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INTRO
We continue our study of Assurance.
1 John 5:13 – So that you may KNOW
2 Corinthians 13:5 – Let us examine ourselves
As true believers we can be sure of our salvation.
Assurance in our salvation = Confidence in our salvation
True Believers May Struggle at Times
Donald Whitney: How Can I Be Sure I’m a Christian? The Satisfying Certainty of Eternal Life
Living in this world may cause seasons of doubt
Trials and circumstances of life.
We struggle with sin
Health (sickness, fatigue, depression)
Spiritual immaturity
Lack of growth. Babes in Christ
Sin and how we deal with it.
How can I keep doing this if I am saved?
Why am I tempted if I am saved?
Comparisons to other believers
They are doing fine, but I continue to struggle.
Look how spiritual they are.
Childhood conversion
Hard for us to remember when we were lost
The understanding of sin is different as an adult
Sin and how we deal with it.
How can I keep doing this if I am saved?
Why am I tempted if I am saved?
SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS KEY HERE!!!! GROW AND CHANGING INTO THE LIKENESS OF CHRIST.
Unbelievers May Have a False Assurance
Matthew 7:21-23 (last Sunday)
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (ESV)
The Basis of True Assurance
The Character of God
2 Timothy 1:12 – which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. (ESV)
Not me, but whom I have believed
God is…
His attributes (all powerful, all wise, all loving)
His Grace saved me. His Grace will keep me
He is perfect
Perfect wrath toward the unrepentant
Saves, Empowers, Keeps
Philippians 1:3–6 – 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Completed work of Christ
Luke 19:10 – For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (ESV)
John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (ESV)
Romans 5:17 – For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Repentance and Faith
Turned from self and our sin
Turned to Christ and His righteousness
His forgiveness, acceptance, and presence.
God’s Word (His promises)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (ESV)
John 5:24 – Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (ESV)
Acts 2:21 – And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (ESV)
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