He Is – The Seven “I AM” Statements of Jesus
Pastor Mark Carrillo
Part 2 – “I Am the Gate / I Am the Good Shepherd”
“Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.”
I AM / HE IS / WE ARE
Jesus is the Gate
“Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
(John 10:6-10 MSG)
Gate – Access: lit. entrance, portal
Other voices want access to the sheep – Don’t Listen!
“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.”
(John 10:9 NLT)
He Is the Gate for Everybody
Israel had forgotten that God is out to accomplish something globally among all people His flock includes men and women from every tribe, tongue, and nation
“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.” (John 10:16-17, ESV)
“”But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go
in.” (Matthew 23:13, ESV)
The Shepherd would literally become the gate to the sheepfold.
He alone is the door to eternal life
“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.””
(Acts 4:12 NLT)
(John 8:58-59, ESV)
God is out to redeem all of creation
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16, ESV)
“and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:20, ESV)
“All Things” — lit. Gk. “the whole universe of things”He’s after more than your soul!
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
(John 10:11, ESV)
“A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Youprepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalms 23:1-6, ESV)
God has always been about every family on earth.
“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”” (Genesis 12:3, ESV)
“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,” (Revelation 5:9, ESV)
ACCESS DENIED or ACCESS GRANTED
From now on, I am telling you before it comes to pass, in order that you might be believing whenever it comes to pass, that I AM. Most assuredly, I am saying to you, He who receives whomever I shall send, me he receives. And the one who receives me, receives Him who sent me.
(John 13:18–20, Wuest)
BONUS READING: Here are a few extra scriptures not mentioned in the message that you can read through and study out on your own or with you Life Group.