I am the Good Shepherd

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-14-2023

John 10:11-21

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we saw that Christ Jesus is:

 

1.  The Door of Salvation: verse 9:1.  Ye must be born again with no exceptions.  So many religious people refuse the doctrine of salvation by the new birth.  2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

2.  The Door of the Sheep: verse 7.  If you do not go through the “Door” of salvation, you will always be a goat instead of a sheep.  Charles Spurgeon was noted for saying that the time would come when pastors would entertain goats instead of feeding sheep.

 

3.  The Door of the Sheepfold: verse 1.  The “sheepfold” is the Church, the body  of Christ.  Colossians 3:10-11  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:  (11)  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

 

B.  Tonight, we will see that Christ Jesus is “The Good Shepherd.”  Jesus uses an Old Testament example that the Jews were both knowledgeable of and comfortable with.

 

1.  The Nation of Israel were always shepherds.  They were both herdsmen and shepherds by both history and in Jesus’ day.

 

2.  The Lord Jesus gave them an example that they were used to singing about.  The Book of Psalms in the Song Book of the Jewish people.  Many of these Psalms were written by the Greatest King to sit on the throne of Israel.  King David was revered among his people.

 

3.  One of the most notable and quotable of all Psalms is the 23^rd.  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” was a reference to Jehovah God as the “Shepherd” of both David and every descendent of Abraham.

 

4.  I am not going to preach out of Psalm 23 tonight as I will get to it shortly.  But I do want to reference it in this message.  In the 23^rd Psalm, we find that Jehovah God is the Shepherd but the recipient of the Psalm is an individual.

 

5.  David wrote the Psalm showing the relationship that he personally had with the Lord.  There are 17 personal pronouns found it this Psalm.  Both you and I can take it personal!

 

C.  If there is a “good shepherd”, then there are also must be bad ones!

 

John 10:12-13  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.  (13)  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

 

1.  Hirelings are not Shepherds!  Hireling: a servant or a wage worker.  One who is in the ministry because the pay is good, and the work can be gotten around.  The first question that a hireling will normally ask is “How much do I get paid?”  Cut their salary and they will cut their ties.

 

Isaiah 56:10-11  His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.  (11)  Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

 

2.  Hirelings do not care for the Sheep!  “Whose own the sheep are not.”  Ezekiel 34:1-3  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  (2)  Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  (3)  Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

 

3.  Hirelings flees when the “wolf” comes!  In times of trouble, the false shepherd will not stand up and protect the flock.  When trouble comes, they leave the sheep to fend for themselves. 

 

Matthew 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

 

Luke 10:3  Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

 

Acts 20:29-30  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

 

D.  The Lord Jesus said, “I Am The Good Shepherd.”

 

1.  In the 23^rd Psalm, it says “The LORD is my shepherd” but here in John 10:11 it says “I AM the good Shepherd.”  “I Am” reveals the Person of the Good Shepherd.  This is not a reference to the pastor.  It is a reference to Almighty Jehovah God and Jesus said that He was such.  What a wonderful Shepherd our Lord is!  He watches over us, thinks upon us.

 

a.  The Good Shepherd is Compassionate towards Us - Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

b.  The Good Shepherd is a Companion to us - Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

c.  The Good Shepherd is the Custodian of Us - 2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 

2. Verse 11, 15.  The Propitiation of the Good Shepherd.  He gives His life for His Sheep. 

 

a.  The Good Shepherd became our Substitute.  1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

b.  The Good Shepherd became our Sin.  2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

c.  The Good Shepherd became our Saviour. Luke 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

3.  Verse 14.  The Personalization of the Good Shepherd.  He knows His Sheep.  Jesus Christ knows us better than we know ourselves.  I thank the Lord that I know Him but even more that He knows me.

 

a.  The Good Shepherd is Passionate toward Us in Salvation.  Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

b.  The Good Shepherd is Personal to Us in Relation.  Psalms 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 

c.  The Good Shepherd is Private with Us in Restoration.  1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (I thank God that He does not share our business.)

 

4.  The Protection of the Good Shepherd.

 

a.  The Good Shepherd Goes before Us.  Job 23:11  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

 

b.  The Good Shepherd Goes with Us.  Mark 16:20  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

 

c.  The Good Shepherd Goes behind Us.  Psalms 139:3  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

 

5.  Verse 16.  The Promise of the Good Shepherd. 

 

a.  The Good Shepherd will gather His Church.  Ephesians 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

b.  The Good Shepherd will gather His Covenant People.  Romans 11:26-27  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:  (27)  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

 

The Local Church: A Mission Agency

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-11-2023

Acts 1:8

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I have been preaching a series on the local church.  Tonight, I want to preach another message so as to help our church to understand the importance of local church missions and why God gave this commission to the local church instead of to the individual believer alone.

 

B. The Lord left the people of God and the local church several Commissions or Commandments before He ascended back to heaven.  God’s people are the people of the work, and the local church is the agency of the work.

 

1.  The Great Commission to go to ALL nations, the people of the world.  Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

2.  The Great Commission to go to ALL the people of the world.  Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

3.  The Great Commission of Missions: to all people in all nations at the same time!  Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me BOTH in Jerusalem (where we live), and in all Judaea (in our state), and in Samaria (in our nation), and unto the uttermost part of the earth (world missions).

 

C.  We live in the days of Mission Boards.  This is a relatively new phenomenon started over the past 100 years or less.  Some Mission Boards are under the authority of a local church while some are para-church organizations.  I personally believe that all Mission Boards should be under the authority of a local church.

 

D.  Many of these organizations have boards of directors made up of pastors but not church authority.  There are what we would classify good Mission Boards and not so good Mission Boards.  This is not my message for the night but is a sign of the times.

 

E.  Churches have also “farmed out” their “preacher boys” to schools: colleges and universities.  Some of these colleges and universities are under the authority of local churches and some are para-church organizations that simply have a man over them with boards of directors.  Some of these adhere to the cardinal doctrines of the faith while others become critical of such doctrines.

 

F.  Though not all these are bad, they are unbiblical.  The above Great Commissions or Commandments were given to the Apostles and the local churches.  I said all that to ask this question: what is a biblical mission agency? 

 

G.  The local New Testament church is the only biblically authorized mission agency found in the Bible.  I want to take a short look at the Biblical Mission Agency, the Local Church.  What were they commanded (go into ALL the world; go to ALL peoples; do it ALL at once) to do and what do they continue to do.

 

H.  I believe that Temple Baptist Church has been an example of missions over these years.  A mission minded church thinks missions while a mission hearted church does missions.  This local church is known worldwide for its work in missions.

 

J.  Over these past 36 years, Temple Baptist has:

 

1.  Temple Baptist Church has ordained both pastors and missionaries and sent them out of the church.  Acts 13:1-3  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  (2)  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  (3)  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

 

We have ordained 4 pastors and 3-4 missionaries here.  I believe that churches should have men saved, called, and sent forth to preach the gospel around the world.  We have done so.

 

2.  Temple Baptist Church has loved God’s men—pastors, evangelists, and missionaries—over the years.  These men of God are always welcome here and they are loved here.  Our missionaries are not just a part of our ministry here at Temple, they are a living part of our church.  It thrills my heart to see them come to visit with us and I love the sweet fellowship that we have with them. 

 

Galatians 4:15  Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

             

1 Thessalonians 5:13  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

 

3.  Temple Baptist have financially supported God’s men over the years.  I quit trying to add up totals but, over the past 36+ years, our church has probably put over 3 mission dollars on the mission field.  That is a huge amount of money for such a small church, but 50-60 percent of every dollar given to this church goes to missions around the world.  We support 2 missionaries for each man, woman, and child that we have on the pews.

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 

Philippians 4:14-18  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.  (15)  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  (16)  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  (17)  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  (18)  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

 

4.  Temple Baptist has both welcomed and accommodated missionaries in a wonderful way.  We have a Missions House that is comfortable and beautiful for their use for a few days or even months or a year when on furlough.  We have a comfortable and beautiful two bedroom Prophet’s Chamber in the church which is available for use with the keys hid for them to be able to drop in at any time of the day or night if they need a place to rest or stay a while.  Counting tonight, missionaries have stayed here 6 times in the past two weeks.  Busy, busy, busy but loving it.

 

2 Kings 4:8-10  And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.  (9)  And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.  (10)  Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

 

5.  Temple Baptist Church feeds them and cares for them when they come.  We spend quite a bit of money taking these precious missionaries out for meals.  We pay the cost of their stay by paying for all utilities that they use.  Giving them love offerings.

 

Matthew 10:41-42  He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.  (42)  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

 

6.  Because of all the above, God has bountifully taken care of and blessed Temple Baptist Church.

 

Philippians 4:15-19  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  (16)  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  (17)  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  (18)  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  (19)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Conclusion:  God bless those who bless those whom He sends!  We here at Temple Baptist Church have certainly been blessed.

The Glory Of This Latter House

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-11-2023

Haggai 2:1-9

 

Introduction:

A.  I want to give a quick history of what has led up to the Book of Haggai:

1.  In 597-586 BC the Babylonians destroyed the Temple of Solomon in Jeru­salem and took the Jews captive because of the continual idolatry and disobedience of Israel.

 

2.  70 years of captivity in Babylon have now passed and King Cyrus has allowed about 40 to 50 thousand Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem under Nehemiah and the Temple, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, the high priest. (The books of Ezra and Haggai.).

 

B.  In Haggai, chapter 1:12-15, we find that the people went to work building Zerubbabel’s Temple in the 24^th day of the second month and in the second year of Darius.  The work of that month was foundational.  They built this foundation on top of the foundation of Solomon’s Temple.

 

Ezra 3:1  And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.

 

Ezra 3:10-13  And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.  (11)  And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.  (12)  But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:  (13)  So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

 

C.  In Haggai, chapter 2:1-3, the question was asked: Haggai 2:3  Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?

 

1.  There were builders here who had seen Solomon’s Temple in all its glory before the Babylon Captivity of 70 years. 

 

2.  The problem: Solomon’s Temple was the most Expensive and Extravagant building ever built.  With its gold and silver, its brass, and its wood from the cedars of Lebanon.  A glorious Temple build to glorify a Glorious God.

 

3.  Their mental picture:  Zerubbabel’s Temple would be built of stone instead of Gold and Silver.  Of what wood that they could find locally instead of the floats in the sea send down from the forests of Lebanon. 

 

Luke 21:6  As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

 

4.  God knew their hearts were let down as their minds made the comparison!  You see, the glory of the Temple was not what God wanted!  The glory of the Lord found within the Temple was what God desired!

 

D.  In verse 2:8-9 of the Book of Haggai, the Lord changed their mental image.

 

Haggai 2:8-9  The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.  (9)  The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.  (It is not expense of the building because the gold and silver belong to the Lord.  It is not the extravagance of the building, it is the content of the building that glorifies the lord.)

 

E.  Many of us older people remember the “good old days”, but we need to quit comparing and start living:

 

1.  These are perilous days - 2 Timothy 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

 

2.  These days are days when doctrinal preaching is not rewarded with great crowds.  2 Timothy 4:1-4  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

3.  These are the days of“falling away - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  (2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  (3)  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

 

4.  The Laodicean Church Age is here - Revelation 3:15-16  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 

5.  The Days of Noah are here – Matthew 24:37-38  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (38)  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

 

6.  The Days of Lot are here - Luke 17:28-29  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;  (29)  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

 

7.  The Last Days are in full swing and most people have fat bodies an lean souls!

 

F.  I am not preaching this to disappoint or to discourage you.  I am preaching this to excite and encourage you!  The Lord is coming, and we are leaving. 

 

1.  I am so glad that the Lord has allowed me to live, flourish, and preach in such a time as this.  More sinners to preach to and more sin to preach about along with a wonderful Lord to EXALT!

 

2.  There is a whole lot of “shaking” going on, but I have a Bible that does not shake!  I have a Holy Spirit who does not shake!

 

a)    The World Is Shaking - Romans 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

 

b)  The Nations are Shaking – vs. 7 Luke 21:26  Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

 

c)  The Saints Are Shaking - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

 

G.  Now, let us see what God told Haggai to say:  Haggai 2:9  The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

 

 

1.  The  Presence Of God In The Work – vs. 4 Through it all, the Lord said that He would never leave nor forsake them.  He has given us the same promise today in Hebrews 13!   Though things may look dark at times, we can take great comfort knowing that the God of our salvation is faithful to His children! 

 

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (His presence brings contentment for He gives us what He wills.)

 

2.  The  Promise Of God In The Work – vs. 5 He told Israel that He would keep His word to them and give them victory!  This was the land of His promise.  He brought them out of Egypt to give to them the land of Canaan.  What He promises, He is fully able to perform.  God has promised us victory over the world, and we can live within the realm of God’s victory in hard times.

 

Romans 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (The battle is the Lord’s, and the victory is already won!)

 

3.  The  Power Of God In The Work – vs. 6-7  Notice with me the phrase “I will” found in these verses.  The work was done in the power of God, not the power of man.  Thus it is with us in this present evil world.  We can do nothing without Christ and all things through Him.  The work is the Lord’s!

 

Zechariah 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.  (The work is great and it takes the power of a great God to do it.  I cannot save souls!  I cannot add to the church!  I cannot work in the hearts of men!  God must do His work or it will not get done.)

 

4.  The  Purpose Of God In The Work – vs. 7b God’s purpose was not to fill His house with people, though we want to see a multitude saved and added, but it was to fill His house with His glory!  I fear that we have been so numbers conscious that we equate greatness with largeness!  Our emphasis here at Temple should be that God is glorified in our worship services and then through our personal testimony which reflects on the church. 

 

1 Corinthians 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

1 Peter 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  (We glorify God in our lives and worship which causes the lost to glorify God.)

 

5.  The  Provision Of God In The Work – vs. 8 God provided all that Israel needed to rebuild His house.  God will provide for the church in these last days also.  I do not have enough money to sustain God’s work; therefore, He must take care of the needs.  He uses us to do the work and supplies our every need in the meanwhile.

 

1 Chronicles 29:14  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

 

Psalms 50:10  For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

 

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  (God will take care of God’s business!  What God orders, God pays for.)

 

6.  The  Peace Of God In The Work – vs. 9  God gave Israel peace in the midst of persecution and problems.  God will also give us peace in these last perilous times!  Trouble on every hand has cause a great discouragement among God’s people but He will speak sweet peace in these stormy days that lie ahead!

 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

 

Conclusion:  We need God’s peace in these last days.  The Lord is in control, and we are soon going home!  Let us be encouraged in the work of the Lord in these last days.  It is still a good work, and it is still His work, and there is still work to be done!

I Am The Door

Temple Baptist Church - 6-7-2023

John 9:40-10:9

Introduction:

 A.  The context of chapter 9 has not changed in chapter 10 as our Lord once again answered the Pharisees in John 9:40 who asked the question: “Are we blind also”? 

 

1.  The man born blind was blind but now he sees, both physically and spiritually.

 

2.  Physically – John 9:7  And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

 

3.  Spiritually - John 9:38  And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

 

B.  In verses 9:39-41, Our Lord indicted the Pharisees for spiritual blindness.

 

John 9:39-41  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.  (40)  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?  (41)  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

 

C.  Many times, our Lord referred to Himself as the great “I Am.”  This was the Old Testament name of Jehovah God given to Moses on Mt. Saini.  “I AM THAT I AM”.  3 times thus far in:

 

1.  John 6, “I am the Bread of Life”.

 

2.  John 8, “I am the Light of the World”.

 

3.  John 10, “I am the Door”.

 

D.  The words door or doors are found 263 times in your Bible.  A door is very important in any building or home.  The door:

 

1.  A door is an entrance into buildings and houses.  We, as a general rule, do not climb into our homes through windows, down chimneys, or any other openings.  We come through a door.

 

2.  A door is also meant to either allow or deny access to someone.  When I come to your door, though you may be in the living room and see me, I always ask permission to enter your home through the door.  Doors are also meant to keep unwanted guests out.

 

3.  A door can also be either locked or unlocked.  This keeps people from just walking into your home without permission.

 

4.  A door also provides a form of safety from people or things that may hurt you.  It is a barrier.

 

5.  A door that is closed also provides peace of heart to those who use them to shut the rest of the world out.

 

E.   The First Mention is found in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.  This is a very important portion of Scriptures because it sets up the statements of our Lord in John, chapter 10.

 

Genesis 4:6-7  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?  (7)  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

 

1.  In the context, the First Mention speaks of door is that of Atonement, the sacrifice of the innocent lamb offered by Abel and rejected by Cain.  The Atonement looked forward to the offering of the Lamb of God on Calvary, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

2.  The “Door” spoken of to Cain was a “door” of acceptance or a place of rejection, determined by what Cain did with his second and final chance to bring a sacrificed offering of blood for Atonement. 

 

3.  If the right offering was not brought, then the Lord said, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. (Genesis 4:7)

 

4.  When Cain rejected for the second time, his sin laid at the Door (which was Christ), and he could not enter in. The door, because sin cannot enter into Christ, was both shut, and in Cain’s case locked!

 

F.  The Last Mention of “door” in your Bible is found in Revelation, the last book of the Bible.  Chapter 4 of Revelation begins with the Rapture of the Church.

 

Revelation 4:1-2  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.  (2)  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

 

1.  This word “door” is representative of Jesus Christ, the Door to Heaven that will open to receive the Church. 

 

2.  At the Rapture of God’s church, it is the Lord Himself who will ascend from heaven to bring us home.  Jesus Christ is the Door of Heaven.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

G.  In John 10:1-9, Jesus refers to Himself three times as The Door:

 

1.  In verse 1, Jesus Christ is the Door of the Sheepfold.  The sheepfold is the Church with all its individual believers in it.  I am so glad that I am a member of God’s Church! 

 

a.  It is a place of redemption.  Every born again believer is placed into the body of Christ by the Holy Ghost of God at the moment of salvation.

 

b.  It is a place of safety.

 

c.  It is a place of quietness, peace, and rest.

 

d.  It ultimately will be a place of reconciliation.  The Church and Israel together as the “natural branch” will one day be grafted back into the Olive Tree.

 

John 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one-fold, and one shepherd.

 

2.  In verse 7, the Door of the Sheep.  The Door of the sheep is the leader of the sheep, the Shepherd which King David referred to in the 23^rd Psalm. 

 

a.  It is here that we find the care of the sheep by the Shepherd that David spoke of. 

 

b.  God will lead His sheep in and out of the door of the sheepfold so as to find pasture to feed upon, water to drink, and a place of restoration when needed.

 

3.  In verse 9, the Door of Salvation.  The Door of Salvation is an open invitation to all who will come to Jesus Christ by faith.  Their sin is left at the Door as they enter into Christ.

 

a.  As in Genesis, chapter 4, this is a Door of Choice.  Everyone is invited to enter into the Door of Salvation through faith and repentance.

 

b. In this statement, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture”, John 10:9, we find four things:

 

1)  A Person that is Singular.  “I am.”  Jesus Christ, the only way to heaven.  John 14:6

 

2)  A Path that is Specified.  “the”  Not a door, one of many, but a singular Door of Salvation.

 

3)  A Possibility that is Supplied.  “any man enter in”  Whosoever will verses whosoever will not.

 

4)  A Promise that is Sure.  “he shall be saved” 

 

4.  Now let us sum it up;  The Pharisees thought that they were right with God because of their birth (Abraham) and their ethnicity (Israel and Jew).  Jesus said that they were not in the sheepfold because they were not sheep, and they were not sheep because they were not saved.  JESUS WAS AND IS THE ONLY DOOR TO HEAVEN!