INTRO

What’s the most important thing you’ve lost? (Matt – passport)

Usually, when you lose something, you’re the one to blame (forgot, failed, etc).

TENSION

Can I lose my salvation?

  • Can I sin too big?
  • Can I sin too much?
  • Can I sin for too long?

Being saved isn’t about holding onto God; it’s about God holding onto me.

TRUTH

Scripture: John 10:22-30

  • Context: John – an eyewitness to Jesus
  • Background: Jesus made waves at the Feast of Booths (ch.7-10:22). 2½ months later, at the Feast of Dedication, rumors swirled around who Jesus really was.
    • Look at the discussion at the Feast of Booths

There are Two Kinds of People

  • “Not My Sheep” (v.26) – Those who don’t believe in Jesus
  • “My Sheep” (V.27) – Those who believe in Jesus
  • “From a human standpoint, we become his sheep by believing; but from a divine standpoint, we believe because we are his sheep.” – Warren Wiersbe

I can’t lose my salvation…

  1. Because Christ is enough. “I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE”

Why did he give it? Because he loves us.

What did he give us?

  • More than just not being dead.
  • It’s not something we get when we die. We get it when we believe.
    • Life to the fullest (Contrast with Satan)
      • Steal your peace, kill your joy, and destroy your worship (Cf. 10:10).
      • Jesus brings joy, righteousness, freedom, steadfast love, deep and boundless peace NOW.
      • Mission & hope
  • It continues into eternity. It gets better!

How did he give it? As a gift.

  • Eph. 2:8-9; Jn. 3:16
  • You can’t afford it! Only Jesus can. (His life, his death, his resurrection)
  • The only way for me to lose my salvation would be for Jesus’ blood to lose it’s power.
  • When Jesus said “It is finished,” he meant it.
  • He began it…he’ll complete it (Phil. 1:6).

If you can’t work for it, you can’t work your way out of it.

ILLUSTRATION: Giving away a set of AirPods…I’ll buy it for $5!

  1. Because God’s Word is true. “THEY WILL NEVER PERISH”

The Bible is overwhelmingly bold about this…

  • Throughout John: 3:16, 6:39; 17:12; 18:9
  • Eternal means…eternal! If it’s conditional, then God used the wrong word!
  • The Greek is emphatic (double-negative). “ou me apolontai”

If you could lose your salvation, think about how much Scripture would be undone?

  • A new creation (2 Cor. 5)
  • Indwelled by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8)
  • Romans 8: Predestined, called, justified, glorified
  • Ephesians 1: Predestined, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, heirs, sealed w/the Holy Spirit (all 3 members of Trinity would have to fail)
  • Born again (Jn.3)

A new song…

  • Kid version: “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
  • Grown-up version: “No matter what I do, Jesus won’t stop loving me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
  1. Because Jesus is a Good Shepherd. “NO ONE WILL SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY HAND”

Jesus – the Good Shepherd (John 10)

  • “Snatch them” – term dealing with stealing sheep
  • Protection
  • Direction
  • Nutrition

What happens when a sheep runs away (Matthew 18)

  • Jesus pursues until the sheep is safe.
  • This would make logical sense to shepherds.
  • A lost sheep is still someone’s sheep.

When the under shepherds fail, the shepherd keeps on pursuing (1 Pet. 5:1-4).

  • Jesus is the Chief Shepherd.
  • You can outrun pastors and youth leaders, but you can’t outrun the Chief Shepherd.
  • You can always come home.

ILLUSTRATION: Holding onto Jesus vs. Jesus holding onto me.

  1. Because God is a Strong Father. “NO ONE IS ABLE TO SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY FATHER’S HAND”

Romans 8:33-39 – Who can? What can?

God is greater than all!

  • List of verses about God’s strength.
    • Jeremiah 32:17 – “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!”
    • Exodus 15:6 – “Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.”
    • Psalm 89:13 – “Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.”
    • 2 Chronicles 20:6 – “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”
  • No one can pull you out.
  • No one can jump out.

ILLUSTRATION: Two big guys holding onto a coin w/saran wrap. Little guy tries to pull it out.

APPLICATION

#1 – Flock: Are you part of the flock? Are you one of his sheep? There’s only one way to be saved: believe in Jesus.

#2 – Follow: Follow Jesus in baptism. Does baptism save you? No. But it’s the first step after being saved in embracing the “life to the full” that Jesus gives.

#3 – Fervent: Fervently share the gospel. If Jesus offers eternal life, that’s the greatest news in the world. (Revisit problems #1 & #2).

#4 – Fallen: Change your attitude about fallen Christians. Jesus is pursuing them and working to restore them. What are you doing?

#5 – Father: What’s stopping you from coming home to your Heavenly Father tonight? Rest in his safe, secure hands. 

LANDING

Prayer time

  • Know someone who is far from God?
  • Know someone who isn’t saved?
  • Doubting your own salvation?