We turn now to the Word of God, and we want to read the Scripture this morning from John chapter 10. John chapter 10. We will read from this chapter the first 18 verses. I think for most of you this is a fairly familiar chapter. ever, ever, ever beautiful and glorious in the words of our Savior here recorded in John chapter 10. This is the holy, inspired, infallible word of God, then, most assuredly I say to you. Let me stop a moment here. I think I have a different version here than you have. So I will turn to the ESV. I'm sorry about that. Once again, we begin in John 10. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him, the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. You is a hired hand and not a shepherd who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he's a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. Just as the father knows me and I know the father and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word again. today and also let me read once again the text for this morning, verses 7 to 9. So Jesus again said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. May the Holy Spirit guide us here into the truth and the message of His holy word. People of God, whenever we celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, as we will do shortly, our attention should always be focused exclusively on that one person, and that is, of course, our own blessed Savior, Jesus Christ. It's for that reason that I thought I would focus for a little while this morning with you on one of the statements that our Savior made about himself recorded in the Gospel of John. We typically call these statements the seven I Am's. Uniquely, they are found only in John's Gospel, which places a special emphasis on the Godhead, the divinity of our Lord. That's evident from the very first verse of the Gospel, John 1, verse 1, which states, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. That Word, then, is a reference to Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate and a perfect revelation of God himself, because he himself is God, the Son of the Father. And Jesus also emphasizes those truths in those seven I Am statements that He made about Himself. He alone could claim, as He said, recorded in John 6 verse 35, I am the bread of life, for He alone is the source of eternal life. He alone could say, as recorded in John 8 verse 12, I am the light of the world. Because He alone is the one who can bring sinners doomed to darkness to enter into the light of His everlasting love. He alone could say, as He did in John 11, 25, I am the resurrection and the life. For He alone can give life, eternal life to our bodies as well as souls. He alone could say, as he did in John 14, verse 6, I am the way, the truth, and the life, for he is the only one who can lead us to know the true God and to live with him, that God, forever. And in John 15, verse 1, Jesus says, I am the true vine, for only by being united with him can we bear fruit for God's glory. And now the chapter that we just read from, John 10, Jesus makes two more statements as to who he is. He's God's divine son and holy savior. First, Jesus says in verse 7 of our text, I am the door of the sheep. Then a little later in verse 11, he says, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. They're connected, yet separate claims, each with their own unique meaning. Both of them relate to the life and the activity of shepherds and their sheep. However, this morning, I wish to focus just a little bit more on our Savior's words, I am the door. And notice, first of all, for a while, the image Jesus is using here, the picture that He is drawing for us. And then secondly, we will turn more extensively to the spiritual truths. Jesus is conveying to us by means of this statement, this I am claim. Now, as to the image, or we could say, students learn in English class, metaphor, Jesus uses here when he says, I'm the door, we all know, of course, what a door is and what a door does. Actually, in this particular context, what Jesus has in mind is a gate, a gate into a sheep pen. Now sheep pens in Jesus' day were not neat farm buildings or barns as farmers have today for holding their sheep or other animals. But a sheep pen in Jesus' time was actually simply an enclosure out in the pasture made out of rocks so that the sheep could go into there. And indeed, that pen didn't even have a roof over it. All it consisted of was a small area out there with a stone wall around it. And the gate into that pen then was simply an opening in that stone wall. And that would be guarded typically then by someone watching, a watchman. Many times, several shepherds herd their flocks to the same sheep pen so that they could be safe inside, safe from wild animals, safe from sheep hustlers perhaps. So the shepherds themselves could rest for a while in peace during the night because typically one of them then will be serving as a watchman while the others rested. And then the following morning, the shepherds would call their own sheep by name, lead them out again through that gate of the pen into the pastures to graze for another day. Notice that's the simple picture that Jesus draws here in John 10. A picture that his acquaintances, his listeners, certainly were very well acquainted with. They knew what that was like. But then he tells us in verse 7, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door of the sheep. And in verse 9, he repeats, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. So our Savior compares himself here then to that sheep gate. While he also, as in later to later, the idea also that he is the shepherd of the sheep. But again, we want to focus more specifically on his claim that he is that door, he's that gate of the sheep. What was the point that our Savior was making here? What truth was he conveying to us? According to our scripture reading, verse 6 says, the Jews did not understand what Jesus was trying to teach them. But you and I today, we have the full revelation of the Scriptures, and we can certainly know what our Savior has in mind as He Himself expressed it. And so let me then turn secondly this morning to set forth for you three truths by which you can learn the meaning of Jesus' words, I am the door. And first of all, what our Savior has in mind here is that He is the door, the only door. through which sinners can enter to receive salvation. Now doors, of course, we know lead both into and out of a building. But the first reason the sheep pens had gates was to lead the sheep into the pen, bring them into the shelter and security of that pen. That represents a place where they could be safe, safe from harm, safe from death, safe from enemies. And for us, that sheepen represents the condition, the situation where we are saved from bad situations and a bad condition. So Jesus says, I am the only one through whom you as sinners can be safe. can be secure, can have an entrance into that condition by which you are saved from evil, evil causes, evil consequences, from sin, from death, from hell, from Satan. As our Savior says in verse 9, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved. And of course, you and I all know, I'm sure, that this is the gospel, the essence, the central message of the gospel. It can be summed up simply in the statement, Jesus is the only way of salvation. He's the only way into that condition, that blessed condition of experiencing salvation. Now does it mean that there aren't those who try to get into that state of salvation by some other way or other doors? In fact, Jesus begins his teaching in John chapter 10 by saying in the first verse, truly, truly I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. Yes, thieves and robbers do not ring the front door bell to get into your house, except maybe to check if anybody is home. But normally they like to sneak in some other way if they can, through a back door or window. And so Jesus says here, you can be sure that anybody who tries to get into the sheep pen indeed is not trustworthy. Not anybody who tries to get in by his own way can be trusted. Those who try to get in some other way than the door of the pen are thieves and robbers. And of course, that's exactly how it is with those who try to obtain their salvation apart from going through Christ. For example, there are millions of people today who believe that any kind of religion can be a pathway into heaven or into some blessed true state of life following death, that all religions lead to some kind of salvation. in whatever gods they may believe in. But that, of course, denies that Jesus is the only door to salvation. Are there others who claim or try to obtain God's favor by climbing over the wall of their own supposed righteousness? They think that their own good life, their own good deeds will gain them entrance into heaven. They're also denying that Christ is the only door to salvation. Others strive to climb over the wall of their baptism, thinking that only if they're baptized, then automatically they will be saved. And still others think that they can enter into that pen, into the fold of Christ by coming to church once in a while on certain days, and still have or have their membership simply on the rolls of a church. Well, all who try to get into the sheep pen by those kinds of ways, says Jesus, are thieves. They're robbers. Christ alone is the door. And why is he alone the door? Because he alone is the one who has suffered and died for our sins and so earned our salvation. He is the only one who is the shepherd of the sheep, who gave his life for them. That's the wonderful truth that we can remember again this morning in a special way in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. When you and I are eating and drinking, we're remembering that Jesus become our entrance into that blessed salvation that he has earned for us through his own shed blood shed on the cross. As one of our communion quorums puts it, I always like this statement, the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ directs our faith and trust to his perfect sacrifice once offered on the cross as the only ground and foundation of our salvation. Let's notice the second truth Jesus is conveying by describing himself as the door. He's also indicating by that claim that he is also the only door to fellowship, true fellowship with God, as well as with one another as his covenant people. Because who are inside that sheep pen? Well, the sheep, of course. And who are the sheep that Jesus has in mind here in John 10? The sheep are all believers, all redeemed sinners. Jesus calls them my sheep. Why? Because he has saved them. So now they belong to Him. They're His flock. And therefore, all who believe in Christ not only receive salvation, but they also enter into fellowship with Him and also with others who are saved by Him. We come to be one flock in that sheepfold, which consists of all true believers, who belongs, belong to the true, the one true church gathered from all the nations and peoples of the world. As Jesus says in John 10, 16, And I have other sheep that are out of this fold. He means there are persons who are not Jews, but non-Jews, Gentiles. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. What a blessing it is to belong to that one flock, that one fellowship. And again, it's what we see symbolized, congregation, in the sacrament we're about to partake of, the Lord's Supper. We are sharing one faith and one Lord. We are entering into communion this morning, so that when you and I eat and drink that communion bread and wine, We're doing it not just by our individual selves. We're doing it together as professing believers who all belong to the sheepfold of Christ, who has led us through the door into salvation and then into fellowship with him, that we might be one flock, one flock who love and follow him. And remember, above all, we're not only remembering his death when we have the Lord's Supper, we're having communion, communion with the living Christ who is here with us spiritually as we partake of his body spiritually. We are one body united with him and with one another through faith. And he is here, right here, present with us. as we worship Him. I am the door, says our Savior, the door to true and eternal fellowship with God comes or is through me. And that brings up finally one more truth Jesus has in mind here by that statement, I am the door, because doors and gates, as I noted a moment ago, you know, lead both into and out. There are entrances, there are also exits. And so as a door, Christ is first of all an entrance, the only entrance into salvation and fellowship with him. But our text also makes the point that through that door of Christ, the sheep go out again. Listen once again to verse nine of our text. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. Yes, when the morning came, And after spending a night in the pen, the sheep went out of that gate again to go into the pastures. The door which led them in leads them out to be led and fed by the good shepherd from the grass of the pastures of the meadows and drink the water of the brooks. That's how their life was nourished and strengthened. And again, that's true for us as well, spiritually. Through Christ we enter salvation, that condition of being justified, delivered from sin and hell. But through Christ we again go out to live a life and enjoy the abundance of life for Him. Indeed, Jesus says in verse 10, I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Christ not only gives us the security of our salvation. He doesn't want us simply to stay in our nice cozy little rooms or churches nicely together as a cozy fellowship. But then Jesus opens up the doors again. He leads us out into the world again of another week into our daily lives that we may live fruitfully and abundantly to his praise. We're put out to the pasture. as the saying goes, but not as that expression nowadays is understood as meaning, well, you're no longer useful in whatever you're doing. Oh no, we're always useful, always useful in the service of Christ. We must be useful, including all members of the congregation, those who are not able to be here, others as well who are feeble and frail, confined, but they can still be useful. as they live their lives day by day where God has placed them, to His praise. No matter what our physical condition or earthly situation may be, we are to live an abundant life. And an abundant life, as our Savior calls it here, is simply a life that is holy, obedient to Him, good, a testimony to Christ our Savior, lived not for self, but for him, ultimately, a life of service to our Lord. If you're living that kind of life, you're living life to the full. And so after we have partaken of the riches of Christ this morning, After being fed and nourished at His table, after having our faith in Him again renewed and having enjoyed again that special communion we can have with our Lord and with one another, Jesus opens the door wide and He says, now go forth into the pasture. daily from my word. Stay true to me and faithful to me in prayer. Be refreshed by the living streams of my love and my presence with you at all times. Live as my consecrated people in this world. Be my sheep, even among the wolves, even among the dangers of life, even in the midst of the opposition that we may encounter in this world and from the evil one. Just remember, says Jesus, I'm the one who has saved you. You've entered into my salvation, into my fold, and I will surely be with you, and I will strengthen you, and I will protect you, and I will give you life, life to the fall abundantly. Amen. Let's pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, how good it is again to hear your voice through your word as we could read it and meditate for a little while upon it. Thank you, our blessed Savior, being that door so that that door is open for us and that we have been able to enter into or through that door into your presence, into life itself, into the condition of salvation, belonging to the Good Shepherd. Thank you, Good Shepherd, for leading us and guiding us by your word and by your spirit. Thankful for the fellowship that we can enjoy in you, united with you, with the Father, by faith in you, and also together as your covenant children together, enjoying the fellowship of the saints. And thankful, Lord, too, that now you also instruct us and guide us to lead a life that is abundant. Oh, may it be lived for you, for your praise, for your glory. Help us, we pray, to be a people that is faithful, sheep of your own pasture, loved by the shepherd, loving him in return. We pray this all in your blessed name, Jesus Christ. Amen.