Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO Knowing the shepherd Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA May 11, 2003 Main Scripture text: John 10:1-18. It is not unusual in for a shepherd to have the same sheep for many years. He knows each one sheep by name and the sheep know the shepherd both by sight and by his voice. They will not follow anyone else. In this passage Jesus refers to himself both as "the gate" for the sheep and "the good shepherd" who "lays down his life for the sheep." This is a reference to using a sheep pen built in a remote area. A pen of this type doesn't have a gate (see photo below). At night, the shepherd would actually sleep in the gap so that anything or anyone approaching the sheep would awaken him. A remote sheep pen He literally laid down his body between the sheep and the world. He became the gate. Do you understand the image Jesus is giving? Jesus literally laid down His life on Calvary to become the gate for the sheep. (Note that there are not many gates -- only one.) The most critical thing in life is knowing the Good Shepherd. Listen to the words of Jesus as He prays for the Church: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3). Knowledge of the Scriptures is important, theological understanding is important, but these things are not a substitute for knowing Jesus. Christianity isn't about a set of religious teachings; it is about a relationship with the living Lord.   There Is one flock and one Shepherd. His name is Jesus. Do you know Him? Supporting texts: Psalm 100:3 | John 17:3 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here. (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of this sermon is available free of charge (U.S. requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 030511a: Knowing the Shepherd. © 2003 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us