The only way
The only way
John 10:1-10
Text: I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture”. Vs. 9
Introduction: As most of us know President Bush’s term as the president is winding down. And the candidates for the highest office in the free world are lining up to make a run for the presidency. A lot of us are starting to take notice; some are even excited that the Senator from Illinois (Barack Obama) has announced his candidacy. As they line up—both the democrats and the republicans they are all starting to try and to persuade the country as to which way we ought to cast our vote come election time. Which way that we should go if you will.
As children of the Most High God, the world is always trying to persuade us in life which way it is that we should go in order to be successful in this life. The bible says in Prb 14:12 “there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways to death”. And so I submit to you this morning that there is only one way. Only one way in this life for you and I to be successful in this life and the life to come. And so for just a little while this morning I want to use for subject “the only way”. Are yall going to pray with me?
In our reading this morning we find Jesus speaking to the Pharisee’s after they had excommunicated the blind beggar whom Jesus had healed. (Chap 9) and Jesus speaks to them and he uses a parable. He used the analogy of the fold and the flock, the door and the porter, the robber and the shepherd. Can I teach just a little bit this morning? Yall won’t come out on Thursday night for bible study. You see in biblical days any leader in the Jewish tradition either spiritual or political was looked upon as a shepherd. So Jesus opened up this sermonette with an illustration, one that he thought they would understand. You see the sheepfold was usually an enclosure made of rock with an opening for a door. The shepherd would guard the flock or flocks by night by lying across the opening. (The door) and the shepherd in this case is Jesus Christ the door. Vandals, robbers, and thieves had to climb over the top to get into the sheepfold. It was not unusual for several flocks to be sheltered in the same fold, but each flock knew the voice of his shepherd. And so in the morning each shepherd came and would call his sheep by name. For they knew his voice, and they would come and follow the shepherd out to good pasture. But they couldn’t get into the sheepfold unless they came through the door.
Points
Saints I need you to know that there are a lot of folk in churches today, not here at Saint John but other churches that got in, but not through the door. They came some other way, but not through Jesus Christ. Some came by association-by whom they knew, perhaps their momma or daddy was in the church. Some came by reputation—they were big in the world so let’s make them big in the church. Some came by occupation. They have a good job in the world let’s give them a good position in the church. So beloved not every one in church. Every one that looks churchy, acts churchy, even talks churchy. Ain’t going to make it in. Matt 7:21 Jesus says to the disciples not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus say in vs. 9 and our lesson text“ I am the door: by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and go in and out and find good pasture. Make it plain pastor. Jesus says I am the door. I am the only way to God. I am the way the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the father but by me. (John 14:6) You and I cannot live a godly life without living a Christian life. That means living our lives like Jesus Christ. Not just living a good moral life. Not just obeying the laws of man. Not even obeying the laws of the bible. But believing in and having a relationship with Jesus.
So then Jesus is the only door whereby you and I can live a godly life, but he is also the only one that can save us.
Vs. 9 the c clause of our text says “he shall be saved”. If any man enter into the sheepfold, into the flock, into the church by me. Not by Mohammed. Not by Buddha. Not by Harry Kristner. Not by Joseph Smith (Mormons). Not by Tom Cruz (Scientology) not even by Mary the mother of Jesus. Not by association, reputation or occupation. But by me. He shall be saved!!!
In the Greek the word saved reads “sozo”. It means to make whole; to heal; to keep safe and sound; to rescue from danger or destruction; to deliver from the penalties of messianic judgment.
Jesus says if you come into the fold, by me. You shall be saved. Can I make it a little more plainer? If you come down the isle today when the invitation is given. Confessing your belief in Jesus Christ. That he is the son of the living God. That he was born of virgin. That he suffered bled and died ion the cross for your sins. That he defeated hell, death and the grave and rose on the third day. And that he sits on the right hand of God the father in heaven interceding on you behalf. Then you are saved. You are made whole. You are healed, kept delivered from the penalty of your sins which is eternal damnation!!!
Jesus is the only way, he’s the only savior, and lastly he’s the only source to the abundant life.
Vs. 10 says “the thief cometh not but to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly”.
The thief (the enemy) comes and does a spiritual stickup. He says to you and I he says hold up your hands. You know the drill. Gimme your joy, Gimme your peace. Gimme your happiness. You can’t have it. Cause if I let you keep it you will give Jesus the credit and I’m not having that!!!
So I’m going to steal your children
I’m going to steal your possessions
I’m going to steal your joy
I’m going to steal your happiness
I’m even going to steal your spirit to serve and to worship your lord!!
I’m going to kill your dreams
I’m going to kill your drive
Kill your determination to succeed
I’m going to destroy your relationships
Your resolve
Your resources
Even your relationship with your lord
Tell somebody it’s a spiritual stickup!!!
The enemy, the thief comes to stick us up and to take the pleasure out of this life that we live. But I’m so glad that Jesus the good shepherd has come to give us life. But not just any old kind of life. But life more abundantly.
The Greek word for abundantly is: perissos” which translates to beyond measure. The life that he promises to give you and I is beyond measure. We can even measure the quality of it. Paul say in Eph 6:20 that God is able to do abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
I don’t know about you today saints of God, but I’m living my life in the second half and I’m not satisfied with a normal life. An average life. A run of the mill life. That’s not what I seek. I don’t want to be an average Christian. An average pastor, an average husband. An average father. No I want to live my life abundantly. I want to live large for Jesus. When I was in the world. I lived large for the devil. I didn’t just do a little sin. I sinned abundantly. But now that I’m saved, now that I found. Now that I’m sanctified and set aside for the masters use. I’m going to serve him with all that I have.
So as I get out of your way this Sunday morning all I’ve really been trying to say is that Jesus Christ is the only way. He’s the one who saves, he satisfies and he soothes. He’s the only one that can make a way out of no way. Can I get a witness? He makes a bridge over troubled waters. He’s a rock in a weary land. So I’ve made up my mind that I’m going to serve him, cause he’s worthy to be served and praised.
Is there anybody here today that he’s been good to? Has he saved you? Has he made a way out of no way? Has he supplied your needs? Has he answered your prayers? Has he healed your body? Then you need to stand on you feet and give him some praise. Let’s not be cute today. Let’s not be worried about your neighbor. Let’s give him some praise. Cause He is the only way!! Say yeah. Say yeah