“I Am The Door”
John 10:1,7-10
Intro:
Jesus has told the Jews that he was God, and that he had seen and revealed himself to Abraham (John 8:58), and they had taken up stones to kill Jesus, however he hid himself and walked out of the temple.
Leaving the temple, they came across a blind man sitting by the road. Jesus, continuing his discussion on being the Light of the World (John 9:5), healed the man of his blindness. This started a big uproar among the leaders in the temple, and much discussion about Jesus. When all was said and done, they kicked the young man out of the temple. When Jesus heard what they had done to the young man (John 9:35-39), went and found him and presented himself as the Son of God, and the young man worshipped Jesus.
This led to more discussion between the Pharisees and Jesus about their blindness, spiritual blindness. Jesus then speaks a double parable unto them concerning who he was (John 10:6). And Jesus realizing they had completely missed what he had just told them went on interpret it for them. Today we will be looking at the first part of this parable and Jesus’ statement “I Am The Door”.
A sheepfold was an area where they would take and put the sheep up for the night. Being that herding was a common business in the days and lands of the Bible, these Jews would have had no problem understanding what Jesus was talking about. These sheepfolds were sometimes created out of the natural landscape, such as using a cave, or using an area that was surrounded by briers or thorn bushes. Some were built by the shepherds themselves by using rocks or dirt to make the walls. In these sheepfolds, there was usually only one door going in. When the shepherd had his sheep in the fold, he would lay himself across the door entrance, and become the door. This way he would know if danger was trying to enter in or to keep the sheep was wandering off. Jesus speaks of His fold here, and what he does to take care of it.
We can see that Jesus is three types of doors from the explanation he gives to those listening.
I) He Is The Door Of Salvation
1) He is the only door
a) To get into Jesus’ flock you must come through him
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
b) To try to come in some other way, will only have you cast out (digging under, climbing over, or breaking down the wall)
Matthew 22:1-14 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, (2) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, (3) And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. (4) Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. (5) But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: (6) And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. (7) But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. (8) Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. (9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. (10) So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. (11) And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: (12) And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. (13) Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few are chosen.
II) He Is The Door Of Safety
1) Thieves and Robbers
a) Jesus was not the first to come claiming to be the messiah. There were false christs back then, even as they are today.
b) There were the wicked religious leaders in the temple, who only cared about lining there pockets.
v Matt 23:3-7
v Matt 23:13-37
2) The Thief
a) here Jesus is speaking of none other than the master thief, Satan
b) to the unbeliever
¨ Satan is out to steal any mention of God’s word, in order to keep you from seeing your need for a savior
Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
¨ Satan is to kill your body. Suicide, murder, carelessness in lifestyles, ect. He knows if he can take you out of this world before you can accept Jesus, he accomplishes his goal.
¨ Satan is out to have your body placed in Hell with him. If he can keep you away from Jesus, he will have destroyed you, causing you to spend eternity in a place that was created for the Satan and the rebellious angles.
c) to the believer
¨ Just because you are saved, does not give you a free ride through this life. If he went after Jesus, the Son of God, you can rest assured that he will come after you.
¨ Satan is out to steal your fruit of the Spirit. He wants you to be miserable and unhappy.
¨ Satan is out to kill your relationship with God. Anything he can do to keep you from praying, reading the Bible, going to church, getting along with other Christians, or anything else he can do to put up road blocks, he will do.
¨ Satan is out to destroy your testimony. He wants to make sure that you can not be effective in reaching others for Christ. And he will try to cause you to sin, maybe in ways you don’t think possible, or just to get you to compromise your stands, anything he can use against you to others.
d) When we find ourselves under attack, we need to run to Jesus. Our shepherd wants to protect us.
John 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
1 Timothy 6:9-12 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (12) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
¨ Remember Joseph fled.
III) He Is The Door Of Satisfaction
1) Freedom
a) We get to go in and out. Repentance and forgiveness gives us freedom to live with out guilt.
b) We get to go to the pastures, where we find rest and restoration
Psalms 23:2-3 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
2) Fruitfulness
a) we find what matters
Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
3) Fullness
a) we find the good life
John 10:10b I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Conclusion
Come to Jesus and come in the door. How you ask.
Don’t Delay à Today is your day of salvation
Observe à See what he has already done to make you His Child
Open your Heart à Let Jesus have control of your life
Receive the forgiveness à God wants to forgive
Jesus call’s for you to come through the DOOR to today. How will you respond to the Spirit’s calling.
Pray.
