Happenings

Sermons by Pastor Walter Snyder plus announcements, articles, videos, and anything else that doesn’t fit Ask the Pastor or the Luther Library.





11 May 2014

Sermon: Easter 4A (Gospel)

Fourth Sunday of Easter: The Good Shepherd
11 May AD 2014

Title: Open Door Policy (MP3 Audio)

Door of the Sheepfold Summary: Many businesses and bosses have what are called “open door policies.” In theory, this means easy and complete access for all employees to their supervisors and superiors in the company.

In practice, however, the door isn’t always open. When it is, we may find ears or minds that remain closed.

The Door that is Christ different. He always opens to allow His sheep through. In Him, they have access to the green pastures and still waters of His Word and Sacraments. They can come through Him directly to their heavenly Father, asking Him to provide all for which they pray.

Yet when the foes Devil and World threaten, the Door slams shut in their faces. They may not come in; they are not allowed to have access to us. They are barred from working spiritual, eternal evil against us.

Jesus the Sheep Door Text: [Jesus said,] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. John 10:1-10

Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Audio: Click to hear the MP3 of Open Door Policy.

NB: For some reason, a few people have had problems trying to play the inline audio if Windows Media is their default MP3 player. If this occurs, you can either change to QuickTime or another default browser player, copy and paste the link directly into a selected player, or download it to your computer, where it seems to work regardless of which player. Several folks have suggested VLC Player from VideoLAN.

Other Readings: Psalm 23; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25

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