Mark 4:19
“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Traditions, protocol and bad theology lulls the modern Christian into a sense of false security. Examine the Words of Jesus and compare His ways to the ways we have sought out for comfort or convenience. This work is difficult. Examine your thoughts. Where did the concern come from? Make changes as you go.
Hirelings prevent sheep from getting to the Lord Jesus. Beware of finding or being “Another Christ”, the preacher has one job. Bring the sheep to the Shepherd.
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61: Jesus Tells The Parable Of The Good Shepherd
John 10:1-21
Jesus continued speaking and said:
“Verily, verily I say unto you, ‘He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him, the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers.”
The listeners did not understand the meaning of what Jesus said. He continued:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘I am the door of the sheep.’ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold.
Them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
The words of Jesus again caused a difference of opinion among the people. Many of them said:
“He hath a devil, and is mad. Why hear ye him?”
Others said:
“There are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?”