I AM THE GATE

I AM THE GATE
John 1:1-10; Ephesians 2

I. The Gate to the Father
a. In Christ, the barrier between humans and the Father have been destroyed from the TOP-DOWN
b. Ephesians 2- 14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
c. Philippians 4- 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
d. Matthew 7- 7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.- We cannot wear our welcome out.

II. The Gate to Our Pasture
a. Ephesians 2- 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
b. Revelation 21- 5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
c. God has a plan for your life!
i. Jeremiah 1:5- "Before I formed you in the womb I knew [a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
ii. Psalm 139:14-18
d. How do we find our pasture?
i. Choose this day who you will serve!
ii. Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness (Matthew 6:33)
iii. Set the Lord Continually Before You
1. Isaiah 53:6- We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
2. Psalm 16:8- 8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
iv. Psalm 3:5-6
1. Trust in the Lord- Remember He has a Plan
2. Lean Not on your own understanding- Remember- You are sheep!
3. In all your ways acknowledge him- Seek His Guidance and Direction
a. Be Still and Know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10)
b. Psalm 37:7,9- WAIT Patiently for Him, do not fret when men succeed in their ways…For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
c. PRAY
d. STUDY THE SCRIPTURES AND GO TO CHURCH
4. He will make your paths straight

III. The Gate of Our Security
a. John 10- 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[d]; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."