Introduction: Jesus was famous for teaching spiritual truths by means of story-telling (parables). He also was fond of metaphors. He used seven metaphorical statements about Himself in the Gospel of John: "I am the bread of life (6:35); I am the light of the world (8:12); I am the door of the sheep (10:7); I am the good shepherd (10:11); I am the resurrection and the life (11:25); I am the way, the truth and the life (14:6); and I am the true vine (15:1)." What did Jesus mean to teach us in His statement: "I am the Good Shepherd?"

I. He came to earth to give His life for the sheep (John 10:11, 15).

A. There are sheep, and there are goats. There are sheep, and there are wolves. The Good Shepherd does not die for the goats or for the wolves. He gives His life for the sheep. This is common sense, but very frowned on in our time. It might be called the "politically incorrect" doctrine of the evangelical churches.

B. This is what Calvinists call the doctrine of "Limited Atonement." Of course, Jesus' death was infinite in its value and power. But the question is: Did Jesus give His life for all mankind? Or did He give His life for the sheep? Logic tells us that Jesus obviously did not pay for the sins of all mankind, for if He did, then none would ultimately reject Him, and none would go to Hell. Every human being would be saved and go to Heaven. (This belief is called "Universalism.") Yet Scripture tells us that such is not the case (Matt. 7:13-14). Paul taught this doctrine of "Limited Atonement" to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:27-29. It is true that the entire human race has benefited from the death of Christ, but Jesus' purpose in His death was to save His sheep.

II. The Father chose some people to be Jesus' sheep (John 6:37, 39, 44, 65 and Ephesians 1:3-6). Jesus is determined to save every single sheep the Father gives Him (John 10:3, 14). He knows your name. He calls to YOU personally. He is not just concerned about the Church in general, He is concerned about YOU as an individual. If you wander away into sin, Jesus knows where you are, and He will come and bring you back ( Luke 15:1-7). If we were making a chart of Calvinist doctrines, here we would list Unconditional Election, and Irresistable Grace.

III. Jesus sheep are scattered all around the world, and He is determined to bring them all together into the one flock, the Church (John 10:16). Jesus had brought many Jewish sheep into the sheepfold (His Kingdom, or the Church). Most of the early Church was Jewish. The apostles, and most of the early converts to Christianity. But Peter took the Gospel to Cornelius, the Roman centurian. And Paul became the Apostle to the Gentiles, and planted churches all over modern-day Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bosnia and even as far away as Spain. Some of the other Apostles went to the Gentiles, too. Tradition says that Thomas planted churches in India and China. Thaddeus went to Iraq and Iran. What a privilege that Jesus has given us a part to play in making disciples around the world!

IV. Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd, He is the Great Shepherd. He has power to lay down His life for His sheep, and then, unlike any other shepherd, He has power to bring Himself to life again! He is not a dead shepherd hanging on a crucifix. He is a risen shepherd, filled with power and possessing all authority in Heaven and on Earth. He not only died for us, but He lives for us, and shepherds us eternally (Hebrews 7:24-25).

Conclusion: Jesus' words and claims brought great consternation and division to those who heard Him teach (John 10:19-21). Many simply would not believe, and they accused Jesus of being either crazy or demon possessed. But others believed, remembering His love and His power to heal. Some were His sheep, and He gathered them into His sheepfold. Others were not His sheep, and they remained outside. Where do you fit in? Is the Holy Spirit calling to your heart? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Amen.