Jesus speaking:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there.

John 10

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Following Salvation:

“When they believed……they were baptized….Acts 8:12

“And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me from being baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” Acts 8:36-37

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41

Conclusion: Baptism follows salvation, immediately, if possible.

What If I Refuse To Be Baptized?

Disobeying: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17

Loss of Testimony: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” John 8:31

Loss of Fellowship (with God): “ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14

Bible Answers About Baptism, Abb Thomas – copyright 1972, Chattanooga, TN, Used with permission.

I worship the Living God. He is not an idea, a power, an influence or a product of my imagination. He is the great Three in One, the God of the Bible, the Creator God, who is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three persons who are one in essence. I worship Him and communicate with Him.

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? Proverbs 30:4

Who do you worship and with whom do you communicate?

People in false religions do not worship the true God by another name, as some suggest. They unwittingly worship Satan’s demons. Here is what the Bible says: ”The things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God” (I Corinthians 10:20). Even so, a book called ”The Christ of Hinduism” actually exists, and it argues that Hinduism’s symbols and doctrines contain the Christian message. But there is no Christ of Hinduism, nor has the true God any part in Hinduism. Christ is the only true way to the one true God, and Biblical Christianity is the only way to the one true Christ. Misguided people who recognize any other god and engage in any other religion are not worshipping and sacrificing to God, but to demons. I didn’t make this up. This isn’t my theology. This is Christianity 101. [1]

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

[1] Hard to Believe, copyright 2003 John MacArthur (Published by Thomas Nelson – Nashville, TN), page 38.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

...let the word of Christ (Messiah Jesus) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Sitting in church will no more make you a Christian than sitting in a garage will make you a car.

Author Unknown

Suggested reading: Born Again by John MacArthur

Those who rebelled against the Lord in the OT were still religious. They just exhibited an outward form of godliness, without any power over sin.

As a believer in Christ, is there any difference between you and the world? Is there any evidence of internal change?

God doesn’t want a piece of you. God wants your heart. When He has your heart, He has all of you.

…my son, give me thine heart…

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Have you ever come to a place of last resort? A last resort is something done only if nothing else works. In the spiritual realm this something done as a last resort is quite often prayer. Unfortunately prayer from this perspective can take on the character of a lucky rabbits foot. Say this prayer and something wonderful will happen to you. Maybe not. Say a prayer and everything will be alright. Maybe not.

Prayer is not just something you do. Ok, I prayed….everything is going to be alright now. No, prayer is communication. The question is, who are you communicating with and on what basis? Jesus said that the Pharisee was communicating with himself. He addressed his prayer to God, but his prayer was based on his own self righteousness. His prayer was not based on a biblical perspective about himself. The Pharisee was trusting in his own righteousness. Thus Jesus’ statement of fact, the Pharisee was communicating with himself. He had become his own god, therefore He must save himself or deny that he needs saving.

The publican had a biblical perspective of himself. His prayer was God be merciful to me a sinner. Jesus said that this man went down to his house justified. The publican was acquitted because he had rejected his own righteousness and had accepted God’s provision for his sin. God’s provision for sinners is the righteousness of His Son.

Since believers possess the righteousness of Christ, [For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Hebrews 10:14], we may enter boldly into God’s presence to obtain mercy and grace to help in the time of need. God is sinless and nothing that is sinful or defiles may enter His presence. Believers may enter however, because we are dressed in the righteousness of God’s Son, Messiah Jesus .

God promised to never leave or forsake His own (Hebrews 13:5). That means His presence is always with His children. We should communicate with Him as easily as we do with whoever else is in the room. Communication with God the Father, based on the righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ, is proper prayer.

So should Christians communicate with God (pray) as a last resort? Communicating with God should always be our first resort. Rather than trying to manipulate circumstances to satisfy or justify ourselves, believers should always acknowledge Him first (He is sovereign, in control) and trust His promise to direct us. Even when you do not know where to put your foot down on your next step, acknowledge Him and He will direct you.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Is there a heart o’erbound by sorrow?
Is there a life weighed down by care?
Come to the cross, each burden bearing;
All your anxiety—leave it there.

Refrain:
All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there,
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus!

No other friend so swift to help you,
No other friend so quick to hear,
No other place to leave your burden,
No other one to hear your prayer.

Come then at once; delay no longer!
Heed His entreaty kind and sweet,
You need not fear a disappointment;
You shall find peace at the mercy seat.

Edward H. Joy – 1920

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