“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).
1. Definition: (a) A passage into a room, Jesus is the way into Heaven, (b) A barrier usually turning on a hinge. Jesus keeps out those who will not believe. (c) An opportunity, i.e., the door to the future. Jesus gives us an opportunity to serve Him. (d) Protection to keep out weather or danger. “I am the door into the sheepfold” (John 10:1). Jesus keeps us from danger or harm. (e) For privacy or solitude. “I kept silent and went not out of the door” (Job 31:34).
2. A door is one of the most important “pictures” of Christianity.
3. Types of doors: trap door, stage, swinging, blind, garage (up and over door), french, sliding, louver, pet, pocket, revolving, automatic, blast proof door.
4. The “I Am” analogy suggests the Lord is: (a) The only God, so Jesus is the only door. (b) No one created the Lord, so no one can make another way to Heaven. (c) No one was before the Lord, so there is not a previous way to Heaven. (d) No one is equal to the Lord, so there is no other way to any other Heaven.
THREE RESULTS OF JESUS THE DOOR
1. We are saved by Jesus. “He will be saved.”
a. He forgives sin (I John 1:7).
b. He gives eternal life (John 3:15).
c. He takes us to Heaven (John 14:1-3)
d. He makes us children of God (John 1:12).
2. We have access to God’s benefits. “He . . . will go in.”
a. To enjoy the riches of Christ (Col. 1:27).
b. To study and enjoy the scriptures (II Tim. 3:15).
c. To pray and worship (John 15:7).
3. We go “out.” “He will . . . go out and find pasture.”
a. To live for Christ (Phil. 1:21)
b. To witness for Christ (Acts 1:8).
c. To serve others (Matt. 5:13-15).
THE FALSE DOOR
“You enter Heaven by the narrow door, because wide is the door and broad the way that leads to destruction and many choose this easy way. But the door to eternal life is narrow and the road is tight and few find it” (Matt. 7:13-14, ELT).
1. You are born on the broad road and you must get off by entering a God’s “only” door. “But he that entereth not by the door . . . but climb up some other way is a thief and robber” (John 10:1).
2. The broad road is easy; there is nothing to keep you from Hell.
3. The door to Heaven is as narrow as Jesus.
4. Because we must choose against human nature, most people miss eternal life.
APPLYING “THE DOOR” TO MY LIFE
1. Jesus knocks on our heart’s door to enter our life. “Behold, I (Jesus) stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20).
2. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb was applied to the door of each home to save the family, so blood must be applied to the door of our heart. “I will pass through the land and smite the first born of every family . . . I am the Lord . . . the blood will be a symbol on the door of the houses, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Ex. 12:12-13, ELT).
3. We must invite Jesus through the door of our life so we can worship Him. “Be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in” (Ps. 24:7).
4. God has provided different doors to keep out danger. “Sin lieth at the door” (Gen. 4:7).
5. It is my responsibility to protect the door into my heart. “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, keep the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3).
6. My daily life is challenged by an open door of opportunity to do something for God. “I have set before thee an open door of opportunity” (Rev. 3:8).
7. Jesus watches the door of opportunity to punish those who refuse its benefits. “Do not complain about others, behold the judge is standing at the door of life’s opportunities” (James 5:9, ELT).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
