“Jesus Is the Door”
John 10:7-10
Seven times in the Gospel of John Jesus said who He was and each time He deepens our under-standing of His provision for us.
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” (6:35)
“I am the light of the world.” (8:12, 9:5)
“I am the door.” (10:7, 9)
“I am the good shepherd.” (10:11, 14)
“I am the resurrection and the life.” (11:25)
“I am the way, the truth and the life.” (14:6)
“I am the true vine.” (15:1, 5)
Every time Jesus uses one of the “I AM” statements, He is emphatically declaring the He is Jehovah, the great “I AM” of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
In John chapter ten Jesus makes two “I AM” Statements in which He clearly states for the people in general and the Pharisees in particular what a “true” Good Shepherd should look like. He states that “I AM The Door of the Sheep” (v. 10) and “I AM the Good Shepherd” (v.11). This morning we want to just examine His statement that He is the door of the sheep, and leave the examination of the Good Shepherd for next week.
Verse seven says, “Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. (8) All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. (9) I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (10) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
You may remember early in chapter nine when the blind man was confronted by Jesus Christ, that Christ became the deciding factor and the turning point in the blind man’s life. In the process of being healed the blind man believed and worshiped Jesus Christ. He had discovered that Jesus Christ was the doorway into eternal life.
When Jesus heard that the rulers of the Temple had kicked the blind man out of the Temple because he would not denounce Jesus, Jesus came to him. And this is where the story is picked up in Chapter ten. Jesus now stood with the former blind man who had been driven from one-fold and received him into another.
After John says verse six that Jesus’ hearers did not understand the illustration that had given He responded with different figure of speech.
Jesus begins his conversation with the solemn words “most assuredly” or “truly truly” or “verily verily” in KJV which emphasizes what he is about to say is really serious.
I what to share with you today three truths…
First, He Presents An Exclusive Claim. (10:7-8) “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.”
As we saw in the last lesson the whole point of this story is that there are two kinds of sheep-folds – the first type was large enough to hold several flocks, it was fairly substantially built and was cared for by a porter or gate keeper. That is the kind of sheepfold Jesus is referring to in the first six verses.
But there is second kind of sheepfold that was found out in the countryside and was often little more than a rough circle of stone and the shepherd himself lay down across the opening and entrance into the sheepfold. The shepherd was the door. No sheep could get out and no enemy could come in except over his body. In a very literal sense, the shepherd was the door. There was no way in or out except through him.
“The great Old Testament scholar Sir George Adam Smith was once traveling thorough Palestine when he came across a shepherd and his sheep. During their conversation, the shepherd showed him the fold into which he lead his sheep at night. It consisted of four walls, with one open space. Sir George asked the shepherd whether that opening
Was how the sheep got in. “Yes” , said the shepherd, “and when they are in there, they are perfectly safe.” “But there is no door,” said Sir George. “I am the door,” said the shepherd. He explained, “when the light has gone, and all the sheep are inside, I lie in the open space, and no sheep ever goes out but across my body, and no wolf comes in unless he crosses my body; I am the door.” [G. Campbell Morgan. The Gospel According to John. (Westwood, NJ: Revell) p. 177]
Exclusiveness of the Door
Today some two thousand years after Jesus delivered the words in John chapter 10 they still as hard for some to accept as his original audience. The message of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone was hard for them too.
Some years ago, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches was asked to name the number one theological issue facing Christians world-wide. His answer was unequivocal: “The uniqueness of Christ!”
In our society there is increasing opposition (even among Christians) to what appears to them as - intolerant and exclusive claims. Some argue that God will accept anyone who is sincere in whatever they believe, sincerity seem to be the only necessity.
Now sincerity is a fine quality, but sincerity wrongly held is not a virtue because it certainly is possible to be sincerely wrong! Many of you may have enjoyed this week some food that involved a vegetable sincerely thought to be poisonous by mate as late as a century ago and referred to as “poison apples.” In fact, George Washington Carver took a public stages to eat this particular “dangerous” vegetable thought to be deadly by so many people; he would step unto the stage and take a big bite out of a plump …tomato.
Yet sometimes sincerity has not always worked out well, as the many passengers on the Titanic were no double sincerely convinced that the ship was unsinkable. Sincerity alone did not prevent them from experiencing a watery, icy grave. Sincerity must be grounded in truth .
From what I have read Oprah’s grand-mother was a Christian who knew what she believed, but Oprah famously stated in an episode of her show in 1998, “There can’t possibly be just one way.” Nationally known pastor Joel Osteen, pastor of one of the largest churches in this country, in what has become an infamous inter-view appeared on “Larry King Live” (Jan 24, 2005) and was asked if a person could go Heaven without Jesus and He said, “He did not know.” As a preacher of the Gospel, if he indeed does not know the answer to that question, he needs to reexamine his Bible. But I believe he does know, but he either does not believe the Bible he holds in his hands each week and swears an allegiance to or he is just afraid to says so on national Television.
People sometimes suggest that we as Chris-tians are narrow-minded, when we say that Christ is the only way to God, and we have to confess that this precisely what we are! We are as narrow-minded as the Lord Jesus Christ, for it was the Lord himself who said that He was the only way. And while it would be nice for us to be able to equivocate on this point and say, in order to not offend anyone and lose our influence with anyone, that there are other ways to get to Heaven which have equal value – and though we would like to be able to say this – we cannot, because it is not true!
There are probably many things that non-believers find offensive about Christianity, but the chief offense is its founder and his extraordinary claims. Earlier in John 3:36 Jesus had stated, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life: and he that does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him.”
In John 14:1-6 Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (4) And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (5) Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” (6) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (NKJV)
There is a certain exclusiveness about Jesus’ claim to be “the door.” In our world it is not polit-ically correct to maintain that there is but one door into the kingdom of heaven. The world does not like these words of Jesus that say, “You must enter my way or say outside! But you cannot just demand another door!”
Jesus is not suggesting the there are several doors to salvation and that He is but one of them. He says that he is “the” door. We are not to think of many ways of coming to God. Jesus is saying He is the one way, the door by which all the sheep enter.
There are many things that men may think are the door to the kingdom of heaven. But no matter what men may think religion is not that door. Baptism is not that door. Works is not that door. There is only one door.This point is evident from the very nature of the sheepfold that Jesus had in mind if it had more than one door it would have been useless.
Verse eight says, “All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.” Jesus tells us that you can tell a lot about a man’s business by how the way he gets into such an enclosure as the sheepfold.
Some members of the congregation may not be aware of where Debbie and I lived before I retired, but we lived on top of a hill just north of the church. We do not have a large place, just eight acres, but we did live on the edge of someone else’s much greater acreage. In fact, the allure was pretty hard for some hunters to resist. Right at the bottom of the hill on which our house sits is “the” gate giving access to all of this vast property. Now I want to let you in on a little secret, if I came down the hill and someone is dismantling the gate or tearing down the fence, I could generally deduce that they have not gained the property owner’s permission. By the same token Jesus is saying, if the man does not use the door, but climbs over the fence or the wall then he has no right to be there.
The church in every age has had to deal with those who try to crawl over the fence to take over the flock, claim to be the door or to be a guide to the door. In our day of confusion and absolute toleration we confront everything from the Unification Church of Rev Moon to New Age movement gurus; they are all false prophets promising life, but in the end bringing only death and destruction.
He Not Only Presents An Exclusive Claim but ….
Second, He Makes A Glorious Offer. (10:9)
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
While the Bible only presents one way of salvation, it is open to absolutely everyone.
There is a problem in that we are separated from God by a wide chasm filled by our sin. The situation can be also be pictured as a wall or fence separating God and man. If there is no way over the wall then our only hope is for some way through the wall, in other words, a door.
As Hershel Ford says, “A Door is a direct contrast to a wall. It is hard to climb a wall. It is easy to go through a door. Anyone who wants to get to God doesn’t have to climb. He just takes a step. A preacher preached a sermon on the text, Him that cometh to me. I will in no wise case out,’ After the service a young woman said to him, ‘Is that all I have to do, just come to God through Christ?’ Just come as I am – just come this instant?’ ‘Yes.’ Answered the preacher. The young woman fell on her knees and said, ‘Lord I do come. I accept You promise to take me.’ The joy of salvation flooded her soul and later on she said, ‘For years I have been stumbling because I didn’t know how simple it was. I didn’t know that you just had to come to God through Christ.” [W. Hershel Ford. Sermons You Can Preach On John. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1958) pp. 216-217]
But a door is only a helpful thing if it is used. The second part of that verse says, “if any one enters….” Christ forces no one to enter.
While the Bible only presents one way of salvation, it is open to absolutely everyone. Anyone means anyone. It was open to who cried out for Jesus to be crucified and who mocked Him on the Cross. It is open for the notorious sinner and the quietly rebellious. The offer stands to all who come to Him in repentance, and all will be accepted.
What wonderful things await on the other side of that door! It will open to anyone who will turn their back on their sins and walk in. And oh, what marvelous things awaits on the other side of that door. Can you say, “Christ is my Savior!” The word “my” expresses a beautiful relationship. “My wife” sets her apart from all other women. “My child” what wonderful sweetness in wrapped up in that phrase. But to be able to say “My Savior” surpasses them all. Is He your Savior today?
Your response Jesus Christ as the Door determines your eternal destiny!
He Not Only Does He Make A Glorious Offer but …
Third, He Extends Unsurpassed Benefits.
(10:9-10) “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (10) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
These verses offer a three-fold benefit package. [Drawn from James Montgomery Boice. The Gospel of John : An Expositional Commentary. (Grand Rapids: Zondervans, 1985) pp. 636-637]
First, Jesus, says that anyone who enters will be saved. As we have already said Jesus is of course telling one how to be saved. But being saved is a lot like being married. When a young couple gets married, they have a wedding day that has a lot of excitement and celebration associated with it. But that wedding day is not the last day! It is only the beginning. If that were the last day. It would be a sad story, if that were the last day. If that was the case there would not be many couples signing up for weddings. But it is the days the follow that, which are bright and rich and full of promise as they live with each other and grow to know each other and love each other more deeply that make the wedding day so important. So is it is with salvation. When we get saved it is but the beginning. We now get to know the Lord better, we grow to know the Lord more intimately, we grow to love the Lord more deeply. That is what it means to be saved!
Secondly, Jesus promises that anyone who enters will be safe. (see 160420 p.9) He says that through Him we “..will go in and out..” He is not saying that we “go in and out” of salvation. But rather this is the old Hebrew way of describing life without fear. It represents security, liberty, and free activity.
Third, He also promised that they would be satisfied. Through this door we find the generosity of His provision. This of course is the same thing that the Apostle Paul wrote of when he wrote and told the Philippian believers “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (4:19).
One final point about abundance from verse ten. “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
This is not pointing to having an abundance of material goods, but rather to the soul satisfaction that comes when you know that the Lord is your Shepherd. You know that He is caring for you and He prepares a table before you even in the presence of enemies, so that your cup overflows (Ps. 23:5). He goes with you even through the valley of the shadow of death. In other words, Jesus isn’t promising an easy life where there are no trials or where you get instant deliverance from your trials. Rather, He is promising to meet all of our spiritual needs if we will enter through Him as the door. [Stephen Cole. The Door to Abundant Life. (Jn 10:7-10)https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-55-door-abundant-life-john-107-10]
Exactly what is Jesus promising when he says we can have an “abundant life”? It should be noted that John 10:10 is the signature verse of the Prosperity Gospel. They twist this verse to back up their teaching that the Gospel promises the believer abundant physical and material blessings. It is ironic that they use this verse because this is a section that Jesus warns about false teachers and false shepherds. Although this phrase is quoted so often as a promise of material things, in context it relates to knowing Jesus personally and the spiritual blessings, not material prosperity, that He brings (it is parallel to John 4:14 and John 7:38). It is not about having so much more in this life, but knowing and possessing true life!
What then is the “abundant life”? It is not necessarily a long life. It is not necessarily a life free of sorrow or sickness either. The abundant life is above all a contented life. Contentment comes from confidence the Lord is equal to whatever we may face in life.
Charles Swindoll writes, “People in the West (especially the false prophets of the “Word of Faith” movement) interpret “abundance” to mean prosperity, an abundance of money and possessions, creature comforts, a fat wallet, a prestigious job, the nicest house in town, and the sleekest car in the driveway. Yet I see no indication that Jesus offered His followers anything by way of material wealth. No stack of shekels. No pension. No insurance coverage. Not even a guarantee of safety. In fact, He promised them quite the opposite (Luke 9:22-25).
Jesus was not preaching against wealth, per se. As far as Jesus was concerned, money and possessions are morally neutral and have no relation whatsoever to the new kingdom, except that they might distract us from what He considers important. So, if abundance is not cash, possessions, or comfort, what is it? Given that Jesus’ inner circle of followers suffered persecution and died as martyrs, what kind of abundance did they receive? The abundance Jesus offers is a spiritual abundance that transcends circumstances like income, health, living conditions, and even death. The abundant life is life that never ends, yet we don’t have to wait until the end of our physical life to receive this abundance and to enjoy it. Abundant life includes peace, purpose, destiny, a genuine purpose for living, the joy of facing any adversity—including the grave—without fear, and the ability to endure hardship with confident assurance.” [Charles Swindoll. Insights on John (Tyndale House, 20140 pp. 204-205].
Conclusion
One cannot enter the fold through baptism, church membership, good works, or through human relationships. There is but one way to enter the fold; through repentance and receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior.
“Jesus Is the Door”
John 10:7-10
I what to share with you today three truths…
First, He Presents An Exclusive Claim. (10:7-8)
John 14:1-6
Second, He Makes A Glorious Offer. (10:9)
Your response Jesus Christ as the Door
determines your eternal destiny!
Third, He Extends Unsurpassed Benefits.
Three-fold benefit package.
• Anyone who enters will be saved.
• Anyone who enters will be safe.
“..will go in and out..”
• Anyone entering will be satisfied. (Phil 4:19).
