April 29, 2007am   Are you In Good Hands?    John 10:22-30

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

 

As a young married man I was convinced by a couple of life insurance agents that I needed to buy some insurance.  One of the agents showed me his crippled arm so that I would see that accidents could happen.  That day I bought my first whole life insurance policy.  I began to make my monthly payment to a company that I had never seen because the agents of that company convinced me.  I promised to pay and they promised to protect me in case of disasters.  I had faith in them through those agents.  Have you heard of the Great Shepherd plan for life? 

 

Scripture Text:  John 10:22 Then came the Feast of Dedication  at Jerusalem . It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”[1]

 

Are you in the hand of the man who calmed the sea?   What about disasters?  Is God still in control?  What do bad things happen to good people?  Are you still in the Father’s hands?  Can you loose your grip?  Can God let go? 

 

  1. Do you see the need for having some good hands?  Life insurance, health insurance, car insurance, house insurance, and aflac are all examples of the need that we feel we have for some help in case of emergency. 

 

  1. Christ is God’s Agent.  He is the word who became flesh. 

 

  1. Do you have faith in the company?  What about God?  Will He do what He said?  Have you heard the personal testimony? 

 

  1. Jesus showed us who the Father is.  He is the agent on earth to the sheep.

 

  1. Jesus showed us how the Father will take care of you.  God raised him.

 

  1. Jesus showed us what eternal life looks like.  He lives and ascended to heaven. 

 

  1. Jesus gave his disciple who He calls his sheep much more than a fire insurance policy.  He gave them himself through the Holy Spirit.  He says that they will never perish.  This is the Great Shepherd plan of life.  Live with me and I will be yours forever.  

 

  1. Someone is trying to snatch you out of the Father’s hand?  Can you be taken out of the Great Shepherd’s plan for living?  No man and no thing can take you out of his hands and care.  Can you take yourself out of his plan?  Remember that Jonah tried this and he ended up in the belly of a whale.  Are you stronger than God.  We can do nothing to save ourselves.  We need the Great Shepherd plan for living. 

Romans 8:38 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

  1. The Best Hands of all are those of the Creator.  Have you put your life in his hands? God has given you his hand.  This is his Influence.  This is his directing action.  This is his part in your life.  This is his share in the performance of your life.  

 

  1.   This is the care of the shepherds care for his sheep.  This is his help to do something. This is his offer of agreement.   As in a marriage his gives you his hand.  Have you given him yours?

 

  1.   My own personal testimony:  I placed myself and my family in the great Shepherd’s plan for life.  He has continued to watch and care for me and mine.  Have you given you life to the great Shepherd?   His sheep hear his voice and he cares for them.  He provides for them and their welfare.  He will care and provide for your life and give to you life everlasting upon your graduation.  You may stray from the fold but he will continue to watch over you, care for you, and pick you up and bring you back.  Give yourself to him. 

 

 


[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Jn 10:22-30). Grand Rapids : Zondervan.