Monday, October 29, 2007

The Open Door

Yesterday we were able to continue our series on the I AM's of Christ entitled He's All We Need, with an exposition of the fourth expression of Jesus in John 10:1-10 when Jesus said to the Pharisees I AM the door. For this statement from Jesus was birthed in chapter 9 of this book, for he has just healed a blind man who had been taken to the Pharisees who condemned the man and excommunicated him the city because they believed that his condition is caused by a sin on his part. Jesus tells the people that the Pharisees are not their masters nor should they allow themselves to fall under their influence. In order for them to understand what he is trying to say, Jesus uses the imagery of shepherds and sheep to get them to grasp this concept. In verses 7-10, Jesus deals with illustration that when shepherds wanted to a place to keep their sheep at night, they would put them in a low walled enclosure that had a small entrance and in order to keep thieves and robbers out and the sheep from wandering, the shepherd would lay across the entrance and literally become the gate for the sheepfold. That's what Jesus has done for us, he has literally become our gate that keeps us protected in and keeps the robbers out. Here is the sermon outline:

Thesis: in a world that is spiraling into darkness and degradation, and we as believers are looking for a way out, Jesus Christ offers himself as our entrance into a better life.

I. Gate of Salvation - verse 9

a. Exclusive Declaration
b. Inclusive Invitation

II. Gate of Security - verse 9

III. Gate of Satisfaction - verse 10

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