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!