The Shepherd and the sheep.
Notice—
I. BELIEVERS IN RELATION TO CHRIST.
1. They are his property.
2. They are his special property. Special:
II. SOME OF THEIR CHARACTERISTICS IN RELATION TO CHRIST.
1. "They hear his voice." This implies:
2. "They follow him." The hearing results in following. This implies:
III. THE BLESSINGS THEY ENJOY IN RELATION TO CHRIST.
1. It is recognition of them. "I know them."
2. The enjoyment of the highest life. "I give," etc.
3. Perfect safety.
IV. THE SPECIAL GUARANTEES OF THESE BLESSINGS.
1. The absolute supremacy of the Father. "The Father, which gave them me, is greater than all."
2. The union of the Son with the Father. "I and the Father are one."
3. The consequent union of believers with both. If they are in Christ's hand, they are in that of the Father; for they are one. They are thus in the impregnable fortresses of infinite power and love. Their life is divinely given and infinitely safe—hid with Christ in God. No one shall, and no one is able to, pluck them hence.
LESSONS.
1. True believers have special characteristics. They are known of Christ, and may be known of men. The sheep of Christ are marked; the marks are—they hear and follow him. Thus he knows them, and thus they may know themselves. To those who do not hear and follow, he says, "Ye are not of my sheep."
2. The enjoyment of the blessings of Christ depends upon compliance with the conditions. "They hear... and follow … and I give them," etc. This proves them to be his sheep, and ensures to them the care and defense of the good Shepherd, as well as all the blessings of the fold.
3. In the degree the conditions are complied with the blessings are enjoyed. "They follow me, and I give unto them," etc. I give as they follow. Where there is no following at all, there is no life; where the following is slack, the life is weak; but when close, life is strong and vigorous. The nearer to Jesus the greater the life. The impartation of eternal life is gradual, for the participation is gradual. As we follow he gives. We could not hold it all at once. Let us follow him more closely if we want more life.
4. The ultimate security of any one depends upon the following. The perseverance of the saints in grace to the end is a practical question. It is decided on the part of God. The Divine hand is safe. But is it decided on our part? Are we in it? "They shall never perish." Not in his hand. No one is able to pluck them out of it. Let us make sure that we are in it, and that we slip not out ourselves from it by not hearing and following Jesus. Then the question of our ultimate safety will be practically settled.—B. T.
HOMILIES BY GEORGE BROWN