Breaking Free. Getting outside the fence and staying there. John 10
Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
"Breaking Free: Getting Outside the Fence and staying there.”
Open your Bibles to John chapter 10 and say, “Amen” when you are there.
John 10:9 –“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.”
I have shared before about just getting outside the fence. Today I want to share about living outside the fence.
Introduction: Living Beyond the Fence
- Imagine being fenced in—trapped in a space that feels safe but also suffocating.
- Fences in life can be fear, shame, doubt, or complacency. While they seem to protect, they often hold us back.
- God didn’t create you to live confined; He created you for freedom and purpose.
What fences are holding you back today?
1. Recognizing the Fence
Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”
- The Fence of Fear: Keeps you from stepping into your God-given calling.
- The Fence of Shame: Makes you believe you're unworthy of God’s love and grace.
- The Fence of Comfort: Lulls you into spiritual stagnation, afraid of the unknown.
Sheep in a pen are protected for a time, but they must step out to find life-giving pasture.
What you think is protecting you may actually be limiting you. God is calling you beyond the fence.
2. Jesus as the Gate: The Path to Freedom
John 10:9-10 – “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pastures. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
- Jesus isn’t just the way in; He’s the way out to abundant life.
- He saves us from sin and brokenness.
- He empowers us to step into freedom, purpose, and mission.
Jesus is your gate to freedom—not just a temporary escape but a lasting transformation.
Peter stepped out of the boat. While others stayed in their "fence" of safety, Peter walked on water, trusting Jesus (Matthew 14:29).
I just read a story recently. Let me share it with you.
A pastor asked an older farmer to say grace for the morning breakfast.
“Lord, I hate buttermilk,” the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going.
The farmer loudly proclaimed, “Lord, I hate lard.” Now the pastor was growing concerned.
Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, “And Lord, you know I don’t much care for raw flour”.
The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn’t the only one to feel uncomfortable. Then the farmer added, “But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love fresh biscuits. So Lord, when things come up that we don’t like, when life gets hard, when we don’t understand what you are saying to us, help us to relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be better than the biscuits.
Amen.”
We need to look at the whole picture and get closer to Him and see the work as it falls together for His plan.
3. Breaking Free from the Fence
Philippians 3:13-14– “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Here are some Practical Steps to Break Free
1. Name the Fence: What is keeping you trapped? Fear? Doubt? Past mistakes?
2. Surrender to Jesus: Ask Him to lead you into freedom.
3. Take a Bold Step: Obedience often requires faith before you see results.
Jesus doesn’t just call you out—He walks with you.
4. Living Outside the Fence: Abundant Life in Christ
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
- Outside the fence is a life of:
- Purpose: Using your gifts to serve and glorify God.
- Growth: Trusting God in new and challenging ways.
- Fulfillment: Experiencing the joy of living in His will.
Sheep outside the pen don’t wander aimlessly—they follow the shepherd to green pastures.
I have a question for you.
- Are you ready to break free from the fences that have held you back?
- Jesus is calling you to a life of freedom and abundance, but it starts with surrendering to Him as your gate.
- Whether it’s fear, sin, shame, or doubt, Jesus has the power to break every chain and lead you into a life of purpose.
- If you’ve never trusted Jesus as your Savior, today is the day to step into freedom. Come forward and let Him be the gate to your salvation.
- If you’re a believer but feel trapped by fences of fear, guilt, or complacency, come forward and lay them at the feet of Jesus. Let Him guide you into the life He has prepared for you.
Closing
Jesus is standing at the gate, waiting to lead you to green pastures.
Will you trust Him today?
Will you take that step of faith and leave the fences behind?
Come forward now and spend some time with someone from our prayer team.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank You for being the gate that leads to life. Today, we come before You, surrendering the fences that have held us back. Break the chains of fear, doubt, and sin, and lead us into the fullness of life You promise. Help us to trust You as our Shepherd and follow wherever You lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let’s go outside the fence from now on. Amen?
