"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR GOOD SHEPHERD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR GOOD SHEPHERD"

John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to Me, is greater then all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one."

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

1. Jesus calls believers, "My Sheep" He does so, because believers, belong to Him. He has purchased us, and placed us in His sheepfold if you will. We are no longer our own, for we have been purchased with a price. We truly are His Sheep. He is our Shepherd, and He views us as His sheep. He says, "My sheep"

2. One of the ways that Jesus's sheep can be recognized, is that they hear His voice. God has given us His Word not so we will obey it out of obligation or fear, but to assure His children of their relationship with Him, and guide them home.

3. Another wonderful truth about Jesus's sheep, is that He knows them. He has a great personal knowledge of each and everyone of His sheep. Not only do His sheep hear His voice, but, He knows His sheep. He has a very deep personal knowledge of each one of His sheep.

4. Jesus's sheep follow Him. We join Him as it were, and go where He goes. That's what a disciple is all about. We follow our shepherd. We side with Him, we accompany Him. And, that's not only here on earth, but, He is going to lead us right into heaven itself. Then we won't follow Him anymore, we will simply be with Him in glory forever, and ever.

5. Several other things here.

(1) He has given us eternal life. We are united with God through faith in Christ.

(2) We will never perish. Because, we have been saved and forgiven by Christ.

(3) No one will ever snatch us out of His hand. We are in His hand right now.

(4) We have been given to Jesus by His Father, and our Father. We are a gift to
Christ. We are His bride. God gave us to Jesus.

(5) Jesus's Father, our Father, is greater then any and every one. Greater then all.

(6) No one is able to snatch us out of the Father's hand.

(7) Jesus and His Father, are one. This means, that Jesus and the Father are unified and they enjoy perfect equality. Jesus and the Father are distinct persons, yet they share the same essence and attributes.

6. One last thing. Jesus has given us eternal life. Eternal life is not something we gain or receive when we die, rather we obtain it the very moment we believed in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

A prayer:

Father, it's very hard to find the words to express our gratitude for what You have done. You gave us to Jesus. Thank You for doing that. Jesus, thank You for receiving us from the Father. Jesus, thank You, that we are in Your hand, and You will not let us go, and no one can take us out of Your hand. And, Father, we also thank You that we are in Your hand as well. We are in the best two hands possible. the hand of Jesus, and the hand of our Father in heaven.

Thank You for giving us eternal life, and thank You that we shall never perish. Thank You also Father for being greater then any other being. You are the most powerful being that exists. And we belong to You, and You are not going to let us go.

In Jesus name. Amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia