Jesus is the Shepherd

Jesus is the Shepherd & He knows us by our Name and we know His Voice
A Scripture teaching from John 10:1-30

From verses 2-5
Jesus taught, "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

This shows the care the shepherd takes and the provision he makes for his sheep. The sheep hear his voice, when he speaks intimately to them, as we do with our own "pets" -- dogs, cats, horses, etc. The Shepherd calls his own sheep by name, so exactly, how He takes notice of them, the account he keeps of them; and he leads them out from the fold to the green pastures; and (v. 4, 5) when he turns them out to graze, he does not drive them, but he goes before them, to prevent any mischief or danger that might meet them, and they, being used to it, follow him, and are safe.

The sheep know his voice, so as to hear it and recognize it and know it's the shepherd to follow, but also will distinguish a voice from a stranger, and the sheep will flee from the stranger, not knowing his voice, as IT IS NOT the voice of their own shepherd.

So, what or whose voice do we listen for?

If we are listening to the world's voices .. then we are listening to the voice of the strangers -- to the thief -- of this world. As we know, the thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy -- Steal away our joy, to kill our testimony, and to destroy our life.

Some of the voices we may listen to:

• The media -- movies, TV shows, music, news, etc.
  
• Our friends -- bad opinions, their own opinions (not God's Word), comments
  
• Our parents and family -- who persecute us for our beliefs?
  
• Our own self-talk -- negative comments that kill our self-worth?
  
• The enemy -- who plants seeds of questioning, of doubt, of disbelief, etc.
  

The voice that we should direct our hearing to is to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, through prayer and through the study of His Word, the Bible.

Scripture: VS 7-10
So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am The door of the sheep. "All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Jesus, the voice we should listen to, came to this world for His own, for us to follow Him so that we may not only have life -- but to have ABUNDANT LIFE. -- Which is eternal life -- joy in our experiences, testimony of health and of provision, also a testimony of protection in the fold.

Scripture: VS 11-14
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. "He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. "He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me."

These verses speak of our shepherd, who watches out for dangers ... Things that may harm the flock, He has tools for protection, sheepdogs, a rod, a staff, a fence, all to keep dangers away from us, to chase away the wolves ... who want to devour the sheep. Jesus, who is the good shepherd knows His own, and we know Him.

What are the dangers that lurk outside our sheep gate? It is not always a visible danger -- but more spiritual danger? Are we keeping ourselves in the Shepherd's care? We should, because he cared so much for us, that He was willing to lay HIS own life down for the protection of the sheep.

I want to re-iterate the personal relationship Jesus has with His own -- His sheep. In verse 3 & 4, the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 "When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice".

He knows each of us by name, he calls us by name ... because we are His own. Do we know that? That is how special we are to the Father -- to Jesus, that He knows each of us by name. It is not a vague name either -- not just the "children of God" or "the Church", but by our own individual names.

In the OT, I found a few examples of God calling his servants by name:

Exodus 33:17
The Lord answered Moses, "I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name."

Exodus 35:30
Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah."

Isaiah 43:1
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!

Isaiah 45:1-4
1 Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed,.... The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. 4 "For the sake of Jacob My servant, And Israel My chosen {one,} I have also called you by your name; I have given you a title of honor Though you have not known Me. "

AND since God is the same yesterday, today and forever, He never changes ... If The word of God says that the Lord called people by name then ... in the past ... then He still does today (as we are in the 'forever' part).

In the tenth chapter of John, Jesus alludes to us being His sheep and hearing his voice more than THREE times ... I think that should have us take notice!

In verses 27-30
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. "I and the Father are one."

Jesus reassures us more than three times that the sheep hear His voice and recognize His voice and follow His leading. Jesus also reassures the flock TWO times that He will always protect us, He will always Keep us in His flock, and will never let ANY ONE (even ourselves) TO STEAL US AWAY (i.e. lose our salvation) from His flock. Jesus states that His Father is greater than ALL ... even greater than myself, to keep me safe. No one is able to snatch them out of God's hand ... as Jesus and the Father are one ... God.

So, in Application:

When we are called into the Kingdom of God, and we receive the free gift of eternal life in Christ, Jesus called you by name.

Does the world know you by your Name? The world only looks at the outward appearance -- by your outward actions, by your manner of dress, by what you say, how we act when we are tested, how we treat ourselves and others, and by how we make a living.

But since God knows us from the very moment we were created to this point in time, in our life, He knows us intimately. He knows our nature ... sinful ... yet He still loves us. He speaks our name, and we follow Him. He calls us to the flock where He can take care of us and keep us from harm.

He shows us His divine nature and also will call us by a new name:

Revelation 2:17
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'

Revelation 3:12
All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write my God's name on them, and they will be citizens in the city of my God -- the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And they will have my new name inscribed upon them.

Below is a list from the book "Torrey's Topical Textbook", of titles and names the Bible gives to saints (believers). Take time and look them up for yourself.

Torrey's Topical Textbook -- Titles and names of saints

Believers -- Acts 5:14; 1 Timothy 4:12
Beloved of God -- Romans 1:7
Beloved brethren -- 1 Corinthians 15:58; James 2:5
Blessed of the Lord -- Genesis 24:31; 26:29
Blessed of the Father -- Matthew 25:34
Brethren -- Matthew 23:8; Acts 12:17
Brethren of Christ -- Luke 8:21; John 20:17
Called of Jesus Christ -- Romans 1:6
Children of the Lord -- Deuteronomy 14:1
Children of God -- John 11:52; 1 John 3:10
Children of the Living God -- Romans 9:26
Children of the Father -- Matthew 5:45
Children of the Highest -- Luke 6:35
Children of Abraham -- Galatians 3:7
Children of Jacob -- Psalms 105:6
Children of promise -- Romans 9:8; Galatians 4:28
Children of the free-woman -- Galatians 4:31
Children of the kingdom -- Matthew 13:38
Children of Zion -- Psalms 149:2; Joel 2:23
Children of the bride -- Matthew 9:15
Children of light -- Luke 16:8; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Children of the day -- 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Children of the resurrection -- Luke 20:36
Chosen generation -- 1 Peter 2:9
Chosen ones -- 1 Chronicles 16:13
Chosen vessels -- Acts 9:15
Christians -- Acts 11:26; 26:28
Dear children -- Ephesians 5:1
Disciples of Christ -- John 8:31; 15:8
Elect of God -- Colossians 3:12; Titus 1:1
Epistles of Christ -- 2 Corinthians 3:3
Excellent, The -- Psalms 16:3
Faithful brethren in Christ -- Colossians 1:2
Faithful, The -- Psalms 12:1
Faithful of the land -- Psalms 101:6
Fellow-citizens with the saints -- Ephesians 2:19
Fellow-heirs -- Ephesians 3:6
Fellow-servants -- Revelation 6:11
Friends of God -- 2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23
Friends of Christ -- John 15:15
Godly, The -- Psalms 4:3; 2 Peter 2:9
Heirs of God -- Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7
Heirs of the grace of life -- 1 Peter 3:7
Heirs of the kingdom -- James 2:5
Heirs of promise -- Hebrews 6:17; Galatians 3:29
Heirs of salvation -- Hebrews 1:14
Holy brethren -- 1 Thessalonians 5:27; Hebrews 3:1
Holy nation -- Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9
Holy people -- Deuteronomy 26:19; Isaiah 62:12
Holy priesthood -- 1 Peter 2:5
Joint-heirs with Christ -- Romans 8:17
Just, The -- Habakkuk 2:4
Kings and priests to God -- Revelation 1:6
Kingdom of priests -- Exodus 19:6
Lambs -- Isaiah 40:11; John 21:15
Lights of the world -- Matthew 5:14
Little children -- John 13:33; 1 John 2:1
Lively stones -- 1 Peter 2:5
Members of Christ -- 1 Corinthians 6:15; Ephesians 5:30
Men of God -- Deuteronomy 33:1; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 3:17
Obedient children -- 1 Peter 1:14
Peculiar people -- Deuteronomy 14:2; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9
Peculiar treasure -- Exodus 19:5; Psalms 135:4
People of God -- Hebrews 4:9; 1 Peter 2:10
People near to God -- Psalms 148:14
People saved by the Lord -- Deuteronomy 33:29
Pillars in the temple of God -- Revelation 3:12
Ransomed of the Lord -- Isaiah 35:10
Redeemed of the Lord -- Isaiah 51:11
Royal priesthood -- 1 Peter 2:9
Salt of the earth -- Matthew 5:13
Servants of Christ -- 1 Corinthians 7:22; Ephesians 6:6
Servants of righteousness -- Romans 6:18
Sheep of Christ -- John 10:1-16; 21:16
Sojourners with God -- Leviticus 25:23; Psalms 39:12
Sons of God -- John 1:12; Philippians 2:15; 1 John 3:1,2
The Lord's freemen -- 1 Corinthians 7:22
Trees of righteousness -- Isaiah 61:3
Vessels of honor -- 2 Timothy 2:21
Vessels of mercy -- Romans 9:23
Witnesses for God -- Isaiah 44:8

Character of saints

Attentive to Christ's voice -- John 10:3,4
Blameless and harmless -- Philippians 2:15
Bold -- Proverbs 28:1; Romans 13:3
Contrite -- Isaiah 57:15; 66:2
Devout -- Acts 8:2; 22:12
Faithful -- Revelation 17:14
Fearing God -- Matthew 3:16; Acts 10:2
Following Christ -- John 10:4,27
Godly -- Psalms 4:3; 2 Peter 2:9
Guileless -- John 1:47
Holy -- Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2; Colossians 3:12
Humble -- Psalms 34:2; 1 Peter 5:5
Hungering after righteousness -- Matthew 5:6
Just -- Genesis 6:9; Habakkuk 2:4; Luke 2:25
Led by the Spirit -- Romans 8:14
Liberal -- Isaiah 32:8; 2 Corinthians 9:13
Loving -- Colossians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:9
Lowly -- Proverbs 16:19
Meek -- Isaiah 29:19; Matthew 5:5
Merciful -- Psalms 37:26; Matthew 5:7
New Creatures -- 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10
Obedient -- Romans 16:19; 1 Peter 1:14
Poor in spirit -- Psalms 51:17; Matthew 5:3
Prudent -- Proverbs 16:21
Pure in heart -- Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:3
Righteous -- Isaiah 60:21; Luke 1:6
Sincere -- 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2:17
Steadfast -- Acts 2:42; Colossians 2:5
Taught of God -- Isaiah 54:13; 1 John 2:27
True -- 2 Corinthians 6:8
Undefiled -- Psalms 119:1
Upright -- 1 Kings 3:6; Psalms 15:2
Watchful -- Luke 12:37
Zealous of good works -- Titus 2:14; 3:8

These scriptures are good resources to build up your faith and relationship with Jesus Christ, the God of Heaven and Earth. Each one has a purpose, and that is to encourage you and to give you hope in your position with Christ. We can look at our experiences (and have a really bad attitude), but if we look and live in our position with Christ, we can truly have an abundant, rich, spiritual life in Christ! (John 10:10 - The Son came to give us life, and to have it more abundantly!)

Live an abundant life! Peace be with you. Listen for the Shepherd's voice, and when you recognize it, follow the voice. Follow the Shepherd's voice, and you too will find rest, provisions, and peace.

God Bless