# 387 They Make You Worthless

The Book of Genesis

Day 387

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 10:1-16, “ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.  6 This 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.  11 I 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.  16 And 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.”

A couple of “verily, verilies,” here that could be summed up in Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” However, Jesus uses the illustration of sheep as a way to convince His audience of the necessity of entering the kingdom of heaven through Him alone! He especially concerns Himself here with the shepherds or the leaders of the flock. In verse 7, He asserts to all that He is the door of the sheep. The sheep must enter through Him. The sheep of course are representative of the people of Israel, but this flock is not exclusively Jewish.

Verse 16 points out that there are other sheep, (not of the fold of Israel) which Jesus must also bring into the pen. They are all others who will hear His voice (the Gospel) believe it, and follow Him. All people must enter the pen by responding affirmatively to the voice of Jesus.

Jesus also passes along a warning here. Some false shepherds will seek to bypass the Gate (Jesus) and they will infiltrate the flock seeking to lead the sheep astray. These false shepherds are tools of the devil, and they like their master seek to steal, kill, and destroy.

It seems like a strange warning to have to give, but it’s not! Even in this day and age, there are slick shepherds leading entire congregations, professing to be Christian, but they have not yet bowed their knee to Jesus. They have climbed over the fence rather than submit to the Door.

That’s a strong charge on my part I know, but how else can you explain pastors who have turned the Words of Jesus into “nice stories” rather than reverencing them as the Word of God! Without holding to the truth of God’s Word, they lead trusting sheep away, often itching the ears of the sheep with syrupy messages rather than the truth of God’s Word.

Abortion, homosexuality, divorce, fornication, and countless other sins are excused in the name of tolerance, and “feel good” theology. The existence of hell is denied. And saving faith and souls that matter to God, are stolen, killed, and destroyed. 

What are the unsuspecting sheep to do? Stop listening to them! Jer 23:16 says, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD.”

If it’s not from the mouth of the Lord, (the Bible) don’t listen to them!