I AM the Door! - John 10:7-10 - Grace Bible Church

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I AM the Door! - John 10:7-10

February 4, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 10:7–10

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Jesus’ claim in 10:7 starts with the setting back in 10:1 about the sheepfold. We need to understand the fold if we are to have any idea what he means by the door. From this introduction, we see that Jesus is calling out to sheep from the heart of a Shepherd. By verse 7 He is inviting us inside for salvation and taking us out for feeding. This sounds so much like the 23rd Psalm and will be a part of next week's look at Jesus the Good Shepherd. This week I will focus on Jesus the Door – the way in and out of the fold.

The physical aspects of the sheepfold are both simple and clear – from these, we will better understand the spiritual lessons Jesus wants to teach us. During the day flocks roamed the pasture, but at night they were corralled into a sheepfold. The sheepfold was an enclosure surrounded by a wall of rocks that was too high for the sheep to jump over. The shepherds sometimes put thorny branches on the tops of the walls to deter thieves from trying to climb over.

The opening in the wall allowed the sheep to enter and exit; and at night, the shepherd lay across that opening and became the door of the sheepfold. No animal could get out and no enemy could get in without the shepherd knowing it. On the outskirts of many villages, there might be a community sheepfold where all the shepherds brought their flocks each evening. In the morning, the shepherds would call their sheep, and each flock would follow its shepherd out of the sheepfold. The sheep knew the voice of their own shepherd and would follow nobody else. But this again is next week! Join me Sunday as we focus on the opening of the fold where Jesus is The Door – He is the only way in and the only one we can trust to lead us out into the World.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Mike

More from The 7 I AM Statements of Jesus - John

So That You May Believe - John 18:1-11

March 24, 2024 • Denis Garijo • John 18:1–11

“When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground” John 18:6. This Sunday is Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Jesus' journey towards the crucifixion and resurrection. It starts with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where He was received as the king of the Jews, the Messiah who would rescue them politically and nationally. However, Jesus came to bring salvation not for their nation but for their souls. After His entry, we will fast forward a couple of days to the events when Jesus was arrested, where He delivered the last 'I Am' statement, displaying His power and Divinity. As we look at these events, let us learn from human mistakes and, most importantly, from Jesus, the humble King, Lord, and Savior. John 8:58 - “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” I appreciate your prayers and hope to see you there! Denis Garijo

I AM the Vine - John 15:1-16

March 3, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 15:1–16

Jesus has used several illustrations of agriculture and common everyday things to demonstrate how uncommon He is – for our understanding. The seventh of the I AMs is just as rich – Jesus steps into the vineyard and draws some heavenly analogies – He is the Vine and we are the branches. Sunday I will try to unpack these life lessons and emphasize how important it is to ‘abide’ in Christ. Jesus is the Vine and His Father the Vinedresser – doing the pruning. We are the branches extending from the Vine whose purpose is to bear fruit for the Vinedresser. Sunday I will cover the 4 types of produce God desires from His vineyard. Fruit, more fruit, much fruit, and fruit that remains. The most important step to this is being connected to the Vine and then to be fruitful in this World. Come Sunday and listen to the lesson from Jesus – our True Vine! See you Sunday - Pastor Mike Fruit of the Spirit - Growing by the Water of the Word and lots of 'Sonlight'!

I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life! - John 14:1-6

February 25, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 14:1–6

“We fear men so much because we fear God so little.” William Gurnall John records the fear of the Disciples when Jesus announces in John 13 that He is ‘only with them a little while longer’ (John 13:31). As we might expect Peter asks ‘where are you going?’ – and Jesus replies with a short answer and then the longer promises of John 14 – the text for Sunday. The conversation in chapter 14 follows in form closely to the preceding chapter. The conversation continues to flow as Christ prepares His disciples for the day ahead. He comforts them by telling them His departure is to His Father's house, with a view of preparing a place for them and then coming again to those who know the direction of the journey. Our key verse is Jesus establishing that knowing Him is not only the ultimate meaning and fulfillment of life on earth but the only way to really know the Father in heaven. Sunday I will take us into the teachings of the Way, the Truth, and the Life – all found in Jesus! Invite someone to join you! Pastor Mike