One Door
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· 5 viewsEverything you need is found behind one Door: His name is Jesus
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Introduction
The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. XLVII The Door (No. 2,752)
How very condescendingly the Lord Jesus Christ sets himself forth! The noblest figures of speech are not too lofty to describe his merits. If we could speak with the tongues of poets and of angels, we could not adequately represent his loveliness; and though the writers of the Scriptures, inspired by the Holy Ghost, have used language which exceeds all other in majesty and beauty, even they are not able to tell all the excellence of the glory of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Yet, beloved friends, when he speaks of himself, he is pleased to use no lofty imagery, no far-fetched metaphors; but he talks of himself one day as water, and another day as bread; and here he deigns to call himself a door. The illustration is exceedingly simple; who is there that will not understand it? He means that, as by passing through a door we enter into a house, so by passing through Christ Jesus, by faith, we enter into eternal life, and enter into the true Church, and ultimately shall enter into heaven.
“I am the door.” This metaphor is not only simple, but it is wonderfully commonplace. The dealers in profundities will not like this expression. The gentlemen who must have something new—something very striking—will hardly admire this kind of talk; but, then, our Lord does not court their admiration. His object is not to win the applause of the wise and the poetical, but to win the souls of the poor and the needy, to bring to them eternal life; so he uses what I may call a child’s figure, a common-place figure, “I am the door.”
He has selected this emblem, I should think, partly that it may often come before our notice. You will not go out of this place without seeing a door; you will not get into your own house without seeing a door; and when you are inside, you will not get into your parlour without seeing a door; and when you go up to bed, you must pass through the door. When you rise, to-morrow morning, and start to go out to your work, you will have to open a door,—two doors probably; and, when you reach your work, there is pretty sure to be another door to be entered. Doors meet your gaze almost everywhere, so our Lord Jesus Christ seems to say to you, “I will meet you wherever you are; anywhere and everywhere, I will speak with you, and plead with you. I will make the door of every room in your house, and the door of every cupboard, too, to preach a little sermon to you, as you shall be reminded by it that ‘I am the door.’ ” I am sure our Lord Jesus Christ does not want his ministers to deliver magnificent orations, spread-eagle sermons, with long and elaborate sentences in them. He wants them just to come and talk as he talked, in all simplicity, so that the very poorest and most illiterate of their hearers may understand their meaning, embrace the truth they proclaim, and find everlasting life in him of whom they speak. So shall I try to do at this time, keeping the style of my discourse congruous with the text.
We will begin by noticing first, the door; secondly, the users of it: “By me if any man enter in;” and, thirdly, the privileges of each of these users: “He shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
PRAYER
VIDEO: Monster’s Inc., (door chase) & Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe (Lucy discovering the Wardrobe door’s amazing destination)
Sully and Mike faced an impossible task…finding Boo’s door among thousands. Of course, they found it. When they opened it…it was a different world. When Lucy opened the Wardrobe door and stepped through…she found herself in the land of Narnia. When Linda was on Let’s Make a Deal, she chose between a box (iffy) and a curtain (sure thing). People that choose the wrong door or curtain get zonked.
Going through correct doors in life is pretty important. Wrong doors — wrong choices, can take us where we don’t want to go.
Last week we looked at some of the ways Jesus referred to Himself. “I am…the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, ‘Before Abraham was born, I am!’, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth, the Life. We also touched on the fact that Jesus referred to Himself as the Door of the Sheep and the Good Shepherd.
We also touched on the fact that Jesus referred to Himself as the Door of the Sheep and the Good Shepherd.
I ran across a sermon by Charles Spurgeon — it was preached on Sunday night June 15th, 1879 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington - London. I loved his take on where Jesus says “I am the Door”
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
Jo
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
“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. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
PRAYER
John 10:
Charles Spurgeon’s message made a great point: Jesus referred to Himself in a very condescending way: the Door (Gate). The most noble words imaginable are not noble enough to describe Jesus. The best poets, song-writers, and artists couldn’t come up with sufficient words or images to depict the true nature of Jesus. Yet — when Jesus spoke of Himself, He used simple, everyday terms. One day He referred to Himself as water, another day bread, and here…a Shepherd, and door (sheep gate)!
I will summarize Spurgeon’s take on this passage.
Jesus referred to Himself in a very condescending way: the Door (Gate). The most noble words imaginable are not noble enough to describe Jesus. The best poets, song-writers, and artists couldn’t come up with sufficient words or images to depict the true nature of Jesus. Yet — when Jesus speaks of Himself, He has not use for lofty or fancy terms. One days He refers to Himself as water, another day bread, and here…a door!
Who doesn’t understand the concept of a door? Jesus’ meaning was clear: as a person passing through a door enters a house (or other place), when we pass through Christ, by faith, we enter into eternal life…the true Church…Heaven
Maybe Jesus chose this symbol to describe Himself because a doors are common to everyone. We doors every day. You can’t get into your house without passing through a door. When you need to shower, you must go through the bathroom door. When it’s time for bed…there’s a door leading to your room. When you get to work in the morning…you guessed it…a door.
You see doors nearly everywhere you turn. It’s like Jesus is saying “Child, I will meet you wherever you are, whatever you are facing — anywhere and everywhere. I will meet you there and speak to your heart, plead with you.” “I am the door” — every time you open a door…there is a sermon to remember,
Jesus doesn’t want anyone confused about who He is and what He offers.
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
Everything you need is found behind one Door: His name is Jesus
Everything you need is found behind one Door: His name is Jesus
Transitional: This passage in John gives life-changing information about the Door, the users of the Door, and their privileges
THE DOOR
THE DOOR
THE DOOR
THE DOOR
Jesus sort of mixes metaphors in this passage about the Good Shepherd: He refers to Himself as both Shepherd and Door.
Jesus sort of mixes metaphors in this passage about the Good Shepherd: He refers to Himself as both Shepherd and Door.
His words highlight the fact that His sheep can only receive protection from the wolves by entering into the place of protection. There is only one way in: the Door (Gate).
We see a couple important truths about the door...
The Door is necessary
Illustration: Many cities have some shelters for the homeless to come in out of the elements: for food and shelter. In a good shelter — there is no judgment, it is a place to clean up, have a meal, get some fresh clothes, and maybe an encouraging word. But what if there was no door? Only windows - they could look in and see the food, the warm beds, and all the comforts - but could not access them. A door is necessary for those that need help (all of us)!
God’s Word tells us of the New Jerusalem — the pinnacles tower so high that the height of the city is as great as the breadth, and the breadth the same as the length. The foundations are made of precious stones, the streets of gold, and 12 12 pearl gates. It’s brilliance outshines the sun. If you listen you can hear the angels worshipping in beautiful song. Imagine with me that there is not door - and our spirits simply have to fly round and round, but never find a way in.
Here’s the truth — there is no door into that place without Jesus — He is the Door!
Another key to remember about the Door
The Door is Exclusive
“I am the Door”
You might say, “there has to be other doors we can go through to have fulfilment in our hearts and ultimately eternal life!”
I am the Door - if anyone enters by me, he will be saved...
Some might say — “Really? it doesn’t seem fair!”
Jesus was either Lord, liar, or lunatic, which one is it? If He is truly who He claims to be then we must take Him at His word. His Words breathe life
“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.
You can search the universe — all the philosophies and discoveries of man — every religious belief throughout history — you will only find one true Door. You can’t get there through self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, through priests, rites, or rituals
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
There is no other name
Lord, how can I enter into your Kingdom? You say you are the Door? What does that mean?
It means what it says — “I am the Door”
So do we get in by imitating you? “No, I am the Door”
But surely we must be baptized and received communion regularly in order to get in? “No, I am the Door!”
Lord…then holy living must be the way to enter in? “No, not so! I am the Door!”
Here’s what we can be sure of: Jesus Himself, just Jesus, is the way into His Kingdom
Doors have two sides: the outside and the inside
Doors have two sides: the outside and the inside
Our side of the Door - Jesus - in his humanity
He is one of us…He took on flesh…He knows the feeling of our struggles
He invites us to come to Him and lay all of our burdens upon Him
If we could have met Jesus personally when He walked this earth, we would have wanted to follow Him…to just hang out and be around Him
The little Children came to Him
On our side of the Door…we see Jesus’ gentleness and kindness
What about God’s side of the Door?
Charles Spurgeon described it this way: “It is the full splendor of Christ’s Godhead, and we can only come to the Father through Him whose name is Emmanuel, ‘God with us!’”
Charles Spurgeon described it this way: “It is the full splendor of Christ’s Godhead, and we can only come to the Father through Him whose name is Emmanuel, ‘God with us!’”
What do we see over the Door?
Passover…we see the blood of the Lamb sprinkled…His own blood
We can be sure the Father will accept us…the blood has been applied
Transitional: Jesus also defined exactly who could use the Door…
THE DOOR-USERS
THE DOOR-USERS
Transitional: Jesus described who could use the Door…who could enter
THE DOOR-USERS
THE DOOR-USERS
What is the main purpose of a door? To give people a way in or out.
People approach Jesus, the Door, in different ways
Spectators
“That is an amazing Door! Look at the craftsmanship.” — Yet they never go through the door or even peak to see what’s on the other side
Some people believe in Jesus — they like to hear people preach about Him. But they never actually surrender their lives and hearts to Him. They just watch from the outside and believe that somehow they are good with God
Knockers
Some will occasionally knock on the Door — Maybe they pray often — but they say that God doesn’t hear them. It is great to knock on the Door but that isn’t enough. You are either in or out!
Jesus didn’t say “By me if any man knock, he shall be saved;” but “by me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved!”
Loiterers
Remember when you were kids…sometimes you would sit for hours on the front steps of your house? Playing with bugs, toys, friends.
If you were to hang out all day long by the front door of McDonald’s the management would not appreciate it. Either come in an buy some food, or go on about your business.
Some — maybe some here today — have been sitting on the front steps of the Door — listening to sermons, hanging out by the Door.
Doors were made to go through —
Guards
Some are really good at guarding the Door, but they have no intention of going through the Door
They like to read books, study theology and religion and then argue with everyone that doesn’t agree with them.
They think they are doing God’s work by protecting the Door, but they are blind to their own predicament — they don’t know Jesus — they might know all about Him…but they don’t know Him --- maybe they went through the door way back when but drifted back out.
Those that enter through the Door
They are actually the true door users - they don’t sit around admiring it from the outside…they take Jesus at His word and enter into His grace and mercy — they experience the Freedom that can only be found through Him.
By me if ANY MAN enter in, he shall be saved
Any means any — God doesn’t pick and choose between the rich and poor, the educated and uneducated, the pretty and the ugly, respected citizen and criminal (drug addict, thief, adulterer, etc. He says “any man” — anyone!!!
So does this mean people can make it to Heaven without being Holy? Not at all! But all people come to Christ in their sinful and unholy condition.
When we put our trust in Christ, He is the one that makes us holy
We should come to Him “just as I am…without one plea. But that thy blood was shed for me!”
Transitional: OK…hopefully we understand: Jesus is the Door — the only Door that leads to true life....
THE PRIVILEGES OF THE DOOR-USERS
THE PRIVILEGES OF THE DOOR-USERS
This part is easy
Salvation
Saved from: the guilt of sin, the power of sin
Saved from: our past…we don’t have to be that person again
Saved so that we can be holy in His sight
Saved so that we know where we will spend eternity
Freedom
“He shall go in and out”
When we come to know Jesus, He doesn’t throw us into a religious prison
Freedom in Christ is true freedom
We can go to sleep at night with no worries about what the future holds and no worries about what might happen to us if we don’t wake up.
We have freedom to live each day — facing losses and even persecution — because we know that nothing happens without the Father’s knowledge and permission. He has a plan — we can rest easy.
We have freedom to be representatives of Christ and share His love and truth wherever God may lead us. We do not have to be shy or ashamed…we are free in Jesus.
He shall go in and out
We have freedom to approach the throne of God boldly — with our needs, with our worship, in desperation, in intercession. The Door - Jesus, opened for us direct access to the Father.
Nourishment
If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture ()
Whatever we need to survive: His fills and sustains us, comforts us, causes us to grow
Life that is found in Christ will never come to an end —
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE
Everything you need is found behind one Door: His name is Jesus.
Everything you need is found behind one Door: His name is Jesus.
Everything you need is found behind one Door: His name is Jesus.
Everything you need is found behind one Door: His name is Jesus.
If you haven’t accepted Jesus - He says to you, “come to me…give it all to me and let me be your Savior”
Some of us may be confused about Jesus -
He is not about religion
He doesn’t require you to be worthy to know Him
You can’t make yourself worthy enough
He cleanses us and makes us brand new
He simply says “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved”
When you know Jesus you have great privileges
Salvation
Freedom
Nourishment
ALTAR CALL
ALTAR CALL
Where are you with Jesus today?