Verse: John 10:1-9 (NIV)
10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
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.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Title: The Gate is Jesus
Message: Jesus is the genuine and sole gate to God's kingdom - our final destination. It's our belief and obedience to Him that will save and bring us there. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).
Promise to Claim: Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture."
Command to Obey: Follow Jesus. Believe in Him and we will find salvation.
Warning to Heed: Thieves and robbers "climb in the other way" and their act doesn't guarantee safety. Their ways are different from Jesus' that they make us engage ourselves in worldly activities and eventually let us meet danger.
Application: Jesus is the gate to my salvation and I will follow Him. God had let me meet shallow Christians who demonstrated deception in various ways, thus giving me insights about "forged" followers of Christ. They are thieves and robbers. Jesus is genuine. He never pretended. He neither deceived nor took advantage of any situation. Therefore, it's only Jesus whom I will believe and follow.
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