Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ

a. He taught about faith in God so others could hear of it

b. He lived out and practised His faith so others could see it

c. He encouraged and invited people to have faith in God so that they could experience it

2. Things that can prevent us from having faith

a. False teachers who teach untruth and error

b. A lack of understanding of what is right

THE LORD JESUS WAS DETERMINED TO TEACH WELL

1. He was aware that the people did not understand the things which He spoke to them   (John 10:6)

2. He tried again to help them understand

a. He spoke to them once more   (John 10:7)

b. He applied this second illustration to Himself very directly

c. He did this to assure them and to make what He said clear

3. He provided a strong contrast to help in their understanding of who He was

a. Thieves and robbers   (John 10:8)

i. These were the false teachers who had been around before the Lord’s time

ii. These only had wicked intentions and evil deeds   (John 10:10)

b. Himself   (John 10:10)

i. He came to be their Saviour that they might have abundant life   (John 10:10)

ii. This is completely different from thieves and robbers

iii. The Lord Jesus healed freely and He gave much of Himself

iv. He never took advantage of anybody

THE LORD JESUS PRESENTED HIMSELF AS THE ONE THROUGH WHOM SALVATION IS FOUND

1. The figurative use of “door”

a. Out in the open fields, the sheep would require a place to take refuge

b. A cave would offer the sheep shelter and a safe place to rest

c. The cave has no door so the shepherd would position himself at the cave’s mouth

d. The shepherd therefore functions as the “door” of the sheep

e. Sheep find safety when they enter in and find pasture when they exit through this door

2. The Lord Jesus Christ as the door of the sheep

a. It is through the Lord Jesus Christ that we are all encouraged to enter   (John 10:9)

i. To enter means to believe in Him

ii. To enter means to become His and belong to Him

b. By entering in, we receive salvation and abundant life   (John 10:9-10)

APPLICATION TO THE BILINGUAL BRETHREN

1. The Lord Jesus, the door of the sheep, invites us to enter by Him

a. He reaches out to us first and gives an invitation to all

b. He offers us wonderful blessings such as salvation and abundant life

c. We may also speak of belonging to Him

2. Uncles and aunties, let us believe in the Lord Jesus Christ

a. In full assurance that He is the door of the sheep

b. In confidence that He offers wonderful blessings to those who enter by Him

c. Rejoicing that we can belong to our Saviour