Sermons on John 10:28-29
The various sermons below converge on the central theme of the believer’s security in Christ as vividly portrayed in John 10:28-29, emphasizing God’s protective and possessive care. They commonly use the metaphor of God’s hand as an unbreakable grip, underscoring the permanence and intimacy of divine protection. Several sermons creatively connect this passage to Old Testament imagery, such as the shepherd’s rod and staff from Psalm 23, highlighting God’s dual role as both protector and owner of His people. Others emphasize the legal and familial dimensions of this security, framing believers as irrevocable heirs whose inheritance is safeguarded by God’s omnipotence. A notable nuance is the use of metaphors ranging from a professional football player’s handshake to the double grip of the Father and Son, each illustrating the unassailable nature of God’s hold. Additionally, the sermons collectively affirm that this security is not based on human effort but on God’s active preservation, whether through the Spirit’s sealing, Christ’s intercession, or the sovereign election and giving of the Father.
Despite these shared convictions, the sermons diverge in their theological emphases and pastoral applications. Some focus on the experiential and pastoral comfort found in God’s intimate possession and correction during life’s trials, while others stress the legal and eschatological assurance rooted in resurrection power and inheritance rights. One sermon uniquely balances the passage’s assurance with other New Testament warnings, advocating a nuanced pastoral approach that comforts the fearful yet exhorts the complacent. Another sermon highlights the commercial metaphor of the Spirit’s “earnest” as a guarantee of completion, emphasizing ongoing divine faithfulness rather than a static status. Meanwhile, a distinct predestinarian reading frames the security of the sheep as a direct consequence of the Father’s sovereign election and giving, interpreting unbelief as evidence of not being among the given, thus shifting the focus from human response to divine initiative. This spectrum of interpretations offers a range of angles—from intimate pastoral care to rigorous theological sovereignty—that can shape how one preaches this passage.
John 10:28-29 Interpretation:
Walking Through Life's Valleys with God's Presence (City Church Georgetown) offers a vivid and unique interpretation of John 10:28-29 by connecting the passage to the shepherd’s rod and staff in Psalm 23. The sermon uses the analogy of the shepherd’s rod as both a weapon for protection and a tool for counting and possessing the sheep, emphasizing that God’s “big hands” envelop and secure believers, making them his treasured possession. The preacher draws a parallel between the physical strength and security of a professional football player’s handshake and the far greater, all-encompassing grip of God, illustrating that no one can pry believers from God’s grasp. This metaphor is extended to highlight the comfort and assurance found in being “counted” and “possessed” by God, reinforcing the permanence and intimacy of divine protection. The sermon also notes that Jesus’ words in John 10:28-29 echo the shepherd’s role in both protecting and claiming ownership over the sheep, deepening the sense of security and belonging.
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) interprets John 10:28-29 as an absolute guarantee of the believer’s security, emphasizing the “absolute” nature of Jesus’ promise that no one can pluck his followers from his or the Father’s hand. The sermon uniquely frames this security within the broader context of inheritance, arguing that both internal weaknesses and external threats (including the devil and worldly powers) are powerless to rob believers of their inheritance because of God’s omnipotent grip. The preacher highlights the Greek verb for “snatch” (harpazo), underscoring its forceful, violent connotation, and stresses that not even the most aggressive adversary can succeed against God’s hold. The analogy of “moth and rust” from Matthew 6 is used to contrast the perishable nature of earthly treasures with the incorruptible, unassailable security of the believer in God’s hand, as promised in John 10:28-29. This interpretation is further distinguished by its focus on the legal and familial aspects of inheritance, positioning believers as “heirs of God” whose status is irrevocable due to divine power and promise.
Understanding Salvation: Security, Perseverance, and Biblical Balance (David Guzik) interprets John 10:28-29 as a vivid and powerful statement of the believer’s security in Christ, using the unique analogy of “two hands” holding the believer—the hand of the Father and the hand of the Son. Guzik emphasizes that this double grip makes it nearly unthinkable that anyone could lose their salvation, as both divine persons are depicted as holding the believer tightly. He does not delve into Greek or Hebrew linguistics but offers a fresh metaphorical visualization that distinguishes his interpretation from others: the believer is doubly held, making the security “almost unbreakable.” He also notes that this passage is not meant to be used in isolation to cancel out warning passages elsewhere in the New Testament, but rather as part of a pastoral balance.
God's Preservation: Assurance of Eternal Faithfulness (Ligonier Ministries) interprets John 10:28-29 as a foundational text for the doctrine of the “preservation of the saints,” preferring this term over “perseverance of the saints” to stress that it is God who preserves believers, not believers who preserve themselves. The sermon highlights that the assurance of not being snatched from Christ’s or the Father’s hand is rooted in God’s ongoing, active work, not in human effort. The preacher draws a distinction between outward profession and inward possession, using John 10:28-29 to argue that true believers are eternally secure because of God’s initiative and sustaining power, not their own.
Divine Assurance: The Sovereignty of Salvation (Desiring God) offers a detailed, theologically rich interpretation of John 10:28-29, connecting it to the broader Johannine theme of election and predestination. The sermon uniquely traces the motif of “being given” by the Father to the Son throughout John’s Gospel, culminating in John 10:28-29, where the security of the sheep is explained as a result of their being chosen and given by the Father. The preacher draws out the logical connection: those given by the Father will come, will be kept, and will never be lost, and this is why “no one can snatch them” from Christ’s or the Father’s hand. The sermon also notes the repeated emphasis in John on why some do not believe—because they are not of Christ’s sheep, i.e., not given by the Father—offering a predestinarian reading that is more explicit than the other sermons.
John 10:28-29 Theological Themes:
Walking Through Life's Valleys with God's Presence (City Church Georgetown) introduces the theme of divine possession and protection, not merely as abstract concepts but as tangible realities experienced in the “valley” moments of life. The sermon adds a fresh facet by linking the security of John 10:28-29 to the shepherd’s dual role as protector (with the rod) and owner (counting sheep), suggesting that God’s commitment to his people is both fierce and intimate. The preacher also explores the idea that God’s correction (the staff) is a form of loving security, keeping believers close and safe, especially in times of vulnerability.
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) presents the distinctive theological theme that the security promised in John 10:28-29 is rooted in the resurrection power of God, which not only guarantees the believer’s perseverance but also ensures that no external force can disrupt their inheritance. The sermon uniquely ties this security to the concept of being “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,” arguing that the believer’s union with Christ is the legal and relational basis for this unbreakable security. The preacher further develops the theme by asserting that the knowledge and enjoyment of God in this life are “foretastes” of the inheritance, made possible by the same power that keeps believers secure.
Understanding Salvation: Security, Perseverance, and Biblical Balance (David Guzik) introduces the nuanced theme of “pastoral application” of John 10:28-29, arguing that the passage should be used to comfort the afflicted believer who fears losing salvation, while warning passages elsewhere should be used to exhort the complacent or “carnal” Christian. This dual application is a distinct theological angle, emphasizing the wise, situational use of Scripture rather than a one-size-fits-all doctrine.
God's Preservation: Assurance of Eternal Faithfulness (Ligonier Ministries) presents the distinctive theological theme that the security described in John 10:28-29 is not merely a static status but is actively maintained by the ongoing intercession of Christ and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. The sermon adds the unique angle that the “earnest” or down payment of the Spirit is a commercial metaphor from the ancient world, signifying God’s unbreakable promise to finish what He started, and that the believer’s name is written in the “Lamb’s book of life” with no eraser in hand.
Divine Assurance: The Sovereignty of Salvation (Desiring God) develops the theme of divine sovereignty in salvation, emphasizing that the reason no one can snatch the sheep from Christ’s hand is because their coming to Christ is itself the result of the Father’s sovereign choice and giving. The sermon’s fresh application is to explain unbelief not as a failure of the sheep, but as evidence that someone was not given by the Father, thus reframing assurance and warning in terms of election rather than human effort.
John 10:28-29 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Walking Through Life's Valleys with God's Presence (City Church Georgetown) provides detailed historical context about the role of shepherds in ancient Israel, explaining the significance of the rod and staff as tools for both protection and counting/possessing sheep. The sermon describes how valleys were dangerous “kill boxes” for sheep, where predators could easily attack, and how the shepherd’s presence and tools were essential for the flock’s survival. This context enriches the understanding of Jesus’ claim in John 10:28-29, as it situates his promise within the lived realities of first-century shepherding, making the metaphor of divine security more concrete and relatable.
God's Preservation: Assurance of Eternal Faithfulness (Ligonier Ministries) provides historical context by explaining the commercial background of the term “earnest” (as in “earnest money”) in the ancient world, relating it to the Spirit’s role as a down payment guaranteeing the believer’s final salvation. The sermon also references the practice of excommunication in the early church, explaining its purpose as a means of restoration rather than final rejection, and connects this to the New Testament example of the Corinthian church’s discipline and restoration of a repentant sinner.
John 10:28-29 Cross-References in the Bible:
Walking Through Life's Valleys with God's Presence (City Church Georgetown) references Psalm 23, particularly the imagery of the rod and staff, to illuminate the meaning of John 10:28-29. The sermon also cites 1 Samuel, where David recounts defending his flock from lions and bears with a club (rod), reinforcing the idea of God as an active, powerful protector. Additionally, the preacher alludes to Genesis (the fall and the promise of restoration), the Gospels (Jesus as the fulfillment of the shepherd motif), and the New Testament letters (the ongoing work of Christ in believers’ lives), weaving these texts together to support the theme of divine security and possession.
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) draws on several cross-references to expand on John 10:28-29: Matthew 6:19-20 (moth and rust destroying earthly treasures), Romans 8:35-39 (nothing can separate us from the love of God), 1 Peter 1:3-5 (inheritance kept by the power of God), and Ephesians 1:18-21 (the surpassing greatness of God’s power toward believers). Each reference is used to reinforce the idea that both internal and external threats are powerless against the security God provides, and that this security is grounded in God’s resurrection power and covenantal promises.
Understanding Salvation: Security, Perseverance, and Biblical Balance (David Guzik) references several passages to expand on John 10:28-29: Romans 8:38-39 (nothing can separate us from God’s love), Ephesians 2:5,8 (past-tense salvation), 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 2 Corinthians 2:15 (present-tense salvation), Matthew 10:22 and 1 Corinthians 3:15 (future-tense salvation), 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 and 1 Timothy 4:16 (warnings about perseverance), Hebrews 6 (serious warnings), and 2 Timothy 2:19 (the Lord knows those who are His; let everyone depart from iniquity). These references are used to show both the security and the warnings present in Scripture, arguing for a balanced, non-extreme approach to assurance and perseverance.
God's Preservation: Assurance of Eternal Faithfulness (Ligonier Ministries) cross-references Philippians 1:6 (“He who began a good work in you will perfect it”), John 17 (Jesus’ high priestly prayer that none given to Him will be lost), the story of David’s sin and repentance (Old Testament), Peter’s denial and restoration (Gospels), and the case of the incestuous man in 1 Corinthians (church discipline and restoration). These references are used to illustrate that true believers may fall seriously but will ultimately be restored, and that God’s preservation is the key to their security.
Divine Assurance: The Sovereignty of Salvation (Desiring God) cross-references John 6:35-45, 65 (the Father gives people to the Son; no one comes unless drawn), John 8:47 (those who are of God hear God’s words), and John 17 (the high priestly prayer). These passages are used to reinforce the theme that coming to Christ and being kept by Him are both rooted in the Father’s sovereign choice, and that the inability of some to believe is explained by their not being “of God” or “of Christ’s sheep.”
John 10:28-29 Christian References outside the Bible:
Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power (MLJTrust) explicitly references Christian hymnody and the insights of unnamed “old preachers” to illustrate the experiential and relational aspects of being heirs with Christ. The preacher quotes a hymn (“Behold the amazing love of God the Father has bestowed...”) to highlight the unique knowledge and privileges given to God’s children, and recounts an anecdote from an old preacher about the comfort found in knowing God as the Father of Jesus Christ, not just as an abstract “father.” These references serve to deepen the congregation’s appreciation of the security and intimacy promised in John 10:28-29.
Understanding Salvation: Security, Perseverance, and Biblical Balance (David Guzik) explicitly references Charles Spurgeon, quoting from his sermons “Faith in Assurance” and “Heart Disease Curable.” Guzik uses Spurgeon’s advice to “rise above the babyhood which cannot believe two doctrines until it sees the connecting link” to support his own approach of holding both assurance and warning passages together, even if they seem in tension. He also cites Spurgeon’s willingness to be called both a Calvinist and an Arminian as long as he remains close to the Bible, using this to advocate for a biblically centered, non-partisan approach to the doctrine of assurance.
John 10:28-29 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Walking Through Life's Valleys with God's Presence (City Church Georgetown) employs several detailed secular illustrations to bring John 10:28-29 to life. The preacher describes shaking hands with Jeff Robinson, a massive NFL player, to convey the overwhelming strength and security of God’s grip—far surpassing any human strength. The sermon also uses the imagery of a haunted house, where children cling to a trusted adult for safety, paralleling the believer’s instinct to cling to God in times of fear and uncertainty. Additionally, the preacher references the reality TV show “Alone,” where contestants are isolated in the wilderness and often “break” from loneliness, to underscore the psychological and spiritual peril of being without the shepherd’s presence. These illustrations make the abstract promise of security in John 10:28-29 tangible and emotionally resonant for a contemporary audience.