The message was brought by Brother Tim Surber.
John 10: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, 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.11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
I began to think about the sheepfold. As Christians we are of the sheepfold of God. There is one way to come in and out. Anyone who comes in any other way is the same as a thief and robber. One day we’ll be gathered together in heaven, and all who go there must go through Jesus Christ—the door of the sheepfold. It doesn’t matter what you believe because there is one way. Jesus said it himself. I am the door. Through him and him only can we enter into life. There is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved.
We just came through Easter. Jesus is still alive and he’s still the way. Because he lives we gather here. The Bible tells us not to forsake assembling together especially as we see the day of the Lord approaching. Jesus will come again. That is settled in heaven and should be settled in our hearts.
Christ is the shepherd. He is the personal plan of salvation to us collectively and individually. He’s with us each day. I can’t imagine audibly hearing the voice of God as some did in the Bible, but he does speak to our hearts. We can be assured that what he says will be in line with the Word of God. He won’t contradict himself.
He knows our name. Isaiah 40:26 says lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life when we are saved. He knows what is ahead for us. One day the roll call will be made. He knows us and we know him because salvation is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as he dwells within us.
Verse 4 tells us that he goes before us. If he sends us somewhere, know that he walked it already. He knows pain and suffering. He won’t send us where he wouldn’t go. If we go somewhere that we wouldn’t want to take Jesus, I suggest that we change plans. Give it up. He wants to be with us everywhere we go. As he leads us it should be our desire to follow. It might not be easy, but it is the best way. He has experienced what we’ll face. He blesses us and helps us. We should be there to help our brothers and sisters as they face things in life. Jesus has promised to be there until the end.
Sheep won’t follow a strange shepherd. Our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, leads us as we hear his voice. May we be willing to draw nigh to him—he’ll draw nigh to us. After Jesus made this statement, he said I am the door. Until we know Jesus Christ as the door and God as our heavenly Father, we won’t have stability. Jesus is the Savior—the door; there is no other way in. We can’t do good works and get in. If we go to heaven, we must go through the door. Jesus told Nicodemus ye must be born again. Back in 1981 I accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. I was under conviction and knelt in my home and asked Jesus to save me. I’m thankful to know him. I’ve been walking with him 30 years now.
Jesus said all who came before him stating they were the right way were as thieves and robbers. There is only one Christ, only one begotten Son. His name is Jesus. He said I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. It’s not a maybe. He said you shall be saved through him. Jesus provides our needs. He’s so good.
Verse 10 says 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. We see here the great contrast in what the devil does and what Jesus does. The devil tears down and destroys. Jesus came to give life—more abundant life. We just started living when we got saved. We all have hobbies. That’s fine, but God has to be first and other things second. We must allow God to control us. We’ve been set free. We don’t do what we want. We must live godly. If we live after the flesh, we’ll die. If we live after the Spirit, we’ll live. As we go about enjoying life, we can take Jesus with us. Life is precious. Our years are numbered. When he calls, we can be ready to go.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Jesus hung on the cross and died. He gave his life. He had the power to give it and the power to bring it back. Sin had to be paid for. He paid the debt for all mankind. He had no sin. There was no fault in him, but he became sin for us so that we could know God through the blood he shed on the cross.
One day we’ll hear the call. Will you be ready?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 