Safe And Secure

SAFE AND SECURE

John 10:22-42

S: Jesus

Th: His power over man

Pr: JESUS KEEPS US SAFE AND SECURE.

?: Inductive

KW: Stages

TS: We will find in our study of John 10:22-42 four stages that demonstrate the power of Jesus.

The _____ stage is the…

I. ENCOUNTER (22-24)

II. EXPLANATION (25-30)

III. EXECUTION (31-38)

IV. ESCAPE (39-42)

Version: ESV

RMBC 29 June 03 AM

INTRODUCTION:

ILL Notebook: Power (throw one passenger)

As the crowded airliner is about to take off, the peace is shattered by a five-year-old boy who picks that moment to throw a wild temper tantrum. No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother does to try to calm him down, the boy continues to scream furiously and kick the seats around him.

Suddenly, from the rear of the plane, an elderly man in a Marine uniform is seen slowly walking forward up the aisle. Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised hand, the white-haired, courtly, soft-spoken Marine leans down and, motioning toward his chest, whispers something into the boy’s ear.

Instantly, the boy calms down, gently takes his mother’s hand, and quietly fastens his seat belt. All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause.

As the Marine slowly makes his way back to his seat, one of the cabin attendants touches his sleeve. "Excuse me, sir," she asks quietly, "but could I ask you what magic words you used on that little boy?"

The Marine smiles serenely and gently confides, "I showed him my pilot’s wings, service stars, and battle ribbons, and explained that they entitle me to throw one passenger out the plane door, on any flight I choose."

1. Have you ever wished you had the authority to straighten something (or someone) out?

There are times when many of us would like to have the power to fix something that needs to be corrected.

Whether it is a matter of justice or annoyance, we long for the situation to be handled, rather than let go.

And when nothing is done, it becomes a source of constant irritation to us.

“Why doesn’t somebody do something?” is our cry.

Many years ago, in the land of Israel, the same cry had gone out among the people.

The people had been humiliated by its conquerors, Rome.

They also suffered through the hypocrisy and betrayal of its own leaders who were more interested in keeping their power than in doing the right thing.

During this time, someone did come that had the authority and the power to straighten it all out.

His name was Y’shua.

In our day and age, we would call Him Joshua.

In the pages of Scripture, the Greek form of his name is used…Jesus.

2. Throughout the ministry of Jesus, He consistently proved His identity.

We have been studying the gospel of John from time to time since the end of the year 2000.

Today, we are coming to the end of chapter 10, almost the halfway point of the entire text.

It is at this point that we are coming to the conclusion of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Throughout this gospel, John has been giving us the evidence about Jesus.

By examining what He does and what He says, we are finding out over and over again who Jesus really is.

And when one is truly ready to give this an honest investigation, with a desire to know the truth, the conclusions are startling.

For Jesus does not allow us any other conclusion…He is the Lord.

He is God made flesh.

The display of His power, both in action and in person, does not allow for any other conclusion.

Today, as we finish the tenth chapter of John, we will observe once again Jesus’ authority and strength.

3. We will find in our study of John 10:22-42 four stages that demonstrate the power of Jesus.

OUR STUDY:

I. The first stage is the ENCOUNTER (22-24).

[22] At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, [23] and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Between verses 21 and 22, two months have passed by.

We are now at the Feast of Dedication.

1. Setting: The Feast of Dedication is today’s Hanukkah.

This time of celebration was the newest of the feasts.

The time was 175 B.C.

There was a Syrian overlord by the name of Antiochus Epiphanes.

It was his desire to mix Hebrew and Greek culture, but this attempt had catastrophic consequences.

He desecrated the temple, forced the priests to eat pork, and used the chambers of the temple as a brothel.

The altar for the burnt offerings became an altar for Zeus.