John 10 (7 Sermons)

Chapter 10 

Outline: 

1-10 Parable of Jesus as door of the sheepfold 

11-18 Parable of Jesus as shepherd of the sheep 

19-24 Division among the Jews 

25 Jesus appealed to His works 

26-31 Jesus appealed to election 

32-36 Jesus appealed to Bible use of “god” 

37-39 Jesus appealed to His works again 

40-42 Jesus left and found believers elsewhere 

Preparatory Reading:  Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 23; John 9; Romans 9; Ephesians 1-2. 

Introduction: 

1. The context of John 10 is the healing of the blind man, his faith, and the Pharisees (John 9).
   1. Full appreciation of chapter ten requires knowledge of chapter nine for its controversy.
   2. A connection is implied by 9:39-41 compared to 10:1; 10:21 itself; and 9:16 beside 10:19.
   3. The connection is seen by the nature of chapter ten’s lesson and the controversy of nine.
   4. The context shows the chapter’s initial purpose, to condemn bad pastors and exalt Jesus.
2. The purpose of John 10 was to condemn Pharisees and false shepherds against Jesus Christ.
   1. It warned false teachers by a rebuke and comforted His sheep to see the great difference.
   2. Further appreciation is by God’s rebuke of false shepherds (Jer 23; Ezek 34; Matt 23).
   3. Most religious men in history, some in the church of God, have been God’s enemies.
   4. It is a comforting lesson to see the superiority of Jesus to most religious men in history.
   5. Religious frauds and liars have led so many astray, but the Bishop of our souls is perfect!
   6. The thieves, robbers, and hirelings here are the scribes and Pharisees of the O.T. church.
   7. It is a doctrinal treatise on the work of the ministry and identity of Jesus as God’s Son.
   8. If not careful, we will leave the context and wander into soteriological details not intended.
3. The parable of John 10 extends from 10:1 to 10:18, in which Jesus is the door and shepherd.
   1. We know this is a parable by John’s explanation (10:6), and the nature of it confirms it as one.
   2. The parable actually extends all the way to 10:30, but the most parabolic part is 10:1-18.
   3. We know to avoid stressing details of parables, lest we miss the far more valuable lesson.
   4. Parables are extended proverbs and riddles, so do not force it literally to your own liking.
   5. The parable of the Good Samaritan and its details are to explain who your neighbor is.
   6. The parable of the Sower and all its details are for a simple lesson to be vigilant
   7. This parable’s design is nearly as visible as these two, so we must see our Lord’s intent.
   8. We are not sheep; Jesus was not a shepherd; He was a carpenter’s son and King of kings.
   9. The sheepfold is the church, under either testament, for their care by God’s under-shepherds.
   10. Thieves and robbers are false teachers; the wolf is one or another threat; see past Satan.
   11. Jesus is God in the flesh, Immanuel; He is also the Man Christ Jesus, filling and fulfilling every office necessary for our legal redemption and practical protection e.g. Apostle and High Priest (Heb 3:1), Shepherd and Bishop (I Pet 2:25), Master (John 13:13-14), etc. 
4. The doctrine of John 10 extends from 10:19 to 10:42, as Jesus defends himself as God’s Son.
   1. Typical of the Jews, they were divided; some believed Him and others did not (10:19-24).
   2. He defended Himself by His works, which were proof He was the Son of God (10:25).
   3. He established election, which was the fundamental reason for the differences (10:26-31).
   4. He defended Himself as the Son of God by using the scripture’s use of “god” (10:32-36).
   5. He defended Himself again by works, which should have proved God in Him (10:37-39).
   6. After their fatal rejection, He departed to another place, where many believed (10:40-42).
5. The danger of John 10 is to forget the parable and seek meaning in all the details of the metaphor.
   1. See explanatory matter for reading and interpreting parables starting on page 5 of this outline.
   2. Do not get waylaid by our Lord’s parable in thinking that deep students will examine all details.
   3. The parable of the Good Samaritan is simple and single – who is my neighbor? That is it, period.
   4. The parable of the Prodigal is simple – do not be self-righteous and despise repenting sinners.
   5. The parable of the Sower is simple and single – how do you hear preaching? That is it, period.
   6. The parable of the Unjust Steward is simple – are you ready for the future? That is it, period.
   7. Parables are proverbs and riddles; they are obscure metaphors; they are dark sayings of the wise.
   8. Take a bird’s eye view of the whole parable and identify the designed lesson in a short sentence.
   9. Reject a treatise in John 10:1-18 of soteriological details for the apostles about regeneration and conversion, or you will miss the lesson intended and come up with stuff not taught by the Spirit.
   10. Reject worries of unconverted elect and conversion other than lessons plainly stated (10:26).
   11. The general lesson is to condemn Pharisees and exalt Jesus Christ as far superior to any of them.
   12. This is a defense by Jesus of Himself and His rightful authority that He and true ministers have.
   13. This is a defense by Jesus of Himself and His compassionate care that He and true pastors have.
6. See Jesus personally, intimately, devotedly, passionately as Shepherd both for time and eternity.
   1. Pastors should be the most compassionate and caring men, but Pharisees and many others like them prove the opposite, but Jesus is the Great and Good Shepherd in comparison.
   2. Yet, God’s men are strict and authoritative like Jesus and Paul were to enemies and the carnal.
   3. God’s men do not compromise with sin or coddle sinners as Matthew 23 and scripture shows.
7. We are at a disadvantage not knowing sheep and shepherds, but the lesson is simple enough.