LANGUAGE:
I Am The Door[i]
(John 10:7-10)
I invite you to open your Bibles to the gospel of John chap 10. Our focus this morning well be vs7-10 where Jesus gives His third I Am statement.
That brings us to Jesus’ third I AM statement in John chap 10, vs7, I am the door of the sheep. Every house and building has at least one primary entrance. Every nation has specific points of entry, and like our homes and nation, the Kingdom of God has a point of entrance. But unlike our homes and nation, there is only one entrance, and that is through Jesus Christ.
As we delve into Jesus I Am, let’s pause for a moment and ask the Spirit of God to guide our thoughts. Heavenly Father, we pray that as we turn to Your Holy Word, that we will have an encounter with Your Son in such a way that our lives will be changed, our spiritual eyes opened as we journey towards the finality of our redemption. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
To really get a grip on Jesus’ I Am statement here in chap 10, we need to be familiar with the events in chap 9. What takes place in chap 10 starts with a man blind from birth sent to the pool of Siloam in chap 9. You can read the account at your leisure, but let me give you the cliff notes. We’re told in v14 that these events occurred on a Sabbath, which caused great dismay amongst the locals.
Anyway, as Jesus and His disciples were walking along, they pass a blind man. Jesus heals him by putting clay on his eyes which was mixed with His own spit (that would be Jesus’ spit). Because this was done on the Sabbath, and sight given to the blind man from birth, the locals bring him to the Pharisees.
The legalistic Pharisees drill down on the now- seeing-blind-man. Dissatisfied with his answers, they bring in his parents and drill down on them. The seeing-blind-man stood his ground, and testified, V25, I know one thing for sure: I was blind … I now see.” He then dared to challenge their refusal to accept his reality. V32, the Pharisees’ found His story to be absolutely ridiculous, a man born blind from birth now seeing. In a fit of rage, they throw him out of the temple, meaning he could no longer worship there.
Jesus, hearing about the fiasco, goes looking for him. On finding him, He introduced Himself, and the man quickly bows in worship. Jesus takes this opportunity to zero in on the spiritual condition of the Pharisees, which forms the backdrop to chap 10. In the opening verses of chap 10 Jesus uses two metaphors--one of a door and one of a shepherd to speak of His identity. According to v6 those listening didn’t understand what He was saying. So in vs 7-10 Jesus fleshes out His door metaphor, saying to them in v7, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. Next time we’ll consider the His second metaphor, I Am the Good Shepherd in vs 11and following.
To get a grip on Jesus' door metaphor, we have to take a closer look at vs1-5. V1, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.
To be a shepherd in Biblical days was a tough go. It was not unusual for them to fight off wild animals, thieves and robbers. And if necessary, they were expected to put their lives on the line for the sheep. During the cold month’s shepherds would bring their flocks back to their village for overnight shelter. Often multiple flocks would be herded into a single large enclosure which had a single door, and the key was held by the village gatekeeper. In the morning, each shepherd would come to collect their flocks.
V2, he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the gatekeeper opens and the sheep hear his voice as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When the shepherds came to take their sheep in the morning, the passcode to gather their sheep was their personal relationship with the gatekeeper. And since there was a single door, there was only one way in and out.
V4, When the shepherd brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. … 5They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they don’t know his voice.” Because multiple flocks were often mixed together, each shepherd had a unique call for his flock. The sheep identified with their shepherds, and would file out, following him.
V6 tells us that the Pharisees missed the whole point of the metaphor. Jesus was pointing out to them that their handling of the now-seeing-blind-man and his parents, illustrated that they really didn’t love the people, nor were willing to sacrifice for them. They had become self-appointed and self-righteous
false shepherds leading the people of Israel astray, and plundering them for their own gain. That’s why Jesus refers to them as thieves and robbers. [iv]
That’s the setting for vs 7-10. Because they didn’t get it, Jesus drills down, and states bluntly, Truly, truly (that means BE ASURED OF THIS), I Am the door of the sheep.
When I was growing up in Africa, maybe 8/9 yrs of age, my parents took us to visit a missionary on the shores of Lake Victoria. As we entered the house I vividly remember that there were no doors anywhere in the house. There was no front door, no back door, no bedroom doors, and no bathroom door. That was just a little too much exposure for me. That got me to thinking about the importance of doors. They are central for protection, privacy, and security. So let’s take a closer look at the significance of Jesus being a door.
The door metaphor must have been really important, because in these verses Jesus says twice, I am the door. Once in v7, followed by His application in v8; and again in v9, followed by His application.
So let’s now flesh out the door metaphor.
Our front doors serve as a focal point to our homes, serving the main entrance. In V7 and v9 Jesus tells the crowd that He is the door to His house.
Notice that when Jesus said, I am the door of the sheep, He did not say I am ‘a’ door of the sheep, but THE door of the sheep. The article THE carries great significance, speaking of exclusivity.[vi]
In using the definite article, Jesus was and is making it clear as to His position. His point is, there is no other door by which we can have access to salvation, to life, and security.[vii]
Pluralism doesn’t work with God. His way of salvation is absolutely exclusive. There are not many ways to God--not via Buddha, not via Hari Krishna, not via Mohammed, not via José Luis de Jesús Miranda, and nor Inri Cristo, to just mention a few.[x] Today’s False Saviors pose a significant spiritual danger of which armor and a well-stocked bunker will not protect you from. It requires being fully dressed in the armor of God.[xi]
Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation and the only way to connect with God. It is faith exclusively in Christ alone.[xii] This is an absolute truth. Its Him or not at all as stated in Acts 4:12 (NASB95) “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”[xiii] And in John 14:6, Jesus makes it clear, I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father except by me.
V1, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. If one should try to get in in any other way but through Him, such a person is classified as a thief and a robber. To be a thief is a crime against property, such as shoplifting;[xiv] to be a robber is a crime which generally entails violence and bloodshed.[xv] And that’s what these Pharisaical leaders were doing.
Ezekiel gives a graphic description of this in chap 34, 3“You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, slaughtering the fat sheep without feeding the flock. 4“Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them.[xvi]
As the door, Jesus provides security. Just what is the security He provides? V28, I give ‘my sheep’ eternal life and they will never perish, nor will anyone snatch them our of my hand.[xvii]
Doors muffle sounds. V8 the sheep did not hear the ‘voices of the thieves and robbers. [xviii] That’s another way to say that the sheep didn’t listen to the voices of the thieves and robbers. The true Christ-follower refuses to listen to the bantering of spiritual thieves and robbers. Why don’t the sheep hear the clamoring of spiritual thieves and robbers? V3, because they are listening to the voice of their shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
It is reported that in the 1980s a village near Bethlehem failed to pay its taxes. The ‘tax collector’ rounded up all of the sheep and placed them in a large barbed-wire enclosure to be sold. A woman and her son approached the tax collector, begging him to release their sheep because they were their only source of livelihood. He pointed to the pen containing hundreds of sheep and laughed. The sheep all looked the same. No branding. No markings on any of them. She then asked if he would let her separate her sheep and take them home. He agreed and opened the gate. The woman’s son began playing a simple tune on his flute and suddenly sheep heads began popping up across the pen. As her son played, twenty-five sheep separated themselves from huge heard of animals and followed them home.[xix]
Drop down to v27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; John Piper writes: Deeper than knowing God is being known by God. What defines us as Jesus followers . . . is that He knows our names.[xx] Isaiah 43:1(GW). . . Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you step through the door, there comes an intimate relationship like no other. Being known by God is our anchor in the storms of life.
V9“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The ‘I’ is emphatic. So Jesus’ words go something like this, I, I alone am the door. There is simply no other access to salvation from sin, freedom from Satan’s dominion, and freedom from God’s coming judgment. Eternal life begins when one enters the door. That’s the point of v28 of this chapter, I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
Once a person accepts Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross, they are immediately saved from the consequences of their sins. But there is more. Jesus goes on to say, such a person will go in and out and find pasture. V10, and they will have an abundant life. Psalm 121:8 (NASB95) The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever. Jesus is talking security, full satisfaction and guidance. Ezekiel 34:15 (NASB95) “I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord GOD. We’re talking freedom from the guilt, freedom from the misery of sin, and freedom from the punishment of sin.[xxi]
The phrase go in and out and find pasture takes us to Psalm 23 (NASB95) where we find green pastures; quiet waters, restored soul, and walking the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.[xxii]
Well, let’s press the pause button and see if we can internalize what Jesus wants us to take with us this week.
In v8 Jesus points out that the sheep did not hear them, them being the thieves and robbers. I want to say something about listening. We live in a world that is full of noise and distraction.[xxiii] Dropping down to v27 Jesus points out that you can tell who the true sheep are by who and what they listen to.[xxiv] That causes me to ask, to whom are your ears tuned to? I asked that because of what we’re told in 2 Timothy 3 (NASB95) V1, in these last days difficult times will come. V13, for evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Research shows that what we listen to and read shapes us. It has been found that music plays a huge role in illnesses, depression, spending habits, productivity and our perception of the world. It has been suggested that music can increase aggressive thoughts, encourage crime, and fuel violence.[xxv] You might be interested in knowing that farmers are holding concerts for their cows to help distress them.[xxvi] The point is, the noise and distractions that surround us, shape us. What we listen to has a great deal to do with who we are.
Distraction are dangerous. A simple definition of distraction is “something that turns your attention away from something you want to concentrate on.” And that’s exactly what Satan wants for us. He loves distracted Christians. He doesn’t care what that something is. He just wants to turn our attention away from the things of God.
Research shows that iPhone users unlock their phones an average of 80 times per day. Checking their phone between six and seven times per hour—or about once every 10 minutes. We are constantly being interrupted by texts, tweets, push notifications, ads, Instagram posts, emails, and on and on we could go. Our brains are being trained to crave distraction. With this increased connectedness, we can easily become disconnected with our Creator.[xxvii]
How do we combat the noise and distractions? We’re told in Colossians 3:2(NASB95) to Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. It’s called treasuring Jesus above the noise. When we set our minds on the things above, we will see Jesus as more beautiful, more news-worthy, and more compelling than anything else in our life. The way we battle distraction is to become enamored by the things of heaven, to begin to crave spending time with God. And everything else will be put in the right perspective. Hebrews 2:1 (NASB95) For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. We need to write this down on the mirrors of our lives to be a follower of Christ is to live an attentive life. [xxviii] To live an attentive life is to live a hearing life. [xxix] And according to Jesus, you can tell who a true follower of Jesus is by who and what they listen to. And so I ask all of you who claim to be followers of Christ, who and what are you listening to? The who and what you are listening to draws a distinguishing line as to whether you are a sheep or a goat.
1 Timothy 2:5 (NASB95) For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, When Jesus said, I Am The Door, He was telling the Pharisees and us that He is the door emphatically. As the door He protects, provides, and is the only way to salvation from sin, Satan, and God’s coming judgment. The politically correct world does not like the exclusiveness of Jesus words. If there is only one door then we must enter by it or stay outside. There is no other door to gain access to God’s eternal life.
The individual who puts their trust in Jesus Christ is made alive spiritually. Such a person receives a spiritual life that begins the moment they put their faith in Christ, and that new life in Christ continues without end. It is the kind of life Jesus Christ has. It is a contented life, a life of peace with God, a life knowing all of your sins have been forgiven, and security that you will be with God all your life, even when you die physically. John 11:25–26 (NASB95) 25Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.
I suspect you have noticed welcome signs are ‘a thing’ today. I read about one that read:
Welcome-ish—
Depending on who you are and how long you stay
The door is a valuable imagery for us. It speaks of entrance, security, protection, and intimacy. Jesus is the only one to reconcile us to God. We can have great hope knowing that God’s door does not say, “welcome-ish” but that He greets us with open arms Do you feel like you are standing on the wrong side of the door with the thieves and robbers? You may enter through the door right now by 9confessing with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. If you do, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” (Romans 10:9–11 (NASB95)
As radio pastor J. D. Greear lays out for us: “It’s not the prayer that saves; but the repentance and faith behind the prayer that lays hold of salvation.[xxx]
Let’s close in prayer. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are opened, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[i] I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon.
[ii] Romans 6:14 (NASB95) 14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. John 4:14 (NASB95) 14but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 7:37–38 (NASB95) 37Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ” Cf., John Piper, Forever Satisfied, https://www.desiringgod.org/ articles/forever-satisfied Through faith, Christ becomes in us an inexhaustible fountain of satisfying life that lasts forever and leads us to heaven, and on the way sets us free from the sinful illusions of other satisfactions. Bible Study: I Am! https://www.intouch.org/read/articles/bible-study-i-am
[iii] John 1:14 (NASB95) 14And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 2:11 (NASB95) 11This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. ; Luke 9:32 (NASB95) 32Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. John 17:22–24 (NASB95) 22“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. ; 2 Peter 1:16–18 (NASB95) 16For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— 18and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. ; 1 John 1:1 (NASB95) 1What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life. 1 John 2:16–17 (NASB95) 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 Corinthians 7:31 (NASB95) and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.
[iv] Isaiah 56:10–11 (NASB95) 10His watchmen are blind, All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber; 11And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied. And they are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way, Each one to his unjust gain, to the last one. Jeremiah 10:21 (NASB95) 21For the shepherds have become stupid And have not sought the LORD; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flock is scattered. Jeremiah 12:10 (NASB95) 10“Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard, They have trampled down My field; They have made My pleasant field A desolate wilderness. Jeremiah 50:6 (NASB95) 6“My people have become lost sheep; Their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains; They have gone along from mountain to hill And have forgotten their resting place.
[v] Cf., Roger Hahn, John 10:1-42, https://www.crivoice.org/biblestudy/bbjohn13.html
[vi] Cf., Haddon Spurgeon, The Door (John 10:9) https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-door/#flipbook/
[vii] Matthew 7:13–14 (NASB95) 13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
[viii] John 11:25–26 (NASB95) 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
[ix] https://www.gotquestions.org/abundant-life.html. This word “abundant” in the Greek is perisson, meaning “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate.” In short, Jesus promises us a life far better than we could ever imagine, a concept reminiscent of 1 Corinthians 2:9: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” The apostle Paul tells us that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, and He does it by His power, a power that is at work within us if we belong to Him (Ephesians 3:20). abundance is spiritual abundance, not material; abundance is relational life with God; abundance is growing in knowledge of God. John 5:40 (NASB95) 40and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.
[x] Nicola Menzie, 5 False “Messiahs” and Why Their Claims to Be Christ Contradict the Bible https://www.christianpost.com/news/5-false-messiahs-and-why-their-claims-to-be-christ-contradict-the-bible.html
[xi] Ephesians 6:10–18 (NASB95) 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Romans 13:12 (NASB95) 12The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 2 Corinthians 6:7 (NASB95) 7in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, ; 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NASB95) 4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NASB95) 8But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
[xii] Hebrews 2:17 (NASB95) 17Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Romans 5:17–19 (NASB95) 17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Lee Penn, Anti-Christs and False Messiahs Down the Ages, SCP Journal 2011, Volume 34:4-35:1; pp16-58.
[xiii] Exodus 20:3-5, the first commandment? “‘You shall have no other gods before me.’ God is claim exclusivity. .
[xiv] Herbert Preisker, “Κλέπτω, Κλέπτης,” ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 754.κλέπτω. a. “To steal,” “secretly and craftily to embezzle and appropriate,” To seize with cunning, unnoticed.
[xv] Karl Heinrich Rengstorf, “Λῃστής,” ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 258. always with the implication of a ruthless use of force in seeking the goods of others.
[xvi] Jeremiah 23:1–2 (NASB95) 1“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. 2Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,” declares the LORD. Ezekiel 34:2–10 (NASB95) 2“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? 3“You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. 4“Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. 5“They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. 6“My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them.” ’ ” 7Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8“As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; 9therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 10‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I will deliver My flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.” ’ ” The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. The temple became a haunt of robbers. The dealers in the temple market were notorious for their extortion, but it gave them fancied security in their evildoing. It is probable that some of these robbers were really zealots in rebellion against the authority of Rome, so that there was an element of misplaced patriotism and even religion in their proceedings. Josephus identified robbers with zealots.
[xvii] John 10:29 (NASB95) 29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
[xviii] Merrill C. Tenney, “John,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 9 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 108–109. refer to the false messiahs and supposed deliverers of the people who had appeared in the period following the restoration from the Exile and especially in the century before Jesus’ advent. After the death of Herod the Great in 4 b.c., there were many factions that contended for the leadership of the nation and attempted by violence to throw off the Roman yoke. Jesus’ purpose was not political, as the emphasis of the discourse shows.Hendriksen suggests that Jesus was referring to the religious leaders of the Jews as the “thieves and robbers” (2:308). They were attempting to gain the allegiance of the people and were not above using violence if it would serve their purpose (cf. John 8:59). Acts 5:36–37 (NASB95) 36“For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37“After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 2 Peter 2:1–3 (NASB95) 1But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. Vs12–13, 12But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, 13suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you,
[xix] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000), 302. David Guzik, John 10: The Good Shepherd, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-10/During World War I, some soldiers tried to steal a flock of sheep from a hillside near Jerusalem. The sleeping shepherd awoke to find his flock being driven off. He couldn’t recapture them by force, so he called out to his flock with his distinctive call. The sheep listened, and returned to their rightful owner. The soldiers couldn’t stop the sheep from returning to their shepherd’s voice.
[xx] Dave Furman, Being ‘Known’ by God Changes Everything, https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/power-known-god/
[xxi] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Gospel According to John, vol. 2, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 109.
[xxii] Psalm 23 (NASB95) A Psalm of David. 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
[xxiii] The Bible on Listening: What Does God Say About Being Still and Hearing Him? https://ministryanswers.com/ bible-verses/ the-bible-on-listening-what-does-god-say-about-being-still-and-hearing-him/
[xxiv] John 10:27–28 (NASB95) 27“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
[xxv] Nina Avramova, How Music Can Change the Way You Feel and Act, https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/08/health/music-brain-behavior-intl/index.html
[xxvi] https://artdaily.com/news/135231/When-the-cellos-play--the-cows-come-home
[xxvii] Chandler Vannoy, How To Stay Spiritually Focused In A Distractd World, https://voices.lifeway.com/culture-current-events/how-to-stay-spiritually-focused-in-a-distracted-world/
[xxviii] Mark 13:37 (NASB95) 37“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ” Luke 21:36 (NASB95) 36“But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Ephesians 6:18 (NASB95) 18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, ; 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NASB95) 6so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. ; 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB95) 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
[xxix] Mark 4:24 (NASB95) 24And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. Luke 8:21 (NASB95)21But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” John 10:27 (NASB95)27“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; Romans 10:17 (NASB95)17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Hebrews 3:7–8 (NASB95)7Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, 8DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,
[xxx] The Sinner’s Prayer: Salvation In Repentance & Faith. https://www.praywithme.com/the-sinners-prayer.html Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in the bible that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as my Lord. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Amen. Make a NOTE of this: it is not solely the words in a prayer that save us eternally. We are “justified by faith” in Jesus and saved by our genuine belief in Him. J.D Greear describes it well – “It’s not the prayer that saves; it’s the repentance and faith behind the prayer that lays hold of salvation. My concern is that over-emphasizing the prayer has often (though unintentionally) obscured the primary instruments for laying hold of salvation: repentance and faith.”