SHEEPFOLD PARABLES: THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Sheepfold Parables
a) The Sheepfold Parables in John chapter 10 contrast the Shepherd first to a stranger, then to a thief, and lastly to a hireling, and show how we must ensure that we follow him and not them.
b) John chapter ten contains parables that liken the kingdom of God to a sheepfold. Christ is the Shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He is also the door (or gate) of the sheepfold, and only through him can one enter God’s kingdom. It is a great mistake to follow any other shepherd or try to enter heaven by any other gate.
c) What is a Sheepfold?
i) A “Sheepfold” is a secure walled enclosure in which sheep are penned when not out to pasture in care of the shepherd. The sheepfold might be a permanent barn-like enclosure for shelter, an outdoor holding pen with stone walls, or a makeshift barricade of briars and crisscrossed pointed sticks. A single narrow opening was provided for entry and exit. If there was no secure door or gate, a keeper would guard the entrance or at night sleep across it. The purpose of the sheepfold was to keep the flock together, keep out wolves or dogs, and to make it difficult for thieves or vandals to steal or harm the sheep. A flock of sheep is a very valuable but vulnerable asset. A good shepherd knows and loves his sheep and guards them with his life against all predators. He keeps his flock together and fetches back any sheep that stray. A sheepfold was necessary for the protection of the flock.
2. The Door Of The Sheep
John 10:7, 9
7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
a) Jesus is both the shepherd and the door. He is the true shepherd to whom the doorkeeper opens the door (John 10:1-3). He is also the door itself (John 10:7). The parable "I am the door of the sheep" is a second likeness embedded in the larger parable, "I am the good shepherd". Only one door or gate leads to the green pasture of eternal life. That door is Jesus. Enter by him and you will be saved. Enter by another door and you will be lost.
The End ...
1. Sheepfold Parablesa) The Sheepfold Parables in John chapter 10 contrast the Shepherd first to a stranger, then to a thief, and lastly to a hireling, and show how we must ensure that we follow him and not them.
b) John chapter ten contains parables that liken the kingdom of God to a sheepfold. Christ is the Shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He is also the door (or gate) of the sheepfold, and only through him can one enter God’s kingdom. It is a great mistake to follow any other shepherd or try to enter heaven by any other gate.
c) What is a Sheepfold?
i) A “Sheepfold” is a secure walled enclosure in which sheep are penned when not out to pasture in care of the shepherd. The sheepfold might be a permanent barn-like enclosure for shelter, an outdoor holding pen with stone walls, or a makeshift barricade of briars and crisscrossed pointed sticks. A single narrow opening was provided for entry and exit. If there was no secure door or gate, a keeper would guard the entrance or at night sleep across it. The purpose of the sheepfold was to keep the flock together, keep out wolves or dogs, and to make it difficult for thieves or vandals to steal or harm the sheep. A flock of sheep is a very valuable but vulnerable asset. A good shepherd knows and loves his sheep and guards them with his life against all predators. He keeps his flock together and fetches back any sheep that stray. A sheepfold was necessary for the protection of the flock.
2. The Door Of The Sheep
John 10:7, 9
7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
a) Jesus is both the shepherd and the door. He is the true shepherd to whom the doorkeeper opens the door (John 10:1-3). He is also the door itself (John 10:7). The parable "I am the door of the sheep" is a second likeness embedded in the larger parable, "I am the good shepherd". Only one door or gate leads to the green pasture of eternal life. That door is Jesus. Enter by him and you will be saved. Enter by another door and you will be lost.
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