Bible Studies

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The Gospels
John 10:22-30 – Shepherd's Call

Key Verses: (NCV)

• 24: "Some people gathered around Him and said. 'How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.'" – These people knew about Christ and they were looking for Him. However, they wanted things spelled out plainly so the decisions they would have to make could be made for them.
  
  
• 25-26: "Jesus answered, 'I told you already, but you did not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name show who I am. ²⁶But you don't believe because you are not my sheep.'" – They have already made their choice and, even though they seem to still be seeking, their minds are set and their pathway decided.
  
  
• 27: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me." – As sheep on a mountainside choosing to follow only their master's voice, followers of Christ also recognize the voice of Christ and willingly follow wherever He leads.
  
  
• 28: "I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand." – Salvation is assured and can never be lost.
  
  
• 29: "The Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father's hand. The Father and I are one." – Distinct and yet one. Jesus answers their question and leaves them to flounder in their own inability to make the decision that will lead to eternal life.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• Are you following Christ? Or are you having a difficult time making up your mind? Do you create one excuse after another? Are you pleased with your skills of sophistry and your ability to develop complex rationale? Are you refusing to look directly at the truth that lies before you? Will you ever accept Jesus as Lord? Will you hear His voice? Jesus says that once you hear Him call, you will recognize His voice and follow wherever He leads.
  
  
• How do you become a sheep belonging to Christ? This passage in John suggests that God has decided who is a sheep and who is not. Does this mean that God is denying some people an opportunity to believe in Christ? Or is it a foregone conclusion that some people will never claim to understand? Does this present an unanswerable dilemma such as: which came first the chicken or the egg? Do we all have an opportunity to listen for the voice of Christ as our shepherd? If so, why is the world filled with unbelievers like the people in these verses? Are they simply choosing not to listen or are they being claimed by another voice?
  
  
• Is your salvation assured? Or do you feel that the jury is still out deciding about your case? Jesus says that "no one can steal (you) out of (his) hand." Does this provide you with reassurance? As you live your life, sometimes failing to live by God's standards, is it comforting to know that just as you can't earn salvation, you also can't lose it? And do you know why? Because you recognize His voice and are willing to follow wherever He leads you. Where is He leading you? Do you remember Psalm 23? He is "lead(ing) (you) in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."
  
  
• What does Jesus mean that He and God are one? Is this a statement validating the Holy Trinity? Or is Jesus establishing an argument of connectivity for His questioners? They have asked if He is the Christ. He says that His good works are proof He is. Why do you think it is important that Jesus connect His good works and miracles to God? Without this connection would He simply be another parlor magician or perhaps a god of His own making? Does this show you the importance of pointing all the accolades for your good works towards God? If you do not, then does it separate you from God and do your works then become more about you than Him? Are you one with God?
  

Promises of the Gospel:

We have a choice to make. We can spend our life seeking and wondering. We can decipher the facts and ask as many questions our powerful brains can develop. Ultimately, however, we will hear the voice of Jesus Christ and follow Him, or we will not. Setting aside our disbelief and listening, instead, to Jesus as He calls out our name, not only leads us along pathways with new horizons and fresh hope, it assures our eternal destiny – becoming one with God.

FUMC Devotionals

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