I AM Series…
3-4-18 The Door
Before Jesus is addressed as Good Shepherd, He is addressed as the Gate for the Sheep.
1. Public Sheepfold in village/city – several flocks watched by doorkeeper, shepherds came in the am to get sheep.
2. Pen / Private Sheepfold – enclosure made of rocks, no roof or door, thorns sometimes along top of rock walls. The sheepfold protects the sheep from wild animals. Shepherd sleeps at the entrance, providing a door.
I AM the Door/Gate
o Gives access to something……. Access to God the Father and Salvation
o Way through barrier……. Access to Life Eternal and New Heaven and New Earth
o Controls who comes in and goes out……. Only Jesus has exclusive right to grant entry
If anyone enters by Me…
o Will be Saved
o Spiritual Security (John 10:28)
♣ I will give them ETERNAL LIFE
♣ They will NEVER PERISH
♣ No one will snatch them from My hand
o Will Come in and Go Out
o This is a passage way, not a barrier for those who believe
o Freely moving about in secure provision of the Shepherd
o Deuteronomy 28:6 – “Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.”
♣ Blessings of Obedience
o Freedom to live life in the presence of God each day
o Find Pasture
o Constant provision for the soul
o 2 Peter 1:3 – By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.
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I Am The True Vine – 3-25-18
[John 15]
The focus is on THE VINE!
Vine was a symbol of Israel in other areas of Bible. True Vine is JESUS!
“Abide” – to remain or stay around
Stay Connected = Fruit / True genuine believers
John 15:5
Galatians 5:22-23
John 15:7, 11-12 – Answered Prayer, Joy, Love
Being Disconnected = Nothing (Barren) / Non-believers
John 15:5-6
Appearance is deceptive. May look like other branches for a while but their failure to yield any harvest shows they are not so they are removed and tossed into the fire on the last day.
1 John 2:19 – They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
How to Stay Connected
John 15:7 – Word in you! (John 8:31)
John 15:7 – Pray, Pray, Pray!
John 15:8 – Recognize Purpose – to glorify God
John 15:10 – Keep Commands
John 15:12 – Love Each Other
John 15:2 – Pruning Required
Hebrews 12:1-13
Tania Gutekunst 