THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE WORLD

1. THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE WORLD

2. The Sheep PEN

3. 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. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.

4. Two Types of Sheep Care Takers • The shepherd of the sheep: enters by the gate • The thief or robber: climbs in by other way

5. John 10 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

6. The GOOD shepherd • The watchman opens the gate • The sheep listen to his voice. • He calls his own sheep by name • He leads them out.

7. The Shepherd guides the sheep

8. John 10 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

9. The GOOD Shepherd • He brings out all his own • He goes on ahead of them • His sheep follow him because they know his voice.

10. John 10 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.“ 6Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

11. The Interpretation of the Story

12. John 10 7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth: I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

13. Jesus is the GATE for the sheep All who came before Him were thieves and robbers The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy

14. Jesus is the GATE for the sheep The sheep didn’t listen to the thieves and robbers

15. Jesus is the GATE for the sheep • Whoever enters through Him will be saved. • He will come in and go out, and find pasture. • He is the only good and true shepherd and savior of our souls

16. John 10 11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

17. Jesus LAID DOWN His life for us

18. He GAVE His life for us

19. He DIED for us

20. The GOOD Shepherd • Jesus is the good shepherd. • The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

21. John 10 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

22. The Hired Hand • The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. • When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. • The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

23. John 10 14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

24. The GOOD Shepherd • Knows His sheep • The sheep know Him • There is intimacy • He lays down His life for the sheep

25. John 10 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

26. The GOOD Shepherd • There are other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. • He will bring them also to the pen. • They too will listen to His voice • There shall be one flock and one shepherd.

27. John 10 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

28. Description of the Spiritual WorldFACTS: • The people of the world are described like sheep. • Some are in Jesus’ pen and are part of His flock: ecclesia- called out from the world • There are other sheep who are yet in the world, but He will bring them to this flock

29. TThere is also a wolf who is after the sheep and can snatch, scatter, damage, destroy and kill

30. FACTS • The shepherd can see when the wolf comes around the sheep with the intention to snatch them • The sheep are protected inside the pen because the shepherd: • Protects them • Feeds them Because the sheep: • Listens to the shepherd • Follow the voice of the shepherd

31. THE DEVIL-FREE ZONE • That is inside the shepherd’s pen under the care of the shepherd • There the sheep are protected and kept fed and safe • The shepherd has discernment to see the devil and spiritual authority to fight him in behalf of the sheep

32. The DANGEROUS Zone

33. The DANGEROUS Zone • Outside the pen • Far from the shepherd’s sight • Living alone without protection, without listening to the shepherd, without following the shepherd • The sheep are blind and cannot walk alone, because they are dependent on the shepherd

34. The CHIEF Shepherd

35. 1 Peter 5 • 1Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,  2shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; • 3nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. • 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

36. About the little shepherds • are witnesses of the sufferings of Christ • are partakers of the glory that is to be revealed • shepherds of the flock of God among you • Have sheep allotted to their charge • should prove to be examples to the flock • will receive the unfading crown of glory when the Chief Shepherd appears

37. About the Little Shepherds • Should exercise oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge

38. THE DEVIL-FREE ZONE • That is inside the shepherd’s pen and been taken care with the flock by the shepherd • There the sheep are protected and kept fed and safe • The shepherd receives from the Chief Shepherd the power, spiritual authority, and discernment to see the devil and to fight him in behalf of the sheep

39. Accountability • 17Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Heb. 13:17)

40. ACCOUNTABILITY • The little shepherds should watch over their sheep • They will be accountable to the CHIEF SHEPHERD for the sheep allotted to them

41. ACCOUNTABILITY • The sheep should obey their spiritual leaders so that they can work with joy • Disobedience will not bring any advantage to the sheep • They will be held accountable to the CHIEF SHEPHERD about the way they relate to the shepherds to whom they were allotted by the CHIEF SHEPHERD.

42. Come to the SAFEST Place in the World

43. Come to the sheep pen of the CHIEF SHEPHERD