First Church of God in Harvey
Sunday Morning October 23rd, 2011
Let us pray
Welcome...
This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Are you glad to be in the house of God one more time? Are you glad that you are still alive despite what you might have gone through or is going through? Are you glad that Jesus still loves you, and loves you just the way you are?........
Last Sunday we used as our topic, more than the crumbs for the brokenhearted. I wonder if anyone here today received some extraordinary blessings from the Lord during the course of last week. Blessings that would cause you to shout, and really praise God for. Blessings that were tailor made for you and for you alone. Blessings that would cause you to say Lord I really thank you, and so I just have to take the time to give you some praise. Has God been good to you? ..............
Today I want to encourage everyone here, if you are, to continue trusting in the Lord. In Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6. we read, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding....In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." That word trust means to rely on; to have faith; to confide in. How much do we rely on God? How much faith do we have in God? How much confidence do we have in the Lord? Some trust in horses and chariots, some trust in the lottery; some trust in their cars; some trust in their checking accounts and savings account; some trust in wall street; but I want to encourage everyone to put their trust in the Lord. wall street will fail; your car will fail; your checking and savings account will run out, but in Psalm 125 verse 1 we read, They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. Saints do not allow anything to move you, but just trust in the Lord. Sometimes it might appear that God has forgotten you, but do not stop trusting in the Lord. Sometimes your close friends might forsake you, but do not stop trusting in the Lord.......
Our scripture reading for today will be taken from, St. John 10 verses 7 through 10. .
Today we will be using as our to-pic, The Door To Abundant Life. Number 1…Jesus is the only door of the sheep. Number 2…Jesus is the only door that leads to salvation. Number 3..Jesus is the only door that leads to abundant life.
Last Wednesday while I was here in my office, someone came by and informed that Muammar Gaddafi was killed. For over 42 years this man reigned as a terrorist. He lived in luxury, while his people were starving. He lived a life of abundance while there was poverty all around him. Libya considered to be a rich country because of all its oil, but all around was poverty…....
As we consider our topic for today, The door to abundant life; Christ is the door to abundant life. That word abundant means, in plentiful supply; ample; abounding with; to overflow. Let's look at verses 7 and 8 of our text (read) In our text for today Jesus says, I am the door of the sheep. Noticed he did not say the pope is the door; he did not say the bishop is the door, but he did say I am the door of the sheep. Jesus is the only door of the sheep. It is said that when the sheep were kept out in the hill country overnight, they were kept in ra-vines surrounded by several rocky walls. Naturally, the opening into those ravines had no door at all. The shepherd himself literally became the door, for during the night he would simply lie across the opening. The sheep could get out only by going over him, and the enemies of the sheep could get in to the sheep only by going through him. Access in or out was only through the shepherd. Jesus, our Lord and our Master is the only door to the sheep. When Jesus says door he means He is the way or entrance into the sheepfold. If a man desires to enter where God is, he must enter the Door of Christ, which is the only door into God's presence.
It is said that, when man sinned, the door of heaven was closed to him; and when he looked up thither, there was no open door there. But Christ opened it and established communication between heaven and earth; and as man gazed up, he saw a door opened in heaven. When Christ left heaven for earth he left the door ajar, and opened a new and living way for man to enter. Thank God, that through Christ the door is now opened. In John14 verse 6 Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus is the only door of the sheep. He is the only way into the presence of God. All others, and it does not matter who they are, who claims to be the door are thieves and robbers. Oh these people might do great things, but if they claim to be the door they are thieves and robbers. Oh, these people might call down fire from heaven, but if they claim to be the door they are thieves and robbers. Oh, they might have many followers, and people might speak good things about them, but if they claim to be the door, they are thieves and robbers. Saints of God beware, there are some who claim to be the door, and that they have the way to God. They claim to know the right way, having the newest ideas and the latest truth and knowledge. They claim that their teaching is right, and all others are wrong, but if they claim to be the door, Jesus said that they are thieves and robbers.
Saints of God, there is but one door, and Christ is the door, he is the mediator between God and man; he is our go between. Some had come before Christ came in the flesh, professing to be Messiahs, assuming his titles, and position as the door and shepherds of the sheep. In 1 Timothy 2 verse 5 we read, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Saints, Jesus is the only door to the sheep. "The proof that Jesus is the only Door and that all others are false doors is the sheep themselves. The sheep do not hear the voices of false doors, not if they are real sheep of the Shepherd." Did you see what I see on TV? If I send some money to that preacher I will get healed of my cancer, or if I send him $100 from my pay check I will get a brand new car. Child, that sounds good to me, I am going to try it. "The real sheep of God know the shepherd's voice and have the ability to discern it.. If they hear the voice of a false shepherd, they know that he and his sheepfold are false." Be very, very careful where you are sending your money. Be very, very careful of the ministries that you might be supporting. Be on your guard. In St. John10 verses 27 & 28 we read, My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Saints of God, we are safe in the hand of Jesus, and all we have to do is to stay in his hand. My challenge to you today is, stay with the Lord. When things are going good, stay with the Lord. When things are not going so good, stay with the Lord..........
Jesus is the only door of the sheep, and in verse 9 of our text he is the only door that leads to salvation. (read verse 9). The only way that you can be saved is by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. In Acts 4 verse 12 we read, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby ye must be saved. In St. John 3 verses 16 & 17 we read these words, words that we have heard over and over again, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever (that means you and me) believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. Do you want salvation? Then you have to go through Jesus who is the only door that leads to salvation.
"Jesus is the only door that opens to peace and security. He is the only door that allows the sheep to go in and out." It is said that, If a man could go in and out without difficulty or danger, it meant he was safe and secure. Jesus brings to the believer safety and security. Saints of God we are safe in Jesus. Yes, we might be going through a storm, but we are safe in Jesus. Yes we might be going through our testing time, but we still can have peace. Yes, the battle may be raging all around, but we are safe in Jesus. Do you have that sweet settled peace in Jesus? or are you nervous all the time? In St. John 16 verse 33 we read, These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world. Thank God we can find peace in Jesus. Some people are trying to find peace in the bottle, but the bottle wont give you peace. Some are trying to find peace by getting high, but getting high can't give you peace. Some are trying to find peace by running around, but running around will not give you peace. This peace I am talking about can only be found in Jesus....................
Jesus is the only door that leads to the true pasture, "the pasture that has the living stream flowing through it and the pasture that has the living food in it." The pasture is that place for feeding and grazing. It is that place where the sheep feels contented. This pasture alone can satisfy the soul. The choir sings a song which says, my soul is satisfied. Are you satisfied? or are you still searching for something to satisfy your soul? In Psalm 107 verse 9 we read, For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. In Isaiah 58 verse 11 we read, And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
The pasture I am talking about is that pasture that can restore the soul. That word restore means, to bring back into existence or use, to re-establish. Listen to what the bible says in Psalm 23 verses 2 and 3, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth ( he bring back into existence; he re-establish) my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. This pasture I am talking about can give life and give it forever. In St. John 6 verse 51 we read, I am the living bread which came down from heaven: If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Jesus is the only door of the sheep; he is the only door that leads to salvation, and finally he is the only door that leads to abundant life. Let's look at verse 10 of our text (read) The purpose of the thief is to steal, to kill and to destroy. The person who says there is another door is a thief and a robber. The person who says there are many ways to God, is a thief and a robber. The person who says you don't need Jesus is a thief and a robber. The person who says you can do it on your own is a thief and a robber. The thief misleads and deceives the sheep, leading them through a door that leads to destruction. You remember the story of Rev. Jim Jones, he led many to destruction, and there are many others just like the Rev. Jim Jones that are leading many to destruction. The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. The thieves want the sheep to follow them and their position, so they can secure the sheep's loyalty, possession, honor and so on. Child you don't have to do all that to go to heaven. Just do the best you can. You don't have to live holy, just enjoy life while you are young. Don't you believe that, because the thief comes to steal. to kill and to destroy. The thief does not want you to know the true Shepherd. Thank God verse 10 of our text did not end there, for the latter part of verse 10 says, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Jesus is the only door that leads to abundant life. Having lots of money is good, but that is not the abundant life. Having a new house and a new car is good, but that is not the abundant life. Having several pairs of shoes, dresses and suits, that’s good but that is not the abundant life. Living in luxury like Muammar Gaddafi is good, but that is not the abundant life. Having friends to talk to, places to go and relax, that is good, but that is not the abundant life. Having a good education, so that it is possible to get a good job, that is good, but that is not the abundant life.
In Luke 12 is the parable of the rich fool. He had no room to store his fruits, and so he decided, to pull down the barns he had and build greater barns. He would then store his goods in these barns, and would say to his soul there is much goods laid up for many years, and now he could take it easy, eat, drink and be merry. This rich fool thought he was living the abundant life, because he had an abundant supply, but he was called a fool, and he had to leave everything he had. Having material things is good, but that is not the abundant life.
I said earlier on that abundant means in plentiful supply; to overflow. Jesus Christ came that we might have life, not an ordinary life, but an abundant life. When we say life, what are we talking about? Life is the opposite of perishing. "It is deliverance from condemnation and death." People sometimes say they are enjoying life; but outside of Christ you really cannot enjoy life. Maybe you are here today, and you have realized that the outward man is perishing. The things you used to do a few years ago you can't do it any more; but even though the outward man is perishing you still can have that abundant life. You see saints and friends life is found only in God. He is the source and author of life, and he has appointed Jesus Christ to bring life to man. In St. John 5 verse 26 we read, For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. Life only comes to a man when he believes in Jesus Christ; when he accepts Christ as his Lord and Savior. A man outside Jesus Christ only exists. Oh he might look good on the outside, but without Christ he is just existing. Real life, the abundant life; that life that is overflowing is found only in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the creator of life, He is the creator of all things. In Colossian 1 verses 15 and 16 we read, Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by him (talking about Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers; all things were created by him and for him.
Jesus Christ is the only door that leads to that abundant life.. In Galatians 5, the apostle Paul list nine graces as the Fruit of the Spirit that should be seen in our lives on an ongoing basis. Not just on Sunday, but everyday. When a person looks at Jesus Christ, he sees exactly what life is, exactly what it involves. When a person looks at you, and looks at me, what does that person sees? Can they see love? Love is that tie that binds our hearts to God as our Father, and which should be shown to each other everyday. Can they see joy? Joy is dependent upon love, if there is no love, there will be no joy. Can they see peace? Peace and joy are the ingredients of the kingdom of God. Can they see long-suffering. Long-suffering is the patient endurance of injuries inflicted by others. Can they see gentleness? Gentleness is that sweetness of temper especially towards inferiors. It is courteous, and easy to be entreated, when someone has wronged us. Can they see goodness? Goodness shows itself in a readiness to do good to all as the opportunity arise. Can they see faith? Faith is regarded as the principle of Christian life, which controls and guides it. Can they see meekness? Meekness is power under control. Finally, can they see temperance or control and power? Temperance is doing things in moderation such as eating and drinking. As others sees you, and sees me, can they see Jesus in us?
As we examine ourselves today, are we living that abundant life? The door to abundant life is found in Jesus. Jesus is the only door of the sheep. He is the only door that leads to salvation, and he is the only door that leads to abundant life. Jesus said, I am the door; by me if any man enter in, (that means any woman, any boy, any girl, no matter how vile that person might be) he shall be saved (not may be saved) but he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Let us stand
Call to discipleship
Closing song/prayer
