JOHN 10:22-42

Lesson # 22

DEFINING WHO THE TRUE SHEEP ARE

I.? Introduction:

Note:? Last time we discussed “Who the True Shepherd was and tonight we will see how Jesus speaks about “who the true sheep are”.

Q? So…what is the definition of a true Christian?

Q? How do we know someone is a true Christian or not? Do Christians fight over this?

Q? What was your experience in the last theological debate you were in or witnessed?

Q? Who won and how?

Note:? Lets watch Jesus get involved in a theological debate.? Watch how Jesus argues, what type of person He is in the debate, and how He forms theological arguments.? We could learn something from Him about ourselves….

II.? Setting Up the Debate:? John 10:22-24.

>>>>? Have someone read John 10:22-23.

Q? Where is this debate going to take place and when?

An = At the Temple, in Jerusalem, during a festival that takes place in the winter.

>>>> Have someone read John 10:24.

Q? What do they want to know?

An = If He is the Christ, and they want to hear it “plainly”.

Q? What do they mean, “tell us plainly”?

An = Jesus has spoken in metaphors and spoken about relationships, taking care of people and having a relationship with God.? Jesus has not spoken in the theological language of His detractors.? They seemingly cannot pin Him the way they would like to pin Him.?

Note:? Seemingly, Jesus’ agenda and their agenda is different, and they want the discussion on their terms.? If you witness to the truth, you will experience this as well.

III.? Jesus’ Reply to His Detractors:? John 10:25-30.

>>>> Have someone read John 10:25

Q? What is Jesus’ twofold comment on their request?

An = I have told you already and you did not believe Me.

Q? Does Jesus conceive of His ministry apart from God the Father?

An = No, Jesus does the miracles in the Father’s Name.

Q? How is Jesus’ identity proved or what evidence does Jesus give for His claims?

An = Deeds.? Acts of power in His Father’s Name.

Q? Is most of the theological discussion we enter in based on God’s Action in the “actual world” or is it just in the realm of words?? What has been your experience?

Q? How has Jesus argued?? Has He just quoted the Bible or theologians (Rabbis)?

An = First of all, He is quite confrontive and even accusative (i.e. authoritative), but Jesus’ evidence is in His actions.? He has gone beyond words, and theological terminology and gone to “raw fact”.? So much of theology is an argument over semantics.

Q? How would this look today if we gave the evidence of deeds that Jesus gave?

An = Let them answer, see if they can see that if God enters a debate there will be proof in this life, God will substantiate His truth claims.? This is basically saying, the proof is in the pudding.? If God is on our side then He will do things to substantiate our claims.? Remember the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel?

Q? Can any one tell us about Elijah’s theological debate?

An = After someone has told the story you might want to help them see that this comes right out of the Bible and into church history.?? This is much like the story of St. Francis of Assisi who when arguing with the Islamic doctors of the Sultan finally said, “Well, light us both on fire, and whom God saves is telling the truth.”?

Q? Is this how theological debate is done here?

>>>> Have someone read John 10:26.

Q? Jesus accuses them again of not believing why?

An = They are not His sheep.

>>>> Have someone read John 10:27-28.

Q? How do we know we are His sheep?

?An = 1)? We hear His voice

2)? He knows us.

3)? We follow Him.

Q? What does it mean to hear His voice?

An = Jesus will define this later in the book of John.? Perhaps, our only clues now are two aspects.? The word in Hebrew for “hear” and “obey” is the same word shema!? Also, they follow Him.? If we are not following Him, attracted to Him, drawn to Him and if we are not listening to His voice, i.e. doing what He says, then we do not believe!? If you are His, you are drawn to Him and you follow, i.e. you obey!

Q? What will Jesus give His sheep?

An = Eternal life and they are secure in Him.? No one takes them away.? No one can take you out of Jesus’ hands.? Jesus is going to add to this aspect in the next verse….

>>>> Have someone read John 10:29.

Q? Why is no one able to snatch one from the Father’s hands?

An = Jesus’ Father, gave Him His sheep.? Jesus’ Father is unequaled.? His Father’s power is unequaled, no one will snatch them out the Father’s hand.

Then to show you why being secure in Jesus’ hands is so secure, Jesus adds one more point…

>>>> Have someone read John 10:30.

Q? Why are we secure in Jesus’ and the Father’s power?

An = Because they are one.

Q? What is Jesus’ point in verses 28-30?

An = Those who are Jesus’ sheep are secure.? However, the folks arguing with Jesus are only concerned with their agenda.? They miss this great promise, and instead focus on something else….

IV.? The Detractors’ Response to Jesus:? John 10:31.

>>>>? Have someone read John 10:31

Q? What does their response say about Jesus’ courage?

An = He will speak the truth and risk death.? However, He still wants them to think, not just react with their “knee-jerk” orthodoxy.? They may not be His sheep, but He wants them to be, watch what He now does….

V.? Arguing Deeds vs. Words:? John 10:32-38

>>>> Have someone read John 10:32.

Q? What is Jesus bringing this theological discussion back to?

An = He is bringing it back to deeds!? Arguing just with words often produces little affect.? He calls them to realize that Jesus has shown them truth in their “actual history”.? Notice their response….

>>>> Have someone read John 10:33

Q? What do they accuse Him of and are they correct?

An = Blasphemy and from their point of view, yes.? That God could take human form is inconceivable to them.? Jesus will now condescend to their “word arguments” and give them one.

>>>> Have someone read John 10:34-36.

Q? How does His argument run?? Can you reproduce His argument in your own words?

An = If A (Scripture calls some “gods” who received the Scripture) and if B (Scripture is never wrong), then C (the One who God has sanctified and sent into the world can be called the “Son of God”).? He has played with words.? However, Jesus will not leave it here.

>>>>? Have someone read John 10:37-38.

Q? What is Jesus’ challenge?

An = To not divorce theology from facts.? Jesus has acted in the world with power, miraculous power.? Power that can only come from God.? He has walked on their views of theology though, so they have a problem.? But they are challenged to think and to choose.

Q? What is Jesus’ goal in challenging them to see the validity of His deeds?

An = So they can know and understand who He is and then become His sheep and inherit the great promises.? They can be saved, nourished, and held secure in the good Shepherd’s hands.

Q? Does Jesus want to win a theological argument or win their souls?

Q? Have you ever lost sight of this when you argued?

>>>>? Have someone read John 10:39.

Q ?Did Jesus succeed?

An = No He did not.? They sought to kill Him, but since it was not His time yet, Jesus was safe and eluded their grasp.? Remember, John 10:18?? >>> Have someone read John 10:18.? Jesus will give up His life, it will not be taken from Him.? This theme is here in John and all through the Synoptic Gospels as well.? Jesus controls His death.? His life is His gift and He gives it when He and the Father determine the time is right.

Note:? God may take your life as you minister.? Many Christians die for their faith, every month all over the world, but when you die is always in your Master’s hands.

VI.? Some True Sheep Are Defined:? John 10:40-42.

>>>> Have someone read John 10:40-42.

Q? Why do many believe?

An = They were weighing the evidence.? They were true sheep.