I AM the Door
Notes
Transcript
We are in our third part of the series of messages entitled “I AM Statements of Jesus”
That's what Jesus tells us in this passage from John's Gospel. 'I am the door of the sheep,' he says. 'I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.'
Before we get to the main text this morning I want to draw your attention to
58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
Jesus has told the Jews that he was God, and that he had seen and revealed himself to Abraham (), and they had taken up stones to kill Jesus, however he hid himself and walked out of the temple.
Jesus has told the Jews that he was God, and that he had seen and revealed himself to Abraham (), and they had taken up stones to kill Jesus, however he hid himself and walked out of the temple.
The statement “I am the door,” found in , is the third of seven “I am” declarations of Jesus recorded only in John’s Gospel.
As I have said through this series, these “I am” statements of Jesus are proclamations that point to His unique, divine identity and purpose.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
In this “I am” statement, Jesus colorfully points out for us the exclusive nature of salvation by saying that He is “the door,” not “a door.”
In this “I am” statement, Jesus colorfully points out for us the exclusive nature of salvation by saying that He is “the door,” not “a door.”
Jesus is the only door by which we may enter and be saved ().
Jesus is the only means we have of receiving eternal life (). There is no other way.
Jesus has told the Jews that he was God, and that he had seen and revealed himself to Abraham (), and they had taken up stones to kill Jesus, however he hid himself and walked out of the temple.
To get a clear picture of Jesus’ meaning in this statement, it is helpful to understand a little of that ancient culture, especially of sheep and shepherding.
Leaving the temple, they came across a blind man sitting by the road. Jesus, continuing his discussion on being the Light of the World (), as we discussed last week, Jesus healed the man of his blindness. This started a big uproar among the leaders in the temple, and much discussion about Jesus.
Of all domesticated animals, sheep are the most helpless. Sheep will spend their entire day grazing, wandering from place to place, never looking up. As a result, they often become lost. But sheep have no “homing instinct” as other animals do. They are totally incapable of finding their way to their sheepfold even when it is in plain sight. By nature, sheep are followers. If the lead sheep steps off a cliff, the others will follow.
When all was said and done, they kicked the young man out of the temple. When Jesus heard what they had done to the young man (), went and found him and presented himself as the Son of God, and the young man worshipped Jesus.
Additionally, sheep are easily susceptible to injuries and are utterly helpless against predators. If a wolf enters the pen, they won’t defend themselves. They won’t try to run away or spread out. Instead they huddle together and are easily slaughtered.
Then starting in chapter 10 Jesus tells them a truth statement about Himself. He says in vs. 1
If sheep fall into moving water, they will drown. However, sheep do fear moving water and will not drink from any stream or lake unless the water is perfectly still. This is why David in the 23rd Psalm tells us of the shepherd who “makes [us] to lie down in green pastures, he leads [us] beside the still waters . . . though [we] walk through the valley . . . [we] will fear no evil. For You [the Shepherd] are with [us].”
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
There's an old spiritual. I'm sure you've heard it. It starts out, 'So high you can't get over it, so low you can't get under it, so wide you can't get around it! You gotta come in through the door.'
That's what Jesus is telling them then and us now in this passage from John's Gospel.
Jesus continues by explain in more detail who He is in v. 2-5
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
John 10:
At this time Jesus realizes they had completely missed what he had just told them and so He go one to interpret it for them. Look at v. 7
And Jesus realizing they had completely missed what he had just told them went on interpret it for them.
And Jesus realizing they had completely missed what he had just told them went on interpret it for them.
Sheep are totally dependent upon the shepherd who tends them with care and compassion. Shepherds were the providers, guides, protectors and constant companions of sheep. So close was the bond between shepherd and sheep that to this day Middle Eastern shepherds can divide flocks that have mingled at a well or during the night simply by calling their sheep, who know and follow their shepherd’s voice. Shepherds were inseparable from their flocks. The shepherd would lead the sheep to safe places to graze and make them lie down for several hours in a shady place. Then, as night fell, the shepherd would lead the sheep to the protection of a sheepfold.
John 10:7-
There were two kinds of sheepfolds or pens. One kind was a public sheepfold found in the cities and villages. It would be large enough to hold several flocks of sheep. This sheep pen would be in the care of a porter or doorkeeper, whose duty it was to guard the door to the sheep pen during the night and to admit the shepherds in the morning. The shepherds would call their sheep, each of which knew its own shepherd’s voice, and would lead them out to pasture.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
We can see that Jesus is three types of doors from the explanation he gives to those listening.
John 10:
Jesus is using a Shepherd/Sheep analogy.
Jesus is using a Shepherd/Sheep analogy.
The second kind of sheep pen was in the countryside, where the shepherds would keep their flocks in good weather. This type of sheep pen was nothing more than a rough circle of rocks piled into a wall with a small open space to enter. Through it the shepherd would drive the sheep at nightfall. Since there was no gate to close—just an opening—the shepherd would keep the sheep in and wild animals out by lying across the opening. He would sleep there, in this case literally becoming the door to the sheep.
I) He Is The Door Of Salvation
In this context, Jesus is telling us that He is not only the shepherd of the sheep, but also the door of the sheep. In doing so, He is vividly contrasting Himself with that of the religious leaders of His time whom He describes as “thieves and robbers” (). When Jesus says, “I am the door,” He is reiterating the fact that only through Him is salvation possible. This is far removed from the ecumenical teachings popular in today’s liberal religious circles. Jesus makes it clear that any religious leader who offers salvation other than the teachings of Christ is a “thief” and a “robber.”
1) He is the door not a door.
One who believes the gospel () and repents of sin () is assured of being in “the fold” and of having entered by “the door.” As followers of Christ, Jesus is both our Shepherd and the Door to the sheepfold who provides for all our needs. Knowing that the world is full of predators whose sole intent is to destroy us (), we are always under His protection. More importantly, we are fully confident that “when the Chief Shepherd appears, [we] will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” ().
a) To get into Jesus’ flock you must come through him
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Romans
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
b) To try to come in some other way, will only have you cast out (digging under, climbing over, or breaking down the wall)
To try to come in some other way, will only have you cast out (digging under, climbing over, or breaking down the wall) its not possible. Salvation is only found in ONE, it is JESUS, the bread of life, the light of the world, and the door to everlasting life.
Not only is Jesus the Door of Salvation,
II) He Is The Door Of Safety
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
”8
1) Thieves and Robbers
1) Thieves and Robbers
a) Jesus was not the first to come claiming to be the messiah. There were false christs back then, even as they are today.
b) There were the wicked religious leaders in the temple, who only cared about lining there pockets.
3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
Look with me at v 10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
v
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
2) The Thief
2) The Thief
a) here Jesus is speaking of none other than the master thief, Satan
Satan is out to steal any mention of God’s word, in order to keep you from seeing your need for a savior
¨ Satan is out to steal any mention of God’s word, in order to keep you from seeing your need for a savior
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
¨ Satan is out to have your body placed in Hell with him. If he can keep you away from Jesus, he will have destroyed you, causing you to spend eternity in a place that was created for the Satan and the rebellious angles.
¨ Satan is out to steal your fruit of the Spirit. He wants you to be miserable and unhappy.
¨ Satan is out to kill your relationship with God. Anything he can do to keep you from praying, reading the Bible, going to church, getting along with other Christians, or anything else he can do to put up road blocks, he will do.
¨ Satan is out to destroy your testimony. He wants to make sure that you can not be effective in reaching others for Christ. And he will try to cause you to sin, maybe in ways you don’t think possible, or just to get you to compromise your stands, anything he can use against you to others.
d) When we find ourselves under attack, we need to run to Jesus. Our shepherd wants to protect us.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
¨ Remember Joseph fled.
Jesus is the door of salvation, the door of safety and...
III) He Is The Door Of Satisfaction
John 10:
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
a) We get to go in and out. There is sweet freedom and liberty in Christ. Not freedom to continue to practice sin but freedom to live without guilt and shame. Be saved by Jesus brings inner satisfaction.
a) We get to go in and out. Repentance and forgiveness gives us freedom to live with out guilt.
This passage reminds me of a very familiar Psalm
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
2) Fruitfulness
a) we find what matters
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
3) Fullness
Conclusion
a) we find the good life
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Conclusion
It is verse 9 I want us to look closer to what Jesus is saying about Himself and what this means for you and I.
There are 7 words that can be used to expound on this small but
Powerful verse 9 They are:
Don’t Delay à Today is your day of salvation
Observe à See what he has already done to make you His Child
I. Declaration- “I am the Door”
Sheepfold - A pin for sheep
(show pictures)
II. Invitation- “ if anyone”
Open your Heart à Let Jesus have control of your life
If anyone - All are welcome to come.
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’
III. Condition- “enter in”
Receive the forgiveness à God wants to forgive
How do we enter in? By faith…in the one whom is speaking the truth, who is truth? Jesus is TRUTH.
Jesus call’s for you to come through the DOOR to today. How will you respond to the Spirit’s calling.
IV. Exclusion- “by me”
All other ways are ways at all…they are ways that lead to destruction.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
Pray.
V. Salvation- “he shall be saved”
Picture again the sheep as they enter through the narrow gate going into the sheepfold and the shepherd welcoming them in and inside the sheepfold they are safe under the protection of the shepherd who is the door and at the same time guarding the door.
VI. Liberation- “and shall go in and out”
The Gospel of John, Volume 2 The Door to Life (John 10:7–10)
To describe something of what that entrance to God means, Jesus uses a well-known Hebrew phrase. He says that through him we can go in and come out. To be able to come and go unmolested was the Jewish way of describing a life that is absolutely secure and safe. When people can go in and out without fear, it means that their country is at peace, that the forces of law and order are supreme, and that they enjoy perfect security. The leader of the nation is to be one who can bring them out and lead them in (Numbers 27:17). The person who is obedient to God is said to be blessed when he comes in and blessed when going out (Deuteronomy 28:6). A child is one who is not yet able by himself to go out and to come in (1 Kings 3:7). The psalmist is certain that God will keep him in his going out and in his coming in (Psalm 121:8). Once anyone discovers, through Jesus Christ, what God is like, a new sense of safety and of security enters into life. If life is known to be in the hands of a God like that, the worries and the fears are gone.
The Gospel of John, Volume 2 The Door to Life (John 10:7–10)
To describe something of what that entrance to God means, Jesus uses a well-known Hebrew phrase. He says that through him we can go in and come out. To be able to come and go unmolested was the Jewish way of describing a life that is absolutely secure and safe. When people can go in and out without fear, it means that their country is at peace, that the forces of law and order are supreme, and that they enjoy perfect security.
The Gospel of John, Volume 2 The Door to Life (John 10:7–10)
The psalmist is certain that God will keep him in his going out and in his coming in (Psalm 121:8). Once anyone discovers, through Jesus Christ, what God is like, a new sense of safety and of security enters into life. If life is known to be in the hands of a God like that, the worries and the fears are gone.
VII. Provision- “and find pasture”.
Jesus is the everlasting provider to His sheep.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
Ps. 23: