Sermon Listening Guide

Speaker: Pastor Condy Richardson
Scripture: John 10:22-42
Sermon Title: “Winter at the Temple”
Date: August 30, 2026

John 10:22-42 (NIV)
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about 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 will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[b]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[c]? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.
First Thoughts
In John 10, Jesus describes himself as “The Good Shepherd.”
While he protects and provides, he wants us to know his voice and follow.

Are You the Messiah?
In the winter before Jesus’ crucifixion, he is surrounded by an aggressive crowd.
They want to know if he is the Messiah.
While Jesus has already answered this question, they continue to argue with him.
Some people simply do not want to believe in Jesus.

No One will Snatch Them Out of My Hand
In verses 25-30, Jesus tells the crowd he gives believers eternal life and eternal security.
What does Jesus mean when he tells them: “No one will snatch them out of my hand”?
Is it possible for true believers to leave the flock forever?
Can good works lead one into or out of Jesus’ flock?
Being in Jesus’ hands is the best and most secure place to be.

A Big Decision
The crowd in Jerusalem is moved to violence, but Jesus withdraws.
He reminds them that his works alone prove his deity.
In the wilderness, Jesus sweetly finds more true believers at the end of chapter 10.
Life simply presents us with the choice to follow or reject Jesus.

Conclusion
The Good Shepherd is always there for us, and he is not hidden.
Have you joined the flock?
How closely do you follow the Good Shepherd?