In the Old Testament, a prophet named Jeremiah wrote a few hundred feet from the bottom of Golgotha (Calvary) "Is it nothing to you, all ye who pass by?". Jeremiah was prophesying about Christ hanging on that hill. God's son on the cross who paid for our sins, and is ignored by so many. Is it nothing to you?
The book of Nehemiah tells us that Jerusalem has 10 gates all the way around it. God wants you to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. These gates were made for very specific purposes. And, each gate has a spiritual application to the life of the believer.
The first gate we're going to focus on is called the Sheep gate. It has no bars. Anybody can come in that gate- whosoever will! If you will ask God to save you, the Good Shepherd will accept you into His flock and you can enter New Jerusalem at the sheep gate.
The sheep gate was built by pairs of Levites. Men who served the Lord working side-by-side. But, there were also women at the gate. It wasn't just holy men who were working the gate. Women were allowed there.
This gate was built by homes. It wasn't separated from everyday living. It wasn't visited on special occasions, or specific days. It was passed by on a daily basis. Your Christian walk isn't only in the church. You live it daily, everywhere! You represent what it stands for each place you go.
Another gate is called the Fish gate. Once you pass through the sheep gate, you become a fisherman. It's now your job to go tell others about Christ and His salvation!
There's the Old gate. God never changes. His way of salvation doesn't change because the next generation thinks it should. Calvary saves sinners today the same way it saved the people in the book of Acts! God uses the Old Book- the King James Bible! He sends people down the Old paths- the way narrow and straight! God uses the Old gate because it works!
There's a Valley gate where sometimes we all have to walk. Great men aren't born; they're made. You can't prevent God from allowing suffering in your life, but you can control how you respond to it. The valley is full of uncertainty and darkness. Sometimes we don't even know which way to turn. It's normally in the valley that we end up making mistakes. God knows we aren't perfect, and He's made provision for the missteps we make when we're in the valley.
There's a Dung gate. This gate is where you drop off all the waste. Take all the crap that slows you down and distracts you and drop it at this gate. You can make a change! You don't have to drag all those mistakes with you. You don't have to carry all the regrets of past failures. There's a place for you to drop those- kneel at Calvary's tree and walk away free!
Everyone makes mistakes. People are gonna mess up. Don't talk about them. Don't beat them up with it. Help them out! Encourage them! Remember that you could be there if not for the grace of God!
The Water gate is where you get refreshed! God gives us Living Waters from which we can freely drink daily. Read your Bible; pray everyday!
The Horse gate is where you go forth to the battle. Each day you will face the world, the flesh, and the devil. Temptations aren't going to leave you. You will battle them everyday. But you can always come back and stop by the Water gate to get refreshed!
The King will return through the Eastern Gate. The Eastern gate is the one the King is going to come through when He returns during the Battle of Armageddon. It's been closed up by the world. But, that won't be a problem for Him!
No matter which gate you find yourself walking through don't forget you're never alone. Someone's always watching. Problems are always waiting. But, don't fret! There are plenty more gates that you can visit! And God can use any gate to serve a purpose for His will in your life.
