The Sheep Listen to His Voice

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​First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood                          
21 E. Church Street
Blackwood, NJ 08012                                                                              
Sermon Notes Sunday Service April 26 2026
Sermon Title–The Sheep Listen to His Voice
Text – John 10:1-10
Rev. Key Min Lee

​People listen or do not listen to someone depending on who holds a place in their heart.  In other words, according to the kind of relationship I have with others, I either become someone who influences others or someone who is influenced by others.
John 15:7 says, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you…”  This means that we obey His words.  What is important here is that listening to His word is based on loving Jesus, as seen in John 14:21, 23–24.  To put it differently, just as Jesus listens to and remembers our prayers because He loves us, we also listen to His word because we love Him.
 
Then whose voice are we listening to?  In today’s passage (John 10:4–5), it says that the sheep recognize only the voice of the gatekeeper.  This means that the gatekeeper and the sheep are in a loving relationship.  In other words, as in Matthew 7, the sheep can be understood as those who bear fruit like the gatekeeper—this fruit being the nine fruits of the Spirit (the character of Jesus).  Matthew 7:20 also says, “By their fruit you will recognize them.”  God looks to see whether we bear the character-like fruit of Jesus.  And as in Matthew 7:24, the wise person is the one who hears these words and acts on them, building their house on the rock.  Are we wise people, or are we foolish?
 
However, even those who once bore good fruit may suddenly stop bearing fruit.  This happens when they begin to look at their circumstances and situations.  This is the most important point that today’s passage is making.  Looking at circumstances means that they have started listening to another voice.  In other words, it means they have begun to focus on something other than the Word.  We only need to focus daily on the nine fruits of the Spirit.  That is what shifts our eyes from circumstances to the Lord.  When that happens, as verse 10 says, life overflows with thanksgiving and joy.
 
Beloved brothers and sisters, Jesus came to give us life and to make our lives overflow with thanksgiving and joy.  The way for thanksgiving and praise not to depart from our lips, and for us to continually bear the same fruit each day, is to remain in thanksgiving in every situation and circumstance.  Through that thanksgiving, our house will be built on the rock, and through us, broken relationships and worship will be restored.  May such grace be upon you; I bless you in the name of the Lord. Amen.