"G" Whiz!

For those who were looking for some encouragement
for the elders,
look under "III.   
A.    The shepherd...."

Had a couple of showers but still blazing hot. Thanks to
West End Church of Christ for a great clothes closet. We
were able to assist at least 35 families in distributing
preowned clothes. Pray for our follow up most have no
church they call home. Kirk

“G” Whiz!

John 10

I.    Introduction

A.    Euphemisms say more than what a person means.

1.    The expression “Gee” according to Webster, is
     slang for “Jesus.”

2.    Perhaps you have heard the term, “Gee Whiz!”
     when someone gets excited.

3.    I would like to use this term, not in derogatory
    manner. I’d like to note some words that begins with
    the letter “G” which describes our Lord and Savior in
    John 10.

B.    Our text tells us that Jesus is:

1.    The Great Guide; The Great Gatherer; The Great Giver;
    and The Great Guardian.

C.    A play on “G”

1.    Jesus is The Great Guide because he is Genuine, he
    guarantees safe passage as being the governor of our
    life. In this we should be glad.

2.    He is The Great Gatherer.  A gem for the Gentiles, a
    geyser of hope for the races; we should gleam with
    delight in that he has chosen us fit for his kingdom.

3.    He is the Great Giver. Who can deny the Goodness of
    God? Who can claim he is not gracious or generous with
    his blessings. Oh how we should be ever so grateful
    for his marvelous gifts.

4.    He is the Great Guardian; as a protective groom for
    his bride, the gavel of judgment against our accuser,
    our garrison of hope when enemies threaten. Let us
    glorify him for the walls of protection about us!

II.   These “G’s” offer hope!

A.   We need a guide to lead us in paths of
    righteousness because of spiritual misdirection
    coming from “politically correct” institutions.
    We need spiritual correctness.

B.    We need to know that every man who is a willing participant
    may be gathered unto him for salvation. God is no racist!

C.    We need to recognize that as a government gives rewards to
    its faithful citizens, God grants blessing to those who are
    in Christ Jesus.

D.    What citizen would want to belong to a country which could
    not keep them safely? What people would want to worship a
    God who could not guard them against loss?

III.  A look at Jesus, The Great Guide, Gatherer, Giver and
    Guardian.

A.    The word “Shepherd” is found five times in this chapter.
    Thus we identify Jesus as our Great Guide.

1.    There had been spiritual leaders in the past but none
    so caring and zealous for the flock as was our beloved
    savior.

  a.  Isa. 51:18 talks about the desperate condition of
    Israel in its lack of leadership, “There is no one
    to guide her among all the sons she has brought
    forth; nor is there any who takes her by the hand
    among all the sons she has brought up.”

  b.    During the life of Christ he labeled their
      spiritual guides as “Hypocrites.”

  c.    Paul noted their leadership inability as he said,
       (Rom. 2:17-24).

2.    But Jesus, our great Guide, our wonderful shepherd and
    overseer of our soul leads:

  a.  He leads me in paths of righteousness - how?
    Psa. 73:24 “You will guide me with thy counsel
   (word) and afterward take me to glory.” By the
    message of the H.S. (Jn. 16:13) which has been
    forever recorded and sealed. When we hear the word
    of truth, the gospel of our salvation (Eph.1:13)
    we begin our journey down the path of right living.

  b.    He leads, not drives. He calls out and they are
      familiar with his voice. He knows his sheep
      individually, having their name written in the
      book of life. He knows when they are absent from
      the table of communion.He never imagines himself
      free from his duty of guiding the flock. He never
      takes a leave of absence, vacation, or not show
      up for work. The sheep however....nevertheless
      he continues to guide.

3.    What makes a great leader, a great Guide? Karin Syren
    is a certified coach in management skills notes these
    great qualities: so for our spiritual leaders here,
    this part of the lesson is specifically designed to
    encourage them to be great shepherds of the sheep here.
    Additional personal notes are marked by [...]  

 a.    Great Leaders are mission inclined. The Great
     Leader indicates a firm grasp of the mission and
     vision. [(Lk. 19:10 came to seek & save). The
     mission is not to entertain the sheep, harass the
     sheep nor despise the sheep, but to help, heal
     and encourage through the word not through the
     world.]

   b.  Great Leaders are providers. The leader is often
     called to provide for needs the group is virtually
     unaware of. It becomes the role of the leader to
     first identify the need, and then to provide a
     means of fulfillment. [(Ps. 23:2 He makes me lie
     down in green pastures) Fullness, satisfaction,
     comfort. However the needs of the sheep are not
     self-fulfillment, rather, service. We do not
     serve by learning how to praise dance, paint or
     wave flags or ring bells.  Service indicates work.
     The sheep must be provided with work which is
     pleasing to God. They do not know what to do until
     you tell them it needs to get done.]

 c.    Great Leaders are motivated by the welfare of
     the team. The motive is never self-promotion,
     self-aggrandizement. [(He leaves the 99 and
     seeks the one gone astray Lk. 15). Welfare of
     the church is not socialism but holiness unto
     the lord. Welfare does not mean how many church
     trips are scheduled, or potlucks are had, but if
     the whole of the body is glorified and magnified
     through each member looking after the needs of
     others.]

 d.    Great Leaders are always ready to provide the
     tools necessary for achieving the goals of the
     team. [(Eph. 4:7 But to each one of us,grace was
     given according to the measure of Christ’s gift).
     The fineries of church-house-ism are not the
     tools which the leader strives to acquire for
     the sheep. Such vestiges as special robes stain
     glass, gymnasiums makes mockery of the house of
     God. Whereas love, joy, peace, visitation,
     benevolence, etc... Are timeless tools for every
     generation in which we must strive to skillfully
     employ?]
e.    Great Leaders have great integrity and assume the
     role of keeper of ethics. Leaders must articulate
     the ethical expectations necessary to maintain
     the wholeness and soundness of the team, as
     well as the individual members. The two are
     inseparable. [Jesus grew in favor with God and
     man (Lk. 2:52) Can a church grow if it has
     forsaken a stand in morality? Sure, but the
     flock is mange, sick, and ignorant about their
     purpose (which is Eph.1:4 be holy & blameless
     before him in love) you may give debate over
     abortion, gay life, marriage & divorce as being
     non-important issues for spiritual vitality. If
     that be the case, what is holiness? What does
     blamelessness mean? Ethics is not subject to the
     opinions of mans intelligence but to the revealed
     will of God.]

 f.    Great Leaders are consistently teachable.
     Information flows from the top. [Jesus learned
     obedience through the things he suffered(Heb.5:8).
     Study not only the books of men and their various
     interpretations; study the word of God which
     leads you to perfect knowledge even if it causes
     you and his sheep great suffering. Persecution
     arose in the first century for the information
     they shared. They shared not acceptance of vices.
     Great leaders will not use new terminology
     calling sin “a sickness.”]

 g.    Great Leaders are always willing to step aside
     rather than compromise the team. The leader will
     never play one member against another as a
     tactic, realizing that unity of purpose, when
     grounded in the integrity of the vision, will
     always lead to increased productivity and
     progress. [Remember Jesus washed feet when no
     one else would (Jn.13). There will be times when
     you must do that which no one else will, do it
     anyway. There will be times when no one will
     serve, serve anyway. There will be times when
     no one will love, love anyway. Because you lead
     them, you guide them in paths of right doing.
     Speak kindly to the unkind; be courteous to those
     who slander your role. And, when the time comes,
    retire from your office with dignity, not because
    you were forced out.]
h.    Great Leaders do not take control, but accept
     surrendered control. [James and John asked Jesus,
    “Shall we call down fire from heaven to destroy
     these?” Jesus replied, “You know not what manner
     of spirit you are” (Lk. 9:54, 55). Forced service
    is not service at all. Would to God every preacher
     who preached would acknowledge this fact and be
      kind to the sheep so the elders may lead. It
     serves no one any good by threatening to quit
    their post if it doesn’t go the way they plan it.]

 i.    Great Leaders understand the awesome
     responsibility of guiding human beings.
     [Jesus is no hireling, no part time half hearted
     over seer. (Jn.10). Being held accountable
     should humble men for he that is given five
     sheep and has gained five others also will
     hear,“Well done!”] 

  j.   Great Leaders understand the difference between
     passion for excellence and passion for power.
     [1 Pet. 5:2-4 Saul, son of Kish once was humble,
     but when he let power go to his head, God
     stripped him of his authority (1 Sam. 15:17ff)].

 k.    Great Leaders always lead by example. The Great
     Leader is never merely an observer. [What Jesus
     authorizes, we may do, that which he has not
     ordered we cannot proceed. Speak where the
     Bible speaks and be silent when it is silent.
     Go not beyond the scripture in work or worship.
     Add no instrument when none is required, leave
     no communion unserved when they met every first
     day of the week to partake, throw all human
     creeds, titles, and confessions behind thy back.
     Lead by example, not innovation. Be doers of the
     word and not hears only least you fall under
     condemnation of the just Judge. Walk beside the
     sheep, work beside the sheep, smell like sheep,
     because they’d rather see a sermon than hear one
     any day.]
     Copyright 2005 So-lu'shunz Management Services
     Karin Syren is a certified coach specializing in
     effectiveness Coaching.
4.    Jesus is that great Guide, The Psalmist writes, “Thy
    rod and thy staff comforts me” (rod is the club
    warding off predators, staff is the crooked staff
    which is kindly laid upon the shoulder tapping on the
    right or left as he leads the sheep down an unknown
    pathway). Both symbols represent the word of God as it
    guides and corrects our conduct in life.

5.    Is the word of Jesus leading you or are other voices
    which know not God?

B.    Since Jesus is so great a guide, it is fitting for Jesus to
   be the Great Gatherer. (v. 16).

 1.    Other sheep... The nations which were not of Israel
    (Eph. 2:12, 13, 19).

 2.    This text never had the idea of multiple denominations
     rather, many races.

 3.    All are invited to come (Matt. 11:28) and when they
     come, some are wheat, others tares (Matt. 13:30),
     some say Lord, Lord and act, others just call on his
     name yet no righteousness follow (Matt. 7:21ff). In
     his kingdom are saints and sinners, good fish and
     bad (Matt. 13:47), and in the end, a great division
     will occur, the goats and sheep will be separated
     unto eternal damnation or eternal life (Matt. 25:31ff).
     Regardless what they are, sheep or goats, Jesus
     has called and gathered them together.

4.    When they come, they must come through the door.

 a.    The door represents an instrument of separation.
     On the one side is the world and its lusts which
     are perishing (1 Jn. 2:15-17), on the other is
     the new man being renewed day by day as he
     partakes of the spirit filled words of Jesus
     which offers life (2 Cor. 4:16; Jn.6:63).

 b.    Not only is it an instrument of separation,
     but a symbol of protection. (Thief and robber
     tries other means because of a secure door.)The
     ancient shepherd would become the door for the
     sheep at night as he would corral them into a
     secure location then lie at the narrowest opening
     so nothing can escape nor enter which would harm
     except it pass through him. Song someone wrote,
     as they spoke of the trial of Job, “Nothing can
     happen unless it passes through His hand.”

 c.    Not only does a door separate, and protect it
     invites hospitality- (If any man opens I will
     come in to him and dine with him (Rev. 3:20).
     This is why Jesus is the great gatherer, He
     encourages all to come and have fellowship.
     Jesus invited the rich young morally sound ruler
     as well as the “chief of sinners.” One entered,
     the other walked away.
5.  Jesus was lifted up, dearly beloved, to draw all men
  unto him. There is no other way to heaven but by the
  door Jesus opened, the gaping hole in his side from
  which his guiltless, sinless blood flowed forth cleansing
  the sins of every penitent believer.

6.    As he guides and gathers, he also gives. (v. 10).

 1.    Death and life are great words of scripture and their
     meaning must be watched. “Death” on the lips of Jesus
     is not physical but spiritual - ‘The maid is not dead
     but sleepeth.’ and again, ‘she who lives in pleasure
     is dead while she lives’ (1 Tim. 5:6). So also with
    “life.” Life was not physical heath and strength; it
     was fellowship with God ‘Let the dead bury the dead.’
     Every Saint of God is, “called into the fellowship of
     his son” (1Cor. 1:9) not into perfect health. “Better
     to enter life with one eye/foot than have both sent to
     hell (Matt. 18:9)(Adapted, Great Texts of the Bible,
     Hastings, Vol. 11,p. 428).

2.    Spiritual guru’s project a God of financial prosperity.
    Christian retail stores have lined the pocket of their
    wallets by the selling of foolish prosperity books.

3.    The Life Jesus gives is one not of social security,
    but soul serenity.In Christ we have every spiritual
    blessing, are adopted and accepted into the family
    of God, are redeemed through his blood, know the
    mystery of his will, obtained an inheritance, sealed
    with the holy spirit, caused to be at peace with
    God, become fellow citizens with the saints, built
    and growing into a holy temple for the Lord, and
    made for a dwelling place for God on earth in the
    spirit. Therefore Paul encourages us to walk worthy
    of the calling with which we were called
   (Eph. 1:3, 5,6,7,9,11,13; 2:14,19, 21, 22; 4:1). 

4.    It’s not all about giving me financial freedom.
    It is about freedom in Christ where I can go in
    and out.

5.    The great Giver gives life, not only in this world
    but in that which is to come!

D.    Now since he does such, do we think he cannot guard that
    which he has given?(28-30)

1.    Some seem to think that Jesus can guide, gather,
    give, but cannot guard that which is his.
   “For though I walk through the valley of the shadow
   of death.”

2.    The promises of Jesus are steadfast and sure. This
    statement is a  promise he intends to keep.

3.    No man can take away your salvation. Christ
    purchased it, provides it, and protects it. You
    may Know you have life 1 Jn. 5:12, 13. 

 a.    It’s not earned (Eph. 2:8, 9) and it can’t
     be stolen (Jn. 10:1,2).

 b.    However, it is only available to the obedient
     (2 Pet. 1:10 never fall... if...). 

4.    What the believer must trust in, is the great grace
    of our God.

 a.    Again in the marvelous book of Ephesians, seven
     times the grace of God is magnified in that
     it: made us accepted in the beloved, brought
     forgiveness of sins, made us alive, saved us,
     made us aware of uniting all nations into one
     through Christ, saved Paul the ‘least of all
     saints,’ and by it and through it the Christian
     receives spiritual gifts (Eph. 1:6, 7; 2:5, 8;
     3:2, 8; 4:7).

5.    Since his grace does so much, I do suppose that is
    why the word “gospel” means ‘Good news!”

6.    We have the best guide, the best gatherer, the best
    giver, and the best guardian of our soul. Who would
    not want to be a part of Christianity? Who in their
    enlightened mind would shun putting him on in baptism
    this hour?
7.    He can keep you saved. You do your part, he will do
    his.

CONCLUSION

Great “G’s” in John 10.

Memorize them, cherish them, and let them encourage you to
fight the good fight when your day is dark. Isa. 40:11 He
will feed his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs
with his arm, and carry them in his bosom and gently lead those
who arewith young.  He guards, gathers, gives, and guides.