The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-22
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST 26.

Subject: Jesus the Good Shepherd. John
T., 1-1G - Golden Text: John 4, IL -
Memory Verses, ell - Commentary
OH the Days Lesson.
l. by the door," The sheepfolds of the
East are not covered like our stables, but
are mere enclosures surrounded by a wall
of loose stones with thorn bushes upon the
top, but usually.an etfectuaf barrier against
the wolves. There is only one door to
Oriental sheepfolds. Here the door is the
way appointed by God for entering His
kingdom, and the leadership in it. It in
cludes conservation to Gods service, unset
fish devotion to the good of others, prepar-
alton by the knowledge of the truth, by
spiritual experience, by the presence Of
God, to enable the disciples to shepherd
the sheep. Later, Christ Himself is repre-
fe,,tS scented as The the door t all the sboys being
true church OF Christ. "a thief and rob.
ber." A thief endeavors to gain his booty
slyly and avoid detection; a robber is
brgand prepared to do violence. These
false teachers, who rejected Christ and
who were devouring the sheep from pure
ly mercenary standpoint, were the thieves
and robbers, The application was easy.
2. "By the door," Openly, with no need
to conceal His purpose. By the way which
He directs the sheep to enter. There is
not one salvation for the teacher and an
other for the taught; the door is the same
to all.
3. To him the porter openeth." The
Holy Spirit is one who opens the door to
the shepherds; see frequent uses of this
symbolism by the apostles, Acts 1927; I
Cor. 1863; 2 Cor. PIP; Col, 4:S. The
I,>1, S,;r;f ,L L.,
especially amounting and qualifying them
sheep" True Christians. Those who, like
sheep, are innocent, trustful, teacha5!c,
obcdient." "Hear His voice" His voice
is a pleasant voice. 1t sometimes seems
severe, but is always in love. 'By name"
In the East in flock of hundreds each
sheep would have its own name. Christ
knows us and loves us as individuals.
Leading them out" Psa. %. When We
trust ourselves to the leadership Of our
great Shepherd, He will lead us out of our
trials and difficulties, into 'green pastures
of joy and blessing and heavenly sunshine.
4. The sheep follow Him We must
follow where Christ leads. Sometimes the
best pastures and the waters OF rest lie be.
ways lead to them; still, Jesus leads His
chosen ones there
5. ga stranger will they not follow"
This is true among the sheep in the east
ern countries, and It is equally true among
God 8 people. Shrewd men may deceive for
a time, but some day the mask will be torn
off by Christians themselves.
\ 6. Understood not" Aware that these
descriptions were leveled at themselves
(Alatt. 2l:45; Luke 2O:l9), they did not sec
the exact hinge on which, the application
turned. They did not wish to understand
Him. The blind beggar found no trouble
in knowing what He meant
7. ~ am the door" Works, ordinances
not the door; Christ alone is. Eph. 2:lS
i. Jesus brought the truths of salvation
2. He made an atonement for sin. 3. He
brought new spiritual life. 4. The sheer
enter this door by faith.
8. Gall that came before. Me-" Those
who came pretending to be pastors or
guides to the people. The scribes and
Pharisees claimed to be instructors of the
people; claimed the right to regulate the
affairs of religion; whose only aim was tc
promote themselves and oppress the peo.
pie.
9. "If any man enter in" What are the
benefits to be received by entering in
through Christ? l. Salvation" shall be
saved. &. LlDcTLS OI SOUL 10 III duu
out" 3. Soul satisfaction-"Rnd pas.
ture." Isa. SSH. 4, Protection and care.
Go in and out" We must go in" to
trust, to rest. to think, to pray, before we
can ego out" to do effective work for the
Lord.
10. "And may have it abundantly." (R.
W Christ is able to give His people |
abundant life. Many are seeking "more"
life; what such need is 'life"-the Christ |
life. the abundant life. "By this is meant,
l. Fulness of life. 2. OverAowing life"
Such life is growing, increasing life.
II. "Giveth His life for the sheep"
Precious truth? John 3:l6; l John 4:l0. |
What a contrast was this, between Him. |
sci ard the unholy men He was address
=. = hireling." The hireling is the
one who labors simply for wages, with no
son seeks his own interest and happiness, I
and neglects and destroys the flock. He |
sacrifices the sheep for himself, and not
himself from the -ssihee>,-:"rhe wolf" The
wolf is the enemy of souls III any of his |
manifold DISCUSSES. such as persecution, |
heresy, worldly living, or low standard |
,f morals
IA. Il am the good shepherd" Watch
ns, feeding, guarding, teaching, dying for
the flock. "Know My sheep" There is
mutual affection between the shepherd |
Ind the sheep. There is a mutual affection !
between the Father and the Son; one is
parallel with the other. AS the Father
knows the Son, so does the Shepherd |
know the sheep; as the Son knows the
Father, so do the sheep know the Shep-
nerd. AS His Father read His heart, so
did He read the heart of man and recog-
1ize His own.
16. "Othcr sheep I have" The Gentilcs
who were soon to he brought into His
church. The Good Shepherd sweeps the
world with His thought. Here is the uni
fersal relation of Jesus to sinners OF all
nations and tongues. "Shall become one
lock" (R. W One flock not in creed.
,r name, but in what is far more essential
-one in Christ. One in heart. one in pur-
,ose, one in the service of God and man.
Teachings.-Christ's sheep. l. Know
he Shepherds voice. 2. They hear-or
need His voice. This is one of the surest
marks of a sheep. g. They follow Him.
The way may seem dark and difficult, and
wen dangerous, but where He leads they
ollow. 4. They know not the voice of
strangers" and will not follow them.
strangers talk glibly, and many professed
Christians will 90 after them. but the
sheep will not. 5. On the contrary the
sheen flee from them The Good Shepherd.
!. Knows His sheep. ,. Is known by His
:heep. s. Has a personal interest in lis
,heep. 4. Gives them liberty. 5. Gives
;oul satisfaction. 6. Careth for the sheep.
!. Gi7eth His life for them. S. Giveth