In this series, we’ve seen how the Good Shepherd protects and lays down his life for his flock; providing protection, blessings and eternal life. But how can we know if we are part of that flock? In this series finale, we’ll look at how to tell if you’re a Christian.
Our passages: Psalm 23, Deuteronomy 15:12-18 & John 16:5-11. Preacher: Ian Bayne (26th July 2020).
Watch the sermon
Further reflections
This is a supplementary sermon on Psalm 23:6. We’ve covered a lot over the series, and have come to know the Good Shepherd and all that he promises. The Good Shepherd has a covenant (or set of promises) made to his sheep. Those sheep are Christians.
The questions that then spring to mind are:
- How does God recognise his sheep?
- How are we supposed to recognise God’s sheep?
- And perhaps most importantly: How can we know if we are one of God’s sheep? (i.e. are saved?)
1. How does God recognise His sheep?
On the farm we have a system of marks for livestock, using ear tags. In Deuteronomy 15 there was a similar idea of a ring ear for bond-slave.
then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever.
Deuteronomy 15:7a
Slavery carries many pre-conceptions in the media. The Bible talks about slavery as a way for someone who had fallen on hard times to pay off their debt by selling their services to a brother for a period of time. Because they are a brother they would be set free after 6 years with decent provision for them to start again.
It is interesting to note that the slave had the option to continue the arrangement for life if they wished.
This is similar to the position we find ourselves in. In our lives we have fallen on hard times: we are sinners. After a period of time having been chosen, we realise that we’re better off continuing to serve our master: the great shepherd and elect to continue the arrangement.
Bond servant (or slave) is one of the New Testament’s favourite description of being a Christian. We bond itself for life to Christ.
A bond slave to the Lord is what Christians are.
2. How can we recognise God’s sheep?
God doesn’t need ear tags as he knows who belong to him as Christians. However, there is a problem when one sheep needs to recognise another because there are no visual signs. We must recognise one another through the way we speak and act.
Sheep speak to each other using “baa-codes”. They have several baa’s for communicating.
- community action: such as seeing a gate to escape through and they will follow.
- finding each other: this week there was a ewe that didn’t recognise she had a lamb and the two had been separated. The lamb was doing its best to communicate by baa’ing at the top of its voice.
- communicating affectionately with one another.
The way we speak, our kindness and affection to one another indicates who we are.
There is also an idea of being sealed. In the old days to make an official letter people would have a signet ring. Today we sign documents.
Our faith, as Christians, also has a seal: Ephesians 1 talks about the seal of our faith: the holy spirit.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV
3. How can we know if we’re saved?
If we’re saved, we’re “sealed with the Holy Spirit”. What does this mean?
This is important: both to know who fellow Christians are, and also that we are a Christian. If we’re not a Christian then we need to know so we can get there.
Am I a Christian?
We should all ask: am I a Christian?
John 16 teaches four things we can look for. If you are a Christian, you will have the marks of God:
- Convicted of sin; our sin
- Convinced of Christ
- Comforted concerning our salvation
- Confirmed
1. Convicted of sin
In our modern world when people do something bad, the social media “Pharisees” come out and condemn them.
In John 8:1-11, John recounts the time a woman caught in act of adultery was brought before Jesus. The Pharisees demanded she be stoned, but calmly Jesus said that whoever was without sin should cast the stone. No one did. Jesus then let her go.
When people judge on social media today, they don’t consider their own lives. If they did, they may not be so quick to judge,
Really, it’s not about other people’s sin. As a pastor I hear quite a lot: “I wish so and so was here to hear that sermon”. It’s surprising, but it’s not right to think like that. Each of my sermons is not meant for other people, but the people who are here. God’s word and his salvation are for all of us individually: here and now.
2. Convincing us of Christ
Through the Holy Spirit we are convinced that God has sent his Son to die for us.
In his goodness God sent Jesus to live a life of righteousness, die, and be raised to life again.
We are convinced of this through the Holy Spirit.
3. Comforted concerning our salvation
Jesus achieved a victory over sin and death: the devil is defeated. Sentence is yet to be passed, but judgement has occurred.
And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Luke 10:18 ESV
If we are convicted of our sins and convinced that Christ has dealt with it, then we can be comforted that through Christ we are saved.
4. Confirmed
There is a confirming aspect of the Holy Spirit.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7 ESV
That the Holy Spirit is our guide and helper is proof that Jesus has ascended to heaven and completed his task.
Imagine being in a film. You’re in an army platoon under attack, surrounded, and realise the end is coming. We need to send for help, so select the best person to get past enemy lines and send a message for help; trusting in them for their salvation. As time goes on, the platoon is still waiting for help and getting desperate, but at the last moment the cavalry comes.
We know that Jesus died and was raised. Through the Holy Spirit coming we can know he made it to God’s right side and that our rescue is secure.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matthew 28:18 ESV
Marked by God, or by the Devil?
These are the seals that we are the sheep of God.
In Revelation, we’re told that while God is marking his flock, the devil has also put marks on his people.
saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
Revelation 7:3 ESV
And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, [10] he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Revelation 14:9-10 ESV
We either have the mark of God or the mark of the Devil. From these two descriptions, who do you want to be marking you today?
Despite the number of religions, the bible teaches there are only two possible positions people can take: we are either part of the Lord’s flock are not.
Which path will you choose?
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