john’s account of jesus. core values love, unity, faith, commitment, freedom, change freedom is...

Son of ThunderSon of Thunder

Stranger DangerStranger Danger

John 10:1-21John 10:1-21

John’s Account of John’s Account of JesusJesus

Core ValuesCore ValuesLove, Unity, Faith, Love, Unity, Faith, Commitment, Commitment, FreedomFreedom, , ChangeChange

Freedom is the one value Freedom is the one value churches trample upon most churches trample upon most

Core ValuesCore ValuesLove, Unity, Faith, Love, Unity, Faith, Commitment, Commitment, FreedomFreedom, , ChangeChange

Freedom is the ability to be Freedom is the ability to be exactly who God made you to exactly who God made you to be, and to make your own be, and to make your own decisions in areas the bible decisions in areas the bible doesn’t specifically addressdoesn’t specifically address

Core ValuesCore ValuesFreedom is freedom to do- Freedom is freedom to do- AND freedom to abstain from AND freedom to abstain from doingdoing

Involves:Involves:

Personality and its expressionPersonality and its expression

Cultural issuesCultural issues

Worship observancesWorship observances

ResponsibilityResponsibility

Core ValuesCore Values

““It is for freedom that Christ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”- by a yoke of slavery”- Galatians 5:1Galatians 5:1

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!

Sheep and ShepherdsSheep and Shepherds


Blind PhariseesBlind Pharisees

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!"I tell you the truth, the man "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the who does not enter the sheep pen sheep pen by the gateby the gate, but , but climbs in by some other way, climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber…”- vs. is a thief and a robber…”- vs. 11

““Amen, amen”= Amen, amen”= solemn solemn assertion about Jesus or his assertion about Jesus or his missionmission


Many MessiahsMany Messiahs::• Simon of Peraea (4 BC)Simon of Peraea (4 BC)

• Athronges (3 BC)Athronges (3 BC)

• Theudas (??)Theudas (??)

• Judas of Galilee (AD 6)Judas of Galilee (AD 6)

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!……by the gate…by the gate…• Virgin-born (Isaiah 7)Virgin-born (Isaiah 7)

• In Bethlehem (Micah 5)In Bethlehem (Micah 5)

• David’s seed (Jeremiah 23)David’s seed (Jeremiah 23)

• ““God with us…” God with us…” (Isaiah 9)(Isaiah 9)

• ““out of Egypt…” out of Egypt…” (Hosea 11)(Hosea 11)

• Teach in parables (Psalm 38)Teach in parables (Psalm 38)

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!……by the gate…by the gate…• Kings would pay homage (Psalm Kings would pay homage (Psalm

72)72)

• Blind see and deaf hear (Isaiah 35)Blind see and deaf hear (Isaiah 35)

• Accused by false witnesses (Psalm Accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35)35)

• Betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41) for Betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41) for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11)30 pieces of silver (Zech 11)

• Crucified with criminals and buried Crucified with criminals and buried with the rich (Isaiah 53)with the rich (Isaiah 53)


"I tell you the truth, the "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter man who does not enter the sheep pen by the the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a some other way, is a thiefthief and a and a robberrobber…”- …”- vs. 1vs. 1

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!•Thief=Thief= kleptes- kleptes-

subtlety/trickerysubtlety/trickery

•Robber= Robber= lestes- violence lestes- violence or forceor force

Neither care about the Neither care about the welfare of the sheepwelfare of the sheep


SheepSheep

ShepherdsShepherds

WolvesWolves


““The man who enters by The man who enters by the gate is the the gate is the shepherdshepherd of his sheep. The of his sheep. The watchmanwatchman opens the gate opens the gate for him, and the sheep for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name his own sheep by name and leads them out…and leads them out…


……When he has brought When he has brought out all his own, he goes out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him his sheep follow him because they know his because they know his voice- vs. 2-4voice- vs. 2-4


God:God:• Knows me by nKnows me by nameame

• Never sNever sendsends without without going on ahead and going on ahead and guidingguiding


There is nothing I will There is nothing I will face that God didn’t face that God didn’t already know aboutalready know about


Shepherd- Shepherd- Psalm 23Psalm 23

Watchman-Watchman- John the John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1)Baptist (Malachi 3:1)


ShepherdShepherd• ““Sheep listen to his Sheep listen to his voice”voice”

• Brings out Brings out “his own”“his own”

• ““Sheep follow him”Sheep follow him”

• ““He goes on ahead of He goes on ahead of them”them”


How do I know I belong to How do I know I belong to God and not to religion?God and not to religion?

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!But they will never follow a But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because run away from him because they do not recognize a they do not recognize a stranger's voice." Jesus stranger's voice." Jesus used this figure of speech, used this figure of speech, but but they did not they did not understand understand what he was what he was telling them- vs. 5-6telling them- vs. 5-6


Therefore Jesus said Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the again, "I tell you the truth, truth, II am am the gatethe gate for for the sheep. the sheep. All who ever All who ever came before mecame before me were were thieves and robbers, but thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen the sheep did not listen to them…to them…


““I’m a Wigwam! I’m a I’m a Wigwam! I’m a Teepee!”Teepee!”


Change in function, not Change in function, not personperson


Wounds= anoint with oil Wounds= anoint with oil for healingfor healing

Thirsty= waterThirsty= water


GateGate • Sole determiner of who Sole determiner of who gets ingets in

• Heal and restore/reviveHeal and restore/revive

• Protect from wandering offProtect from wandering off

• Protect from thievesProtect from thieves

• Protect from predatorsProtect from predators


……I am the gate; whoever I am the gate; whoever enters through me will enters through me will be saved. He will come be saved. He will come in and go out, and find in and go out, and find pasture- vs. 7-9pasture- vs. 7-9

““Find pasture…”Find pasture…”

……Do not worryDo not worry, saying, , saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?‘ For 'What shall we wear?‘ For the pagans run after all the pagans run after all these things, and your these things, and your heavenly Father knows heavenly Father knows that you need them…that you need them…

““Find pasture…”Find pasture…”

……But seek first his kingdom But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own- Matthew trouble of its own- Matthew 6:31-346:31-34


It’s impossible to follow It’s impossible to follow Jesus fully and be ruled Jesus fully and be ruled by worryby worry


““The thief comes only to The thief comes only to steal and kill and steal and kill and destroy; destroy;

I have come that they I have come that they may have life, and have may have life, and have it to the full”- vs. 10it to the full”- vs. 10


Thief- Thief- promises great promises great things, delivers the things, delivers the oppositeopposite

Jesus- Jesus- promises life “to promises life “to the full”- and delivers the full”- and delivers on iton it


Thief- Thief- “Go get it! You “Go get it! You deserve it…”deserve it…”

Jesus- Jesus- “Keep it and you’ll “Keep it and you’ll lose it. Give it away and lose it. Give it away and you’ll find it…” you’ll find it…”

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!Command those who are Command those who are rich in this present world rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, to put their hope in God, who richly provides us who richly provides us with everything with everything for our for our enjoymentenjoyment……

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!……Command them to do Command them to do good, to be rich in good good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be deeds, and to be generous generous and willing to shareand willing to share. In this . In this way they will lay up way they will lay up treasure for themselves as treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the a firm foundation for the coming age, coming age, so thatso that they they may take hold of the life may take hold of the life that is truly life- 1 Tim. 6that is truly life- 1 Tim. 6


God wants us to God wants us to enjoyenjoy his his giftsgifts


God links:God links:• Focus of our tFocus of our trustrust with with the ability to enjoy life the ability to enjoy life and life’s giftsand life’s gifts

• GGenerosityenerosity with living life with living life “to the full”“to the full”

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!• If I’m not able to enjoy If I’m not able to enjoy

life, I need to life, I need to consider…?consider…?

• If my life is not “to the If my life is not “to the full,” I need to full,” I need to consider…?consider…?


God promises life “to the God promises life “to the full,” not ease of livingfull,” not ease of living

• ““Deny yourself, take up Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow your cross and follow me…”me…”

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!To enjoy God’s gifts:To enjoy God’s gifts:

• Love the Giver more than the Love the Giver more than the giftsgifts

• Let go of control of my own Let go of control of my own lifelife

• Let go of my hold: Let go of my hold: possessions, relationships, possessions, relationships, vocation, geography, etc.vocation, geography, etc.


Shepherd!Shepherd!


““The only Christian who The only Christian who isn’t a satisfied isn’t a satisfied customer is the one who customer is the one who doesn’t shop God’s doesn’t shop God’s store exclusively”store exclusively”


““I am the good shepherd. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd The good shepherd lays lays down his lifedown his life for the for the sheep…sheep…


God will never aGod will never asksk of us of us more than what he’s more than what he’s given to usgiven to us


“…“…The hired hand is not The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock wolf attacks the flock and scatters it…and scatters it…


“…“…The man runs away The man runs away because he is a hired because he is a hired hand and cares nothing hand and cares nothing for the sheep- vs. 11-13for the sheep- vs. 11-13


Who/what are the Who/what are the wolves?wolves?


Jesus dies for his ownJesus dies for his own

Hired hands may lead the Hired hands may lead the sheep, but they just sheep, but they just want the moneywant the money


Who are the “hired Who are the “hired hands?”hands?”


Careful!Careful!

• MoneyMoney

• Growth/EgoGrowth/Ego

• Power/ControlPower/Control


What about my reasons?What about my reasons?

• What I can get out of it?What I can get out of it?

• How it serves me?How it serves me?

• If it’s the style I like/the If it’s the style I like/the way I want it?way I want it?


Or…How can I:Or…How can I:

• Serve Jesus and his Serve Jesus and his people?people?

• Sacrificially?Sacrificially?

• Make disciples by being a Make disciples by being a disciple/carrying a cross?disciple/carrying a cross?


"I am the good shepherd; "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my I know my sheep and my sheep sheep knowknow me— just as me— just as the Father knows me the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I know the Father—and I lay down my life and I lay down my life for the sheep- vs. 14-15 for the sheep- vs. 14-15


Know= Know= trusting and trusting and intimate knowledge with intimate knowledge with a view towards valuea view towards value


“…“…I have I have other sheepother sheep that are not of this that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will them also. They too will listen to my voice, and listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock there shall be one flock and one shepherd…and one shepherd…


God’s Plan from the God’s Plan from the Beginning:Beginning:

• Unity in diversityUnity in diversity

• Genesis 12:2-3- Genesis 12:2-3- “All “All peoples on earth will be peoples on earth will be blessed…”blessed…”

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!God’s Plan from the God’s Plan from the Beginning:Beginning:

There are different kinds of gifts, There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them the same God works all of them in all men- 1 Cor. 12:4-6in all men- 1 Cor. 12:4-6


“…“…The reason my Father The reason my Father loves me is that I lay loves me is that I lay down my life—only to down my life—only to take it up again. take it up again. No one No one takes it from metakes it from me, but I , but I lay it down of my own lay it down of my own accord…”accord…”


“…“…I have authority I have authority to lay to lay it down and authority to it down and authority to take it up again. This take it up again. This command I received command I received from my Father”- vs. 17-from my Father”- vs. 17-1818


No one took Jesus’ lifehe No one took Jesus’ lifehe chose to give itchose to give it


No one brought him back- No one brought him backhe decided to come backhe decided to come back


Jesus has the power of Jesus has the power of life and death because life and death because he’s the author of lifehe’s the author of life


How can that change how How can that change how we view tragedy?we view tragedy?

Stranger Danger!Stranger Danger!At these words the Jews were At these words the Jews were

again again divided.divided. Many of them said, "He is Many of them said, "He is

demon-possessed and demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to raving mad. Why listen to him?“him?“

But others said, "These are But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of a demon open the eyes of the blind?”- vs. 19-21the blind?”- vs. 19-21


How is the division a How is the division a fulfillment of what Jesus fulfillment of what Jesus just said?just said?

TakeawaysTakeaways::

““There is nothing I will There is nothing I will face that God didn’t face that God didn’t already know about”already know about”

• Do I believe that?Do I believe that?

• How might that change How might that change how I’m dealing with life how I’m dealing with life today?today?


Am I following Jesus? Or Am I following Jesus? Or religion?religion?

• Do I need to make a Do I need to make a change?change?

• If so, am I willing to place If so, am I willing to place my faith fully in Christ?my faith fully in Christ?


Am I ruled by worry? Or Am I ruled by worry? Or following Jesus fully? following Jesus fully?

TakeawaysTakeaways::God “richly provides us God “richly provides us everything for our everything for our enjoyment…”enjoyment…”

• Am I enjoying life “to the full” Am I enjoying life “to the full”

and the gifts of God?and the gifts of God?

• If not, where is my trust? How If not, where is my trust? How tightly am I holding to my tightly am I holding to my possessions?possessions?

john’s account of jesus. core values love, unity, faith, commitment, freedom, change freedom is...

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