## Christ's Threefold Mission

## John 10:1-18

Ask an individual the question, 'Why did Jesus come into this world?' and most would answer along with the apostle Paul 'Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners'. However, in our passage this morning we find that Jesus gives us some additional insight as to the purposes for His coming into this world. Jesus said, "I am the door" "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." and "I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep".

Read: John 10:7-18

I. I am the Door: The New Birth; Salvation

A. Christ is the simple way to God.

(JOHN 3:16) "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE."

1. You cannot get much simpler than that.

2. God made the message simple so that all might understand.

a. God knew exactly whom He was dealing with...

b. He knew how important it was to keep it simple...

c. God wants to reach the young and old alike; the wise and the foolish, the strong and the weak.

d. God made it simple so He could reach the great multitudes.

B. Christ is the only way to God.

(ACTS 4:12) "NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER: FOR THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED."

1. Jesus said, "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers:" v8

2. There simply is no other way to reach God except through His Son, Jesus Christ.

(JOHN 14:6) "JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME."

(1 TIM 2:5) "FOR THERE IS ONE GOD, AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS;"

C. Christ is the satisfactory way to God.

1. The songwriter said, 'only Jesus can satisfy your soul'.

2. It may just be the lyrics of a song, but it is the gospel truth.

3. The Krishnas, Buddhists, and other Eastern religions have little chants that are supposed to bring peace and satisfaction, IT'S A LIE!

4. Many other groups have their own rituals that that one must perform in order to reach spiritual peace and happiness...but they are all lies!

5. There is no peace like the peace you have in Christ; He is the source of peace.

(JOHN 10:9) "I AM THE DOOR: BY ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED, AND SHALL GO IN AND OUT, AND FIND PASTURE."

Note: "in and out" there are no boundaries on the peace that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior.

II. "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly."

A. Christ alone is author of life.

(JOHN 1:4) "IN HIM WAS LIFE; AND THE LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN."

1. That Jesus came to bring eternal life to a spiritually dead race has been established.

2. But there is more to life than just mere existence...

3. What one of us would be satisfied with merely the clinical side of life: just a heart that beats and lungs that breathe.

4. Everyone of us would want to be able to enjoy the life we have; I doubt very seriously if there axe any here who wish to trade places with someone who is comatose.

B. Christ dispenses abundant-blessing.

1. Just as none of us would want a physical life that we could not enjoy:

2. We won't be satisfied with a spiritual life that we can't enjoy.

3. Jesus came to give us life, but He went on from there to promise us an abundant life.

4. The devil would have us believe that we are missing out on all the fun. (I still remember what it was like to wake up covered in my own vomit with my head pounding in pain...I had so much fun it nearly killed me!)

5. Many Christians do not enjoy the abundant spiritual life because the are in constant fear of losing it!

(JOHN 10:28) "AND I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND."

6. Jesus gave us an eternal life that we couldn't lose because He wants us to enjoy it!

III. I am the Good Shepherd

A. The shepherd was the lord of the flock.

1. He saw that their needs were provided.

2. He protected them in times of trouble.

3. He cared for them greatly, so much so that he would lay down his life for them.

B. The Lordship of Christ.

1. Jesus came that we might have eternal life and that we might have abundant life.

2. Now we see that He came to be our Lord.

a. The One who provides for our needs so abundantly...

b. The One who protects and comforts us in times of trouble...

c. He is the One who loved us so much that He lay down His life for us.

3. Jesus wants to be our Lord, but there must be a coronation day in our hearts when we crown Him Lord of all our life.

4. For those who claim to be committed to the cause of Christ: acknowledgement of Christ's authority is to be accomplished and accompanied by absolute obedience to His commands.

(LUKE 6:46) "AND WHY CALL YE ME, LORD, LORD, AND DO NOT THE THINGS WHICH I SAY?"

C. There are four classes of men; described by their relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Those who neither call Him Lord nor do the things He said... the infidel.

2. Those who call Him Lord, but do not do the things He said... the hypocrite.

3. Those who do not call Him Lord, but try to do the things He said...the moralist.

4. Those who both call Him Lord, and do the things He said...the believer.

D. Note: Philippians 2:9-11

1. God has exalted Him; He has given Him His rightful place as Lord.

2. But notice the words 'should bow' and 'should confess'.

3. That means that everyone does not give Him proper place in their lives.

4. Notice also that Paul was writing to the saints at Philippi.

5. It is sad to say, but many Christians have never given Christ His proper place in their lives.

The new birth, the abundant life, and the Lordship of Christ. Three reasons that Jesus came to this world. He came that all of us might know the blessings of all three.

The new birth: have you been born again? Do you know Jesus as your Savior?

(ROM 10:9) "THAT IF THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALT BELIEVE IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THOU SHALT BE SAVED."

The Abundant Life: is your life abundant and full? There is no greater life than to be a Christian. Are you happy in Christ today?

The Lordship of Christ: Have you made Him Lord of your life?