Sermons on John 10:27-29

John 10:27-29 Interpretation:

Assurance in the Final Perseverance of the Saints (MLJTrust) interprets John 10:27-29 as a foundational, unambiguous "proof text" for the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints, meaning that true believers will never ultimately fall away or be lost. The sermon emphasizes the explicitness of Jesus' words—"they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand"—as a guarantee from Christ himself. The preacher distinguishes between those who only appear to be Christians and those who truly are, using the analogy of the "washed sow" (pig) and the "dog returning to its vomit" to show that surface-level change does not equate to a change in nature. The sermon also provides a unique linguistic insight by referencing the Greek word "despotis" in 2 Peter 2:1, arguing that it refers to God the Father rather than Christ, and thus, the "bought" language does not contradict the security promised in John 10. The preacher insists on interpreting difficult passages in light of clear ones like John 10:27-29, and uses detailed exegesis and cross-referencing to reinforce this.

Assurance of Salvation: The Promise of the Good Shepherd (Open the Bible) interprets John 10:27-29 as a direct promise from Jesus that his true sheep will never perish and that he never loses any of his own. The sermon offers a notable insight by applying this to the case of Peter, who denied Christ but was restored, arguing that true sheep may wander but will inevitably return. The preacher also addresses the debate over Hebrews 6, insisting that John 10:27-29 must shape our understanding of passages that seem to suggest believers can lose salvation, and that spiritual experience is not always saving experience.

The Good Shepherd: Hearing His Voice and Following (FBC Benbrook) interprets John 10:27-29 within the broader context of Jesus' "I am the Good Shepherd" discourse, drawing a detailed analogy to first-century sheep pens and the relationship between shepherd and sheep. The sermon uniquely emphasizes the process: the Father gives the sheep to the Son, the Son calls them by name, they hear his voice, and follow him, leading to abundant and eternal life. The preacher highlights the security of the sheep in the hands of both the Father and the Son, and applies this to the assurance of salvation. The sermon also draws a distinction between the "surface-level" understanding of abundant life and the deeper, richer picture Jesus paints in John 10.

Embracing God's Relentless Pursuit of Love (THE HUB Underwood) interprets John 10:27-29 as a demonstration of the all-powerful, permanent, and everlasting nature of God's love. The sermon uses the passage to contrast "fake love" (temporary, conditional, or surface-level) with God's "real love," which is unbreakable and secure. The preacher uses the metaphor of "no one can snatch them out of my hand" to illustrate the permanence and security of God's love relationship with believers, emphasizing that nothing can separate us from God's love.

Jesus: The Good Shepherd and Door to Abundant Life (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) offers a multi-layered interpretation of John 10:27-29, emphasizing the unique intimacy between the shepherd (Jesus) and his sheep. Begg highlights the Greek word "kalos" for "good" in "Good Shepherd," noting it means attractive or beautiful, not just morally upright, and contrasts it with "agathos," which is more about intrinsic goodness. He draws out the metaphor of the sheep's security not being in the walls of the sheepfold but in their proximity to the shepherd, thus shifting the focus from external religious structures to relational closeness with Christ. Begg also uses the analogy of the shepherd knowing each sheep by name, paralleling the personal knowledge and calling of each believer, and he connects this to the predestined love and pursuit of the shepherd for his sheep, even before they are aware of it. He further distinguishes between the hired hand and the true shepherd, emphasizing the voluntary, sacrificial nature of Christ's care. The sermon also explores the idea that eternal life is not merely endless duration but an intensification and transformation of present experience, using vivid analogies of falling in love or being awestruck by nature to illustrate the qualitative difference of life in Christ.

Embracing God's Promises for an Authentic Relationship (Desiring God) interprets John 10:27-29 as a deeply personal promise of God's unbreakable hold on the believer. The sermon uniquely frames the passage as a direct, spoken assurance from God to the individual, inviting listeners to hear the "very voice of God" in the words of Jesus. The preacher, John Piper, emphasizes the experiential aspect of the promise, encouraging listeners to internalize the security and joy of being held by Christ and the Father, and to see this as the foundation for authentic faith and assurance, especially for those struggling with doubt or a sense of outsider-ness.

Finding Peace and Confidence Amid Life's Storms (SermonIndex.net) interprets John 10:27-29 as a source of unshakeable security and peace for believers facing life's storms. The preacher uses the metaphor of turbulence in an airplane to illustrate that, while believers may experience trials and instability, they remain firmly in God's hand, and nothing can remove them from his grasp. The passage is presented as a divine guarantee, rooted in the authority and greatness of God, that transcends circumstances and provides a basis for confidence and praise even in adversity.

John 10:27-29 Theological Themes:

Assurance in the Final Perseverance of the Saints (MLJTrust) presents the theme of the absolute security of the believer, arguing that John 10:27-29 is a foundational text for the doctrine of perseverance. The sermon adds a nuanced angle by insisting that all ambiguous or difficult passages must be interpreted in light of this clear promise, and that apparent "falling away" is evidence of a lack of true regeneration, not a loss of salvation. The preacher also introduces the idea that the Greek terminology in related passages (e.g., "despotis" vs. "kurios") is crucial for correct doctrinal understanding.

Assurance of Salvation: The Promise of the Good Shepherd (Open the Bible) introduces the theme that true faith is enduring and that those who are truly Christ's sheep will inevitably return if they wander. The sermon adds the facet that spiritual experiences can be mistaken for saving faith, and that John 10:27-29 provides the necessary lens for distinguishing between the two.

The Good Shepherd: Hearing His Voice and Following (FBC Benbrook) develops the theme of the Trinitarian work in salvation: the Father gives, the Son calls, and the sheep respond. The sermon also uniquely applies the passage to missions and evangelism, noting that Jesus still has "other sheep" to bring in, and that the security of the sheep is not just for the present flock but extends to all whom the Father will give. The preacher also explores the practical outworking of hearing and following the Shepherd's voice in daily life, making assurance not just a doctrine but a lived experience.

Embracing God's Relentless Pursuit of Love (THE HUB Underwood) presents the theme of God's love as fundamentally different from worldly or "fake" love, emphasizing its permanence, power, and pursuit. The sermon adds the angle that the security described in John 10:27-29 is an expression of God's relentless pursuit and unbreakable relationship with his people.

Jesus: The Good Shepherd and Door to Abundant Life (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) introduces the theme that the believer's security is not found in the strength of their own faith or in religious observance, but in the "indestructibility of the one in whom we have placed our faith." This sermon also explores the theological intimacy between Christ and the believer, paralleling it with the intimacy between the Father and the Son, and asserts that the shepherd's knowledge and pursuit of the sheep is rooted in eternal, predestined love, not in the sheep's prior response or merit. Additionally, Begg presents the idea that eternal life is a present, transformative reality, not just a future hope, and that the abundant life Jesus offers is characterized by joy, freedom, and a deep sense of belonging.

Embracing God's Promises for an Authentic Relationship (Desiring God) adds the distinct theme that the promise of being held by Christ and the Father is not only a doctrinal truth but a personal, experiential reality meant to be internalized and savored. Piper emphasizes that assurance of salvation and perseverance is grounded in God's initiative and faithfulness, not in the believer's feelings or performance, and that this security is meant to foster joy, confidence, and a sense of being personally addressed and cherished by God.

Finding Peace and Confidence Amid Life's Storms (SermonIndex.net) brings a fresh application by connecting the security of John 10:27-29 to the believer's ability to praise and trust God amid real-life adversity. The preacher encourages believers to "shout God's promises back to him" as an act of faith, not because circumstances are easy, but because God's word and character are unchanging. This theme links the doctrine of eternal security to practical resilience and worship in the midst of trials.

John 10:27-29 Historical and Contextual Insights:

The Good Shepherd: Hearing His Voice and Following (FBC Benbrook) provides detailed historical context about first-century Jewish life, explaining the communal sheep pens, the role of the watchman, and the practice of shepherds calling their sheep by name. This background illuminates Jesus' metaphor in John 10, making the imagery of the sheep recognizing the shepherd's voice and following him more vivid and culturally grounded. The sermon also references the Old Testament context of Ezekiel 34, where God condemns the "worthless shepherds" of Israel and promises to be the true shepherd himself, connecting Jesus' claim to be the Good Shepherd with messianic prophecy and the failures of Israel's leaders.

Jesus: The Good Shepherd and Door to Abundant Life (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) provides historical context by explaining that the metaphor of the shepherd and sheepfold would have been immediately recognizable to Jesus' audience, who were familiar with the dangers faced by sheep and the responsibilities of shepherds in first-century Palestine. Begg notes that the death of a shepherd for his sheep was rare and usually accidental, making Jesus' voluntary, sacrificial death for his flock all the more striking. He also situates Jesus' critique of "thieves and robbers" within the context of false prophets and failed religious leaders of Israel, particularly the Pharisees, who were seen as neglectful or self-serving shepherds. The sermon further clarifies that the original audience would not have had chapter breaks, and that the dialogue flows from the healing of the blind man in John 9, with spiritual blindness as a key backdrop.

John 10:27-29 Cross-References in the Bible:

Assurance in the Final Perseverance of the Saints (MLJTrust) references several passages to support the interpretation of John 10:27-29, including John 17:11-12 (Jesus' high priestly prayer affirming he has kept all given to him except the "son of perdition"), 1 Corinthians 2:14 (the natural man cannot receive spiritual things), Ephesians 2:1-3 (spiritual deadness and regeneration), 1 Peter 1:3-5 (believers kept by God's power), and 1 John 5:18-19 (the evil one cannot touch those born of God). The sermon also cross-references 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Timothy 2:15-19, 1 Timothy 1:19-20, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 1 John 2:18-19, and Hebrews 6 and 10, using each to show that apparent apostasy is not a loss of true salvation but evidence of a lack of genuine regeneration. The preacher also draws on Deuteronomy 32:6 to explain the "bought" language in 2 Peter 2:1, arguing that it refers to temporal deliverance rather than redemptive purchase.

Assurance of Salvation: The Promise of the Good Shepherd (Open the Bible) cross-references Hebrews 6, arguing that it must be interpreted in light of John 10:27-29, and that the warning passages do not contradict the promise that Christ's sheep will never perish. The sermon also references the story of Peter's denial and restoration as a biblical example of a true sheep who wandered but returned.

The Good Shepherd: Hearing His Voice and Following (FBC Benbrook) cross-references Ezekiel 34, showing how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of God himself becoming the shepherd of his people and condemning the "worthless shepherds." The sermon also references Psalm 23, Isaiah 40, Romans 8 (foreknowledge and predestination), Psalm 139 (God's intimate knowledge of his people), and Revelation (the vision of people from every tribe and tongue). The preacher uses these passages to expand on the themes of security, calling, and the global scope of Christ's flock.

Jesus: The Good Shepherd and Door to Abundant Life (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) references several passages to expand on John 10:27-29: Luke's parable of the narrow door (Luke 13:24) to reinforce the exclusivity of Christ as the only way to God; Acts' mention of the "door of faith" opened to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27) to illustrate the universality of the gospel; John 14:6 ("I am the way, the truth, and the life") to connect the door metaphor to Jesus' unique mediatorship; John 4 (the woman at the well) and the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19) to exemplify Jesus' personal pursuit of individual "sheep"; John 17 (Jesus' high priestly prayer) to highlight the intimacy between the Father and the Son and its parallel in the shepherd-sheep relationship; and Revelation 7 to point to the ultimate unity of the one flock. The sermon also alludes to Hebrews 9:27 ("it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this comes judgment") to underscore the urgency of entering through the "door."

Embracing God's Promises for an Authentic Relationship (Desiring God) weaves together John 10:27-29 with several other passages: Romans 8:32 to emphasize God's generosity and faithfulness; 2 Corinthians 1:20 to assert that all God's promises are secured in Christ; Isaiah 41:10 to personalize God's sustaining presence; Jeremiah 32:40 to highlight God's joyful commitment to do good to his people; John 1:12 to explain becoming God's children by receiving Christ; Jude 1:24 to celebrate God's power to keep believers from falling; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 to assure believers of salvation and not wrath; John 15:15 to stress friendship with Christ; and Matthew 28:20 to affirm Christ's perpetual presence. Each cross-reference is used to reinforce the security, joy, and relational depth promised in John 10:27-29.

Finding Peace and Confidence Amid Life's Storms (SermonIndex.net) connects John 10:27-29 with Psalm 95, using the imagery of God's people as "the sheep of his hand" to root the New Testament promise in Old Testament worship and trust. The sermon also references Deuteronomy 32 to ascribe greatness to God as the rock and foundation of security, and Acts 4 to illustrate the early church's confidence in God's sovereignty amid threats. These cross-references are used to build a cumulative case for God's faithfulness and the believer's security in his hand.

John 10:27-29 Christian References outside the Bible:

Assurance in the Final Perseverance of the Saints (MLJTrust) explicitly references Dr. John Gill, an 18th-century Baptist theologian, and his book "The Cause of God and Truth." The preacher explains how Gill addresses objections to the doctrine of perseverance, particularly in relation to 2 Peter 2:1, and details Gill's argument that the Greek word "despotis" refers to God the Father, not Christ, and that the "bought" language is about temporal deliverance, not redemptive purchase. The sermon also references the interpretive traditions of the Protestant Reformers and Puritans, emphasizing their use of "proof texts" and their principles of biblical interpretation.

Embracing God's Relentless Pursuit of Love (THE HUB Underwood) quotes Henry Blackaby, who says, "To firmly anchor your relationship with God and to know his will you must first be absolutely convinced of God's love for you," using this to reinforce the application of John 10:27-29 as a foundation for assurance in God's love.

Jesus: The Good Shepherd and Door to Abundant Life (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) explicitly references Richard Baxter, the Puritan pastor, who warned clergy against offering spiritual bread to others without having partaken themselves, using this as an analogy for entering through the "door" of Christ personally before leading others. Begg also cites the hymn "My Jesus, I Love Thee" and attributes a theological insight to Sinclair Ferguson regarding the Father's love for the Son at the cross. Additionally, he quotes a line from a hymn about the ransomed sheep and references the Puritan tradition more broadly in discussing the shepherd's pursuit of the lost.

John 10:27-29 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Embracing God's Relentless Pursuit of Love (THE HUB Underwood) uses several secular analogies to illustrate the difference between "fake love" and God's real love as described in John 10:27-29. The preacher references counterfeit goods, such as "dupe" Lululemon sweatshirts and fake Rolex watches sold in New York City, to show how knockoffs may satisfy temporarily but lack the authenticity and lasting value of the real thing. The sermon also humorously recounts a personal story about Little Debbie cherry pies, using the fleeting satisfaction of a favorite snack as a metaphor for the temporary nature of worldly love compared to the permanence of God's love. The analogy of "dupes" and knockoffs is used to highlight the security and authenticity of God's love, as expressed in the promise that no one can snatch believers out of his hand.

Jesus: The Good Shepherd and Door to Abundant Life (Alistair Begg, Truth For Life) uses several secular illustrations to illuminate John 10:27-29. He references C.S. Lewis's "The Silver Chair," specifically the scene where Jill is told by Aslan that "there is no other stream," to illustrate the exclusivity of Christ as the only way to God. Begg also draws on the experience of standing in awe at natural wonders like the Alps, the Rockies, or the Grand Canyon to convey the intensification of life that comes with eternal life in Christ. He recounts a story from a medical chart where a Christian patient was described as "inappropriately joyful" during cancer treatment, using this as an example of the abundant life and security found in Christ. Additionally, he mentions reading detective novels and a character's reflection on regret and the fleeting nature of life, contrasting this with the security and purpose found in Christ. Finally, he shares a personal anecdote about feeling insecure as a new student, likening it to the universal human longing for belonging and security that is ultimately met in Christ the Shepherd.