The Elbert County tribune., 1917-04-13
LESSON FOR APRIL is
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

LESSON TExT-John 10:7-l7
GOLDEN TEXT am the good Shep-
herd: the good Shepherd giveth His life
for the sheep.-John io:1l
This lesson probably occurred at
the Feast of the Tabernacle In Octo-
ber, A. d. %. The place was Jeru-
salem, perhaps in or near the temple.
Facts, pictures and Illustrations re-
garding eastern shepherd life can be
used effectively in teaching the lesson.
The true teacher must impart, develop
and protect. Jesus does all Of these
things.
I. Jesus, the Door wv. 1-9).. Any
one who tries to get access to the
sheep any other way than through
Jesus the door is thief and rob-
ber ". ~. A door is an invitation to
enter, to investigate. to purchase. to
learn, to meet others. 1t is the proper
entrance. To go in through any other
way arouses suspicion. 1t Is also
means Of safety to control those who
enter; 1t can be closed In case of dam
ger. and Is strong to protect against
storms and thieves. 1t is a means of
separation, to insure privacy, and to
furnish a means of egress. Jesus says
we are to "go In" for communion with
God, and to "go out" for service, to
''go in" for strength and to "go out"
for conflict. Verse nine is wonder
full verse. In 1t we have the simplic-
ity of the Gospel, 81 am the door" !"
the exclusiveness of the Gospel, "By
me-" the conditions of the Gospel. EN-
ter In" the certainty. "Be saved" the
liberty, $50 In and OUT" the provis-
ion, "Find pasture"
The true acceptance of Jesus leads
not TO life of fear and constraint
but to the perfect liberty Of child,
satisfaction In green pastures Cps. %:
p that never fail Grew. 7:18-17). The
worlds richest pasture lands are bleak
and barren wildernesses In comparison
with this. Christ is the door to other
things not mentioned in this lesson
(See John ii 20; Eph. 2 :1S; Rom. 8 IL
2; Heb. 10:1o-22). By him we enter
the room of the knowledge of God.
The Christians business Is to know
God and to make him known.
II. Jesus, the Good Shepherd wv.
A door has no volition. 1t cannot leave
its place. A shepherd can go in and
out. A false Christ and false shep-
herd are really thieves and robbers
who come to "Steal and kill and de-
stroy." On the other hand, Jesus
mission was glorious one, IT came
that they might have life, and that
they might have 1t more abundantly."
AS good Shepherd (D he has cour-
age ". 12). Jesus was not only will
ing, but actually did give his life for
the sheep. He had love for all of the
sheep, and was willing to seek the lost
(Matt. 1912. He also had conf
dence, due to his knowledge of God ".
14). This is not audacity but quiet
confidence due to experience. He
knows the proper pastures. He knows
where to find water for the sheep. He
knows the dangers and pitfalls along
the pathway. He knows how to d.
rect our efforts. Sunday school teach
ers who are following in the steps of
the master. and who perform the acts
of good shepherd, must pay the
price of knowledge. (2) Jesus had
character ". 15). He was right In
the sight of God, but In order to be
right In the sight of God he must also
be right In the sight of men. God ex-
poets results. The church expects re-
suits from us. The parents who trust
their children to our teaching expect
results. A sheep does not live for IT.
self. 1t lives for others. Unless 1t
produces wool, and Is good for meat,
1t has existed In vain; so God, man
and the church expect of US, as under
shepherds, that we shall produce re-
suits. This we do not have to do in
our own strength for any of us may
have the life which is ABUNDANT and
Exceeding" and beyond measure"
The question IS, have we this super
abundant life? (See I Pet. 1:8: John
:15; Col. L 10; Eph. 3:16-10).
Doctor Torrey has called our atten-
ton to ten points about the good iShep-
herd. (1) He knows the sheep. (2)
He is known by his sheep. (3) He has
personal interest In his sheep, calls
each by name ". 81. az He leadeth
them on. (5) He thrusts forth the
laggard sheep ". ~. (6) He over
looks none; all are his own ". 4 n.
W. ~ He goeth before them. He
has trodden every step of the way that
they must take. (S) He careth for
the sheep ". 13). (9) He layeth down
his life for the sheep wv. IL and 15).
(10) Giveth eternal and abundant life
TO the sheep wv. 10, %, 29).
Jesus has sheep outside of Israel ".
I6). When these are brought In theyd
viii all become one fold (Eph. 2:14,
IS; Gal. 3 ;2S). 1t is through hearing
his voice that they are to be brought.
The laying down of his life was a vol
untary act on his part, but 1t was per-