Are You Marked?

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In John 10 we find Jesus the Good Shepherd who came to seek and save the lost. He died for the sin of the world and offers salvation to all the world. He says there is only one entrance but it is wide enough for all who want to enter. And for those who come to Him, Jesus explains in the clearest possible way how to know you are one of His sheep. In our text this morning we find Jesus using an unusual description for His sheep, He says they are marked in the ear and the foot in John 10:27.

Ancient shepherds used to mark their sheep so that no confusion would occur as flocks merged at watering holes. They had a unique nick on their ears or a brand painted on their sides. Jesus actually tells us He has two marks on each of us who belong to Him.

In John 10 Jesus identifies believers as His sheep. There are two identifying markers that show Christ’s ownership. When we are true believers we have Christ’s marks on our ears and on our feet.  Jesus tells us “My sheep hear my voice (that is a mark on the ear) and they follow me (that is the mark of the foot). Christ’s sheep hear and follow. Do you know this morning that you belong to Jesus? You can, just hear and follow Him. Just get marked in the ear and the foot.

Please join me in John 10 as I read v. 7-11 and 25-30.

What Does it Mean to Be One of “Christ’s Sheep”?

Being Christ’s sheep means[1] I learn to WALK CHRIST’S PATH INSTEAD OF MINE  –  Instead of being one of the crowd I am willing to be singled out, set apart from the gang. Most of us are like sheep, we want to belong. We don’t want to be different in a deep, distinctive way, though we may wish to be different in minor details that appeal to our selfish egos! But Christ pointed out that only a few would find His way acceptable. And to be marked as one of His would mean a certain amount of criticism and sarcasm from a cynical society. Many of us don’t want this. Just as He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, so we may be. Instead of adding to the sorrows and sadness of society we may be called on to help bear some of the burdens of others, to enter into the suffering of others. Are we ready to do this?

So being Christ’s sheep means I GET MARKED IN THE EAR AND FOOT – Instead of choosing my own way I am willing to choose to follow in Christ’s way: Simply to do what He asks me to do. This basically is simple, straightforward obedience. It means I just do what He asks me to do. I go where He invites me to go. I say what He instructs me to say. I act and re-act in the manner He maintains is in my own best interest as well as for His reputation (if I’m His follower). Most of us possess a formidable amount of factual information on what the Master expects of us. Precious few have either the will, intention or determination to act on it and comply with His instructions. But the person who decides to do what God asks him has moved onto fresh ground, which will do both him and others a world of good. Besides, it will please the Good Shepherd no end. God wants us all to move on with Him. He wants us to walk with Him. He wants it not only for our welfare but for the benefit of others as well as His own dear reputation. Perhaps there are those who think He expects too much of us. Maybe they feel the demands are too drastic. Some may even consider His call impossible to carry out. It would be if we had to depend on self-determination, or self-discipline to succeed. But if we are in earnest about wanting to do His will, and to be led, He makes this possible by His own gracious Spirit who is given to those who obey (Acts 5:32). For it is He who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2: 13) .   Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  1 Timothy 6:8  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 

Welcome to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

The Master”s Message In John  is watching Jesus through the eyes and ears of the Apostle John. We are doing this study because Jesus is the One who sent us to go and preach His gospel.

Jesus is the best One to summarize the message He wants us to share in His name. What is the Gospel? Christ Jesus answers through the eyes and ears of the Apostle that He loved – John.

John has over 20 powerful scenes where our Lord Jesus Christ explains the truth about salvation, and identifies those who are saved. We have come to the third of 26 beautiful moments in Christ’s Ministry.

John captures Jesus describing believers as those who:

1. Possess Jesus Christ, as their substitute, by the power of the Holy Spirit (1);
2. Hang on to Christ alone (2);
3. Get to start life over again –only this time brand new and in the right way with no wrath of God to ever fear (3);
4. Worshipers who drink the water of life because they are convinced that Christ is their only hope (4);
5. Eat and drink of Christ (6)
6. Choose to obey/follow Jesus (7);
7. Leave their life of sin and belong to Christ (8);
8. Are found by Christ who opens their eyes (9).

The lessons of John 10 are so precious that all who know and love Jesus treasure these truths. Here in John 10 Jesus says:

• Jesus said there is – Only one entrance, so the way is narrow, v. 9a “I am the Door…”.
• Jesus said  – Any may enter v. 9b ‘if anyone enters…” through that entrance, so the invitation is broad (in John 6:44 we have God’s perspective, but here we see our responsibility).
• Enter today! The personal need to respond is of eternal importance, and gives eternal dividends:

• All who come to Jesus v. 9c “will be saved” v. 11-18 explains that truth.
• All who come to Jesus will be safe v. 9c “and will go in and out” v. 27-30 explains that truth.
• All who come to Jesus will be satisfied v. 9d “and find pasture” and v. 10 explains that truth.

 

v     A believer enters through Jesus; a believer hears Christ’s voice; a believer has been saved by Jesus; a believer finds pasture; a believer has an abundnat life; a believer trusts in Christ’s life laid down for their sins; a believer is known by Jesus and personally knows Jesus A believer enters through Jesus John 10:1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. A believer hears Christ’s voice John 10:3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. A believer has been saved by Jesus and finds pasture John 10:9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. A believer has an abundant life John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. A believer trusts in Christ’s life laid down for their sins John 10:11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A believer is known by jesus and personally knows jesus  John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

v     A believer LIVES & believes in Jesus  John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.

v     A believer hates the world; a believer serves God and trusts the Light; a believer is a son of light; A BELIEVER believes in God the Father and God the Son John 12:25-26,36 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.  Ephesisans 5; I John 5 A believer believes in god the father and god the son     John 12:41,43-44 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. 44 Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.

v     A believer has been bathed by god because he lets Christ wash him; a believer has supernatural love for others John 13:8,10 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 10 Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” A believer has supernatural love for others    John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

v     A believer trusts Christ; comes to Christ, are drawn by Christ, obey Christ, Love Christ, and be indwelt by God the Father and Son John 14:1-2 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

v     A believer bears fruit; a believer gets pruned; a believer is chosen, appointed, fruitful, and asking John 15:2-4,6,8,16 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  If the vine speaks of all of life as one growing season, then we should get more fruit filled the older we get (ala Psalm 92), if it is many seasons then life is a succession of growing/pruning/bearing/resting and then growing/pruning…

v     A believer has eternal life and knows God intimately; obeys God’s Word; believes and God is in them John 17:2-3 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. John 17:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. John 17:20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (Christ prayed for me in the Garden) John 17:26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

v     A believer responds to God’s Word  John18:37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered,  “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

 

[1]  Adapted fromPhillip Keller, A Shepherd looks at PSALM 23. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zonderavan  Publishing House, 1970, p. 74-80.