Speaking the Truth in Love
The Good Shepherd: Other Sheep (2 of 6)
The Good Shepherd: Other Sheep
Base Text: John 10:1-30
Series Introduction: Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd, Hebrews 13:20 describes Jesus as the Great Shepherd, 1 Peter 5:4 as the Chief Shepherd. This analogy is not new to describe God’s people; it can be seen amongst other places in the Old Testament in Jeremiah 23and Ezekiel 34. There are many things John 10:1-30 teaches and shows us about Jesus and who are his sheep. There are also some items the passage does not teach but others have said it does. This six part series is intended to introduce you to Jesus the Good Shepherd and teach you how to become part of his loved flock!
Tonight’s Topic Introduction: There are so many great lessons from John 10:1-30, for now let’s focus in on one lesson: The other sheep Jesus is calling.
Read: John 10:1-30
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. – John 10:16
What this passage is not teaching:
What is this verse teaching? Perhaps it would be easiest to start with what this verse is notteaching. According to the religion Joseph Smith established, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the other sheep are referring to the Nephites.
In a passage from Jesus the Christ (p. 419) the LDS Apostle James E. Talmage spoke concerning John 10:16, "The 'other sheep' here referred to constituted the separated flock or remnant of the house of Joseph, who, six centuries prior to the birth of Christ, had been miraculously detached from the Jewish fold in Palestine, and had been taken beyond the great deep to the American continent." 1
LeGrand Richards in his book A Marvelous Work and A Wonder states, "It should be noted that Jesus did not minister unto the Gentiles although he did send his Apostles unto them after his crucifixion. This leaves us with the question unanswered, so far as the Bible is concerned: Who were the other sheep he promised to visit? For this information we must look to the restoration of the gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. After Jesus had been crucified and had ascended unto his Father, he visited his 'other sheep' in America, known as the Nephites, and there chose twelve disciples and organized his Church, as he had done among the Jews, an account of which is given in some detail in Third Nephi of the Book of Mormon . . . " 2
Book of Mormon, Third Nephi 15:21, “And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: 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.” 3
Book of Mormon, Third Nephi 16:1, “And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.” 3
Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) 10: 59, “I am he who said—Other sheep have I which are not of this fold—unto my disciples, and many there were that understood me not.” 3
Is this what Jesus was teaching? I present to you the Mormons believe an elaborate, well contrived, false doctrine. If the prophets of Nephi did actually exist in the Americas in 34AD (which no archeological evidence supports) they were indeed false prophets.
What this passage is teaching:
The word of God was being proclaimed to the Jews, but would also be given to the Gentiles
1. Romans 1:16, 2:9-10 show the order of “to the Jew first and also to the Gentile”
2. Cornelius and his household were the first Gentile converts: Acts 10
3. All were to come to God: Acts 17:16-30
The Good Shepherd desires all sheep to part of his flock
1. All are invited to come to Christ: Matthew 11:28-30
2. Jesus want to shepherd the weary and lost: Matthew 9:36
3. Each sheep is important: Luke 15:1-7
How do we become part of the flock of the Good Shepherd?
Hear the Good Shepherd’s voice
1. Jesus is speaking to us today: Hebrews 1:1-2
2. The scriptures are inspired of God: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Trust (believe) the Good Shepherd
1. Mark 16:16
2. Acts 10:43
Confess that Jesus is your Shepherd, he is the son of God and that he laid down his life for you
1. Romans 10:10
2. Acts 8:36-37
Stop roaming around aimlessly (repent), change your life’s direction and follow the Good Shepherd
1. Acts 2:38
Obey the Good Shepherd’s voice (be baptized and remain faithful)
1. Several previously read verses (Mark 16:16, Acts 10:43-48, Acts 8:36-39, Acts 2:38)
2. 1 Peter 3:21
Reference Materials listed below are not endorsements of the content in the article nor other articles found on the website. One should always look to the scriptures for facts. There sources were used since part of this outline is discussing false doctrine not found within the Bible.
1 “Who are the "other sheep" in John 10:16?” Bill McKeever http://www.mrm.org/john-10-16
2 “Mormonism” Author not listed http://www.wrestedscriptures.com/a02mormon/john10v16.html
3 The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints http://scriptures.lds.org/john/10/16c
