The Brinkley argus. (Brinkley, Ark.) 1883-current, 1917-04-13
EssoN TExT-John 1871.

means Of safety to control those who
ger, and is strong to protect against
storms and thieves. It Is means Of
separation, to insure privacy, and to
furnish means Of egress. Jesus says
we are to Ego 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 it we have the simple
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, "Go 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. 7:16-1O. 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 1916; Eph. 2:18; Rom. 8 l.
2; Heb. 1O:19-22). 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.
1O-18). 1t Is not enough to be door.
A door has no volition. 1t cannot leave
It's 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 a glorious one, Il came
that they might have life, and that
they might have it more abundantly."
AS a good Shepherd (D he has cour-
age (v. 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 conf1-
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 di-
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 tho sight OF men. God e1-
poets results. The church expects re-
suits from VI. The parents who trust
their children to our teaching expect
results. A sheep does not live for IT.
self. It lives for others. Unless 1t
produces wool. and is good for meat,
1t has existed In vain; 20 God. man
and tie church expect Of US, as under
shepAsrdx, that We shah produce re-
sults. This we do not have to do IN
eur swH strength for any Of NJ may
have tie life which IL abundant" and
~aucssatag' and beyond measure"
The question Is, have We this super
abundant lifsf (Ses I Pet. l 81; John
IL; Col. 1:19; Eph. 3:1o-19).
| Doctor Torrey has called our atten-
ton 10 ten points about the good Shsp-
herd. (1) He knows the sheep. CD
He Is known by his sheep. (S) He has
a personal interest In his sheep, calls
each by name ". 81. (4) He leadeth
them on. Coy He thrusts forth the
laggard sheep ". A.. (6) He over
/ looks none; all are his own ". X.
W. "a 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).
! 1O) Giveth eternal and abundant life
4 to the sheep wv. 10, %, 29).
! Jesus has sheep outside of Israel ".
I 16). WhenNthese are brought in they
/ win all become one fold (Eph. 2:14,
4 IS; Gal. 3 :2S). 1t is through hearing
i his voice that they are to be brought.
4 The laying down of his life was vol
untary act on his part, but it was per-
/ formed in obedience to the fathers
will (See Chap. 6:3s; 1910. Jesus
intended that his relation to his fol-
! lowers should be exactly Ike that
which bound himself to the Father (See
/ Chap. IL :21-23).
/ This love of the Good Shepherd led
him TO die for our sins, and to be
raised for our justification.