The Gate | June 8, 2025
Pastor Wes Morris
John 10:1-10 (NIV) Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
✓ OFTENTIMES WE CONFUSE GOD’S PROTECTION WITH RESTRICTION.
✓ WE LIKE THE IDEA OF CONTROL MORE THAN THE POWER OF SURRENDER.
✓ WE ALLOW GATES FROM OUR PAST TO REMAIN OPEN.
I Peter 5:8 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
THE GATE
I. KNOW HIS VOICE.
John 10:3-4 (MSG) The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice.
Isaiah 43:1 (NLT) Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
John 20:14-16 (NIV) She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”
II. TRUST HIS PROTECTION.
Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT) Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Psalm 23:4 (GNT) Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.
III. WALK IN HIS FREEDOM.
John 10:9 (NIV) I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Proverbs 18:10 (NIV) The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
