THERE’S GOT TO BE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS!
JOHN 10:1-10, 19
Big Idea: Like many before Him, Jesus made some audacious claims. The difference is that he can deliver every time!
1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. … 19 At these words the Jews were again divided. 20 Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?"
SERMON
Have you ever said to yourself, “There has got to be more to life than this?”
Maybe in regards to your faith you have said something like, “There has got to be more to being a Christian than this.”
Maybe regarding your church experience you have said, “There has got to be more to church than this.”
Each of these expressions has something in common … unrealized expectations; maybe even emptiness. Maybe, at some level, you’re wondering whether you have settled for second best or maybe you are even wondering if you have been duped … sold snake oil.
There were many people in the first century that were wondering the same thing about their lives and religious experiences. They were keeping the rules, doing their time, paying their fair share and yet life was … empty … hollow.
And then someone came on the scene who offered hope. His name was Jesus. He spoke as no man had ever spoken and he made claims that most other men would dare not make. His claims were so bold that the “know it alls” of the day called him on it … they tried to expose him as a pied piper … a deceiver. They even said he was “demon possessed and raving mad!” (John 10:21).
Jesus made a lot of claims suggesting there was more to this life and offering more from this life. He told people they were made for more than this. He said audacious things like: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
You have to admit … Jesus’ claim is very brazen! He set himself against all other competitors. He separated himself from the herd and declared himself to be the real deal.
There are a lot of people (and things) that claim to be the real deal isn’t there? They claim they can give you that inner fulfillment you are looking for. Watch advertisements on television. Watch how sex, money and power are framed in ads. Listen to the average politician. They all claim to be the solution; but we know they lie. To use an Oklahoma term they are “all hat and no cattle.”
So, why should you believe Jesus when he makes claims that are even more bold? Well, I would suggest that the proof is in the pudding. I would suggest that the testimony of those who have followed him the last 2000 years is evidence that he can provide all that he offers.
Do you remember the story of the woman at the well (John 4)? Here was a woman that was “all used up.” She’d been passed around by various men and was now living in utter humiliation. Jesus approaches her, points to the well she is getting water from, and says “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (v. 13-14).
That’s a pretty bold statement! That’s nothing short of audacious! But do you remember how that story ended? Not only did she discover that Jesus could deliver on His promises but the townsfolk did too. The story ends with these words: “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (vv. 39-42).
Now please hear me, Jesus’ claim to give you more from life than you can find elsewhere comes with “a catch” … a caveat if you please. Now be assured, Jesus is up front about it. He does not get you hooked and then up the ante. No Jesus is very clear from the “git go” about his expectation of you. In fact, 27 times in the Gospels “the catch” is recorded. Twenty seven times Jesus clarifies what is required of you.
Just listen to what he says in John 8. Listen for the audacious claim and as well as “the catch.” “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12).
Are you looking for more out of your life? Out of your religious experience? The answer is clear and available … you will find what you are looking for when you follow Jesus.
Follow Jesus.
What does it mean to “follow Jesus?” Well, beginning on October 20 we are going to unpack that. For six weeks we are going to focus our Sunday School, small groups and worship services around this gathering point. We are going to look at what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The theme we are using is “Not a Fan.” You see, that is what we are praying you will do … we are praying that you will no longer choose to be a fan of Jesus. Yes, you heard me right. We do not want you to be a fan of Jesus. We want you to move from being a fan (an enthusiastic admirer) to a follower (a disciple). We are confident that, as you make the move from fan to follower, you will find that “something” you are looking for. It won’t be anything I can offer; or even anything we as a group / church can offer. You will find it in Jesus and Jesus alone.
In the next few weeks we are going encourage you to, “define the relationship,” “count the cost,” move from rules to relationship, discover where intimacy with God resides, and maybe a few other things too.
What happens in October and November could change your life! It could literally silence the nagging voice inside that says, “There has got to be more to life than this.”
But please understand you do not have to wait until the end of this series to make the transition from fan to follower. You can do it today … right now even. It starts with you taking Jesus’ call serious and at face value. It starts with you acknowledging that Jesus is trustworthy and Lord; and saying, “I will follow. I will choose to be a completely committed follower.”
Let’s watch the video together.
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This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
