TITLE: “A Simple Truth Not Received” SCRIPTURE: John 10:22-42

BIG IDEA: In this passage, Jesus, presenting Himself as the Messiah, and the very Son of God, offers His followers incredible security. The assurance we have of salvation as believers is found in the power and greatness of Christ’s work on our behalf. In other words, His sheep do not have the power to save themselves initially, nor do they have the power to pluck themselves out of His hand. Christ is gathering unto Himself ALL those who the Father gives Him, and that work won’t go unaccomplished.

1. THE SHEPHERDS VOICE – READ John 10:22-26 CONTEXT: The exchange recorded in this section takes place during the Feast of Dedication (also known as the Feast of Lights or Hanukkah) which was instituted by Jewish leaders between the historical period of the Old and New Testament. This feast commemorated the purification and rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus. At this time, the Jews ask for a plain declaration of His Messianic identity.

A. What did the Jews, at this time, want to hear from Jesus? Why might you think they wanted Him to plainly answer if He is the Christ? B. How did Jesus respond to their request? What was His argument to affirm the claims that He had already made to be the Christ? What reason does Jesus give for why those who are listening to Him don’t believe?

2. CAN YOU THWART GOD? – READ John 10:27-30; John 6:37-40 CONTEXT: For the third time in this passage, Jesus taps into the analogy of the sheep's ability to hear their shepherd. Out of this comes a promise to those who truly hear His voice, that He will give them eternal life. In fact, He argues that it is impossible for His sheep to ever perish. This is one of the clearest promises of the eternal security of the believer that God gives us in scripture. In this section, we see that Jesus and His Father are united in this work of election.

A. On Sunday Brad said that “Nobody obtaines their own salvation, and nobody can lose their own salvation.” Have you always believed that to be the case? Is that statement something you wrestle with today? B. Who is it in this passage that ensures this security of eternal life? When thinking through trinitarian implications of the passage, how does Jesus describe His Father’s work in eternal security? C. What does John 6:37-40 say is the will of the Father? How should that affirm Jesus’ promises to us? How does it shape your understanding of election?

3. “BLASPHEMY” – READ John 10:31-42 CONTEXT: Many people today make the false claim that, “Jesus never claimed to be God”. Yet, in this section, even His enemies take Jesus’ claim to be “one” with the Father and the very “Son of God” as a divine declaration. For Jesus to equate Himself with God in this way was “blasphemy” and deserving of death.

A. How does Jesus reply to those who pick up stones to kill Him? What are His “works from the Father” meant to point them toward? B. From this entire passage, what evidences do we have that His promise of eternal security will be held true? What was it that caused those who came to see Him in Jordan to believe in Him (v. 40-42)?

PRAYER & ACTION A. PRAYER: Pray together for confidence in these promises of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to open our ears to hear the voice of the Lord for opportunities to share with others this power unto salvation. B. ACTION: Ask the Lord to reveal the motivations that guide your actions and affections this week. Commit to living in a rhythm of confession and repentance as the Lord reveals.