Born Again (Part 3)

Security

Big Idea: Eternal security is intimately tied to the active relationship believers maintain with Christ, encouraging them to listen, follow, and engage deeply with their Shepherd for a richer, more assured faith experience.

Introduction

The first week of this series, we talked about how some of us are “just wing it” kinda people—we figure things out as we go. Others are planners—we like to know every step. But when it comes to eternity, God didn’t leave things up in the air. He’s not improvising your salvation. He has a plan, and that plan includes holding you securely forever.

Tonight, we’re talking about eternal security—the idea that once you are saved, you are always saved. This isn’t just a theological idea; it’s deeply personal. Because many of us wrestle with this question: “Am I really saved? Am I secure?”

Let’s go to John 10:27–30.

John 10:27–30 NLT

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

1. Listening to the Shepherd

John 10:27 NLT

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Who’s speaking? Jesus. He starts this out by describing His followers as “sheep.” Now, what is the significance of this imagery? Think Psalm 23, think the parable of the lost sheep. He cares for them, He guides them, they listen to Him, they recognize His voice, and they follow it.

This isn’t about a one time decision, it is an ongoing relationship. How well does your family pet respond to commands from a stranger? Not near as well as they do you! You have built a relationship with it.

Listening to Jesus is how we experience the comfort and security He offers.

*Story about Ruby running away*

Did the fact that Ruby ran away make here any less my dog? No… I still had ownership over her.

When we tune out His voice and try to go our own way and do our own thing, that doesn’t make us any less His… it just makes us more anxious and lost.

Illustration

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” That’s not just a poetic statement—it’s practical. His sheep listen to His voice. That’s how we follow Him.

But let’s be honest—sometimes we’re not great at listening. We get distracted. We get busy. We fill our lives with so much noise that it becomes harder and harder to hear His voice clearly.

So let me show you what that looks like. I need two volunteers.

(One volunteer puts on noise-canceling headphones with loud music; the other stands a few feet away and speaks a simple sentence like “Jesus loves you” or “Follow me.” Let the person with headphones try to guess what was said by reading lips—likely with funny or off guesses.)

Wrap-Up from Illustration:

See how hard that was? That’s what it’s like when we try to follow Jesus but never make time to listen for His voice. It’s not that He’s not speaking—it’s that we’ve got so much noise in our ears and in our lives that we can’t hear Him.

When you stop listening, you don’t stop being His sheep—but you sure do lose a sense of peace, direction, and assurance. The Shepherd is still calling. Are you listening?

Application: Ask yourself—Am I listening to Him? Do I know the Shepherd’s voice in prayer, Scripture, and community?

2. Living in the Promise

John 10:28 NLT

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish...”

That’s what eternal security is all about… you didn’t earn salvation and you can’t, it is a GIFT

Eternal life isn’t temporary… If you could lose it, it wouldn’t be eternal.

This promise comes with power… “No one can snatch them out of my hand.”

If it were up to us to keep our salvation, we would be in trouble. How many of y’all mess up daily? I do! In the words of John Macarthur, if you could lose your salvation, you would! God’s blood is strong enough to cover us for the sins we have committed and the ones we will commit. And the bible says nothing and no one can snatch us out of God’s hand.

Illustration: Think of a sealed envelope with a guarantee inside. You can’t tamper with it. It’s secure because the One who sealed it is trustworthy.

Application: Stop trying to earn what’s already been promised. Trust His grip, not yours.

3. Loving Protection from the Father

John 10:29 NLT

for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

“My Father... is greater than all.”

Notice, Jesus is talking and then He references His father. What does that mean for you? You are not only held by Jesus, you’re held by the Father too!

His power is greater than anything that could try to separate you from Him. You can’t go too far, you’re double covered. Jesus and the Father both claim and protect you.

How humbling is it to know that the God of Heaven claims you and wants to protect you and there is nothing you can do to keep Him from wanting to do that.

Application: Rest in God’s strength. Even when you’re weak, He never lets go.

4. Linked in Divine Unity

John 10:30 NLT

The Father and I are one.”

“I and the Father are one.”

Here’s what’s wild, Jesus is God Himself as well. Our human minds have trouble wrapping our minds around that but Jesus isn’t just a representative, He is God!

The unity between Father and Son means their mission to save you is UNSHAKABLE.

Your security isn’t built on your feelings or your failures, its built on the character of God.

How do we respond to that?

Application: Worship the Shepherd. Trust the Savior. Follow the One who is One with the Father.

Conclusion

Your salvation is not a fragile thing. It is secure because the One who saved you is strong. But eternal security doesn’t give us permission to be passive—it invites us into deeper intimacy with Jesus.

If you feel far from God, the Shepherd is still calling. If you’re full of doubt, His promise still stands. If you’ve wandered, you’re still His. Come back to His voice.

You are held. You are His. You are secure.

Reflection Challenge

Are you listening to His voice?

Are you trusting in His grip more than your own?

Are you walking in assurance or anxiety?

Tonight, take a moment to rest in the hands of your Savior. No one can take you from Him. Not even you.

“No one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Bible Passage: John 10:27-30

Summary: In John 10:27-30, Jesus expresses His intimate relationship with His sheep, assuring them of their eternal security in His care. He declares that no one can snatch them from His hands, emphasizing both His divine authority and the lasting nature of His salvation.

Application: This passage offers profound comfort to Christians who struggle with doubts about their salvation. It reassures believers that their relationship with Christ is secure and not dependent on their own efforts. In a world filled with uncertainty, this message encourages believers to trust in the Lord's promises and to live boldly in the assurance of their eternal status before God.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true believers are eternally secure in Christ, highlighted by His commitment to and protection of His followers. It examines the nature of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the significance of His voice, and the assurance that nothing can separate us from His love.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader biblical narrative, Jesus as the Good Shepherd foreshadows the covenantal relationship between God and His people. This security reflects God's unwavering intention to preserve His people, pointing to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through His resurrection.

Big Idea: Believers can live confidently in the assurance of their eternal security, knowing they are held securely in the hands of Christ, who protects them from all that would seek to separate them from His love.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon using your Logos library, consider exploring the historical context of shepherding in biblical times to enhance your illustrations. You might also delve into commentaries on John 10 to unpack any noted theological debates about eternal security. Additionally, reviewing passages such as Romans 8:38-39 can provide further biblical support for the themes of security and assurance.

1. Shepherd's Speaking Security

John 10:27

Maybe stress the importance of recognizing and responding to the voice of Christ, our Good Shepherd. Just as sheep discern their shepherd's voice, believers are encouraged to listen and be guided by Him daily. This relationship underscores the security of salvation, as it is rooted in Jesus' unwavering commitment to lead His followers. His voice assures us that we are known, cared for, and never abandoned, instilling confidence in our eternal security.

2. Gift of Guaranteed Grace

John 10:28

You could emphasize the gift of eternal life that Jesus provides to His sheep, reassuring the congregation that eternal security is a promise, not based on human merit, but on Christ's sovereign will. His declaration that no one will snatch them away affirms the invincible nature of His salvation and protection. This should comfort believers, letting them rest in the certainty that their salvation is guaranteed by Jesus Himself, dispelling fears and doubts.

3. Father's Firm Foundation

John 10:29

Perhaps reflect on the Father's role in the security of believers, as Jesus highlights the Father’s greater authority and His assurance that no one can snatch believers from His hand. This divine union between Father and Son in the protection of the sheep reinforces the certainty of eternal security. Encourage your audience to trust in this divine protection, understanding that their faith journey is enveloped by the Father's loving care.

4. Unified Unyielding Unity

John 10:30

Maybe draw attention to the unity of the Son and the Father in the work of salvation, emphasizing that this powerful unity is the basis for believers' eternal security. Jesus’ statement, "I and the Father are one," assures us that the same power that governs the universe guards their salvation. Highlight this as the ultimate assurance, motivating believers to live confidently and boldly, knowing they are eternally secure in the love and unity of the divine Trinity.