I AM The Gate

John 10:1-10 New Living Translation

10 “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Three Invitations from Jesus

Invitation 1: Through the Gate

John 10:2-3 New Living Translation

2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Invitation 2: Allow Him to lead

John 10:3-4 New Living Translation

3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.

Invitation 3: Follow His Voice

John 10:5 New Living Translation

5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

John 10:6-8 New Living Translation

6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.

Jesus calls us through the gate 👉 We are SAVED

John 10:9 New Living Translation

9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved…

Acts 4:11-12 New Living Translation

11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.’

12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6 New Living Translation

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Matthew 25:10-12 New Living Translation

10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

Jesus leads us out 👉 WE find GOOD PASTURES

John 10:9 New Living Translation

9 … They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.

James 1:17 New Living Translation

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Matthew 7:11 New Living Translation

9 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Psalm 23:6 New Living Translation

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

Pasture = Gr. Nome’. Figurative word that gives the picture of something expanding and spreading rapidly.

2 Timothy 2:17 New Living Translation 

17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer (nome’), as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus.

We follow His Voice 👉 WE FIND PURPOSE

John 10:10 New Living Translation

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.