The Gatekeeper
Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 47:30
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1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Story of Access
Story of Access
Access is
++A means of approaching
++The ability or right to approach
Access involves
++Entering
++Exiting
++Communicating with
++Making use of
Authority is recognized by its restraint.
Authority is recognized by its restraint.
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
Everything in life has
Protocols
Limits
++Restraint
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
This story is not about
++Thieves and robbers
++Sheep or shepherding
Keys to the story
Keys to the story
Everything in life has
++Protocols
++Limits
4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Paul’s Confidence in the flesh
Paul’s Confidence in the flesh
Paul had good credentials
++He was raised right
++He was in covenant
++He was a Pharisee
++He was fully commited
++The law was his anchor point
He credentials gave him access
++To Authority
++To Position
++To Power
It did not give him access to God
It did not give him access to God
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
We all have experiences in life
We all have experiences in life
Our experiences shape
++Our Thoughts
++Our Intentions
++Our Actions
These experiences seek
++To define us
++To shape our capacity
++Keep us in
++To lock us out
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.
The Gatekeeper Controls the Gate
The Gatekeeper Controls the Gate
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.
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.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When the gate is open
++New opportunities are available
++The limits are remove
++A new freedom is found
When we let Him in, He brings us out!
When we let Him in, He brings us out!
He brings us out
++To a life in Him
++To a life for Him
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
He goes before us
++To show us the way
++To provide an example
His Sheep
++Follow him
++Recognize His voice
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John us that the thief comes to
++Rob us of the Promises of Life
++Steals hope
++Kills dreams
++Destroys God's planned destiny
Jesus has come
++Not to take from you
++Not to limit you
++To give you life
Having life is not the goal
Having life is not the goal
He want you to
++Know him
++Walk in your full potential
++To have life in abundance
The gatekeeper controls the gate
The gatekeeper controls the gate
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
The gatekeeper must open the door
++Not to more stuff
++To Him _Jesus_
21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.
Our destiny is Anchored in a response
Our destiny is Anchored in a response
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Jesus is knocking
Will you open the gate?
Jesus is willing
Will you open the gate?
To open the gate is to
++Respond to the knock
++Hear God voice
++Let Him In