Introduction

Welcome Church! So glad to have you all here today as start on week 3 of our four week series, In His Words. This is a series about the words of Christ. Specifically, the I AM statements He made as recorded in the book of John. In week one we hear Jesus say, “I AM the bread of life,” and last week He said, “I AM the light of the world.” These are not just statements about Christ’s nature but also how His life impacts us as we follow Him. And today we’ve got a whopper of a statement from Christ.

In John 10:9 Jesus proclaims, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” In response to this the powerful English preacher Charles Spurgeon says, “Christ tells us that the only way to enter the church is through Himself. He is the door, the only door. There is no other mode of admission into His church but through Himself.”

This truth stands in sharp contrast to a world and culture that wants to believe there are infinite roads to eternal salvation. We like to think that we just need to be good enough, we just need to give enough and show up to enough volunteer events. But that’s not it. In fact, we learn elsewhere in the bible that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and this is not by our own efforts or works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) For some this news is a breath of fresh air, and for others, this is a difficult truth to swallow.

Wherever you find yourself today, let's open our hearts and our minds to the message within this Scripture and the lessons we can draw from it. And remember, faith isn't just about believing in God, it's about believing that He will fulfill His promises to us, no matter what.

In John 10:9 Jesus proclaims, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

Main Teaching

Read John 10:9

The Invitation of Jesus

The invitation of Jesus, as presented in John 10:9, is a profound and powerful message that speaks volumes about the nature of our relationship with Christ. It is an open invitation, not restricted by race, social status, or past sins. It is a call to all who are willing to listen, to believe, and to step through the door that leads to salvation.

The metaphor of Jesus as the door (gate) is deeply symbolic. Doors serve as entry points, gateways that lead us from one place to another. In this context, Jesus is the door that leads us from a life of sin and separation from God, to a life of grace, forgiveness, and eternal communion with our Heavenly Father. This is the promise that comes with accepting His invitation.

However, the invitation of Jesus is not just about the promise of salvation. It is also an invitation to a new way of life, a life that is marked by faith, love, and service. Jesus invites us to partake in His mission, to spread the good news of His love and mercy to all corners of the earth. (Acts 1:8) He invites us to be His hands and feet in the world, to serve the least of our brothers and sisters, and to be a beacon of His light in the darkness.

In addition, this is an invitation to a personal and intimate relationship with Him ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium