"I Am The Door"

We are currently studying the Life of Christ.

Today, we will continue to consider the “I Am” statements of Christ as recorded in the gospel of John.

This morning, we are in John 10 where Jesus is teaching the Parable of the Good shepherd.

In this Parable, Jesus declares Himself to be “The door” of the sheepfold and the Shepherd of the sheep.

John 10:7

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

And…

John 10:9

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The door in the parable provides entrance into the sheepfold.

The sheepfold is an enclosure for the sheep with just one entrance. It was often shared by several shepherds with separate flocks.

This is why Jesus pointed out in the parable that His sheep knew His voice and only listened to Him, and they only followed Him.

Jesus taught many things concerning an entrance - Man’s salvation involves making an entrance.

Matthew 7:13,14

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

John 3:5

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Luke 13:24–25

“Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’”

Through Christ, entrance is made into the church – we are baptized into the body;

Through Christ, we enter the family of God – we have received the Spirit of adoption.

And, through Christ, we are granted entrance into God’s kingdom – we become citizens of His kingdom and joint heirs with Christ.

The sheepfold has only one door. There is no other entrance apart from Jesus, Christ.

“No one comes to the Father but by Me.”

John 10:9

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The Protection of the Door

Once all the sheep were safely into the sheepfold, the shepherd would sit at the one entrance to keep out all that would come to threaten the sheep.

Nothing could enter the sheepfold without the knowledge of the shepherd.

I’m reminded of the old hymn, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” The verse would say, “Leaning, Leaning, Safe and Secure from All Alarm.”

The Lord knows and cares for His sheep.

Luke 12:6–7

“Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God.

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Run to the Lord for safety! Run into the door of the sheepfold!

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.

He calls His sheep. He leads His sheep. He makes a way for His sheep.

The Spirit of God will never lead us to where the grace of God can’t keep us.

John 10:9

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

· We enter the door through faith.

· We enter the door through prayer.

· We enter the door through obedience

· We enter the door through the love, mercy, and grace of God.