Jesus, the God Man: The Gospel of John
“Choose the Right Door”
John 10:7-10
Introduction: Most of you can probably remember the game show called “Let’s Make a Deal.” Contestants were given the chance to win fabulous prizes by choosing what was behind the correct door. The host would give them money or a prize and then offer for them to exchange it for what was behind a door. They had to make sure they chose the correct door.
In that game the worse that could happen is for you to go home with a really bad gift like a bucket of dirt or a goat or perhaps nothing at all, but as we discover today the results of choosing the wrong door can have eternal consequences.
Last week we heard Jesus tell us to listen for the voice of the Shepherd and to then follow and obey the Shepherd. The Pharisees that were listening did not understand what He was talking about and thus proved that He was not their Shepherd.
He tells more about Himself and the importance of following Him as Shepherd. Ready for the big deal of the day? Then make sure you “choose the right door.”
1. Jesus protects us. (vv. 7-8)
Last week I explained about the community sheepfold, but for you to understand this passage you must understand about a sheepfold in the wild.
The shepherd would find a shelter of rock walls, a cave or just a section with brambles. He would bring the sheep into this enclosed space leaving only a narrow opening as an entry and then he would lie down across the opening and become the door himself. The only way the sheep could leave or predators could enter would be over the body of the shepherd.
“verily, verily, truly, truly” – Jesus continues his thought of His being a Shepherd and He does not want them to miss this.
“I am the Door of the sheep” – This is the third of seven “I am” statements by Jesus in this gospel.
This door is “exit only” because Jesus is leading the sheep out of Judaism and the law and into a relationship with Himself. This was pictured in the OT as Moses led the children outside the camp in order to worship God.
Jesus is the door. Nothing comes into our lives unless it comes by Him first! Don’t say Jesus does not know what is going on in your life or He does not care. He is the Shepherd, the Door. It came by Him first in order to get into your life! He let it pass because He has a purpose for EVERYTHING in your life!
“All” – Not literally all. Moses and David and the prophets were all good shepherds. He is referring here to the Pharisees and the scribes.
Good warning for us though. You should trust Jesus and those that follow Him as a good shepherd of the sheep. Don’t believe and trust those that are thieves and robbers. They only want what they can get out of the sheep. They want the wool or the meat. They don’t care about the sheep! Don’t get fleeced!
Here is why they were false shepherds and why there are false shepherds today and thus they were false doors:
“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”Luke 11:52 (NIV)
Thousands of ordained men in the present day know nothing whatever about Christ, except His name. They have not entered "the door" themselves, and they are unable to show it to others. Unconverted ministers are the dry-rot of the Church…We must never fail to ask, Where is the Lamb? Where is the Door? Does he bring forward Christ, and give Him his rightful place? --J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John
Scripture’s harshest words were reserved for false teachers! Matthew 3:7, 23:14, 24, 33; 2 Corinthians 11:13; 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 12, 13.
Jesus however is different. Unlike these false shepherds He wants to give to you and not take from you. He will ask for something, but He will not take it from you!
2. Jesus provides for us. (v. 9)
“I am the door.” Not of the sheep anymore, but to all. The last time was to take the sheep out of Judaism and now this is an invitation into His sheepfold for all.
Notice His words, “if anyone enters BY ME” If you want in you must come through the Shepherd. You can’t sneak in. That is what thieves and robbers do, but if you want to be one of His sheep the invitation has just been given to enter by Him.
Please pay attention to the fact that He is a door, not a wall or window. There is little effort on your part to get in. You do not have to climb in or over or knock down any walls. You just move from out to in. It only takes one step! It’s that simple.
“he will be saved” – This means safe. Jesus makes you safe and secure in His fold and no one can snatch you out of His hands.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28 (NIV)
He also protects and provides for you while you are in His care.
“in and out and find pasture” – A pasture meant food and water. All your provisions are met by your Shepherd.
I thought about Psalm 23 when I read that.
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
Psalm 23:1-2 (NIV)
He gives you what you long for and what you seek in other things: relationship, friendship, a listening ear, love, security, purpose, meaning, direction, understanding, and most of all eternal salvation.
Everyone else is a thief and a robber. Why go to them? They only want to take from you! Jesus offers Himself.
“in and out” also illustrates freedom. You can come and go because you are free in Jesus! Move about freely because there is no weight of sin or guilt to hold you down.
This is not just for now but forever.
The LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:8 (NIV)
Once you know the door you too can use your freedom to lead others to the door. Remember the thieves and robbers (Pharisees) blocked the door and would not let people in. Jesus calls us to be open to bringing others to the True Door - to our Shepherd.
One final thing about this door – they can and will be shut and no one will enter just like the door on the ark.
Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
Luke 13:25 (NIV)
You must enter by Jesus and you must do it before it is too late.
3. Jesus gives overflowing life. (v. 10)
He compares Himself again to the thieves and robbers by combining their characteristics into one “thief”. That is because they get their characteristics from one Thief – the chief Stealer, Killer, and Destroyer. This speaks of Satan and his minions or followers.
They come to steal, kill, and destroy. They bring death and destruction. They will steal your joy. They will kill you and your reputation. They will destroy your life, your witness, your testimony. If you are an unbeliever they will make sure you suffer for all eternity right along with them.
The Devil and his followers are liars, fakers, and death dealers. You come seeking life and find death. Jesus on the other hand offers life – a life that overflows!
By Moses came laws, rules, ordinances, ceremonies. By Christ came grace, truth, and eternal life. --J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John
Jesus said I come so you can have life and that in abundance. He is talking about zoe life not bio life. Jesus does not make sure you are just breathing (He does do that) but He makes sure you have a reason to breath!
But He does not give just enough life to get by, but more beyond!
Your life is not meant just for you. Jesus expects your life to splash on other people! Have you splashed on anyone else lately? Have you left the mark of your abundant life on another person? You should be a walking “splash zone”!
Thieves come to take. Jesus comes to give. He expects us to do the same.
Tell story of lady in waiting room that wanted to punch her lonely elderly neighbor in the face because she wanted to be her friend!
Conclusion: Sing “One Door and Only One”:
One door and only one
And yet its sides are two
Inside and outside
On which side are you?
One Door and Only One
And yet its sides are two
I'm on the inside
On which side are you?
That is the question left to you as our invitation. Which side are you on? In or out? It only takes one step to change everything.
If you are on the inside are you bringing others to the Door? Are you a walking “splash zone” of life?
Make sure you “choose the right door.”
