Church of Nigeria
(Anglican Communion)
Diocese of
Abuja
Cathedral Church of
the Advent
3rd Sunday after Easter -
Sunday 6 May 2017
Today's Sermon
Theme: Knowing Christ "The I AM Sayings of
Jesus"
Topic: The Door
Text: John 10: 1 - 10 (Key Text: John 10:
9)
Summary:
The story is told of a
Bible Scholar who travelled to the Middle East and came across a Shepherd-Boy
who gave him a practical and firsthand experience of the life of a Shepherd.
"When the light has
gone and all the sheep are inside, I lie in the open space, and no sheep ever
goes out but across my and no wolf comes in unless he crosses my body; I am the
door"
Of course the Shepherd-boy
was not a Christian, he was simply speaking from an Arab Shepherd's point of
view.
This is exactly what Jesus
is saying to us here in our text. To go into the fold, we must go through Him.
To go out to pasture, we must go through Him.
As the Door therefore
Jesus is the Protector and Provider for the sheep.
Jesus is also the Gate of
our salvation - the One and Only Gate - the Sole Way to God.
This is a fundamental
truth of Christianity. If there is no Jesus, then there is no Way to God, then
also there is no truth and no life with God.
This exclusive claim by
Jesus may sound offensive to some in our day but it is nevertheless a claim
with an open invitation.
Suggested Points For
Application
1. Jesus says "I am the door"
This runs contrary to the
ecumenical interfaith teachings popular in today's liberal circles. A door
presumes a within and a without relationship, and those who have not entered by
the door (meaning through Christ) are outside the sheepfold or outside the
realm of salvation
2. Jesus makes it clear that any religious leader who offers
salvation other than Himself is a "thief" and a "robber" (c.f.
Ezek. 34: 2)
3. Salvation is available to anyone who will believe (v. 9a). We
must therefore make conscious effort to enter through the gate
4. We cannot find abundant life in any kind of drug, fame or
wealth or other things people are wont to trust in but in Christ Jesus (vs. 9b,
10)
5. We are "Safe in the Arms of Jesus". Nothing can hurt
us without His Knowledge; nothing can harm us within His fold. He will keep the
ravenous wolves away. Our duty is to stay in the confines of His Grace
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