The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-04
READING FOR THE DAY.


IL.
JEsUs THE Coon SfIEpHERD-John K, 1-1s.
Golden Text--I The good shepherd; the good
shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.John K IL.
In order to understand the beauty of these
illustrations of the church and it's ministers we
need to give theschoiars apcture of the sheepfold
AS the Shepherds often go long distances from
home to find pasture for the Sheep it is too far
tc drive the flock home each night SO several
men will unite to build stone wall seven or
sight feet high, with single gate or doorway,
lnclosing space sufficiently large to hold their
united iiocks. To keep the sheep from wander
ing and falling into the hands of robbers, or
being killed by the wild beasts, the fiocks are
driven at nightfall into these sheepfolds.
The doorway is fastened and left in the charge
Of one of the shepherds, who is called "the por-
YER" The others 20 off TO their homes TO spend
the night. In the morning as they return and
Knock at the door, ito them the porter openeth.
IL ne has been a faithful watcher he has prevent
ed any robber from climbing over the wall'
into the sheepfold, and 1.-The thief" has not been
permitted ito kill or destroy" Each of the
shepherds has peculiar call, and as they utter
1t each one of their flock knows the shepherds
voice" and follows him out of the fold and away
10 the pasture ground he has selected. The good
shepherd is with his flock all day, leading them
10 green pastures and by still wa ters and rest
ing with them in the heat of the MONDAY.
PRACTICAL LESSONS.
j. The Fold Necessity-The church is as
necessary to the of Christians as the fold TO
che keeping of the sheep There are men who
VIII not come into the fold because they do not
Ike the rules of the church, and they demand
more freedom for themselves than they think
good for others. Such are rarely useful, happy
Or safe.
2 The One Door into the Fold-There is but
one real way into the spiritual church and that
Is through the one door, Christ. through faith
and obedience. God has given no hint of any
other way
g. Safety and Abundance in Christ-If we
abide near the Shepherd we are safe, and we have
life abundant The souls who fully trust Him
are always cared for
A. The Hireing Preacher and Teacher-The
Good Shepherd is in all things our true exam
pie, but we may unconsciously become hirelings
and care only for the pay.
g. One Flock and One Shepherd
churches may give various forms to their folds,
and more or less ornament to the entrances into
she ehurch; but. after all, every true Christian
ls member of the one spiritual flock of Christ
In this we have the essential of Christian unity
OF spirit, while not seeking or desiring church
uniformity.
SPECIAL TEACHINGS.
l. For Belief-Christ's life given for the
flock. Whatever may be the emphasis we put
on Christs life, the real key to it is found at the
end. in His voluntary death for mans salvation.
His whole life is one of self-giving and self
surrender He seems to fight losing battle to
che last. but wins it in the end by yielding to His
enemies on the cross And while they rejoice
over His death He takes up His life in nobler |
form, and from that hour the victory of the |
erucifed Is assured We need to beware lest
we substitute some lesser theory of atonement |
In the place of this 1--WE preach Christ rot |
simply the grand, living Jesus, but Christ land
Him crucfed."
2. For Practice. great love of Christ for |
Ss should eonstrain us to be the sheep of the Good
Shepherd. The marks of the disciples are given: |
They enter the door with the Shepherd.s
The sheep hear His voice. whether to duty, or |
pasture or in danger
They know their names as He calls them
They follow Him, and refuse to obey the calls /
Of a stranger.
They have life abundant life, for they are |
we'll fed and cared for
They dwell in safety, as He giveth even His
life for their protection.