Trey H. Little

Sermon Text:  John 10: 1-10

June 5, 2011

Albany, Texas

“Entrance Only”

Is anybody else a bit stunned by the reality that today is the first Sunday in June?  Where has the time gone?—it kind of makes me tired just thinking about it! Perhaps the assurance of another “I am” statement from Jesus will bring you rest this morning.

Turn with me to John 10: 1-10.

            I have an observation to share with you this morning.  First of all, let me make certain that all of us are on the same page in terms of the characters and props involved with my observation.  All of us are aware that there are street signs that give us directions.  True?  We know that when we see a “STOP” sign, technically, we are supposed to “STOP.”  We know if we see a “SCHOOL ZONE” sign, technically we are supposed to go 20 MPH and refrain from talking on our cell phones.  We know if we see signs that say “ENTRANCE ONLY” and “EXIT ONLY”, technically, we are to do as they say for our own safety and well-being.

            Now, those are a few of the props and we are the characters—and I use the latter literally!

            So here is my observation:  we are “characters” because we pick and choose how “technically” we will follow the signs that have been posted for our benefit.  All too often, rather than “STOPPING” we will simply roll through at a slower pace.  Rather than holding off on the cell phone conversation in the school zone we just take a quick look around for any signs of authorities—seeing none we continue in our “important” call.  Rather than going in the “in” and out the “out”—we just go where we want to go—when we want to go.  Whatever is convenient for US.  “Entrance Only” and “Exit Only” seemingly only apply when there are risks involved.

            Again, this is just an observation. 

            However, this morning, I also want to share with you a fact:  There is ONE WAY to salvation and abundant life.  Jesus said, “I am the gate for the sheep—I am the gate; whoever enters though me will be saved.”

            That is not a prop—that is the Truth.  However, we often treat His Truth as we would other important signs.  We pay attention when it is convenient. Again, this is just an observation.

Jesus made this bold “I am” statement because He observed that the “characters” who were listening to Him just weren’t getting it.  They didn’t understand the meaning of the story of the shepherd—even though they were very familiar with the characteristics and work ethic of shepherds.  So Jesus, determined to give them a revelation, simply and plainly stated “I am the gate” (also translated “door”).  Because He knew that the Jews would understand that when the sheep were out on the hills in the warm season and did not return at night to the village at all, they would be collected into sheep-folds on the hillside.  These hillside sheep-folds were just open spaces enclosed by a wall.  In them there was an opening by which the sheep came in and went out; but there was no door of any kind.  What happened was that at night the shepherd himself would lay down across the opening and no sheep could get out or in except over his body (adapted from William Barclay’s commentary on john 10.)

Through Jesus we find access to the Father.  Through Jesus we find life to the fullest.  Through Jesus we find wholeness, security, shelter, refuge, peace, hope and fulfillment.

Interesting to point out, the Greek phrase for “have it to the full” in verse 10 literally means to have a “superabundance of a thing.”

Here is another observation—I think we all desire “superabundance.”

The question is, of course, what is your thing?

This past week I did something for the first time in my life.  Are you ready for this?  I actually drove a pick up truck with a goose-neck trailer attached to it!!  I know, can you believe the boy from the city is now hauling Longhorn steers?  Well, believe it—I did not observe—I did!

Thursday was my mother’s 70^th birthday and her gift from her children was a young Longhorn steer.  The catch was, I was the “character” who had to get him from Albany to Beeville.  Well, I am happy to say I made it—13 hours of driving and $400 of fuel—I safely delivered the Longhorn to my mother and the truck and trailer back to its rightful owner.

But here is another observation:  when I unloaded the Longhorn into the pens all seemed good and in order.  All of the gates were shut and it appeared I had pulled off the perfect delivery.  My mother was excited.  My sister was taking photos.  I was basking in my cowboy glory.  But then, the next thing I knew—the young Longhorn found a small opening in the fence around the pen and quickly leaped through it to join the other cows who were roaming free in the pasture.  It didn’t help that one of the horses on the ranch was also in the pen and was chasing the young Longhorn around the pen and spooking him.

Here is the point—God delivered us the perfect gift in Jesus Christ.  And to know Jesus and to follow Jesus is to have a superabundance life.  He is the only entrance.  However, He doesn’t invite us in to pen us up—but instead to give us freedom.  He desires to assure us that inside salvation through faith in Him there is safety.  But also, He provides all we will ever need.  Therefore, we don’t have to jump through our brokenness in hopes of a greener pasture. We don’t have to look for an escape route from Him when something is uncomfortable in our lives.  We don’t have to run in fear when we are being intimidated by something larger than us. 

Let me give you three things to consider this week.

First, have you walked through the Gate?  Have you trusted and surrendered your life to Jesus Christ and walked into the Light of Life?  If you haven’t then I want to encourage you this morning to follow Him.  Don’t wait for a later date when you think it will be more convenient or a better time for you in your life. 

Second, if you have placed you faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, when was the last time you listened for His voice in your life?  I want to encourage you to listen to where the Lord is leading you.  Perhaps He is leading you to another pasture—a place where you never thought you would go—but a place that is nevertheless abundant and full—because He will be with you.  Perhaps He is calling you to teach or give financially.  Perhaps He is calling you to pray for a loved one who is going through a difficult time.  Perhaps He is calling you to slow down and enjoy the blessings in your life.  Perhaps He is leading you to a place you never even had on your radar.  Will you follow?

Finally, never forget that in Him you have it all!!  Don’t let the world intimidate you into believing that it has more to offer you than He does.  Believe in your heart that through faith in Jesus Christ your life will embody “superabundance.”  So if someone ask you later today how you are doing—you can honestly say, “I am living in superabundance.”  If someone asks you tomorrow you can say the same.  And the next day and the next and the next and forever.  That is the promise of Jesus and He is the Truth.

For years St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in San Francisco has served meals to people in need.  Over the doorway to its dining room the church has posted a sign bearing the inscription:  Caritate Dei.  One day a young mechanic, just released from jail and new to St. Anthony’s, entered the door and sat down for a meal.

A woman was busy cleaning the adjoining table.  He asked her, “Hey lady, when do we get on our knees and do the chores?”  She replied, “You don’t.”  He said, “Then when is the sermon comin’?”  She said, “It’s not.”  He said, “Then what’s the gimmick?  Why the free meal?”  She pointed to the inscription over the door.  He squinted at the sign and asked, “What does it mean, lady?”  She said with a smile, “By the love of God” then moved on to another table (Peter Marty).

Friends, here’s another observation:  As I look at this Communion table I am humbled by the reality that it symbolizes precisely what Jesus is teaching in our text this morning.  Jesus, like the shepherds of old, laid down His body in order that we, His sheep, could have superabundant life.  By the love of God—His body and blood filled the open wounds in our hearts.  This table is a sign that says, “ENTRANCE ONLY.”  Question is, are you and I willing to obey the sign?

AMEN.