John 10:24-39 Then came the Jews round about him, and said to him, How long do you make us to doubt? If you be the Christ, tell us plainly.… These are known — I. BY HEARING. The most important of all the senses, and of scriptural emblems, is the ear. (Isaiah 55) "Faith cometh by hearing." The sheep hear — 1. Christ's personal voice. He still speaks in the Scriptures. Many do not recognize that voice, as a stranger would not recognize your child's voice in a letter; but every syllable becomes audible to you. The word of battle is to the soldier not the voice of the trumpeter, but the call of his general. 2. The voice of truth. No voice but Christ's is, be. cause nothing else is permanent. 3. The voice of grace and of love. 4. The voice of power over the world, the flesh and the devil. Hence it imparts courage to the Christian soldier to go on conquering and to conquer. II. BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE, as we are able to distinguish our friends and children. Christ knows His sheep. 1. In whatever condition of life, rich or poor, healthy or unhealthy, in sorrow or in joy. 2. Whatever company they may keep. 3. Whithersoever they go. 4. Whatsoever they do. The knowledge in this aspect of it is admonitory and encouraging. III. BY FOLLOWING. They follow Christ's example — 1. In obedience to His earthly parents. 2. In conformity to all the righteousness of religion. 3. In nonconformity to the world. (H. Cooke, D. D.) They follow Me. — Christ's flock often addressed by the seductive voice of strangers. They are promised the treasures, honours, and pleasures of the world. They are told that there are other and smoother ways of reaching heaven. But there is none but this: following Christ. I. In HOLINESS. "Be ye holy for I am holy." II. In LOVE. "By this shall all men know," etc. III. In SELF-DENIAL. "If any man will come after Me," etc. IV. In MEEKNESS. "Let this mind be in you," etc. (W. H. Van Doren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. |
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