John 10:1-11

I’LL TAKE WHAT’S BEHIND THAT DOOR

 

Intro:  This is a most precious chapter in the Word of God.  Jesus reveals much about His heart and His mission in the 42 verses of this great passage.  As we look at the portion we have read this evening, it should be noted that verses 1-8 speak to the Jew.  They focus primarily on the lost sheep of Israel.  However, verse 9 declares the glorious truth that Jesus is not just the Door for the lost sheep of Israel, but for the lost sheep of the whole world.  He open wide the door of salvation and makes a sweeping promise to all those who will enter in to a relationship with Himself.  To those who do, Jesus promises some very special blessings.  It is those wonderful blessings found by those who enter this Door that I want to magnify this evening.  Allow me to point them out as I preach on the thought “I’ll Take What’s Behind That Door.”  Most of us are old enough to remember an old game show called “Let’s Make A Deal.”  On that show, the host, Monty Hall, would try to get the contestants to trade something they had already won for something they could not see.  Something that was hidden behind door number one, door number two or door number three.  Sometimes when they chose to trade what they already had for that which they could not see, they ended up with a gag prize that was totally worthless.  However, there were times when their gamble paid off big.  When it comes to the Lord Jesus Christ, He is asking men to trade their old sin-filled lives for a life that is brand new.  He asks us to trade a life that is worthless for a life that is spotless.  When a person comes to Jesus by faith, they receive some very special blessings.  There are no gag gifts!  There are no disappointments.  There is nothing but blessing in Him. Let’s take a few minutes to look at those blessings this evening.  And, I’ll tell you up front, I’ll Take What’s Behind That Door!

 

  I.                          THE BLESSING OF LIFE IS BEHIND THAT DOOR

(Saved = “To rescue from all danger and destruction; to keep safe and sound; to deliver.)

A.     It Is A Pardoned Life – Eph. 2:12-17 – The cross of Calvary bridged the gap between sinful man and holy God!  It is a life that has been delivered from the penalty, the power and ultimately the presence of sin.

B.     It Is A Prosperous Life – John 10:10 – It is a new life that is filled with the potential for the redeemed person to life a holy life and for them to enjoy the power, presence and peace of God!

C.     It Is A Perpetual Life – John 10:28; John 6:47; John 3:16 – Everlasting life!

D.     It Is A Preserved Life – 1 Peter 1:5; John 10:28; John 5:24 – We are kept!

 

I’ll Take What’s Behind That Door!

 

II.                         THE BLESSING OF LIBERTY IS BEHIND THAT DOOR

A.     There Is Liberty To Worship – In – We have access to the very presence of God - John 4:24; Heb. 4:16.  (Ill. All the old impediments are gone – Col. 2:13-14.)

      B.  There Is Liberty To Work – Out – We have the desire, the design and the

decree to work for the glory of the Lord! (Eph. 2:10; James 2:18; 1 John 4:19 with John 14:15)

 

I’ll Take What’s Behind That Door!

 

III.                THE BLESSING OF LUXURY IS BEHIND THAT DOOR

(Pasture: Jesus has and is all we need!  The word pasture reminds us that we are His sheep, Psa. 95:7; Psa. 100:3.  As such, we are in His hand, and in a position to enjoy real luxury!  Real luxury is not what we think it to be.  Real luxury is enjoying those things that can only be obtained from the hand of God!)

A.  We Have The Luxury Of His Rations – He is our Shepherd and He will provide

      for His sheep – Psa. 23:1-6; Phil.4 19; Psa. 37:25; Matt. 6:25-33.

      B.  We Have The Luxury Of His Rest – He is always leading His people to the

place where they can rest from the road of life – Psa. 23:2; Matt. 11:28; Heb. 4:9.

C.  We Have The Luxury Of His Refreshment – He is ever-present with His people

      to give them strength fro their journey, Psa. 23:3-6; Isa. 40:31; Psa. 103:1-5.

 

I’ll Take What’s Behind That Door!

 

Conc:  I don’t know how you feel about it, but I think that we are a blessed people!  The Lord had, in His grace and mercy, opened the windows of Heaven and poured out blessings that cannot be contained or even comprehended by our human minds and hearts.  He has blessed us beyond all measure!  When He got you and me, all He got was a bunch of sinners who were destined for Hell and who were worth nothing.  Yet, when we entered the Door, He gave us the liberty to trade in our old defective, worthless lives for a new life of blessing and peace here on earth, and of eternal joy and glory in Heaven some day.  I think He got the short end of the stick, but I sure am glad that we were the winning contestants!  I am glad I took the Door, how about you?