03/03/2025
Securing His Sheep
John 10:27-29 (KJV)
"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."
Introduction
The assurance of salvation is a fundamental truth for every believer in Christ. Many doubt their salvation due to feelings, failures, or false teachings, but our confidence is not based on ourselves—it is based on the fact of the promises of God.
In John 10:27-29, Jesus makes a powerful statement about the security of those who belong to Him.
1. The Shepherd’s Personal Relationship with His Sheep (v. 27)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"
A. The Recognition of the Sheep
"My sheep hear my voice."
True believers recognize and respond to the voice of Christ through His Word (John 8:47).
John 8:47 KJV He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
This hearing is not just audible but obedient—a mark of a true child of God.
B. The Relationship of the Shepherd
"And I know them."
Jesus knows who belongs to Him (2 Timothy 2:19).
2 Timothy 2:19 KJV Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Salvation is not about what we do, but about Christ knowing us personally.
C. The Response of the Sheep
"And they follow me."
Salvation results in obedience, not as a requirement to be saved, but as evidence that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2. The Shepherd’s Promise of Eternal Life (v. 28a)
"And I give unto them eternal life;"
A. The Gift of Salvation
"I give unto them..."
Eternal life is a gift, not a reward (Romans 6:23).
Romans 6:23 KJV For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We do not earn salvation; Christ freely gives it by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
B. The Guarantee of Eternal Life
"...eternal life."
Eternal means forever—it is not temporary, conditional, or revocable.
If salvation could be lost, it was never eternal to begin with.
3. The Shepherd’s Protection from Perishing (v. 28b)
"And they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
A. The Negative Assurance
“Shall Never Perish”
Jesus uses a double negative in Greek (ou mē), meaning "absolutely never."
This is a direct promise that a saved person can never be lost again (John 5:24).
John 5:24 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
B. The Positive Affirmation
“Neither Shall Any Man Pluck Them”
Our salvation does not depend on our grip on God; it depends on His grip on us.
No external force (Satan, sin, suffering) can remove us from Christ’s hand (Romans 8:38-39).
Romans 8:38-39 KJV For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4. The Father’s Power in Our Security (v. 29)
"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
A. The Source of Our Salvation
“My Father, which gave them me”
Salvation is God’s work, not ours (John 6:37-39).
John 6:37-39 KJV All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. [38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. [39] And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
If the Father gave us to Christ, we are His forever.
B. The Strength of Our Security
“Is Greater Than All”
God is greater than our doubts, our sins, and our weaknesses.
If God is greater than all, then no one (including ourselves) can undo what He has done.
C. The Sureness of Security
“No Man is Able to Pluck Them”
We are held by both Christ’s hand and the Father’s hand.
This is double security—a believer is eternally safe.
Conclusion: Resting in God’s Promise
Salvation is eternal, secure, and unbreakable because it is based on the promise of God, the power of Christ, and the greatness of the Father. If you have trusted in Christ, you can have full assurance that:
You belong to Jesus (v. 27) – You hear His voice and follow Him.
You have eternal life (v. 28) – A gift that cannot be lost.
You will never perish (v. 28) – No sin, failure, or force can take you from Christ.
You are held by God (v. 29) – Both the Son and the Father secure you.
If God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and if His promises are sure (2 Corinthians 1:20), then we can fully trust in His assurance of salvation.