John 10:1-9

Until John, we have been using older manuscripts of Ryle's Expository Thoughts. Just recently, though, EP Publishing has put out a lightly updated version of Ryle's work, which I am now working from. If you are interested in a physical copy of the Expository Thoughts, you can find it HERE.

John 10:1-9

1. We have a vivid picture of a false teacher of religion.
2. We have a particular picture of true Christians.
3. We have a most instructive picture of Christ Himself.

"If we would know the value of someone’s ministry, we must never fail to ask, Where is the Lamb? Where is the Door? Do they bring forward Christ, and give Him His rightful place?"

"There is a spiritual instinct in most true believers, which generally enables them to distinguish between true and false teaching. When they hear unsound teaching, there is something within them which says, “This is wrong.” When they hear the real truth as it is in Jesus, there is something in their hearts which responds, “This is right.”"

"The very first questions in Christian faith that must be answered, are these: “How can I draw near to God? How can I be justified? How can a sinner like me be reconciled to my Maker?”"

Questions:

1. Jesus declares that He is the door and the true shepherd of the sheep, and that others are thieves and robbers. Ryle points out that the minister of Christ will be one who enters the ministry with a single eye on Christ, desiring to glorify Christ, doing all in the strength of Christ, preaching Christ's doctrine, walking in Christ's steps, and laboring to bring men and women to Christ. If you are a pastor, is this true of you? If you are not a pastor, can you see this in your pastor?
2. We read in this passage that the sheep will hear the voice of the shepherd, and will not listen to strangers. Ryle marks this as a sure proof of conversion, when a man or woman can hear a teaching and know whether it is true or false...even if they cannot explain why. Do we have this testimony in our lives?
3. We hear on the lips of Jesus the mighty words, "if anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." Have we sensed this great barrier between us and God in our sin? Have we entered by faith into the door that, while we still have breath, is open and free to walk in and out? May it be so for our joy and God's glory!