It Starts Small

10 “Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. ⁷ Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰ A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. John 10:1-10

Jesus reminds us that there are many false shepherds that lead people to destroy their lives, but He came to give abundant life!

Be Careful of False Shepherds

Jesus very carefully outlines what false shepherds do:

climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber 10:1

the voice of strangers 10:5

We need to be careful which voice we listen to. We have three: our own, the Holy Spirit, and evil. Satan comes to stand at the gate and entice us to come out. He desires to lead us astray so he can steal, kill, and destroy us. We need to listen only to the voice of Christ.

did not understand 10:6

False shepherds do not understand the things of God because they do not have the Holy Spirit to reveal it. They instead use the Word of God in gross ways to deceive the people.

are thieves and robbers 10:8

thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 10:10

Satan desires we step beyond the gate because his sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. He uses false people in our lives to try and lure us out. As long as we are inside the gate we are protected, but the moment we step beyond, we are out in the open. Because we are deaf, dumb, blind, and defenseless, we are an open target.

We need a strong relationship with Christ so we can hear His voice! When he calls we hear Him. When hea leads, we follow. We need to tune our frequency to only His voice so all other voices are drown out.

Abundant Life

Jesus gave a warning and also a promise. He says I AM the gate and the Door. He desires we experience an abundant life. When we pass through Him, He provides for all our needs. He leads us on a path of righteousness. He protects us. He is always near to us! Everything we could ever possibly needs is through the door, if we chose to enter it.

This is in contrast to false shepherds.

Jesus promises an abundant life full of joy!

Jesus did not come so that we could escape hell. He came so that we could believe on Him, receive Him, and take up our cross and follow Him. He does not want us to live in constant worry, fear or with a complaining spirit. He wants us to live a life of joy, even in the midst of problems. To know Christ is to truly live, as Paul puts it.

Abundant life is in Christ alone, delight yourself in Him alone!

I AM who I AM
I AM: the Bread of Life
I AM: the Light of the World
I AM: the Door
I AM: the Good Shepherd
I AM: the Resurrection and Life
I AM: the Way, the Truth, Life
I AM: the True Vine