(#97)
Read John 10:1-18.
Service is one of the essential characteristics of the New
Man.
Pharisaic service, which gives rise to the discourse in
John 10, was selfish, boastful and unsacrificial (Jn. 9:16,17,24,25,28-34).
The characteristics of the service of the New Man, 10:1-6.
ƒ "He
that entereth by the door is a shepherd!" (v2)
w He
goes in the same door as the sheep (10:7).
Humility should characterize all service of the new man, Col. 3:12;
1 Peter 5:5-6. And beware of
false humility, Col. 2:18,23.
w He
doesn't climb up some other way. The
true servant serves the sheep and not himself, as did the Pharisees.
ƒ "The
porter openeth." (v3)
w The
shepherd does not open the door. Doors
are to be opened and closed by God and Him alone (Rev. 3:8; Gen. 7:16). The doors are opened by faith.
w The
porter is the Holy Spirit. We must
depend on Him in our service (Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:18).
ƒ "The
sheep hear his voice." (v3) He is not too far ahead or behind. And He uses language that can be understood.
ƒ "He
calleth His own by name." (v3) He has a personal acquaintance of each of the
sheep and of their needs.
ƒ "He
leadeth them out." (v3)
w We
are to be examples of a godly life (1 Cor. 11:1) and thus to lead and prepare
the way for others.
w Remember
that Christ goes before us, too, so we need to follow Him (Matt. 4:19; Heb.
12:1).
The purpose of service, 10:7-10.
ƒ The
purpose is to bring the sheep in the door, to lead them to life. The goal is not reform or simply leading them
to good principles but to lead them to Christ who is life.
ƒ Those
who come before the door are thieves and robbers. They are those who obstruct the way (Luke
11:52).
Christ is our example in service, 10:11-18.
1. Life
must be laid down (10:11,15,18). Mk
8:34-35; 10:45.
2. There
must be sacrifice (Phil. 2:5-9; 3:5-10).
3. Service
must be voluntary (10:18).
4. Service
is obedient, in accord with the Father's will (10:18)
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