Notes of an Address
“MY sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John― 10:27-28.
THERE were religious people all around, but were they Christ’s sheep? This was the all-important question. There was “the hireling,” too, and “the thief;” “the stranger” and “the wolf;” but oh, how different from the Good Shepherd! We cannot forget that there are still many sheep round about us who are very dear to the heart of Jesus. He calls them “His own sheep.” They belong to Him. He loved them, and gave Himself for them. He said, “The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” What amazing love!
“When blood from a victim must flow,
This Shepherd by pity was led
To stand between us and the foe,
And willingly died in our stead.”
One characteristic of Christ’s sheep is, that they hear His voice. No matter who may be the instrument, the question with them is, Is it Christ’s voice? What is He saying? This is one mark of the sheep of Christ from first to last. “They know not the voice of strangers,” but the Shepherd’s voice they well know. It is Jesus they love to hear. When Paul went to Thessalonica, they received his testimony because it was God’s truth. They were not taken up with the servant, but with the message that he brought. They owned it to be God’s testimony. In it they heard the voice of the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep. They did not receive the testimony as Paul’s opinions; for it came to them “not in word only, but in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;” they therefore turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered them from the wrath to come.
When Paul went to the polished citizens of Corinth, he purposely sought to preach in simple language; and though he was a learned man, he laid aside eloquent and enticing words of man’s wisdom, lest the people should hear only Paul’s rice, and not receive God’s testimony, and thus their faith stand in the wisdom of men instead of the power of God. “I determined,” said he, “not to know anything among you, cave Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Thus they heard and received God’s truth about Jesus; they heard the voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd through Paul.
The question is, what is the Lord Jesus, who is seated on the right hand of God in the heavens, saving now? If He were now to speak in an audible voice, would it not be, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life?” Surely that is His testimony. See, then, that you refuse not His voice who speaketh from heaven. The believer looks up to heaven, beholds the face of Jesus by faith, hearkens to His word, and receives His testimony. Christ’s sheep hear His voice. Many know the way of salvation, but have not received Christ as their Saviour. They do not hear His voice in the gospel. “Ye believe not,” said Jesus, “because ye are not of my sheep.”
Christ knows His sheep. True it is that He knows all things; but He peculiarly knows His own. The acquaintance is mutual. They know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent, and He knows them. “He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Many a professor will come in that day, saying, “We have prophesied in thy name done many wonderful works;” but Jesus will say unto them, “I never knew you: depart from Me.” They never had any acquaintance with Christ―had no personal dealing with Him. Have you, dear friends, known this personal intimacy with Jesus? Have you known what it is to be reconciled to God through His precious blood? Those who know Christ, however feebly, do not hesitate to cast themselves into His open arms; and such always prove Him to be a Friend that loveth at all times, a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
“Happy they who trust in Jesus!
Sweet their portion is and sure;
When the foe on others seizes,
He will keep His own secure:
Happy people!
Even though despised and poor.”
Another feature in Christ’s sheep is, that having heard His voice, and being assured that Christ knows them, it leads to practical action―thy follow Christ. This is not following roles, creeds, ordinances, however true in themselves they may be, but Christ. It is not following men, however godly they may be, further than they are following Christ. This Satan hates, and tries to hinder. He would sometimes use even Christian people who may be in a bad state of soul to hinder others from wholly following the Lord. He has left us an example that we should follow His steps. We are kept here for no other object than to follow Christ; not to follow our own inclinations, nor to follow other saints, but to follow Christ. This marks Christ’s sheep. Jesus said, “they follow me.” Do we know what this is? Are we searching the Scriptures to find out His steps, that we may follow Him? Are we, through honor and dishonor, seeking only to please Him? Are we aiming to be “meek and lowly in heart” as He was? to take His yoke upon us, and learn of Him? We are told that Christ’s sheep are thus exercised; they follow Christ. It does not say they ought to do so, but that they do follow Christ. This shows them to be Christ’s sheep.
Now, mark the security of Christ’s sheep. 1St. They have everlasting life. “I give unto them eternal life.” This is His gift. It is in no way earned or deserved. No. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Eternal life, then, comes to us in the way of gift. Christ does not give less. It is not life for a day or a year, but forever―eternal life. Your life is hid with Christ in God. Christ is our life. Christ is the Giver, the sinner the receiver. My dear friends, have you really received this gift of God? Have you eternal life? I trust you will not rest for a moment, till you are certain that you have eternal life. Oh! you must have eternal life, or you will be in everlasting burnings. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life: he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).)
2nd “They shall never perish.” What perfect rest and peace this gives the soul; for He is faithful that promised; He cannot deny Himself. David’s fear and distress were not a little that he would one day perish by the hand of Saul; but the true believer need have no misgiving as to the eternal future. He who is almighty in power, and perfect in love, says, “They shall never perish.” Observe, it is absolute and unconditional― “They shall never perish.” Dear trembling believer, you cannot be lost. You are in Christ. You have eternal life, and Christ declares you “shall never perish” “He died for you. His blood cleanseth from all sin. What more can you need to give you perfect rest of soul?
3rd “Neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.” The word “man” is in italics. It shows us that no power shall be able to separate us from Christ’s keeping.
“Not all that earth or hall can say,
Shall turn His heart of love away.”
When He said, “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out,” it implied three things: ―1St I will receive. 2nd I will hold him fast; and 3rd. I will never give him up― “in no wise cast out.” So here He says, “None shall pluck them out of my hand.” What perfect security this gives! Surely it is a threefold cord, that can never be broken. 1St The present possession of “eternal life.” 2nd. The promise of the faithful and good Shepherd, “They shall never perish.” 3rd. Christ’s own almighty hand keeping firmly in its grasp― “None shall pluck them out of my hand.”
All dear children of God do not enter into the joy of these precious realities. They read men’s books, and embrace men’s opinions, instead of going only to the Scriptures for God’s mind, and resting on His precious words about Jesus, which can never pass away.