The Sheepfold
Dr. Larry Thorson
John 10:1
"Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does
not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a
thief and a robber.
Today’s New
International Version Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society
Today we continue our
series “Why We Need a Good Shepherd”. We
probably all know what shepherds do.
They watch, protect, and guide sheep in order to receive the benefits of
sheep. Traditionally humans have needed
the wool that sheep produce to stay warm although now we have synthetic
materials as substitutes. Sheep also
provide good meat, fiber, milk and brush control. In exchange sheep need the guidance that a
shepherd provides in order to produce what humans need. That’s how the Creator designed the creation;
being interdependent on one another.
In Genesis
I want you to note that God didn’t say to Adam alone
that he was to rule over the fish and the birds. Genesis says “God blessed them…” That means male and female. Male and female humans are to rule over the
fish, birds and animals.
God also didn’t say they were supposed
to kill the creatures of the earth, but to rule and master them. The word
for “subdue” means to bring the creatures of the earth to heel. God
didn’t say that to dogs or to cats or to bears.
God said that only to those who were made in God’s image; male and
female humans.
The creatures of the earth
were meant to benefit us while our care was meant to benefit them. One example would be the story of the great
Eastern Elk. Sometime in the late 1880’s
the last great Eastern elk died.[1] This was an animal that inhabited the eastern
Not long after the last elk was killed
in
That’s the Bible’s definition of ruling
over every living creature. The creatures were supposed to be controlled,
not just consumed. In God’s creation order humans were placed as shepherds
because humans are created in the image of God.
When we care for animals or for the environment we’re expressing that
image. When we’re violent or careless to
the environment, it’s usually because of selfishness or greed and that doesn’t
express the image of God.
But in God’s creation order, humans also
need a shepherd. Last week was the national college football championship
between
Philip Keller in A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd and his Sheep says “As I have
moved among men and women from all strata of society as both a lay pastor and
as a scientist I have become increasingly aware of one thing. It is the boss,
the manager, the Master in people's lives who makes the difference in their
destiny.”[3] We all need strong, healthy leadership in
our lives. Without it a team, a company,
even a church will flounder. That’s how we’re designed.
In the Presbyterian Church the elders
are the shepherds. My job as the hired
help is to shepherd the shepherds by training and equipping them to shepherd
you. I’m shepherded by Riverside
Presbytery of which I belong. All of us
together are shepherded by the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. This place at
In his shepherd parable in John 10:1
Jesus begins by talking about the sheep pen or sheepfold that every shepherd
has. "Very truly I tell you Pharisees,
anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some
other way, is a thief and a robber. Phillip Keller says a sheepfold
is “…an enclosure open to the wind.” “It is an enclosure open to the scrutiny of
the owner.” “It is an enclosure not
covered in, roofed over, or shielded from the eyes of the shepherd.” “It is not a barn, shed, or closed-in
structure.”[4]
The main purpose of the sheepfold is to
provide protection for the sheep but also allow the shepherd to keep an eye on
the sheep. In
Sheepfold is also a term for managing
sheep. A shepherd’s sheepfold would
include all the sheep under his care.
Shepherds talk about “folding” sheep when they come under his care. A “folded” sheep belongs then to the sheepfold
of a particular shepherd instead of wandering on its own.
You may have heard of the term “join the
fold” or “left the fold”. That phrase
comes from the sheep world. When you
join a particular church you join the fold, God’s sheepfold. There are some real advantages to that. When you belong to this sheepfold, there’s a
group of people who care about you, a pastor who prays for you and a security
that you will never be alone. Maybe
that’s not so alluring to you when you’re young, strong and everything is going
right in your life. But when life takes a
bad turn, it’s nice to be part of a safe, loving sheepfold.
Do you feel like you’re a part of this
sheepfold? Or are you what I call a “pew
sitter” who regularly checks in but you don’t think anyone in this pew knows
your name? Maybe it’s time for you to
get more involved. Soon we’ll be
publishing a list of all the different areas of our church where you can get
involved. You’ll be able to check areas
of that church and hopefully someone will get back with you.
In the narthex/lobby today there are
church directories. If you’re a member
of this sheep pen your name should be on it and to the far right of the paper
is the name of the deacon assigned to you.
In addition to being prayed for every week, a deacon will, a few times a
year call you to see how we can better pray for you. Pick up a directory today after worship and
look up who your deacon is. Then, may I
suggest, that you try calling your deacon and welcoming them to your
parish. That will totally surprise them
in a pleasant way! If you’re not a
member would like to join this sheepfold?
There’s plenty of room for you. Just let me know.
Some of you live in gated sheep pens
with a security system that has a camera at the gate and a security
attendant. Once at your house, you then
have an elaborate security system to prevent anyone from entering your private
space without invitation. You may even
have caller id on your phone to be able to screen who gets into your ear.
But whether you live in a gated sheep
pen or a less secure one, the proper entrance to your fold is always through a
door or a gate. When Jesus came into
your life he didn’t tear an opening in your private wall to come in. He came through the gate that you opened for
him. Or it may have been that Jesus
called out to you somewhere and invited you to join his flock and you opened
the gate of your life and let him in.
That’s the opposite of how the religious
leaders of Jesus’ day, the Pharisees acted.
They put heavy restrictions on the people and made them conform out of
guilt. But everyday the Good Shepherd is
knocking on our door to come in.
Everyday is a new day and everyday we start fresh. Everyday we start the day either following
the shepherd or following our own plan.
It doesn’t matter that last week you did this or that, that was last
week and this is today. Jesus never
crashes our gate.
So this week, what are you going to
do? Wander on your own? Not many sheep or humans have done very well
doing that. Open the gate of your life
to whatever comes along with the best offer?
That’s dangerous because there are a lot of people out there just trying
to get your money and allegiance. Or
start your day with “Master, what are we going to do today?” One thing I’m pretty sure of, the Good
Shepherd is not going to leave his sheep in the pen all day. You may need some time alone but more than
likely the Good Shepherd will guide you into areas that will involve you
helping someone else. Who is the Good
Shepherd calling you to serve this week?
Start each day this week praying “Master, how are we going to help them
today?”
[1] www.Wikipedia.org under the subject “Eastern Elk”
[2] www.Wikipedia.org under the subject “college football coach salaries”
[3] Philip
Keller The Inspirational Writings, Inspirational Press,
[4] Keller page 280