Abundance and More Text: John 10:10
I ASSURE you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber. 2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out. 4When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. 6Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about. 7So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. 8All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them. 9I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
Jesus’ discourse on Himself as the “Good Shepherd” flowed directly from chapter 9, as Jesus continued to talk to the very same people. The problem with chapter 9 was that false shepherds who drew them astray from the true knowledge and kingdom of Messiah led Israel.
In chapter 10, Jesus declared Himself to be the “Good Shepherd” who was appointed by His Father as Savior and King, in contrast to the false shepherds of Israel who were self-appointed and self-righteous.
Listen once more to this contrast form true to false shepherds.
True: Psalm 23:1AMP THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.
Isaiah 40:11AMP He will feed His flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom and will gently lead those that have their young.
False: Jeremiah 23:1-2NLT “What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord. 2 Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them.
Ezekiel 34:1-4NKJ And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.
This whole chapter speaks of the false shepherd. However, not only will false shepherds pay a terrible price for their disobedience, those sheep that follow him or her will also.
Our God is a God of abundance. Here Jesus is using a metaphor of Himself being a shepherd over sheep. Moreover, the sheep that listen, follow and stay in His presence will always have pasture. (Abundance).
John 10:10b I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
The believer’s life is a life of obedience. God said in Isaiah 1:19-20NKJ If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Willing and obedient… refuse and rebel. The prophet offered his readers the same choice God gave Moses in Deut.28, a choice between a blessing and a curse.
You will eat the good of the land, live in abundance, walk in God’s favor, or be devoured by the sword. In other words, on one hand, they may eat the fruit of the land on the other; conquering powers may eat them.
Listen to Deuteronomy 28:1-8NLT “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: 3 Your towns and your fields will be blessed. 4 Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. 5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. 6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. 7 “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! 8 “The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
The book of John is referred to by many as the “I AM” book, (Book of Deity) as Jesus speaks this about Himself.
The 8 “I AM’s”
John 6:35 I Am the bread of life, John 8:12 I Am the light of the world, John 8:58 Before Abraham was, I Am. John 10:1 I Am the Door, John 11:11 I Am the resurrection and the life. John 14:6 I Am the way, truth and the life. John 15:1 I Am the Vine.
Listen to John 10:9NKJ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
Christ calls Himself the door or the gate, and as the Good Shepherd, He leads His sheep in and out to find green pasture.
We aren’t waiting for God’s abundance to come our way. No, He’s waiting for everyone in this house to decide to grow, and flow to another level.
Abundance of harvest, Spiritually and materially!
Listen to what God say’s in Haggai 2:8NKJ ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.
Psalm 50:12NKJ “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.
Here, God is fed up with sacrifices from His people- He requires obedience!
One man said, “Hope is not a strategy, and a wish is a goal with no energy behind it!”
Some might say, Well that’s OT, how bout the N.T.?
Say, “Better covenant.” According Matthew 25, Jesus gives one man 1 talent, another 3 talents and another 5 talents.
Acts 2: 42-47 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church[ daily those who were being saved.
In 2011, “What do you need to bury that might be stopping abundance?”
1. God wants your faith to soar.
2. God wants your fruit to multiply.
3. God wants new gifts to flow to you, in you, and through you.
