down My life,” (v.15b, 17-18).  He could have summoned the armies of angel warriors to swoop from heaven with fiery swords and slay His foes.  He, that by a cry of command, summoned a dead friend from a tomb, could speak a word and kill His enemies. Yet, He did not!

And notice it wasn’t just His love for the flock, but His love for the Father that moved Him to obedience, “This command I have received from My Father.” (v.18c). So, it is for the true shepherds—the spiritual leaders of the church today (Read John 21:15-19).

His death was voluntary and vicarious, “I lay down My life for the sheep.” (v.15b).  “Vicarious” means, “taking the place of another.”  Jesus suffered and was sacrificed for the sheep.

“Crown of thorns, the spear, deep in His side;
And all the pain should have been mine.
Those rusty nails were meant for me,
But Jesus took them, and let me go free!
And I should have been crucified,
I should have suffered and died.
I should have hung on the cross in disgrace,
But Jesus, God’s Son, took my place.” (Gordon Jensen).

CHRIST’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE FALSE SHEPHERDS

In the Bible, any leader of God’s people might be referred to as a shepherd—whether it be a prince, prophet, or priest.  In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees had taken the position of being spiritual shepherds in Israel.  Jesus calls them, “hirelings,” or as the ESV renders it, “hired hands.”  It was a labor to perform and not a love to pursue.  They were about prestige, power, and possessions.

In contrast, we see Jesus as FAITHFUL RATHER THAN FAITHLESS.  A good shepherd would be loyal to the flock when a predator attacked, but a hired hand would leave the flock to save their own skin.  I think about so many so-called shepherds today who are fleecing the sheep for their own benefit rather than feeding the sheep for the flock’s blessing.  They get on TV and tearfully plead with poor widows to help fund their ministry and feed the needy, while they live in luxury.  What a contrast to Jesus, who was a giver and not a taker!

Another way to describe the contrast is SACRIFICIAL RATHER THAN SELFISH.  Jesus would lay down His life for the sheep.  The hired hands run for their lives.  Jesus described His mission in Mark 10:45, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  Here is a strategic difference: the Good Shepherd loves the sheep for He has paid a price—a ransom for them—His own life.

Look at what Jesus says about these hired hands:  “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.” (John‬ ‭10:12).  Every one of His sheep are precious to Jesus.

Do you love the church?  That is His flock.  How do you respond when called to serve the sheep?  If you are a leader, do you do it in love?  Be careful how you criticize one of Christ’s sheep and how you treat them. The Good Shepherd is watching!

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

We tend to identify ourselves by what we do.  When asked about yourself, you might tell your name, something about your family or where you are from—but, very quickly you will get to what you do for a living.  We say, “I am a baker;  I am a banker;  I am a builder,” or some such.

Jesus identifies Himself in John 10:11 as, “The Good Shepherd.”  Bible teacher, Warren Wiersbe points out that some of the greatest people in the Bible were shepherds by occupation—people like Abel, Moses, and David.  But, as the stars vanish at the rising of the sun, so Jesus outshines them all.

In the Bible, Jesus is called, “the Good Shepherd,” here, “the Great Shepherd,” (Heb.13:20), and “the Chief Shepherd,” (1 Pet.5:4).  As such, Jesus seeks and saves His lost lambs and then shepherds His flock. There are three relationships of the Good Shepherd we want to discuss this week. I hope you will join us each day.

THE ONLY DOOR

The Methodist missionary, E. Stanley Jones, was once lost in the jungles of India. He secured a native to guide him back to civilization.  For many hours the man cut through the bush, and Jones became worried. He asked, “Where’s the path?”  The guide answered, “I am the path!”  

Jesus says that to you today. He is the door—you must come through Him.  There is no other entrance to heaven. Christ declared, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” (John‬ ‭10:1‬)

Yes, there is only one door, but because of the grace of God, there is a door!

JESUS IS A SECURE DOOR

Doors offer protection.  They are a way in for friends and family, but a way to close access by fiends and foes.  Jesus as our door offers us protection.

This suggests that there is PERIL.  Our text speaks of a thief come to steal, kill, and destroy.  Sheep are in danger of rustlers who will steal them and ravenous beasts who will slay them.  This symbolizes Satan and his henchmen.  Jesus warned in the Sermon on the Mount about false teachers—“wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

Remember the setting of this teaching.  Jesus has healed a man blind from birth, but because it was done on the Sabbath Day, the religious leaders attacked Jesus (see John 9:26-34).  Jesus condemned these religious teachers as being spiritually blind (9:39-41).  Elsewhere Jesus called them blind guides, leading those blind in sin—and both would end in a ditch of doom!

Their kind are still around today. They show up at your door peddling their poison or gain access to your mind through TV, radio, and the internet.  Sadly, some stand in pulpits. Be careful who you listen to! Don’t be led astray!

There is peril, but thankfully PROTECTION.  The true flock of God are said to recognize the shepherd’s voice and follow Him, while also recognizing a stranger’s voice and fleeing him (10:3-5).  By this inner witness—a spiritual alarm goes off when you hear deception.  You are kept safe.  You run to Christ as your refuge.

Satan has to go through Christ to get to you.  Whether you are in the fold or in the field, He is there to watch over you.  Christ is our protection—a secure door.

JESUS IS A SATISFYING DOOR

Jesus promises a door that leads His sheep into the safety of His care and the satisfaction of His pasture.  What He gives us is real, deep, abiding satisfaction—the abundant life!

IN HIM THERE IS SATISFYING FREEDOM.  We can go in and out.  Once we were sheep penned up and destined for the slaughter.  Jesus set us free!  Maybe you’ve heard the story told by Pastor S.D. Gordon about running into a small boy with a cage full of birds. He planned to play with them, then feed them to his cat.  Gordon bought them and set them free.  Satan had us caged, and playing with us, at last planning to doom us, but Jesus paid the price to set us free!

IN HIM THERE IS SATISFYING FOOD.  This is the promise of pasture.  What Satan will feed you can never satisfy you.  The stuff of this world is junk food, that rather than nourishing you, will kill you.  What Jesus offers is peace, joy, love, forgiveness, hope, and ultimately heaven!

IN HIM THERE IS SATISFYING FULNESS.  We have abundant life.  The word abundance comes from a Latin expression meaning, “to rise in waves; to overflow.”  It pictures the waves of God’s blessing rolling in—one after another—until our life is flooded with His fulness!

Why would you not want to enter that Door?

JESUS IS A SINGULAR DOOR

Jesus claimed to be “the Door”—the one and only (John 10:9a).

On one hand, doors are commonplace.  There are ornate doors at the Biltmore House, steel doors in a bank vault, canvas doors in a tent, glass doors in greenhouses.

How many doors do you have at your house?  Whatever kind of door we talk about, they serve basically two purposes: entrance when open and exclusion when closed.

• ENTRANCE.  In the days of Noah, God said He would judge the wicked populace with a flood.  He told Noah in grace to build an ark.  It had a single door.  When the time for judgment came, God invited Noah and his family into that door and to bring the various species of animals to preserve them.  Noah had been warning sinners to repent and inviting them into the ark—the door was wide open, but it was the one way.  You could not be saved unless you entered that one door.  Jesus is the one way to escape God’s wrath.  Today the invitation is open to all—just step inside and come to Christ!

• EXCLUSION.  The door that Noah entered was closed by God—securing him in, but shutting others out.  So, Jesus pleads with you to come to Him today, but tomorrow might be too late.  How many will climb in a car today for a trip and never reach their destination—dying suddenly in a fiery car crash?  You might leave your house today for the last time—and before the night is out a heart attack brings you face to face with God. We don’t know when, but we know that day is coming.  Are you ready?

There is a singular door to salvation—Jesus!

I AM THE DOOR

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.’” (John‬ ‭10:7‬‬)

They called us the Jesus People. In the late 1960’s and early 70’s, a number of hippies were turning off to drugs and turning on to Jesus.  A lot of these former flower children became evangelists, missionaries, and pastors.  I was one.

A popular expression of the time was an index finger pointing skyward and declaring “One Way.”  I had a patch that proclaimed that on the back pocket of my bell-bottom jeans.

That message, whether expressed by a teen in jeans or a pastor in a suit is still true. There is but one door into eternal life and Jesus is that Door.  Jesus Himself declared that here.  This week we will dig deeper into that claim of Christ.