"Security Systems"

May 25, 2025

FBC Baxley

am service

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Welcome radio and online guests…

Vision Statement: FBC Exists to Live & Share the Love of Jesus Christ, through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry & Evangelism.

** I want you to know, GOD LOVES YOU!

*It’s ok however you’ve entered, we are all here seeking God’s will, way and plan.

Some rescued, redeemed, Some Saved….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: “Security Systems”

Scripture Passage: John 10:1-14, I Peter 5:8

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.

2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

PRAY-

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Three Points:

Identify the Intruder

2. Install the Right Shepherd

3. Involve the Sheep

INTRODUCTION – A DISTURBING ENTRY POINT

Years ago, law enforcement arrested a man responsible for a series of horrendous murders.

During his confession, he revealed that everything began with a hidden addiction—pornography.

It started in secret, grew in darkness, and eventually controlled him completely.

He told investigators: “I never planned to go that far. But I left the gate open long enough… and something evil walked in.”

Church, that is more than just a criminal confession—it’s a spiritual principle.

When we fail to guard our hearts, homes, and habits, the enemy doesn’t just knock—he walks right in.

Today, we’re continuing our Home Renovation series by talking about the most important system in your home: the Security System.

Not the Ring doorbell. Not ADT.

I’m talking about your spiritual security system—the protection of your soul, your family, and your home from the real enemy that’s trying to sneak in and take everything.

We will look at John 10:1–14 and 1 Peter 5:8 and build a biblical security system.

I. IDENTIFY THE INTRUDER

John 10:1,10; 1 Peter 5:8

Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…”

Peter says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

We can’t protect what we refuse to acknowledge. (I heard a parent one time tell me, “I’d rather not know…”)

You can’t be on guard if you pretend there’s no danger.

A. The Devil is Deceptive

The word “thief” in John 10:10 is the Greek word kleptēs—a sneaky, deceptive thief.

He doesn’t use a battering ram.

He uses seduction, distraction, and imitation.

He doesn’t show up with horns and a pitchfork.

***He shows up in what you scroll, stream, and swipe.

Today, he enters homes through unfiltered phones, unsupervised YouTube channels, and TikTok “creators” who disciple your kids more than you do.

*** if you think social media is just helping your child be sociable, you’ve got a huge problem.

B. The Devil is Destructive

The word for “destroy” is apollymi—to annihilate, to ruin completely.

Satan doesn’t want to give you a bad day—he wants to steal your purpose, kill your peace, and destroy your family.

We don’t wrestle against people.

Ephesians 6:12…we wrestle not with flesh and blood…

Our fight is spiritual.

You can’t win a spiritual war with physical weapons.

C. The Devil is Determined

Peter says the devil prowls—Greek: peripatei, which means he is constantly walking, actively seeking.

Satan is always moving, always watching, always looking for a weak gate, an open door, an unguarded heart.

And he’s not alone.

He has an army of voices, apps, and content doing his work.

Stats that should concern us:

Kids ages 8–12 spend 4 to 6 hours a day on screens. Teens? Over 9 hours.

73% of teens are on YouTube daily.

Nearly half of teens say they are online “almost constantly.”

90% of boys and 60% of girls have seen pornography before age 18.

And….online gaming, they aren’t chatting about game strategies!!!

Parents—the enemy is in the house.

Not because you invited him, but because you left the door open.

II. INSTALL THE RIGHT SHEPHERD

John 10:2–4, 7, 11

Jesus says in v. 7, “I am the door of the sheep,” and again in v. 11, “I am the good shepherd.”

You don’t just need a lock—you need a Lord.

Jesus doesn’t just provide safety; He is safety.

A. He Provides Access

“Door” in Greek is thura—the entry point, the gate.

In ancient times, shepherds literally laid across the sheep pen door with their body.

If a wolf was coming, it had to go through the shepherd first.

Jesus isn’t just at the door—He is the door.

B. He Provides Assurance

The phrase “good shepherd” uses the word kalos—noble, worthy, beautiful.

He’s not a hired hand.

He doesn’t run when it gets tough.

He stays. He fights. He protects.

C. He Provides Atonement

“The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (v. 11)

Jesus didn’t install your security system with a screwdriver.

He installed it with a cross.

He doesn't just protect you from the wolf—He took the bite for you.

And only Jesus does that.

No amount of therapy, parenting blogs, or “positive vibes” can do what the Shepherd did on the cross.

III. INVOLVE THE SHEEP

📖 John 10:3–5, 14

Jesus calls His sheep by name. They follow Him. They know His voice.

A shepherd can’t force sheep to follow.

The sheep must respond.

A. Learn to Discern His Voice

The word “calls” is phonei—it’s not a general yell.

It’s a personal, loving summons.

He doesn’t bark commands. He whispers truth.

Do you recognize His voice?

Or are there so many other voices in your head that you’ve tuned Him out?

B. Live in Daily Dependence

Sheep aren’t just passive.

They follow.

They trust the Shepherd’s direction, even when they don’t understand.

You can’t just say Jesus is your Shepherd and live like you’re your own boss.

His direction leads to protection.

C. Link with the Flock

Sheep are safer in numbers.

Lone sheep get eaten.

Are you connected to community?

Are your kids connected?

Are you showing up on Sundays, or just streaming on the side?

***You need people in your life who will say, “Hey… your gate is cracked open.”

LIFE APPLICATION – THREE THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

1. Guard the Gate Daily

Check what’s coming in through your screens, schedules, and speech. Install filters. Set screen limits. Have real conversations.

2. Get Close to the Shepherd

Read His Word daily. Pray with your family.

Make Jesus the first voice you hear in the morning.

3. Gather with the Flock

Join a small group.

Serve.

Invite people into your life who love Jesus and love you.

Illus. I had a man ask me about student ministry one time, can you tell me about a better organization than the boyscouts and what they teach…

We’ve sold the church out for boyscouts and girlscouts, so don’t come running to the preacher when your child has been cussed out by the coach….Come on parents, put your life down in front of the gate of your home!!!!!!

CLOSING CHALLENGE

If your spiritual life had a security grade… what would it be?

Is Jesus guarding the door? Are you alert and sober-minded?

Are your kids being discipled by TikTok… or by truth?

It’s time to install the Security System:

Identify the intruder.

Install the right Shepherd.

Involve the sheep.

The safest place in the world is behind the Shepherd.

Will you trust Him today?

-Pray

-Invitation

Vow Renewal Ceremony

Dear friends and family,

We gather here today in the presence of God and one another to celebrate a sacred moment — the renewal of marriage vows.

Marriage is more than a social contract or a romantic commitment.

It is a holy covenant, designed and ordained by God from the beginning of creation.

In Genesis 2:24, Scripture tells us, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Marriage reflects the covenant relationship between Christ and His Church — a relationship marked by love, sacrifice, grace, and faithfulness.

The years that pass in marriage are filled with both joy and challenge, but the journey is sustained by God’s strength, guided by His Word, and blessed by His grace.

Today, we witness something beautiful — couples/Widows standing once again to affirm their love, recommit their hearts, and glorify God by honoring the sacred promise they made on their wedding day.

This moment is not just a formality — it is a testimony.

It is a declaration of God's faithfulness in their lives, and a living witness to the sustaining power of His love.

These vow renewals are more than mere sentiment — they are sacred milestones.

Each person here has faced seasons of sunshine and storms, laughter and loss, celebration and sacrifice.

And yet, by God's grace, they stand together today, not only as husband and wife, but as co-laborers in God's Kingdom.

This group renewal serves as a living testimony — a proclamation that God is at work in marriages, that love rooted in Christ endures, and that His faithfulness carries us through every chapter of life.

Responsive Vow Renewal

(Minister invites couples to turn and face each other. All couples may join hands. The congregation may be invited to silently pray in support.)

Minister:

As you stand together, hand in hand, I ask you now to affirm your vows once again — not because you must, but because you desire to.

Do you now reaffirm your love for one another and the vows you made on your wedding day?

Couples (Together):

We do.

Minister:

Do you promise to continue to love, honor, and cherish one another in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, for better or for worse, as long as you both shall live?

Couples (Together):

We do, by God’s grace.

Minister:

Do you promise to forgive quickly, to speak kindly, to serve selflessly, and to pursue God together?

Couples (Together):

We do, by God’s strength.

Minister:

Will you continue to make your marriage a reflection of Christ's love for His Church — a love that is unconditional, sacrificial, and everlasting?

Couples (Together):

We will, by the help of the Holy Spirit.

Minister:

Then having reaffirmed your covenant before God and these witnesses, I declare, by the authority of the Word of God and in the joy of the Lord, that you are — still and always — husband and wife.

Let no one separate what God has joined together. Amen!

(Optional: Invite couples to kiss as a sign of their covenant.)

Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this sacred moment. Thank You for the enduring love shared between these couples and the grace You have poured into their lives. Their vow renewal today is not only a celebration of lasting love — it is a declaration of Your faithfulness.

Lord, continue to be the center of each marriage represented here. Strengthen these husbands and wives with patience, kindness, and humility.

Let their homes be filled with peace, their words with grace, and their hearts with joy.

May these marriages reflect Christ in every season — shining as a light in a world that desperately needs to see what godly love looks like.

Let their testimonies inspire others, and may future generations rise up to bless and follow their example.

We commit them again into Your hands, with gratitude and praise. In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.