3-29-2020 I AM the Door

Text: John 10.7-10 Title: “I Am the Door” Topic: Christ as the portal to life and blessing for his sheep Series: “Self-Portraits of Christ,” Sermon 4 Occasion: Sun AM, 3-29-2020, Duncanville FWB Church Introduction: We have been looking at the self-portrait of Christ painted for us in Christ’s many “I AM” Statements. These statements preserve for us not what others said about Jesus, but how Jesus understood himself and his mission in relation to God the Father, this world, and his church. So far we have considered the following statements: 1. “I AM” 2. “I Am the Bread of Life” 3. “I Am the Light of the World” Today we are going to look at the fourth of these I AM statements which is found in John 10.7-10. Reading of Text: John 10.7-10 “I am the Gate (Door – KJV)” (John 10.9). This title for Christ refers to a unique custom of the Middle Eastern shepherds. At night the shepherd would gather his sheep up in a stone cave or other type of natural or improvised enclosure with a narrow opening. Then he would lay across the opening and literally become the door of the fold. While we can fairly easily identify and comprehend the imagery behind this statement it is the meaning of the statement and its imagery that is of utmost interest to us. When Christ says, “I am the Gate (Door)”what does he mean? He means.... I. I AM the Door to Salvation “whoever enters through me shall be saved.” There are many ways that people try to gain salvation. Some have tried to climb into the fold of salvation by their good works, their philosophy of life, their religion and rituals. But apart from Jesus there is no salvation. Salvation is found in no one else (than Jesus), for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved Acts. 4.12 II. I AM the Door of Spiritual Freedom Of the sheep who pass through this gate, Jesus said “He will come in and go out.” This suggest activity. There is a coming and going for God. Life has deeper dimension and broader horizons when we are Christians. Christ’s fold is not a place of confinement, it is a place of freedom. The Christian life not one of proscription, restriction, and prohibition. It is a life of glorious liberty. As Jesus said elsewhere, “If the son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.” The Christian enjoys the abundant life (see. v.10), set free from the bondage of sin, Satan, and death that had held us in captivity prior to coming to Christ. III. I AM the Door to Provision Jesus says that sheep go “in and out and find pasture.” In order for the sheep to find their pasture and find provision for their needs, they must go through the gate. Christ is our provider. He provided the payment for our sins, he provided the way of salvation, he provided the means of grace, he provided the guidance of his word, he provided the example of his life, he provides the way of escape in time of temptation, he will provided our future heavenly rewards, and he provides all that we have need of in this life. Thus the scriptures declare “Cast all your care upon him for he cares for you.” All we have need of is provided by Christ because he is the gate to our provision. IV. I AM the Door of Security Of course the purpose of the fold is to protect the sheep from the dangers without, from the wolves, and as mentioned in these verses from the robbers and thieves. When you consider that the only the sheep-fold was most often a small cave with a narrow opening, the only way that anyone or anything could harm the sheep is by first going through the shepherd. The shepherd is the gate of safety for the sheep. Illus. Bruce Wilkinson and Nikki Cruze in the Cross and the Switchblade. You cannot harm me unless my Father gives you permission. Since Christ is the gate of safety for his sheep, we have nothing to fear in this world. Remember Christ told his disciples “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world” (John 16.33). As the apostle Paul affirmed, “If Christ is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8.31) V. I AM the Door to Vibrant Life “I am come that they might have life, and have it to the full” Christ is the door to a fulfilling and meaningful life. Life is enhanced and enriched by our communion with him and our fellowship in the Christian community. V. I AM the Door to the Fold of God (i.e. The Church) Implied in this title is the truth that Christ is the Door of the fold of God. The true church, or fold, is the mystical body of Christ - the true company of fellow believers irrespective of our denominational or local church affiliations. It is through Christ, not church membership, that we enter and become part of the great invisible and universal flock of God. Christ is the Chief Shepherd and overseer of our souls. That is why we hold that the requirement for church membership is not simply a decision to join, or payment of membership dues, or submission of a membership application. The requirement for church membership is a vital and life-changing relationship with Jesus. He is the door to the fold. Conclusion: A traveler once, when skies were rose and gold With Syrian sunset, paused beside the fold Where an Arabian shepherd housed his flock Only a circling wall of rough, gray rock No door, no gate, but just an opening wide Enough for snowy, huddling sheep to come inside “So,” questioned he, “then no wild beasts you dread?” “Ah, yes, the wolf is near,” the shepherd said “But’ – strange and sweet the words Divine of youre Fell on his starteled ear: “I am the Door.” When skies are sown with stars, and I may trace The velvet shadows in this narrow space, I lay me down. No silly sheep may go Without the fold but I, the shepherd, know, Nor need by cherished flock, close-sheltered, warm Fear ravening wolf, save over my prostrate form.” O word of Christ – illumined forevermore For us His timid sheep – “I am the Door” ~Anonymous.