Sermons on John 10:16

John 10:16 Interpretation:

The Good Shepherd: Leadership, Inclusivity, and Sacrifice (Freedom Church) offers a nuanced interpretation of John 10:16 by situating Jesus’ words within the broader biblical narrative of shepherd imagery, especially drawing on Ezekiel 34. The sermon highlights the singularity and divinity of Jesus as the one true Shepherd, connecting the “other sheep” to the Gentiles and emphasizing that the true criterion for belonging to Jesus’ flock is listening to his voice and following him, not adherence to human-made doctrinal boundaries. The preacher uses the metaphor of the “bellwether” sheep to illustrate how, while Jesus is the only true Shepherd, believers also have a secondary shepherding role, influencing others by their example. This dual identity—being both sheep and, in a limited sense, shepherds—offers a fresh angle on the passage.

Embracing God's Boundless Love and Inclusivity (Atkinson Congregational Church UCC) interprets John 10:16 as a radical statement of inclusivity, focusing on the “other sheep” as a metaphor for the vastness of God’s family, which transcends cultural, ethnic, and religious boundaries. The sermon uses the analogy of a crayon box with many colors to illustrate the beauty of diversity in God’s flock, and it challenges the congregation to expand their worldview and embrace the global, multicultural scope of Christ’s kingdom. The preacher also notes that Jesus does not specify who the “other sheep” are, leaving open the possibility of God’s grace reaching far beyond traditional Christian boundaries.

Jesus: The Door and Good Shepherd of Salvation (Westside Church) interprets John 10:16 in a straightforward but vivid way, identifying the “other sheep” as the Gentiles—those outside the Jewish fold. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus’ statement would have been shocking to his Jewish audience, as it foretold the inclusion of non-Jews into one unified flock under one Shepherd. The sermon uses personal anecdotes about sheep and shepherding to reinforce the idea that Jesus’ flock is defined not by ethnicity or background but by those who respond to his voice and enter through him.

Embracing Christ: The Good Shepherd's Abundant Life (David Guzik) provides a distinctive interpretation by distinguishing between “fold” and “flock.” The sermon argues that Jesus is not calling for all his sheep to be in one structural fold (i.e., one denomination or tradition), but rather that his flock is larger than any one fold. The preacher asserts that Jesus’ sheep are found in many different “folds” (churches, traditions, cultures), and the unity comes from all being connected to the one Shepherd, not from uniformity of structure or practice. This is a notable ecclesiological insight.

Radical Commitment to God's Mission: A Call to Action (Ligonier Ministries) offers a deeply theological and missional interpretation, reading John 10:16 as the “key missionary text” of John’s Gospel. The preacher, drawing on the Greek construction of “I must bring them also,” emphasizes the divine necessity and certainty of Christ’s mission to gather his sheep from all nations. The sermon frames the “other sheep” as the unreached peoples of the world and insists that the passage is a mandate for global missions, rooted in the doctrines of grace. The preacher’s exegesis is shaped by Calvinist theology, especially the idea of effectual calling and election, and he uses the passage to challenge hyper-Calvinistic inwardness.

Choosing Faith: The Divisive Power of Jesus (David Guzik) does not provide a paragraph-length interpretation or application of John 10:16 and should be omitted from this section.

Embracing Jesus: The Good Shepherd's Call to Unity (Suamico United Methodist Church) offers a notably expansive and speculative interpretation of John 10:16, suggesting that Jesus’ “other sheep” could refer not only to Gentiles or people outside the Jewish fold, but potentially to people groups entirely unknown to us—including, in a striking analogy, the possibility of “sheep” on other planets or among civilizations we have never encountered. The preacher emphasizes humility in the face of this mystery, warning against drawing boundaries that might exclude those whom Jesus considers his sheep, and uses the analogy of sports drafts to illustrate the radical inclusivity of Jesus’ call.

Embracing the Call: Missions and God's Sovereignty (Desiring God) provides a detailed, theologically robust interpretation of John 10:16, focusing on the sovereignty of God in salvation. The sermon unpacks the Greek context, noting that Jesus’ statement “I have other sheep” refers to Gentiles outside the Jewish fold, and that these sheep are already “his” before they respond in faith, because the Father has given them to the Son. The preacher draws out the provocative implication that being Christ’s sheep enables one to come to faith, not the other way around, and that Jesus’ voice is now heard through the proclamation of the gospel by believers. The sermon also highlights the danger of “hyper-Calvinism”—using doctrines of election to justify ingrown, exclusive attitudes—and insists that the text is a missionary mandate to reach all peoples.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (Desiring God) closely parallels the previous Desiring God sermon but adds a unique emphasis on the “double confidence” found in John 10:16: first, the assurance of personal salvation and perseverance (“you will make it to heaven”), and second, the certainty of the global success of God’s mission (“God’s worldwide saving purpose…cannot fail”). The preacher meticulously traces the logical and theological sequence of the passage, showing how the “must” and “will” statements of Jesus guarantee both individual and corporate outcomes. The sermon also draws a direct line from the text to the dangers of ethnocentrism and racism, arguing that the “other sheep” motif is a perpetual warning against exclusionary attitudes.

Embracing the Global Mission of the Church (Desiring God) interprets John 10:16 as a razor-sharp warning against ethnocentrism, racism, and nationalism within the church. The preacher insists that Jesus’ “other sheep” are not merely Gentiles but represent all ethnic groups, and that the unity of “one flock, one shepherd” is a direct challenge to any form of Christian exclusivism. The sermon is notable for its insistence that the church’s “chosen” status must never become a pretext for ingrown or exclusionary attitudes, and that the text is a perpetual call to global, multi-ethnic mission.

Embracing the Call to Global Missions (Desiring God) interprets John 10:16 as the “missionary text” of John’s Gospel, emphasizing that Jesus’ “other sheep” are Gentiles scattered among all nations. The preacher highlights the necessity (“I must bring them also”) and certainty (“they will heed my voice”) of the global mission, and draws out the implication that Jesus’ voice is now heard through the preaching of the gospel by believers. The sermon is distinctive in its detailed, step-by-step contextual analysis of the passage, and in its insistence that the sovereignty of God in salvation is the very foundation and hope of missions, not an obstacle to it.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive interpretation of John 10:16 by emphasizing the sovereign, effectual nature of Christ’s mission. The preacher highlights the Greek construction of “I must bring them” (dei, meaning “it is necessary”), arguing that Jesus’ mission to gather his sheep is a divine necessity that cannot fail. The sermon also draws out the nuance that Jesus “has” other sheep before they respond, rooted in the Father’s eternal election and gift to the Son, and that the sheep’s response is guaranteed by Christ’s sovereign call. This is not merely a call to inclusion but a declaration of Christ’s unstoppable, global, and unifying purpose, culminating in “one flock, one shepherd.” The preacher uses the analogy of “lopsided, God-dependent salvation” to stress that the initiative and completion of salvation rest entirely with God, not with human will or effort, and that this should produce both humility and boldness in believers.

Answering the Call: Urgency in Global Missions (SermonIndex.net) interprets John 10:16 as the “key missionary text” of John’s Gospel, focusing on the authority and certainty of Christ’s global mission. The preacher unpacks the passage through a Calvinistic lens, emphasizing that the “other sheep” are the elect among the nations, whom the Father has given to the Son. The phrase “I must bring them” is again highlighted as a divine necessity, and the preacher insists that being one of Christ’s sheep enables the response to his call, not vice versa. The analogy of the “capaciousness and expansiveness” of Christ’s heart is used to challenge any inward-looking, exclusive attitudes among believers, urging them to join in God’s global, boundary-breaking mission. The sermon also uses the metaphor of “secondary means”—that is, missionaries as the means by which Christ’s voice is heard among the nations, but the effectual call and gathering remain Christ’s work.

The Good Shepherd: Intimacy, Inclusion, and Abundant Life (SermonIndex.net) provides a unique interpretive angle by situating John 10:16 within the Old Testament prophetic tradition, especially Ezekiel 34 and Jeremiah 23. The preacher notes the Greek construction “I am the shepherd, the good,” emphasizing Jesus’ self-identification as the promised Messianic shepherd who would gather God’s scattered people. The analogy of sheep’s behavior—drawn from the preacher’s personal experience with sheep—serves as a metaphor for human waywardness and the need for a benevolent shepherd. The sermon also explores the intimacy of the shepherd-sheep relationship, likening it to the relationship between Jesus and the Father, and between spouses, to illustrate the depth of knowing and being known. The “other sheep” are interpreted as those outside the Jewish fold, whom Jesus will gather into one flock, fulfilling the eschatological hope of the prophets.

John 10:16 Theological Themes:

The Good Shepherd: Leadership, Inclusivity, and Sacrifice (Freedom Church) introduces the theme of the singularity and sufficiency of Jesus as the one Shepherd, tying this to the entire biblical narrative and the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. The sermon also explores the dual identity of believers as both sheep and, in a limited sense, shepherds or “bellwethers,” responsible for influencing others by their example. This dual role is a nuanced addition to the usual sheep-shepherd metaphor.

Embracing God's Boundless Love and Inclusivity (Atkinson Congregational Church UCC) presents the theme of radical inclusivity, arguing that God’s love and Christ’s kingdom are far broader than any human boundaries. The preacher challenges the congregation to resist the temptation to make the church an exclusive “club” and instead to see it as a “life-saving station” open to all, echoing the open-endedness of Jesus’ reference to “other sheep.”

Embracing Christ: The Good Shepherd's Abundant Life (David Guzik) adds the ecclesiological theme that unity in Christ’s flock does not require structural or denominational uniformity. The preacher’s distinction between “fold” and “flock” allows for diversity of traditions and practices within the one flock, as long as all are connected to the Shepherd. This is a significant theological nuance.

Radical Commitment to God's Mission: A Call to Action (Ligonier Ministries) develops the theme of the global scope of Christ’s redemptive mission, rooted in the doctrines of grace. The preacher insists that the certainty of Christ’s gathering of his sheep from all nations is both a comfort and a mandate for missionary action. The sermon also critiques hyper-Calvinism and inward-focused Christianity, urging a radical, risk-taking commitment to global missions as the true expression of Calvinist doctrine.

Embracing Jesus: The Good Shepherd's Call to Unity (Suamico United Methodist Church) introduces the unusual theological theme of radical humility and openness regarding the identity of Jesus’ “other sheep,” suggesting that Christians must be careful not to exclude those whom Jesus may be calling, even if they do not fit traditional categories. The sermon speculates that God’s redemptive reach could extend far beyond known boundaries, and that the church must resist the temptation to define the limits of God’s flock.

Embracing the Call: Missions and God's Sovereignty (Desiring God) presents a nuanced theological theme: the sovereignty of God in election and salvation is not a reason for passivity or exclusivism, but the very engine of missions. The preacher warns against “hyper-Calvinism,” which uses doctrines of election to justify ingrown, non-evangelistic attitudes, and insists that the certainty of God’s purpose should produce bold, global outreach. The sermon also explores the paradox that being Christ’s sheep enables faith, rather than faith making one a sheep.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (Desiring God) adds a new facet by articulating a “double confidence” for believers: the unshakable assurance of personal salvation and the guaranteed success of God’s global mission. The sermon connects these two confidences, arguing that the certainty of God’s purpose should produce both personal security and bold, risk-taking mission. It also highlights the danger of ethnocentrism and racism, insisting that the “other sheep” motif is a perpetual corrective to exclusionary attitudes.

Embracing the Global Mission of the Church (Desiring God) uniquely emphasizes the theme that the church’s “chosen” status must never become a pretext for ethnocentrism, racism, or nationalism. The preacher uses John 10:16 as a direct challenge to any form of Christian exclusivism, arguing that the unity of “one flock, one shepherd” is a call to global, multi-ethnic mission and humility.

Embracing the Call to Global Missions (Desiring God) develops the theme that the sovereignty of God in salvation is the foundation and hope of missions, not an obstacle. The preacher insists that predestination and election should produce confidence and perseverance in mission, not passivity, and that the certainty of God’s purpose guarantees the fruitfulness of gospel proclamation among all peoples.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme of “double confidence”: first, the unshakable assurance of the believer’s salvation rooted in Christ’s sovereign, effectual call (“I must bring them”); and second, the certainty of the global, multi-ethnic mission’s success (“there will be one flock and one shepherd”). The sermon adds a nuanced warning against ethnocentrism, racism, and nationalism, arguing that the doctrine of election and Christ’s global purpose should produce radical humility and inclusivity, not pride or exclusion. The preacher also draws a direct line from the doctrine of election to the imperative of global missions, insisting that the certainty of God’s purpose is the foundation for bold, risk-taking missionary engagement.

Answering the Call: Urgency in Global Missions (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that the doctrines of grace (TULIP) are inherently missionary, not merely doctrinal. The preacher insists that unconditional election and definite atonement demand indiscriminate proclamation of the gospel to all peoples, and that irresistible grace and perseverance guarantee the success of the mission. The sermon uniquely frames hyper-Calvinism as a distortion of these truths, warning against inward, clique-defining attitudes and urging believers to embrace the “bigness” of God’s heart for all nations. The preacher also introduces the idea that the “sweetest promises of Christ” are experienced most deeply by risk-taking, sacrificial missionaries, not by those who seek comfort and security.

The Good Shepherd: Intimacy, Inclusion, and Abundant Life (SermonIndex.net) develops the theme of intimacy between the shepherd and the sheep, paralleling it with the intimacy between Jesus and the Father. The sermon adds the facet that the “other sheep” are not just Gentiles in a generic sense, but the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the regathering and unification of God’s people under the Messianic shepherd. The preacher also explores the idea that the shepherd’s voice is heard through multiple means—Scripture, conscience, community, creation—and that true sheep are marked by their responsiveness to the shepherd’s ongoing communication.

John 10:16 Historical and Contextual Insights:

The Good Shepherd: Leadership, Inclusivity, and Sacrifice (Freedom Church) provides extensive historical context by connecting John 10:16 to Ezekiel 34, explaining the prophetic background of the shepherd imagery and the critique of failed human leadership in Israel. The preacher clarifies that Jesus’ claim to be the Good Shepherd is a direct fulfillment of God’s promise to shepherd his people himself, and that the reference to “one Shepherd” in Ezekiel is a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus. The sermon also explains the cultural significance of shepherds, sheep, and the “bellwether” in ancient and modern contexts.

Jesus: The Door and Good Shepherd of Salvation (Westside Church) offers contextual insight by explaining the social and religious dynamics between Jews and Gentiles in Jesus’ time, highlighting how radical it was for Jesus to speak of “other sheep” outside the Jewish fold. The preacher also provides practical context by describing real-life shepherding practices and the behavior of sheep, making the biblical metaphor more accessible.

Radical Commitment to God's Mission: A Call to Action (Ligonier Ministries) gives a detailed historical overview of the missionary movement, referencing the expansion of the church from the early Puritans to modern missions, and situating John 10:16 as a recurring call to break out of ethnocentric or denominational boundaries. The preacher also explains the Greek construction of “I must bring them also” as a statement of divine necessity, and references the historical development of the concept of “peoples” or “nations” in missions strategy.

Embracing Jesus: The Good Shepherd's Call to Unity (Suamico United Methodist Church) provides a detailed explanation of the Jewish reverence for the divine name “I AM” (YHWH/Yahweh), connecting Jesus’ “I am” statements in John to the Old Testament revelation of God’s personal name to Moses. The sermon explains how the use of “I am” by Jesus would have been understood as a claim to divinity, and how this context shapes the meaning of the Good Shepherd discourse.

Embracing the Call: Missions and God's Sovereignty (Desiring God) offers a rich historical overview of the modern missionary movement, highlighting figures such as William Carey, Thomas Chalmers, and John Elliott. The preacher explains how early missionaries were driven by deep theological convictions about God’s sovereignty and the global scope of redemption, and how these convictions produced bold, sacrificial mission. The sermon also recounts the rise of “hyper-Calvinism” and its negative impact on missions, as well as the subsequent recovery of a robust, global vision.

Embracing the Call to Global Missions (Desiring God) provides historical examples of missionary pioneers (William Carey, John Elliott, David Livingstone, Hudson Taylor, Cameron Townsend, Ralph Winter) who were motivated by the conviction that God has “other sheep” among all peoples. The preacher traces the development of missions from a focus on geographic “fields” to a focus on ethno-linguistic “peoples,” and explains how this shift was driven by a deeper understanding of the biblical mandate.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (Desiring God) recounts the story of Peter Cameron Scott, founder of Africa Inland Mission, who was inspired by John 10:16 inscribed on David Livingstone’s grave. The sermon also references the missionary awakenings among the Algonquin, Housatonic, and Delaware peoples, and the shift in the 20th century from geopolitical to ethno-linguistic definitions of mission fields.

The Good Shepherd: Intimacy, Inclusion, and Abundant Life (SermonIndex.net) provides extensive historical and cultural context by tracing the shepherd imagery in John 10:16 back to Ezekiel 34 and Jeremiah 23. The preacher explains that in the Old Testament, “shepherds” referred to Israel’s leaders—kings, priests, and prophets—who had failed in their duty, leading to Israel’s exile and scattering. The promise of a future, righteous shepherd (the “righteous branch” from David’s line) is interpreted as a Messianic prophecy, which Jesus explicitly claims to fulfill in John 10. The sermon details the cultural practice of shepherding in the Middle East, where shepherds know their sheep individually and lead them by voice, not by force, reinforcing the relational and communal aspects of Jesus’ claim.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (SermonIndex.net) offers historical insight by referencing the deep-seated Jewish-Gentile divide in Jesus’ day, noting that Gentiles were considered unclean and excluded from the covenant community. The preacher situates Jesus’ statement as a “razor-sharp warning” against ethnocentrism, highlighting the radical inclusivity of the gospel in a context of entrenched ethnic and religious boundaries. The sermon also references historical failures of the church—such as complicity in racism and nationalism—to illustrate the ongoing relevance of Jesus’ warning.

Answering the Call: Urgency in Global Missions (SermonIndex.net) provides contextual insight by explaining the missionary implications of the term “nations” (ethne) in the Bible, arguing that it refers to people groups, not modern political entities. The preacher traces the history of missions from the early Puritans to the modern era, showing how each generation has been challenged to look beyond its own “fold” to the unreached peoples of the world. The sermon also references the development of mission strategy in response to the recognition of thousands of unreached people groups, emphasizing the ongoing, unfinished nature of the Great Commission.

John 10:16 Cross-References in the Bible:

The Good Shepherd: Leadership, Inclusivity, and Sacrifice (Freedom Church) cross-references Ezekiel 34, drawing parallels between God’s promise to shepherd his people and Jesus’ claim in John 10. The preacher also references Colossians 1:15 to emphasize Jesus’ pre-existence and divinity, Revelation 7:17 to illustrate the eschatological fulfillment of the shepherd motif, and Luke 4:18 to connect Jesus’ mission to the prophetic mandate of healing and restoration. Philippians 2:5-8 is cited to model Christ’s self-sacrificial leadership, and Psalm 23 is used as a meditative affirmation of the Shepherd’s care.

Jesus: The Door and Good Shepherd of Salvation (Westside Church) references Matthew 7:15-20 to warn against false prophets (“wolves in sheep’s clothing”), and Matthew 6:24 to illustrate the impossibility of serving two masters. The preacher also alludes to Romans 10:9-10 in the call to confess and believe in Jesus for salvation.

Radical Commitment to God's Mission: A Call to Action (Ligonier Ministries) references Romans 15:18-20 to discuss Paul’s missionary strategy, Revelation 5:9 to support the doctrine of Christ’s atonement for people from every tribe and nation, John 6:37 and John 17:6 to explain the doctrine of election and effectual calling, John 11:51-52 to show the gathering of God’s children from all nations, and Acts 18 (Paul’s vision in Corinth) as a parallel to John 10:16’s assurance of “other sheep.” The preacher also cites Matthew 24:14 and John 20:21 to reinforce the missionary mandate.

Embracing Jesus: The Good Shepherd's Call to Unity (Suamico United Methodist Church) references Exodus 3 (God’s revelation of the divine name “I AM” to Moses), John 8:58 (“before Abraham was, I am”), and John 14:8-9 (Jesus’ unity with the Father), using these passages to support the claim that Jesus’ “I am” statements are claims to divinity and to reinforce the radical inclusivity of his call.

Embracing the Call: Missions and God's Sovereignty (Desiring God) references John 17:6 and John 6:37 to support the idea that the Father has given a people to the Son, who then calls them to himself. The sermon also cites Acts 18:9-10 (God’s assurance to Paul in Corinth: “I have many people in this city”), John 11:51-52 (Caiaphas’ prophecy about gathering the children of God scattered abroad), Matthew 28:18-20 (the Great Commission), Matthew 9:38 (prayer for laborers), Romans 8:30 (the “golden chain” of salvation), and Acts 13:46-48 (Gentiles appointed to eternal life believe), weaving these texts together to build a comprehensive theology of mission and assurance.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (Desiring God) references John 17:6, John 6:37, John 20:21, John 17:20, John 11:51-52, and Revelation 5:9, using these passages to support the themes of election, mission, and the global scope of redemption. The sermon also draws on Romans 8:30 to articulate the assurance of salvation.

Embracing the Global Mission of the Church (Desiring God) references John 11:51-52 (Caiaphas’ prophecy about gathering the children of God scattered abroad) to support the interpretation that Jesus’ “other sheep” are from all ethnic groups, and that the unity of the flock is a global, multi-ethnic reality.

Embracing the Call to Global Missions (Desiring God) references John 17:6, John 6:37, John 11:51-52, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 9:38, Romans 8:30, and Acts 18:9-10, integrating these texts to support the sovereignty of God in mission and the certainty of the global harvest.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (SermonIndex.net) references several passages to support and expand on John 10:16. John 17:6 and John 6:37 are cited to explain how the Father gives the sheep to the Son before they respond, grounding the interpretation in the doctrine of election. John 20:21 and 17:20 are used to show that Jesus continues to call his sheep through the preaching of the Word, and that the mission is ongoing through his followers. Romans 8:30-31 is invoked to draw a parallel with the “golden chain” of salvation, emphasizing the unbreakable link between election, calling, justification, and glorification. John 11:51-52 is used to show that Jesus’ death was for the purpose of gathering God’s children from all nations, and Revelation 5:9 is cited to confirm that Christ’s blood ransomed people from every tribe, language, people, and nation, culminating in one unified flock.

Answering the Call: Urgency in Global Missions (SermonIndex.net) also references John 17:6 and John 6:37 to explain the relationship between the Father’s election and the Son’s calling. John 11:51-52 is cited to show that Jesus’ death was for the gathering of God’s scattered children, paralleling the “other sheep” of John 10:16. Revelation 5:9 is used to demonstrate that Christ’s atonement was effectual for people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Acts 18 is referenced as an example of Christ’s promise to Paul that he has “many people in this city,” paralleling the assurance of “other sheep” yet to be gathered. Matthew 24:14 is cited to connect the perseverance of the saints with the completion of the Great Commission.

The Good Shepherd: Intimacy, Inclusion, and Abundant Life (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Ezekiel 34 and Jeremiah 23 to provide the Old Testament background for Jesus’ claim to be the “good shepherd.” Isaiah 53 is mentioned to illustrate the sheep-like waywardness of humanity. 1 Corinthians 13 is referenced to discuss the future fullness of knowing Christ, and 2 Peter 3:18 is cited to encourage growth in the knowledge of Christ. The sermon also alludes to John 1 and 2 in discussing Jesus’ knowledge of individuals, and to the calling of the disciples (“follow me”) as an example of the shepherd’s voice.

John 10:16 Christian References outside the Bible:

Radical Commitment to God's Mission: A Call to Action (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references historical Christian figures and missionary pioneers to illustrate the ongoing relevance of John 10:16. The preacher mentions John Eliot, David Brainerd, William Carey, Hudson Taylor, David Livingstone, and Cameron Townsend as examples of those who responded to the call to reach “other sheep” beyond their own cultural or denominational fold. The sermon also references Ruth Tucker’s book “From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya” and the inscription on David Livingstone’s tomb (“Other sheep I have that are not of this fold, them also I must bring”) as a source of missionary inspiration. The preacher further alludes to John Alexander’s testimony at Urbana 1967, highlighting the shift from skepticism to conviction about predestination as a motivation for missions.

Embracing the Call: Missions and God's Sovereignty (Desiring God) explicitly references several historical Christian figures and works: Thomas Chalmers and his sermon “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection,” William Carey and his missionary work in India, John Roxborough and Stuart Pidgeon’s book “The St. Andrews 7,” Jonathan Edwards as the theological force behind the missionary movement, and Andrew Fuller’s rebuttal of hyper-Calvinism in “The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptance.” The sermon also mentions David Livingstone, Adoniram Judson, Alexander Duff, John Patton, Hudson Taylor, Cameron Townsend, and Ralph Winter as examples of missionary pioneers motivated by the vision of John 10:16. The preacher quotes William Carey’s response to a Brahmin’s question about the lateness of the gospel’s arrival in India, illustrating the theological depth and boldness of early missionaries.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (Desiring God) references Peter Cameron Scott, founder of Africa Inland Mission, and David Livingstone, whose grave inscription of John 10:16 inspired Scott’s perseverance in mission. The sermon also mentions John Elliott, David Brainerd, William Carey, Hudson Taylor, Cameron Townsend, and Ralph Winter as historical examples of those awakened to the global scope of God’s mission.

Assurance and Mission: Embracing God's Global Purpose (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references historical missionaries and mission leaders as illustrations of John 10:16’s impact. The story of Peter Cameron Scott, founder of Africa Inland Mission, is recounted in detail: Scott was inspired to return to Africa after reading the inscription of John 10:16 on David Livingstone’s grave in Westminster Abbey. The sermon also mentions John Eliot (missionary to the Algonquin), David Brainerd (to the Housatonic and Delaware), William Carey (to India), Hudson Taylor (to inland China), Cameron Townsend, and Ralph Winter (who highlighted the existence of thousands of unreached people groups). These figures are used to demonstrate how the conviction of “other sheep” has repeatedly propelled the church outward in mission.

Answering the Call: Urgency in Global Missions (SermonIndex.net) also references Peter Cameron Scott and the inspiration he drew from David Livingstone’s grave and John 10:16. The preacher cites Ruth Tucker’s “From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya” as the source for Scott’s story. John Eliot, David Brainerd, William Carey, Hudson Taylor, Cameron Townsend, and Ralph Winter are again mentioned as examples of those who responded to the call to reach the “other sheep” beyond their own cultural and denominational boundaries. The sermon also references John Alexander, a missionary who testified to the necessity of belief in predestination for perseverance in missions.

John 10:16 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

The Good Shepherd: Leadership, Inclusivity, and Sacrifice (Freedom Church) uses the analogy of a “bellwether” sheep from real-life shepherding to illustrate how sheep can lead other sheep, reinforcing the idea that believers, while primarily followers, also have a leadership role by example. The preacher also shares a personal story about playing volleyball and being recognized as a Christian by teammates, illustrating the influence believers have in secular settings.

Embracing God's Boundless Love and Inclusivity (Atkinson Congregational Church UCC) employs the analogy of a crayon box with many colors to illustrate the beauty of diversity in God’s family, making the point accessible to children and adults alike. The preacher also uses the Olympic Games as a metaphor for the global, multicultural scope of God’s kingdom, describing the diversity of athletes and fans as a “snapshot of God’s reign.” Additionally, the sermon tells the story of a life-saving station on the coast of Maine, which over time became an exclusive club, as a cautionary tale against the church becoming insular and losing its mission to rescue the lost. The preacher also references a wood carving of the Last Supper from the Congo, where Jesus is depicted as a tribal chief, to illustrate how different cultures envision Jesus in their own image.

Jesus: The Door and Good Shepherd of Salvation (Westside Church) shares a personal story about the preacher’s grandfather, a sheep farmer, whose sheep would only respond to his voice, not to the preacher’s imitation. This real-life example is used to illustrate Jesus’ teaching that his sheep know his voice and will not follow a stranger. The preacher also recounts a story about wolves luring dogs away as an analogy for false prophets and spiritual danger within the church.

Embracing Jesus: The Good Shepherd's Call to Unity (Suamico United Methodist Church) uses several detailed secular analogies to illustrate John 10:16. The preacher draws on the NFL Draft and sports team selection as a metaphor for Jesus’ inclusive call, suggesting that unlike the experience of rejection common in sports drafts, job applications, and dating apps (especially among Gen Z), Jesus’ “draft” is radically inclusive—no one is rejected, and every sheep is chosen and given a role. The sermon also references March Madness and the experience of being “drafted” to play on Jesus’ team, using the language of sports coaching to depict Jesus as the ultimate head coach who deploys each believer according to their unique gifts. These analogies are used to underscore the themes of acceptance, belonging, and purpose in Christ’s flock.

The Good Shepherd: Intimacy, Inclusion, and Abundant Life (SermonIndex.net) uses several secular analogies to illustrate John 10:16. The preacher recounts his personal experience with sheep on a farm in England, describing in detail how sheep ignore the safety and provision of their shepherd, constantly seeking to escape through hedges and endangering themselves—an analogy for human waywardness and distrust of God’s boundaries. He also tells a story about being invited to tea with the Queen of England, using the strict protocols and expectations of such an invitation as a metaphor for the nature of Christ’s call: it is both an invitation and a summons, and it is on the King’s terms, not ours. Additionally, the preacher shares an anecdote about a premature baby in a neonatal unit who recognizes her mother’s voice, illustrating the intimacy and recognition between the shepherd and his sheep. The poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (“Earth’s crammed with heaven…”) is quoted to illustrate the idea that God speaks through creation, but only those attuned to his voice recognize it.