Characteristics of Jesus’ sheep
John 10:22-30 says:
John 10:22 - 30 (NIV) 22Then came the Feast of Dedication£ at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ,£ tell us plainly.” 25Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, 26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all£; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one.”
Introduction:
Let me start off by telling you a story. I am not sure how many of you have been of Steve Greens home. But this man has been blessed by God. He is basically a farmer. He raises cattle. Just ask him about his cattle especially during mating season when all the females are having babies. He gets so excited and loves to tell you about them. Well one day I was with him in the middle of his entire flock of cow. Now personally I am not comfortable in the middle of all this because if you can’t tell from my accent I am a city boy and believe it or not in a situation like this I am intimidated. I can walk down a dark ally in the ghetto and I am fine. But put me in the middle of a bunch of cow and things change. Well anyway here we are standing there and something happens that was to me quite amazing.
There is this one big cow who is about 30 yards away from us or so looking the other way and all of a sudden Steve calls to this cow. I am not sure what he said it was some southern slang thing I guess. You know what I am talking about. “Jeep jeep” I don’t know. But as soon as he said it this cow turned around and came towards us. Now I was amazed. This cow was actually listening to Steve. This big dumb cow actually understood Steve’s voice and responded. He started to follow Steve.
Trouble in the text: Unbelief of the Jews
As soon as I saw this, I couldn’t help but think of this story. Jesus is standing before a crowed in the temple in Solomon’s colonnade during the Feast of Dedication. (The time where they celebrate the cleansing of the temple which was destroyed) and they ask him,
“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the CHRIST tell us.”
Now Jesus knew there heart. He knew that they really didn’t want to know. He knew that all they wanted was that he would admit that he was the messiah and that by doing this the Romans would come and execute Him. You see at this time everyone believed and some still do believe that the messiah was going to be a military leader who would overthrow the Romans. Jesus knew this and the whole time did a wonderful job never giving himself the title messiah. He said I am the way. I am the light of the world. HE did everything He could to tell them who He was without giving in to their misconceptions.
So He answers them. “I did tell you but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me,
Basically saying; haven’t you’ve been watching? You’ve seen what I have done. You have heard what I have said. You’ve seen the many miracles I have done in my father’s name. I gave sight to the blind, the cripple walk, I have cast out demons. I have demonstrated mighty works over, nature, disease and the spirit realm. You know who I am. But you don’t believe. And Ill tell you why. It’s because you’re not my sheep.
You see, my sheep hear my voice. My sheep follow me. But that’s not what you are doing. You don’t want to believe the truth. I threaten you. I come to bring truth, you want lies. I can read your hearts and that bothers you. It threatens you. It doesn’t feel good when someone can point out your true motives. You only take the parts that you like and use them to your advantage. Jesus once called them a brood of vipers! A brood of deadly snakes.
He Goes on to say, my sheep hear my voice I know them and they “follow me.” My sheep don’t just hear what I say but they respond to what I say. They follow were I go. They sit intently listening with all intentions to do what I ask.
Characteristics of Sheep
Jesus basically says that there are two prime characteristics that make up His sheep.
1. They hear his voice.
2. They follow Him.
And He says to them….you guys aren’t doing any of this.
You see according to this verse Christianity goes way beyond acknowledging who Jesus is. The scripture tell us that even the demons believe who he is but shudder when they hear his name. Yes this scripture depicts Jesus sheep as people who are listening for Him and following Him.
Trouble in the world: We don’t listen or follow Jesus
My question today is: Are you listening for Jesus? Do you sit and wait to hear from Him? Has Jesus ever spoken to you? Can you possibly say that you can be one of those that say’s God was speaking to me today? It’s sad but I know of many people who can’t honestly say they ever heard Gods voice speaking to them. The main reason for this is because we aren’t listening.
Sadly there are many of us, who call ourselves children of God, who are expecting to enter heaven that never take any time, or even consider listening for God. We just go through life on a whim. We go through life saying Yes I believe in Jesus. I go to church. But we never listen. I wonder if it’s because we aren’t going to live what He is going to say to us. I know the Pharisees and all the religious leaders didn’t like what he said. Jesus would bring forth the sin and corruption of the heart.
How do I hear his voice? (Talking with peter)
I was talking with someone the other day and we were talking about listening to God. He asked me a common question I have been asked many times before. “How do I know when God is talking to me?” This is a good question. Some people say you just know. You can feel it. Well I answered the question a different way. In order to learn God’s voice you need to be obedient to the obvious things He is saying. Like, worship me. Like read my word. It tells you the obvious things. Like work on humility. Love your neighbor. Flee from sinful desires. Oh yeah and tithe. I know many people who ignore all the obvious things and wonder why they never hear God speak to them. I wonder if it’s because they aren’t listening to the obvious things. And if by some reason they do listen, they aren’t will to obey. God has given us His word in the bible. It tells us many things God wants to say.
For example (tithing)
Just a little example. God tell us to bring the entire tithe into the store house. God so desires His kingdom to be expanded. He doesn’t want anyone to perish. He wants all to experience eternal life. But this takes money. It costs money to run a church. There are building expenses, salaries, office supplies, electric, and air conditioning. The money needs to come from somewhere. This money needs to come from the money He gives to His children. That’s 10% of all we get. We get to keep 100% of the 90% left of what he gives us. This money is used to build His kingdom. God even goes on to say “test me in this and see if I will not open up the flood gates of heaven for you. Basically God says I dare you to tithe. In other words He says I triple dog dare you. Yes the dreaded triple dog dare you. But what do we do? We don’t tithe.
God says I want you to use the gifts and talents and time that I give you to reach out to a lost and dieing world and lead them to me. And what do we do? We sit at home watching TV taking care of the house, and our lawn, and the things God was so generous to give us. We use the precious time He gives us on ourselves. And then we wonder why we have no idea what God’s voice sound like.
Some used to hear His voice
I can understand when a new Christian says how do I know Gods voice. But sadly to say there are many long time church goers who ask the same question.
There are also those that at one time can say they used to hear God’s voice but He has stopped speaking to them. This can happen for many reasons. Sin is one reason. Sometimes we get caught up in things that God just won’t be a part of and until we repent and turn back to Him we won’t hear from Him. Sometimes it’s because he asked us to do something and we refused so he is waiting for you to respond before He speaks again. At least that’s better then what He did to Jonah. He got swallowed by a bug fish.
Any account my point is do what you know is God voice. Be obedient to the obvious things and before you know it you will start to be able to discern Gods voice.
Illustration: (Steve’s cows learned to here his voice)
Just like Steve cows. In time they learned to follow His voice. They learned to pick his voice out of the many. They learned to hear him and to follow Him. They learned if they followed Him they would end up being fed, and cared for. And that’s like God. He always offers some back
Grace in the text: Jesus leads us to eternal life
We serve a wonderful God folks don’t we? Just listen to what He says to these people.
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all£; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Jesus doesn’t just say hey listen to me because I am God and if you don’t I will smite you. No God is such a living and caring God that so desires to be in a close relationship with us. That’s who He is. That’s what He is about. He says I love my sheep so much that I give them eternal life. Eternal life: Wow. Now let me explain something. This is important. It’s not like He says if you follow me this is what I will give you. Kind of like a trade. My sheep follow, so I give. It’s much deeper them that. What I believe Jesus is saying is that the result of following Him leads to eternal life. You see Jesus knows that way. That’s where he is going and if we follow Him we end up with eternal life.
Illustration: (Cinder blocks)
Another good example of this is Steve’s cattle again. When we were building the children’s building we had a bunch of cinderblock to throw away. So we loaded it up on a tractor and took it on his farm and was on our way to dump it way back out somewhere in his fields. Now when we were passing his cow they all started to follow us. It was amazing. I was wondering why. Because we were going a long way. But there further we went they just kept on coming. Ultimately I found out what made them follow. When we go to where we were going to dump the block I say and area were Steve feeds his cattle. You see they knew that if they followed him they would be led to where the food was. It wasn’t like Steve said hey if you follow me Ill give you food. No Steve said follow me because I know where the food is. That’s what Jesus is saying. I know the way to the father. I know the way to eternal life. Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and you will find rest for your souls. I am the way.
Sermon: Life long process.
That’s why we can’t just follow him for a day. It’s a lifelong process. That’s why you see many defeated Christians. It’s because they stopped following and they lost their way and now their stuck in a stage where Satan gets to beat the down. Some are so far gone it’s almost as if they are waving the red flag to Satan saying I give up you win. And it’s all because they stopped listening and following the only way, truth and the life. Jesus says who ever comes to the father comes through me. He is the Gate….But we get lost.
Oh but those who are listening intently with the desire and willingness to follow. Oh they get to experience eternal life. They will never perish.
The best part about this scripture to me is when he goes on to say.
“no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all£; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. “
Is it just me or isn’t that amazing? No one can snatch them out of my hand. I am holding on so tight to them, there is no one who can come out and snatch you out of my hand. This promise he gives us is backed up when he says, My Father who is greater then all, no one can snatch them out of my father’s hand. Wow. My Father, the creator of all that is seen and all that is unseen, basically the creator, He has your back also. Why can Jesus say this…It’s because He is God.
Illustration: envelopes.
Now isn’t that encouraging. Isn’t that, as the “Godfather” says an offer that you can’t refuse?
Grace:
We are being offered Grace and Mercy. Grace that wonderful word that means getting what you don’t deserve. Mercy: That powerful word which basically means not getting what you do deserve.
I want you to all know something. Everyone one of us in here deserves to go to hell, every one of us. Basically not one of us here deserves eternal life. Not one of us in here. Let me get Brooklyn on yah for a moment. Aint one of us up in here is going to be able to pop out their resume and say here you go God take a long look at that bad boy ah….yeah that’s right…That’s the bomb isn’t it?
If you think that I am sorry to tell you its not going to happen. The only way we get to experience eternal life is because Jesus Christ went to the cross and paid for the sins we have committed…every one of them. He took our punishment, our pain, our eternal damnation and placed it on Himself…That’s why we get in…That’s why we are called children of God and that why we should all be here this morning…To worship and awesome God who gave us grace and shown us mercy…But what happens? We become selfish and self-centered and we ignore His voice every day…and we live a life that takes His grace for granted…..and instead of following Him we follow our own desires.
But Jesus is still standing there shouting as loud as He could…28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
My question to you today is, are you a sheep? When is the last time you heard God’s voice? Has he been speaking to you? Have you been listing? And if so are you willing to follow. The scripture says.
John 3:36 (NIV) 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”
I believe God is speaking too many here today….I am convinced that His Spirit is talking too many here. The question is will you respond…I don’t know exactly what he is saying to you. But I know He is talking…There may be some here who may never have come to Jesus for forgiveness. There may be some that have never responded to that voice to give all there sins to Him…if that is so I ask you to come to the alter and give your life and sins to God….Don’t worry if anyone is looking. This isn’t something to be ashamed of... Coming forward for Jesus should be something we are proud to do…There may be some that God is speaking to in a different way….He is just wanting to know if you will follow Him….As always the alters are open if you want to pray….
