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Sermon #68
JohnÕs Gospel Title: Hirelings and Shepherds Text: John
10:6-21 Subject: Hirelings
and Faithful Pastors Date: Sunday
AM — November 15, 2003 Tape: John
#68 Readings: Jeremiah
6:9-7:16 Ezekiel
22:23-31 & 33:7 Introduction: George Whitefield once declared, ÒAs God can send a nation or people no greater
blessing than to give them faithful, sincere, and upright ministers, so the
greatest curse that God can possibly send upon a people in this world, is to
give them over to blind, unregenerate, carnal, lukewarm, and unskilled
guides. And yet, in all ages, we find that there have been many wolves in
sheepÕs clothing, many that daubed with untempered mortar, that prophesied
smoother things than God did allow.Ó These wolves in sheepÕs clothing were prevalent
in the days of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. They were common in the days of
our LordÕs earthly ministry. They were found in the earliest churches in the
days of the Apostles. And they are common today. In fact, throughout history,
the wolves have always been the majority,
the accepted, praised, applauded and exalted leaders of the religious world; and faithful Gospel preachers
have always been, and are today, held in contempt, despised, mocked,
ridiculed, slandered and opposed as wolves. á
Martin Luther —
John Calvin á
John Knox —
John Bunyan á
George Whitefield —
John Gill á
C. H. Spurgeon —
W. Huntington á
A. W. Pink —
Rolfe Barnard The title of my
message is Hirelings and Shepherds. Our text is John 10:6-21.
GodÕs servants are shepherds, pastors, given by God to his church for the
care of their souls (Jeremiah 3:15). All false prophets are hirelings. 1.
Hirelings In the 10th
chapter of JohnÕs Gospel, our Lord Jesus spoke pointedly to the religious
leaders of his day and identified them as hireling shepherds. Remember, this
parable was spoken to those Scribes and Pharisees who had just put a man out
of the synagogue because he had been healed by the Master. They sat in MosesÕ
seat and assumed the office of shepherds, teaching the sheep the things of
God, but without the knowledge of God and without the authority of God. They
fed themselves, not the sheep. The Lord Jesus calls them hirelings, thieves
and robbers. á
The Sheepfold (v.1) is the Church of God. á
The Door into the Church and Kingdom of God is
Christ, his blood and righteousness (vv. 1, 7, 9). á
The True Shepherd is Christ, the Good Shepherd. — He gave his
life for the sheep. — He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out
of the wilderness into Canaan, out of darkness into light, out of Babylon
into the sheepfold. á
The Porter who opens the way for Christ and causes the sheep
to hear his voice and follow him is God the Holy Spirit. á
The Sheep are GodÕs elect. — Some are in the fold.
— Some are yet straying. — But all GodÕs elect are ChristÕs
sheep. Now, read verses 6-10. (John
10:6-10) ÒThis parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what
things they were which he spake unto them. (7) Then said Jesus unto them again,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (8) All
that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear
them. (9) I am the door: by me if any man
enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (10)
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they
might have it more abundantly.Ó With those words, our Savior shows a clear
distinction between all false shepherds and all true shepherds, using himself
as the standard and example of the true shepherd. He continues the same analogy in
the following verses, and declares thatÉ Propositions: The one great distinction
between hirelings and true shepherds is just this: — The hireling cares not for the sheep, because he
is just a hireling. (John
10:11-15) ÒI am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the
sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own
the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth:
and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling,
and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am
known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I
lay down my life for the sheep.Ó ÒI am the good
shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.Ó — What blessed words! As
you read through the Scriptures, it would be both instructive and delightful
to mark the many names by which our Savior describes
himself in this blessed Book. There are more than a hundred of them, I think
107. There is a good reason why he has so many names — One, even a few,
could not describe him. Our all-glorious Christ
has so many offices that one name could not represent or explain them all. Indeed, all of them put together
do not describe him. Paul said, — ÒUnto me who am less than the
least of all saints is this grace given, that I might preach among the
Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.Ó Of all the names given,
that of a shepherd is, perhaps, the sweetest. Our Savior was a master Artist.
He drew pictures with words that explain things more clearly than volumes of
defining words. As this chapter opens, he
contrasts himself with a stranger. Here (vv. 11-15), he contrasts
himself with a hireling, whose own the sheep are not. LetÕs look at the passage,
marking the contrast between the hireling and true pastors, true shepherds. A hireling is Òa person
who works only for pay, with little or no concern for the value of the work.Ó
A
shepherd is Òa person who tends sheep, a protector, a
guardian, a defender, a keeper, one who watches over, provides for, feeds and
carefully guards a flock.Ó 2.
Here is a
hireling. Our Savior uses the word ÒhirelingÓ to describe all self-serving
preachers, pastors and religious leaders, those men who claim to be GodÕs
servants but refuse to enter the sheepfold by the Door, those who climb up
some other way. — The hireling, the false Shepherd will not submit
himself to the righteousness of God, will not enter by the Door, will not
trust Christ alone for righteousness. The Master tells us plainly that all who climb up some
other way are thieves and robbers (v. 1). They
come only Òto kill, and to steal, and to destroyÓ
(v. 10). Read
verses 12 and 13 again. Here are the
common features of a hireling preacher. (John
10:12-13) ÒBut he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the
sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and
the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (13) The hireling fleeth, because he is
an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.Ó He is a hireling; that
is to say, the end he seeks is the hire. — You know that the Word of God plainly
teaches that every faithful Gospel preacher is to be maintained by the
generosity of GodÕs people. The fact that a man is supported by the people he
serves does not make him a hireling .— ÒThe laborer is worthy of his
hireÓ (Luke
10:7). In fact, a man may be hireling who receives no financial remuneration
from any church. á
A
hireling is a man who is motivated by his own lusts. A true shepherd is
motivated by his Master. á
Sheep
control hirelings. True shepherds cannot be controlled by sheep. á
Yet,
the faithful shepherd is to be maintained by the flock he serves. The
Scriptures are crystal clear about this. (1 Corinthians
9:7-14) ÒWho goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a
vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and
eateth not of the milk of the flock? (8) Say I these things as a man? or
saith not the law the same also? (9) For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt
not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care
for oxen? (10) Or
saith he it altogether
for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth
should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of
his hope. (11) If
we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap
your carnal things? (12) If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we
have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the
gospel of Christ. (13) Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things
live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the
altar? (14) Even
so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of
the gospel.Ó (Galatians
6:6) ÒLet him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth
in all good things.Ó (1 Timothy
5:17-18) ÒLet the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,
especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. (18) For the scripture saith, Thou
shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.Ó The church of God is not a business; and faithful men
cannot be hired. Money talks everywhere in the world. And money talks in
religious organizations. But money has no voice in GodÕs church. And money
has no voice with GodÕs servants. The hireling is one who
seeks the hire and not the flock. This was often, indeed the most common, charge God laid
against false prophets in the Old Testament. Isaiah complained of it in his day. —
ÒHis watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs;
they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are
greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot
understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his
quarterÓ (Isaiah
56:10, 11). Jeremiah said the same thing in his day. —
ÒFor, from the least of them even unto the greatest of them, every one is
given to covetousness; and from the prophet, even unto the priest, every one
dealeth falselyÓ
(Jeremiah 6:13). Ezekiel spoke of the false prophets in
exactly the same way, describing the hireling shepherd as one who feeds
himself. — ÒWoe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed
themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?Ó (Ezek. 34:2). Paul said exactly the same thing about
false prophets in his day. — ÒFor all seek their own, not the things
which are Jesus ChristÕsÓ (Philippians 2:21). This is the black mark
of the hireling.
— ÒHe that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep
are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep and fleeth.Ó But it is not merely the seeking of money that marks the hireling. It
is seeking things for himself. á
Ease
—
Honor —
Fame á
Position —
Power —
Influence The hireling is one ÒWhose own the sheep are not.Ó — He has no love for the sheep. The
hireling is not part of the family. The hireling is not a son, or a brother,
or a father. He has no connection with the sheep. He has no connection with
the souls of men. He is one of the Òclergy,Ó a Òreverend.Ó They are just Òlay
people,Ó Òsheep.Ó ÒThe hireling fleeth
because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.Ó That is another feature of a
hireling. — I do not suggest or imply that any man who moves from one
congregation to another is a hireling. That is not the case. God may move a
man from one place of service to another. But I do mean to say, and our Lord
means for us to understand that the
hireling always watches out for number one. He always takes care of himself.
If a wolf roars, he flees, because he is a hireling. — The hireling is
always found on the side of the wolf! He is not willing to bear any reproach or persecution, for
Christ and the Gospel. He is not a keeper of the flock, like David who went after the lion and the bear. When they rose up
against the sheep, David did not flee, but caught them by the beard and slew
them. He is not a keeper of the sheep like the Apostle Paul, who fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, who turned his
back on none, who gave place to none, no, not for an hour, that truth might
continue. When the wolf comes (Satan — Trouble — Persecution
— Opposition — Slander — Reproach), the hireling flees, the
sheep are scattered, the name of God, his church, and the Gospel of the grace
of God are dishonored. But the hireling protects himself and gets Òa call
from the Lord,Ó telling him that Òhis work in that place is done,Ó and moves
on to greener pastures. The hireling is one who
flees when the sheep are most in need of a shepherd, because ÒHe careth not for the sheep.Ó (John
10:12-13) ÒBut he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the
sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and
the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (13) The hireling fleeth, because he is
an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.Ó His only interest is himself, his name, his reputation,
his future. He does not care for the sheep. He does not care what becomes of
the sheep. They are just so many pebbles in his road to success. John Calvin wrote, ÒHe who looks to the hire,
and not to the flock, though he may deceive others, when the Church is in a
state of tranquility, yet when he comes into the contest, will give proof of
his treachery.Ó (Zechariah
11:17) ÒWoe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall
be upon his arm,
and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye
shall be utterly darkened.Ó 3.
Here is the true
shepherd. All that is here said of the hireling, as it identifies
the hireling, by contrast identifies the true shepherd, the faithful Gospel
preacher. — The hireling serves
himself; but the faithful shepherd serves the sheep. (2 Corinthians
2:17) ÒFor we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of
sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.Ó (2 Corinthians
4:1-7) ÒTherefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we
faint not; (2) But
have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness,
nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every manÕs conscience in the sight of God. (3) But if our gospel be hid, it is
hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them. (5) For we preach not ourselves, but
Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for JesusÕ sake. (6) For God, who commanded the light
to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of
us.Ó The hireling has no personal interest in the sheep. They
are not his. — The true shepherd has
a very personal interest in the sheep. They are his. — GodÕs family is his
family. GodÕs people are his people. — ChristÕs sheep are his sheep.
Faithful pastors stand in a peculiar relation to the LordÕs sheep. Faith shepherds are called fathers (1 Corinthians 4:15; Galatians
4:19; 1 Timothy 1:2; Philemon 10). á
Like
fathers they are instruments of birth. á
Like
fathers they provide for the family. á
Like
fathers they educate the family. á
Like
fathers they lead the family. á
Like
fathers they protect the family. á
Like
fathers they are devoted to the family. True shepherds, true
pastors are set as watchmen who stand on the watch tower. — They watch over the
souls committed to their trust as they that must give account (Hebrews 13:7,
17). The relationship of faithful Gospel preachers and the people they serve
is a relationship that outlasts death. (1 Thessalonians
2:19) ÒFor what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our
Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?Ó (Philippians
4:1) ÒTherefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and
crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.Ó (Colossians
1:25-29) ÒWhereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God
which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; (26) Even the mystery which hath been hid
from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: (27)
To whom God would
make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is
Christ in you, the hope of glory: (28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching
every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ
Jesus: (29) Whereunto
I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me
mightily.Ó GodÕs servants are men
to whom the Lord Jesus has entrusted the care of his sheep; and they care for
the sheep. (Acts
20:31) ÒTherefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with
tears.Ó (Romans
1:9) ÒFor God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his
Son, that without ceasing I make mention
of you always in my prayers.Ó (2 Corinthians
2:4) ÒFor out of much affliction and
anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved,
but that ye might know the love which I
have more abundantly unto you.Ó (Ephesians
1:16) ÒCease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.Ó (Philippians
1:3) ÒI thank my God upon every
remembrance of you.Ó (Philippians
4:1) ÒTherefore, my brethren, dearly
beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly
beloved.Ó (Colossians
2:1) ÒFor I would that ye knew what great
conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face
in the flesh.Ó (1 Thessalonians
3:9) ÒFor what thanks can we render to God again for
you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes
before our God.Ó This is the mark of a true shepherd. But a hireling cares
not for the sheep, he does not and cannot weep for the sheep, he has no
anguish of heart for them. He does not care what happens to them. — When the wolf comes, the hireling flees because Òhe
is a hireling and careth not for the sheep;Ó
but the faithful shepherd will not flee from the wolf and will not abandon
the sheep. In the Word of God the
wolf specifically represents both false prophets and heresy. (Acts
20:29) ÒFor I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter
in among you, not sparing the flock.Ó The time when the wolf comes is the time to mark who the
true shepherd is. He stands to protect the sheep when heresy comes in, or
when a persecuting world stretches out its hand towards them. At such times the true shepherd stands between the fold and
trouble. (Isaiah
52:7) ÒHow beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth
good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that
publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!Ó 4.
Here is the Good
Shepherd. (John
10:11) ÒI am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the
sheep.Ó (John
10:14-15) ÒI am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (15) As the Father knoweth me, even so
know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.Ó The Good Shepherd gave
his life for his sheep. — The sentence was written against us, ÒThou
shalt die.Ó The
Lord Jesus Christ stepped in and died for us. ÒHe was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquitiesÓ (Isaiah 53:5). He did it out of
free love, just because he loved us. ÒHe gave himself for us.Ó (1 John
3:16) ÒHereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for
us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.Ó When we enter into heavenÕs glory, it will be altogether
because of the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep. The Good Shepherd knows
his sheep. á
Eternally! á
As
His Sheep! á
Delightfully! The Good Shepherd is
known of his sheep, because he graciously makes himself known to them. á
We
know his voice. á
We
know who he is. á
We
know what he has done. á
We
know where he is. á
We
know what he is doing. á
We know him! The Good Shepherd seeks
the sheep (vv.
16-18). Christ seeks his sheep, and all true shepherds, all true pastors seek
the LordÕs sheep. (John
10:16-18) ÒAnd other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I
must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and
one shepherd.
(17) Therefore
doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it
again. (18) No
man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it
down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of
my Father.Ó 5. A Division (John
10:19-21) ÒThere was a division therefore again among the Jews for these
sayings. (20) And
many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? (21) Others said, These are not the
words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?Ó Here is a large crowd of religious people divided over
doctrine! Religious people always are. What multitudes there are who defend,
fight for, and divide from family and friend over doctrine, even fussing
about Christ, who never trust him! — The Lord Jesus was standing in
their midst, teaching the gospel publicly, expounding the Old Testament
Scriptures; but they believed not on him. They were divided over the SaviorÕs
doctrine — Òfor these sayingsÓ (v. 19). á
Sovereign
Election á
Covenant
Mercy á
Suretyship
Responsibility á
Limited
Atonement á
Irresistible
Grace Some said he was a demon-possessed madman. Others
objected. They would not go that far. But none believed (v. 25). Do you trust the Son of God? Has the Lord Jesus Christ
made himself known unto you? Has he given you an understanding to know him
that is true? Are you in him that is true? This is the mark of all his sheep.
ÒI am known of mine.Ó The sheepÉ á
Hear
his voice. á
Follow
him. á
Know
him and know his voice. á
Will
not follow a stranger. If you now trust the Son of God, the Good Shepherd has
brought you into his fold. The blessed Son of God has claimed you as his
sheep, whom he redeemed, whom he has called, whom he will keep. Thus he
fulfills his word by the prophet Jeremiah (3:15; 33:12-16) (Jeremiah
3:15) ÒAnd I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed
you with knowledge and understanding.Ó (Jeremiah
33:12-16) ÒThus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is
desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall
be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down. (13) In the cities of the mountains, in
the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of
Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah,
shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD. (14) Behold, the days come, saith the
LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the
house of Israel and to the house of Judah. (15) In those days, and at that time,
will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall
execute judgment and righteousness in the land. (16) In those days shall Judah be
saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The
LORD our righteousness." Amen. Don Fortner Listen to sermons
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