GRACE FOR TODAY Radio Message #492

“MY SHEEP”

Pastor Don Fortner

Grace Baptist Church of Danville

2734 Old Stanford Road

Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438

"MY SHEEP". Those are the words which our Lord Jesus Christ describes his own people. It is not very flattering to be compared to sheep. Sheep are truly "dumb animals". They are weak, helpless, defenseless creatures. But there is beauty in these words "MY SHEEP". The Lord Jesus Christ owns all of his people. He says, "I am the Good Shepherd".. and he points to us and says, "These people are "MY SHEEP". Christ's sheep are those people who were chosen by him before the world was and given to him. Christ's sheep are those people for whom he suffered and died at Calvary. To be one of Christ's sheep is to be one of those people whom he seeks, whom he saves, and whom he must bring with him into heaven. To be one of his sheep is to be under the watchful eye of the Good Shepherd. To be one of his sheep is to be in his hand, under his care and protection. What a blessed name this is which the Lord Jesus Christ gives to his people - "MY SHEEP"! Are you one of Christ's sheep?

Listen to what he says about his sheep. "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" (John 10:27-28). CHRIST'S SHEEP HEAR HIS VOICE. He speaks to his sheep by his Spirit through the Word of God. He calls then to himself, by a mighty, particular, and irresistible call. And when he calls them, they come to him. When he calls his sheep by the gospel, his sheep always follow him. Have you heard his voice? His sheep do. CHIST'S SHEEP FOLLOW HIM. In simple, childlike, obedient faith, they follow him. His word is their law. His example is their guide. His will is their will. As he was obedient to the Father, they are obedient to him. As he walked in Love, they walk in love. As he was submissive to the will of God, they are submissive, both to God's will of revelation and his will of providence. Do you follow Christ? His sheep do. CHRIST GIVES ALL OF HIS SHEEP ETERNAL LIFE. They were all dead by nature, in trespasses and in sins. But he comes to his sheep by his Spirit in sovereign, life-giving power. He gives them a new heart, a new nature, a new principle of life. They are new creatures in Christ. Do you have eternal life? Christ's sheep do.

After describing his sheep as those who hear his voice, and those who follow him, and those to whom he has given eternal life, the Lord Jesus Christ makes this blessed, immutable, irrevocable promise concerning all of his sheep - "THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH". Children of God, it is contrary to every promise of God's precious Word that you should ever be left to perish. If one of Christ's sheep could perish, the blood of Christ would be of none effect, the purpose of God would be frustrated, the power of God would be overturned, the promise of God would be broken, the faithfulness of God would be a mockery, and the Word of God would prove to be a lie. Where would be the veracity, the honors the grace, the covenant, and the oath of God if any of those for whom Christ has died, and who have put their trust in him, were to perish! Why, were it possible for a redeemed sinner, a believing soul to perish, the gospel of the grace of God would prove to be a delusion! Banish from your heart those unbelieving fears that so dishonor the Lord our God. These are the blessed words of truth which secure our souls - "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". MY SHEEP SHALL NEVER PERISH!

AMEN.