START: How Can I Be Sure?
2017-09-24
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verse:
Ephesians 2:4-5
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Last week, we talked about suffering. Why does it exist? Why is this world so broken? Simply put, why God? We took time to examine how the brokenness of this world is not God’s fault, it’s ours. We landed last week in Romans 8 talking about the promise of God that nothing can separate us from His love. That is what I’d like to talk about today…How can we be sure?
Romans 8:39b …(nothing) shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:1-9 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
How can I be sure?
The Holy Spirit regenerated, sealed, baptized, and indwells—and prays for us. The Son was crucified, resurrected and intercedes for us forever. Finally, the Father said the elect would never perish (John 3:16, 10:27-29), thirst (Jn 4:14), be judged (1 Corinthians 1:8,9), die spiritually (Jn 8:52), or be forsaken (Philippians 1:6, Heb 13:5)
1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
1. Because I can do nothing to secure my own salvation – John 14
2. Because He has declared us righteous through Justification
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
3. Because Jesus has us firmly in His grip
Hebrews 7:23-25 (NLT) There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
From our newly published START book: Reading 1 John is meant to help with our assurance. Guard your feelings to deal with the emotional fear and know the facts to confront the mental doubt. As 1 John shows, true Christians have these marks in their life, either past or present:
Hebrews 7:23-25 (NLT) There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
From our newly published START book: Reading 1 John is meant to help with our assurance. Guard your feelings to deal with the emotional fear and know the facts to confront the mental doubt. As 1 John shows, true Christians have these marks in their life, either past or present:
1. You will want to know Him (1:3,4), look forward to seeing Him (3:2,3), and relate to Him by His Spirit within them (4:13).
2. Convicted of your sin (1:5-10), despise their sin (2:15), and practice sin less and less (3:5,6).
3. Seek fellowship with other Christians (1:3,4; 3:14).
4. Understand the power of prayer – They have seen prayer work and had God answer their prayer (3:22, 5:14,15).
5. Recognize the importance of God’s Word – They believe Scripture (5:1-2), know what is not Scripture (4:1-3), and want to obey Scripture (2:3-5).