The Door of the Sheep — Part 2

Sermon delivered on May 15th, 2016

By: Pastor Greg Hocson

Scripture Text: John 10:1-10

 

Introduction

The world is desperately seeking for a political leader, for a political savior, and men like Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot know and exploit this desperation. These men declared themselves to be the savior, promised their followers to take them to promise land. And so people followed them and only too late to learn that these so called Saviours' real agenda was to steal, to kill and destroy.

 

What is true in political realm is also true in the spiritual realm. There are many who declare themselves to be spiritual leaders but in reality they come only to steal and to kill and to destroy. Our Lord warns us of these men. Along that warning He identifies Himself as the Saviour of men.

John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verly, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8: All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9: I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

He came to be the Door of the sheep, the Door into the kingdom of God. He came not to steal, and to kill and to destroy but rather to give  us life and have it more abundantly.

 

There are three things in these texts that I want to talk about. 

I - An Important Announcement

Our Lord makes a very important announcement and He begins with the words, "Verily, verily, I say unto you ..." Verily, verily means what He is going to say is serious, truthful and of great importance. It is a matter of life and death, so pay attention.

 

II - A Bold Assertion

He is the Door. He is the only Door!

We are all invited to go through the door. "Come, whosoever will, may come, may enter in." Use the door. You just need to take a step and you are in. Not only are we invited and allowed to use the door we are even given incentive to enter in which leads me to my last point.

 

III -  A Gracious Assurance

Along with the important announcement and bold assertion, Jesus offers a three-fold assurance or promise to those who enter in through the Door. 

 

What's behind that door?

The scary part in going door to door to invite people to church is that you don't know what's behind each door. There is that fear of the unknown. There is that fear of not being received well. 

 

But there is no fear when it comes to Jesus Christ as He offers Himself as the Door of the sheep. You don't have to fear of not being received. And you don't have to fear and wonder what's behind the door, for if you enter through the Door you will receive unsurpassed blessings and benefits.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

1. Salvation

Our greatest problem is that we are separated from God by a wide chasm filled by our sin. It is like there is a big giant and deep wall separating God and man. There is no way over the wall and our only hope is for some way through the wall, in other words, a door. And thank God there is! Christ is the Door and those who enter in by Christ, the Door, shall be saved. 

 

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 

Saved from what? Saved from the guilt, penalty and power of sin. He shall be saved from being what he has been in the past. He shall be so saved as to enter into holiness, and so saved as to enter into Heaven. What a grand salvation that is!

 

Now Christ says to every man, every woman, every boy and every girl, that if they have entered in by the door, they shall be saved. Do not have any doubt about it! Salvation is a reality. Oh, lay hold of that blessed truth.

 

If you have been a liar, if you have been a blasphemer, if you have been an idolater, if you have been a drunkard, if you have been an addict, if you trust in Christ, you shall be saved! If you come and enter through Christ, the Door, you shall be saved.

 

2. Security

Secondly, Jesus promises that anyone who enters through Him "... shall go in and out..

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 

He is not saying that we "go in and out" of salvation. The expression "go in and out," is a Hebrew expression which implies security and liberty. It is a Hebrew way of describing a life that is absolutely secure and safe. When a man can go in and out without fear, it means that his country is at peace, that there is law and order.

 

Doors are designed to make it possible for us to enter and to exit a building. It is the human portal. It locks out those who are not welcome, and grants entry to those who are. It protects the inhabitants, and is only able to be opened by another.

 

Safe and secure from wolves and thieves that come to kill and destroy. Safe from every enemy that would destroy you. Enter by me and you will be safe forever.

 

This Door is a sure defense to those who have taken refuge within it. No enemy shall be able to force an entrance. "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

 

The Psalmist is certain that God will keep him in his going out and in his coming in ...

Psalms 121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8: The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

 

Once a man discovers, through Jesus Christ, what God is like, a new sense of safety and of security enters into life. If life is known to be in the hands of a God like that, the worries and the fears are gone.

 

3. Sufficiency

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture

 

Sheep need pasture. "Pasture" speaks of provision and nourishment. Through this door we find the bounty of His provision. Those who rest in Christ shall have all their needs supplied. 

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Our greatest need is not physical, our greatest need is spiritual. Our spiritual food is met through Christ, in Christ, and around Christ.

 

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12: O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

 

Those who enter in through the door will never starve. Those who enter in will never beg for bread, for Jesus Christ who is their Life, is also their Bread of Life.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

 

4. Satisfaction

Yes, when we enter in through the door, we are assured of safety and provision, but none of us wants to be merely safe and fed. The human heart wants infinitely more than safety and provision. And the Lord knows that, that's why He says....

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

"Finding pasture" implies the satisfaction, comfort, and refreshment of soul which every one who knows Christ as his Door into Heaven shall experience. Those who enter in shall not only be safe and secure and fed but they shall be satisfied. 

 

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 

The world will try to satisfy

That longing in your soul.

You may search the wide world o'er

But you'll be just as before!

You'll never find true satisfaction

Until you've found the Lord,

For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

 

Only Jesus can satisfy your soul,

And only He can change your heart 

And make you whole.

He'll give you peace you never knew,

Sweet love and joy and Heaven too,

For only Jesus can satisfy your soul!

 

Closing Thoughts

These are what's behind the door - salvation, security, sufficiency, and satisfaction. Those who would enjoy these benefits are not just merely standing outside the door looking at it and admiring it. Those who would enjoy these benefits are those who enter in by faith. It is a door free and open to the chief of sinners.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

Every One is Invited and Welcome

What wonderful things await you on the other side of that door! It is open to any one who would desire to come in and humbly acknowledge that there is only one Door to the sheepfold, there is only one Door into God's presence. Have you entered in through the Door by faith. Is He your Saviour today? Your response to Jesus Christ as the Door determines your eternal destiny!

 

What does it mean to come through the door? 

It is to depend upon Jesus, to give yourselves to Him, to rest on Him.

 

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

 

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

 

A Solemn Warning!

You know that God called Noah to build an ark. As he was building the ark, he was at the same time warning and calling the people to repent. But no one would listen and then the rain finally came and the door of the ark was shut. Men and women and children strove to come in but it was too late, for the door was shut.

 

Just like in the days of Noah, the day is coming when this door will be shut forever, and men shall strive to enter in, but not be able. Oh, make sure of your own salvation. Do not just stand outside, and halting between two opinions. Enter in and be saved.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

 

Don't be content to walk back and forth outside the Door. May God give you grace to enter in through the Door. If you enter in, you shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. May you experience the wonderful things behind that Door - safety, security, sufficiency, and satisfaction, now and forever.

 

AMEN!