Daily Dose of the Word of God - John 10: 1-6

Kelly Day, Director of Coffee Break Bible Study

Transcript

Kelly Day 0:07

Welcome to Elmhurst ECRC's daily dose of the Word of God. It's Tuesday, September 19, and Sunday is coming. This is Kelly Day, Coffee Break Bible Study Director and this week we'll be climbing the ladder of faith with an emphasis on the letter I, which signifies God's intentions. John 10, 1 through 6: the good shepherd and his sheep.

Kelly Day 0:30 

I tell you the truth Pharisees. Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him and the sheep listens to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice, but they never follow a stranger. In fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice. Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Kelly Day 1:15 

So back in Jesus day, a sheep pen was a roofless enclosure made of a high stone wall with sturdy door. Usually it was located in a open field. Here, the shepherds would corral their sheep at night and keep them safe from wild animals, thieves and their own tendency to wander. This type of fold often hid sheep for more than one flock and when the Shepherd was ready to take his flock out in the morning, he would call to his sheep in the fold. Only his own sheep, recognizing the call of their shepherd, would come out. Then he would lead them to pasture.

Kelly Day  1:53 

Jesus is our shepherd. His intentions are that we recognize his call to us and then follow him with confidence. His desire is that we are not led astray by other people or our own passions. He has something better for his children - we too can recognize his voice and calling of us, to go to the places Jesus has provided for us to thrive and grow in him. If you're struggling to hear his voice, pray and ask him to reveal it. Turn to God's true words in places like John 10, to make him come alive to you. Then follow him with confidence that he will lead the way.

Kelly Day 2:35  

Let's pray. Dear Lord our shepherd, thank you for your goodness to us every day. I praise you for being a personal shepherd to each and every one that calls you Lord and Savior. I ask that you open our ears, eyes and hearts to hear your voice calling us. May we follow you all the days of our lives. Amen.