P3 | I AM THE GATE

I Am, Part 3 Sermon January 29, 2023

Intro: Undercover Boss

I am:

- The Bread of Life

- The Light of the World

Context: Jesus heals blind man

John 10:7-10 (NIV2011)

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the gate”

Cue to show picture of sheepfold: “I have a picture of what this looks like”

A gate separates

John 9:33-34 (NIV2011)

33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

Luke 12:51-53 (NIV2011)

51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Application: Not everyone goes to heaven

John 3:36 (NIV2011)

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

A gate protects from outside threats

John 10:9 (NIV2011)

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV2011)

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Satan is against you

Example: Fisherman

Proverbs 14:12 (NIV2011)

12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Jesus is for you

John 10:10 (NIV2011)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Example: “Hemmed in” in sheepfold

Anyone can enter the gate

John 10:9 (NIV2011)

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 3:16 (NIV2011)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.