The Door of the Sheep

The Great I Am

Our Text for 2025

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.”  2 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV)

• He has given us ALL THINGS.
• We access ALL THINGS through the knowledge of Jesus.
• I must become a PARTAKER of Him to grow in that knowledge.

What Has Christ Revealed About Himself?

Week One: He is the Bread of Life.

Week Two: He is the Light of the World.

Today: He is the Door of the Sheep.

John 10:1–10 (ESV)

1 “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. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

What Did They Not Understand?

Too often we misunderstand or misjudge the guardrails God places in our lives for protection and provision.

“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:6, ESV)

“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5, ESV)

How can boundary lines become pleasant or how can being “hemmed in” be celebrated?

Remember the lesson of the sheep gate!

Three Gates We Must Guard in Our Lives

Gate One: The Gate of ACCESS

“…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 the shepherd of the sheep.”

Many know this verse…“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)

But remember Solomon continues…“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:26–27, NIV)

• Be careful WHO or WHAT you give access to in your life.
• Remember, every choice is consequential
• When considering, ask yourself: Is this true or is it toxic? Is it helpful or is it harmful?

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 (NIV)

Just because I have a right, doesn’t mean it’s right

Gate Two: The Gate of Authority

“A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

In John 10, Jesus warns us about false shepherds—thieves and robbers who exploit others for personal gain. Bad authority leads to destruction. Jesus spoke of a shepherd who leads with integrity, wisdom, and self-sacrificing love.

Whose authority are you under? 

The voices you allow to lead your life will either guide you to safety or lead you to harm.

“Not every voice is worthy of your trust.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:1–2 (ESV)

Seven Traits of a Leader Worth Following

1. A Leader Who is Personal

2. A Leader Who Practices What He Preaches

3. A Leader Who Preaches Truth

4. A Leader Who Protects

5. A Leader Who Provides

6. A Leader Who Prioritizes People

7. A Leader Who Pours Out His Life

What do I do when I recognize I am under bad authority?

1. Submit where compelled by Scripture

2. Speak up through proper channels

3. Step out when necessary

Gate Three: The Gate of Abundance

“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.”

Big Question: Are you experiencing fullness in your life, or are you experiencing frustration?

• Fullness in life is the result of being in healthy places.
• Frustration in life is the result of being outside healthy places.

One Final Thought

“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. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it” (Psalm 118:19-20, ESV)

Jesus is the SHEEP GATE, leading us out into green pastures!