The Missionary

worlddic.com, T. Raffles, LL. D., J. Vaughan, M. A.

John 10:11-15

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.…

We have a right to go anywhere to seek after our Master's sheep. If they are my Master's sheep who shall stop me over hill and dale inquiring, "Have you seen my Master's sheep." If any say, "You do intrude in this land," let the answer be, "We are after our Master's sheep which have strayed here." You have a search warrant from the King of king's, and, therefore, you have a right to enter and search after your Lord's stolen property. If men belonged to the devil we would not rob the enemy himself; but they do not belong to him.

worlddic.com

Them also I must bring. — They must be brought —

1. To realize the visions of ancient prophecy.

2. To accomplish the promise of the Father (Psalm 2:3).

3. To secure the object, and to recompense the suffering and the toil of the Redeemer's mediatorial undertaking.

4. To answer the prayers, fulfil the expectations, and crown the prayers which He has animated and inspired.

(T. Raffles, LL. D.)

One fold and one shepherd. —

I. CHRIST'S PROPERTY IN HIS SHEEP.

1. How acquired.

(1) By donation. "Thine they were and Thou gavest them Me." "Ask of Me," etc.

(2) By purchase, "Ye are bought with a price."(3) By the sanctification of the Spirit; after which He gives them back to the Father to be glorified.

2. There are but three possessions to which the word property really belongs.

(1) The sinner's possession of his own sins.

(2) The believer's possession of his own Saviour.

(3) Christ's possession of His own people.

3. Possession is an endearing thing. If you possess a thing you love it; and that feeling is a faint copy of the mind of Christ.

4. Concerning this possession, Christ declares that He holds it not only over those He was then addressing, but over others separated from them — perhaps other worlds, certainly Gentiles, of whose admission Jews were jealous.

5. Note, then, that Christ said this of those who were then unconverted. Paul (Acts 13) was almost driven from Corinth by opposition, but was stopped by "I have much people in this city;" and yet, with the exception of two or three persons, all were locked in unbelief. But it was not so eighteen months after. What a joy to the Christian worker to be able to think that any man may be among Christ's "other sheep!"

II. CHRIST'S ENGAGEMENT FOR HIS SHEEP. "Them also I must bring."

1. The imperative obligation. God permits Himself to be ruled by His own covenant.

2. This certified engagement is this: "They shall hear My voice."

(1)  When a soul just awakened hears "Thou art the man."

(2)  When the stricken conscience hears "Go in peace," etc.

(3)  When the soul, better knowing now Christ's accents, hears "It is I; be not afraid."

(4)  When the heart, better ordered, always hears and says, "Speak Lord," etc.

(5)  When the ear shall drink in "Come ye blessed," etc.

3. Your corresponding duty to this pledge is to hear — obey. This is happiness here and glory by and by.

III. CHRIST'S INTENTION WITH HIS SHEEP. "One fold," etc.

1. This will be literally fulfilled in heaven.

2. It is spiritually fulfilled herein —

(1)  Unity of condition.

(2)  Unity of Spirit.

(3)  Unity of action.

(4)  Unity of headship — "One Shepherd."

(J. Vaughan, M. A.)