John Chapter 10:1-12

Jesus have saved her life.

And so we should serve him out of the heart of gratitude only if somebody saved your life or somebody rescued you when you were drowning or something and then they called you the next day, and ask you for a small simple save when you feel I don't have any save my life at that I be glad to do whatever you need me to an end and some other lands.

That's what they do.

But you know what we need to adopt that culture is Christian as followers of Jesus Jesus to save my life.

What you want me to do.

Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina. You know that when you boil down Christianity. It all comes down to God, desiring a personal relationship with you today on cross the bridge pastor David McKee explained more about this special relationship as he continues the Gospel of John chapter 10.

Now here's David McGee with part two of his teaching the shepherd, John chapter 10 verse four and when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. This is something that we need to be careful with their false teachers out there may run through. Just a few verses real quick second Corinthians chapter 11 verse 13 says for such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ in the wonder, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light is several here.

Second Peter chapter 2 verse one is but there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. Another verse first John chapter 4 verse one says, beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. That's interesting and and I could name a lot of other verses that we could go through these verses are written to the first century church. See, we tend to think that the first century church was they had it all together it have any problem but here in the first century church Libyan warned against false teachers are being warned against heresies are being warned against all these things because if that was true, then how much more so now see we we have to know the book because it keeps us in a safer place warned in second Thessalonians chapter 2 verse three says let no one deceive you by any means for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition. So here warned that there's going to be a falling away. Who do you think the people that are falling away are going to be following false teachers.

We tend to think of as false teachers are somewhere far away here know. False teachers are all around us down the street but all over the television. They're all over the radio that all over the Internet and because this is a time where you need to be especially especially careful. That's why solid biblical teaching is so important. See if you know this book. You know this but when somebody says well that is better that you safe and sound. What it says there is this one verse that says actually the opposite of what you just said when you know the if you don't know the book you're placing yourself in peril and the thing is, and I strongly believe this that we're probably in the most scripturally illiterate generation of Christians that have existed in 2000 years. We just don't know about you know what is were not told about us coming out as a believer for 15 umpteen years before I really started digging into the word it was because I started fellowship in a place atop the word that they placed an importance on and that's what feeds us and that's how we grow.

I don't know of another way to avoid false teaching better than to go systematically.

Verse by verse chapter by chapter through the Bible maybe go well, you know, as long as some scriptures are mentioned women women. One of the things that the cults do is that they have is called isolated scriptural emphasis. The words I take one Scripture, and they just dwell on that one Scripture you go, what about the associate throughout were not talk about this group that scriptural term of this grudge suggests the fact that it is scriptures mentioned don't don't feel safe. I don't mean to freak you out. But just because you're in the Christian bookstore don't feel safe just because you listen to Christian radio.

Don't feel safe sometime to be careful to discern the safe side and their when they mention verse look around at what he was talking about. Galatians chapter 1 verse eight nonsense, but even if we are an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Anybody that tries to add something to the gospel. Paul says not once. Twice in these two verses let him be accursed. What's adding something to the gospel. Adding some requirement to the gospel other than what's in the Bible. If somebody says what you gotta do this and you gotta do that you gotta do this that and the other you not really saying let them be accursed, strong language, but that's the language of the Bible.

That's Paul's language and see what were supposed to be doing is were sufficiently digging in the word of God. Acts 1711 says these were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so these are the people in Berea you can look at the verses around and you should look at the verses around this work and see that it's talking about the Koreans and so when believers say to another, be up Meridian, this is what it's talking about somebody says hey you know.you know, God said the real problem is you got a lack of self-esteem really wears that in their new to me chapter and verse.

What's not really in their in their churches gun if insinuated or something ask people that ask people that when they share some spiritual knowledge when it sounds really good. That sounds really good. Where is that in the book chapter and verse do you get that from verse six. Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which he spoke to you know there's a couple verses in here that, because you're concerned about the disciples. This is kinda one of them. You know I you, I cannot get the sheep thing. I mean, maybe not to the depth we discovered, but I got a solid pitcher and an they didn't understand working to see more of that in the coming chapters. Verse seven then Jesus said to them again.

Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep you know it's kinda interesting is that some of the sheep pens didn't actually have gates and what they would do when they were in the in and out in the wilderness, sometimes as I would put the sheep in the cave and then what would happen is the shepherd would sleep at the mouth of the cave.

In that way, no sheep were able to get out and no predators were able to get in. And it's interesting this whole concept of shepherds is is throughout the Bible course we know you have a mess and you have the most famous shepherdess is David we have pastors being equated to to shepherds as well and you know it's interesting, Saul kinda was.

But, not always pay attention when you're introduced to a character in the Bible always pay attention to what they're doing when you first meet him. Like Anders, always enter introducing people to Jesus when he first made him an and remember what David was doing when we first met in David was watching over the sheet so much that he didn't even come home and they had a special guest and we have a remember the sling and I would David and Goliath, that was one of the things of the rod and the staff will talk about little more two weeks with Psalm 20 the rotten staff in the sling days were three things that the shepherd And see David knew that he knew that too well that he knew that sling well. It took Goliath out with that sling and you could, he would take enemies out but you know it's interesting shepherds also use links for something else. If the sheep began to wander off.

They would take the sling and let the rock fly just a little bit beyond the sheep. So which startled the sheet and the sheep would come back into the fold.

You know, our shepherd is the same thing. Maybe you've had problems. Maybe you've had pain. Maybe you've had instances in your life when you are maybe wandering off a little bit Nelson Sutton startled you an occurrence in your life or loved ones are sickness, illness, maybe even a death startled you back torch shepherd.

Jesus is his good place to run back to when you get startling man.

Verse eight. All who ever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them notice of Jesus is our thieves and robbers didn't say were thieves and robbers. You know what that lets us know he was talk about the people that were gathered around it was talk about the guys who thrown out the man who'd been healed from his blindness as being pretty straight up any thieves and robbers. At this point, the Pharisees, it overall. They can unfairly corrupted.

They were accused of devouring widows homes.

They were accused of turning the temple into a marketplace.

And something had gone wrong.

They forgot about the care of the sheep and again I can't help but think of that as I watch some of the ministries on television and some of the ministries that I hear on the radio, especially those that engage in. You know a lot of the hyper word phase positive confession that you know if if you've got bills to pay what you need to do is give them money so that you can pay your bills help see here's here's the difficult part for us as believers. There is a reality to the fact that when you put God in your foot in your life. First, God will bless you what happens. It is these people really explaining in your no longer giving out of gratitude or thanks you given your given and agreed treatment God like some roulette. I mean my with a coat slot machine. Think it's good I did know that it and that's that's not what our relationship with God and in the weird thing is, then they say and if you don't support us and we won't be able to continue on their okay will ointment okay if to get money all you got to do is give it away and you need money. Guess what, you should be doing recently on their going to be in a money call right will send it to you. Praise God because we need income for the ministry I mean about only one that sees that logic. See once they slip into that area where you are serving them less the longer ministry will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now.

Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown hey Bob want to take a minute to pray for listeners in the cities in Georgia, Warner Robins and Woodstock and also the cities in Hawaii, Hilo, Honolulu, Kahlúa Colegio low. We thank you for the cities and we thank you for the people living in the cities that we get the pray for right now.

We pray that you encourage them in your word that you encourage them to get plugged into a Bible teaching Bible believing church Florida summer sick.

We pray that you please heal them God.

We pray that you would give them wisdom how they can be a blessing to their neighbor for you and lower pray for the pastors in those areas that you give them wisdom and discernment and helped him to not grow weary in doing good in Jesus name, amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse, not I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. This is the way you find good food is listen to the Lord when he calls you and then you can go in and I should go out and he says be saved. That's not a word that any of us came up with. That's not a word any denomination came up with that sort Jesus gave us didn't say being saved. That's a biblical biblical word.

The real question is, have you have you been saved some cultures in the world doing interesting thing if if someone saved your life where you save someone's life, then what happens is you are indebted for the rest of your life to serve the person that saved your life. I think that needs to be the culture of Christianity because Jesus has saved her life. And so we should serve him out of the heart of gratitude. I mean you know it if somebody saved your life or somebody you know rescued you when you were drowning or something and then they called you the next day, and ask you for a small simple faith. When you do it when you be like only having you save my life that that's be glad to do whatever you need me to do and and and some other lands. That's what they do.

But you know what we need to adopt that culture. As Christians, as followers of Jesus, Jesus, you save my life. What you want me to do will go do this all right, no problem in Suitland really no feeling in 1930 saved us and he loves us. Verse 10 the thief does not come except to steal the kill and to destroy have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. See the enemy. The thief he's not come to give you a better life. He's not come so that you can have a good time. He may give you some some pleasure in your sin for a season comes with a lot of baggage comes with a lot of luggage. It's not free but Jesus wants to give the devil wants to take Jesus wants us to love the devil wants to hate us. He wants to destroy us. Why would you want a relationship with your enemy.

And yet, a lot of us maintain a relationship with the enemy we we have a saying in my house. When you know it's maximum go hey, you know, I know that it where we don't really need to do this. Regardless, do something else like you been talking to the devil and not that you know we may clarify. Not that we talk to the devil in my house. But you know when you get one of those thoughts.

You also do not like me so I don't like them, John.

They were going back to church again.

That's probably not from God, you been talking to the devil you been listening to these things and it's amazing how we get these thoughts and then we start running with them and work and were often running don't talk to your enemy. That should appeal to you because at the end of listening. You don't end up in a good place to end up in a bad place. Listen, the God dwelling the good things. Think about the good things. That's what the Bible says, think about heaven. Think about heaven mean there's a lot of things in heaven that I desire that I want to go be with the Lord. Nothing about hell.

Appeals to me.

As I read in the Scriptures are old gnashing of teeth and fireplace great time. Let's go do that one about that appeals to anybody in here. It should hurt when pastor preach a sermon and now understand the context but the name of the sermon was what in hell do you want see somebody just totally freaked out on me. The question is what about hell appeals to you. Hopefully nothing.

What about heaven appeals to you, hopefully whole lot don't listen to the enemy. The enemy wants to do these things to you and learn to recognizing and learn to understand Jesus wants to give you an abundant life and abundant life. A blessed life. Blessed is far more than just finances are material things a blessed life is is walking in the fullness of everything that you could emotionally and in walking in peace and yes with blessings is what the Lord wants to give you some of us argue with him about it he stands there willing to give us this inanimate can only offer ascendant bondage. Jesus offers us freedom and hope in an abundant life, and we hesitate to take that we hesitate to walk in their why is that it goes back to being unsure and afraid to a certain degree. Jesus is not something to be afraid of verse 11 I am the good shepherd. The good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep. The real Shepherd protects the sheet first Peter chapter 5 verse forces when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the clown crown of glory that does not fade away.

Jesus is coming back for a she is coming back for you and Jesus is the good Shepherd understand what Jesus is saying this when he's talking about himself being a shepherd. We don't know because we don't really live in that society and that culture when Jesus is referring to himself as Shepherd.

He he's really humbling himself. We gotta sanitize the whole idea of the shepherd you know we got the little manger scene and they look nice and are always clean and well shaven and smelled good. That's not a real Shepherd. I mean look at the practical aspects. These guys didn't go in the town very often they hung out with sheet. I don't know if you've ever smelled the sheep but there's an odor about a sheep and they probably were clean-shaven so they are not clean-shaven, they smell bad and they don't go to town very much. That's a little clearer picture of the shepherd. Verse 12 the hireling he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep sees it was common and leaves the sheep and flees, and Wolf catches the sheep and scatters pastors need to be. I need to be shepherds and protect the sheep and gas. I'm very protective of what happens here a real Shepherd has a heart for the sheep.

And that's the way you can look at a true shepherd in Ezekiel 3400 can mention a couple of the Scriptures and and I would encourage you to read the whole chapter.

Ezekiel 30 forces in the word of the Lord came to me saying Son of Man prophesy against the shepherds of Israel prophesy and say to them, thus says the Lord God to the shepherds well to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves. Should not the shepherds feed the flock's you eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the world. You sought of the fatlings and you do not feed the flock cc is number one gripe with the shepherds not feeding the flock.

What's the food the word of God. We know it the week you have not strengthened nor have you healed those who were sick northbound up the broken or brought back which was driven away or salt what was lost but was forcing cruelty. Have you ruled over them so they were scattered because there was no Shepherd and became food for all the beast of the field when they were scattered sheep wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill. Yes, my flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them. Man, if that does not describe the church today. Verse 19 says and asked for my flock.

They eat what you have trampled with your feet and they drink what you have felt with your feet even the word of God is presented is polluted and and not pure.

We see this today and thought shepherds are real problem.

But let's talk about the real Shepherd.

You understand, especially, I grew up in the South. My family's been here long time and I grew up in a fairly religious family and so much of what I heard war. My sense of who God really is.

I was taught that God was really really mad and just waiting for the moment where I would mess up so that he could squash me so he could beat me whenever I would wander. I feel really bad about coming back knowing that I thought first thing that would happen is that you know God was beat me. I really thought that kept me away from the Lord for a long time and you know what some of you here things that you have a picture of God that has nothing to do with the Bible. You may have learned in church may have been brought up with it, but it's totally unscriptural, and what you need to do is understand that the picture that you have of God is not an accurate and throw that away and get a real picture a true sense of who God is.

Jesus is Jesus sent over Jerusalem and let over those that were about to crucify. That's the heart of God. Shepherd knows that she tend to stray. Luke chapter 4 chapter 15 verse forces.

What man of you having 100 sheep if he loses one of them does not leave the 99 in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it when he is found he lays it on his shoulders re-rejoicing. He lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

He doesn't go up to the sheep get back to fetch you here really cheaper wandered off.

He doesn't do that.

He rejoices he places it on his shoulder and he carries it when he comes home, he called together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, rejoice with me, for I found my sheep which was lost. Say to you that likewise will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 just persons who need no repentance. Isaiah 53 six says all we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Every one of us guys. Every one of us is straight at one time one place and maybe you're here this morning and you're straying now in the Lord's calling you maybe think your life is to messed up.

You've gone too far. No, Jesus is looking for those that are lost, he searching for those that have straight somehow, this morning, your life and in any way is broken. He wants you. You. You also repair you. He wants to fix the damage that maybe the world is done.

Maybe you've done it to yourself. Doesn't matter to him is just so happy that you come to them and you hear his voice, and you respond friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Legion a short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. God wants you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now.

Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life now done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. So congratulations thing you just made the greatest that you will ever make.

God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life you're the Bible tells us that the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. But it does cost for us to come and bring that message to you and to others in your neighborhood through radio through the Internet and through the mobile technologies that God has gifted us to be able to use so if you like to support this ministry. Please go to cross the bridge.com. Click on the donate button and ask God how much you would have you give either on a one-time basis or continuing basis each month to help ensure that the teaching of God's word continues to go out for cost so much DA before we go. What are some ways bless our listeners days you can wake up with him. Pastor David with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and the thought to meditate on throughout your day.

From the heart. David McGee thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continued teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God