RTW 2022

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!“
John 10:1

We really aren’t bothered too much by the thieves that sneak over the wall. They are obvious to most believers. Today, we should be alarmed, armed and alert at the thieves that boldly walk right up to the door, disguised as the good shepherd. They are cunning, crafty, and don’t look like strangers.

Door knockers, knocking, in the name of something of worldly importance with little spiritual relevance.

• Righteousness
• Rightness
• Social Justice
• Compromise
• Tolerance
• Christian nationalism
• Political correctness
• Intolerance

Wall Climbers, oldies, but still goodies. Easily recognizable, yet annoying, and too often successful.

• Intimidation
• Fear
• Doubt
• Greed
• Evy
• Pride
• Jealousy
• Stardom or popularity
• Education
• Position

The Sheep (John 10:3-5)

• Recognize His voice.
• Follow behind Him.
• Won’t have conversations with strangers.
• Will run from strangers.

His voice is the Truth. Truth is the Word, and the Word is Christ. We have to know the Truth, His voice, His Word or we will follow the stranger, rather than the Shepherd.

Know the Truth/truth. The Truth:

• Separates; it doesn’t compromise.
• Corrects; it doesn’t coddle.
• Creates; it doesn’t condemn.
• Builds; it doesn’t destruct.
• Prevails; it won’t canceled.
• Transforms, it doesn’t conform.
• Frees; it doesn’t bind.

Know the stranger:

If it compromises, coddles, condemns, destructs, is canceled, or calls for conformity, then it is a stranger. Run from the stranger to straight to the Shepherd.

‍

“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.“
John 10:18

In a sense, don’t we all have the authority to lay down our life or take it up again. We all make the decision every day to die to self, or resurrect self.

‍

Beware of strangers. They are cunning, crafty, and don’t look like strangers. Know the Voice of my Shepherd.