Christian Assurance

-Introduction

-In last week’s lesson, I made a reference to Deut 6:4-7.

       -Within these words, we find the important responsibility of parents to teach their

         children the truths of God and His word.

       -This is something that I have tried to take to heart and try to carry out (with room

         for improvement of course) with Delevan and Kayla.

-With that being said, I would like to share a little story with you:

     -Last week during Lord’s Supper - When it was time to partake of the bread,

       Delevan looked up at me and simply said, “Body.”  When it was time to partake of

       the fruit of the vine, he simply said, “Blood.”  I’ve tried to teach Him what we are doing

       when partaking of the Lord’s Supper - remembering the body and blood of Jesus.

 When Delevan said, “Blood,” I asked Him - “When did Jesus shed His blood?”

 “On the cross,” he said.  “So we can live.”  So, I asked him, “Live where?”  To which he

 responded, “507” - the numbers in our current address. So, I said, “Actually, He died on

 the cross so we can live in heaven with God someday” to which he responded, “Really? 

 Are you sure?”

-“Are you sure?”  That’s an excellent question - one that we’ll focus on this morning.

      -To do so, we’ll focus on the book of 1 John.

-Blessed Assurance

-Isn’t it wonderful to be sure about something!? - to have confidence - to have assurance!?

-That is a blessing that God has made available to us through/in Christ.

-This is what John reminds Christians of in 1 John.

       -Notice the purpose John stated for his account of the Gospel - John 20:30-31 - so that

         others would believe in Jesus and have life through Him.

       -In 1 John, several times John indicates a purpose he had in mind for his writing of

         this letter (1:4, 2:1, 2:12-13, 2:21, 5:13).  However, it seems that it is 5:13 that reveals

         the primary purpose of his letter - “that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”

-So, within God’s word, we find the wonderful message of blessed assurance.

-Let’s notice a few things that John reveals regarding that assurance.

-Relationship With God Through Christ

-1 John 1:1-4 - This came from one who had first-hand knowledge regarding Jesus.

       -John 1:1-5, 14

-The good news of Christ was preached and should continue to be preached.  God has

  provided us with an avenue through which/Whom we can receive the forgiveness of sins.

       -Sin separates us from God - Isa 59:1-2

       -Yet, we can be reconciled to God through Christ - Col 1:21.

       -However, as Christians, we must realize that we are not without sin because we

         still make mistakes along the way.  Yet, in Christ, there is still hope.

       -1 John 1:5-10

-Forgiveness was made available and remains available through the blood of Jesus.

       -1 John 2:1-2

-So, our confidence and assurance as Christians rests in Christ.  Apart from Him, there

  is no confidence, no assurance, no hope.

-Additional references in 1 John to the Christian’s assurance:  As faithful Christians,

       -2:5 - we can be sure of our relationship with God in Christ.

       -2:25 - eternal life has been promised by God to His children.

       -2:28 - we can look forward to the coming of the Lord with confidence.

       -4:17 - we do not have to fear the Day of Judgment.

       -5:4 - we are assured of final victory.

-Conditions to Be Met

-There are several words that are repeated a number of times in 1 John - i.e. know & love.

-Another important and repeated word in 1 John is “if” - occurs 21 times.

-This indicates that there are conditions to be met in regards to assurance.  Therefore, we

  need to take our Christian responsibilities seriously and pursue them with diligence.

       -Let me tell you, it is encouraging to be around folks that do.

-One condition that John stresses throughout this letter is obedience - Christian living.

       -1:7 - walking in the light

       -2:3-4, 17 - keeping the commandments, doing the will of God

       -3:4-10 - choosing a righteous life style over a sinful lifestyle

       -5:1-3 - keeping the commandments - willfully, not grievously

            -Allowing love to be our motivation, certainly “lightens” the load.

            -Side note:  Emphasizing the importance of obedience does not detract from God’s

              grace.  We cannot, by our obedience, earn salvation.  It is truly a gift offered by God

              through His grace (Eph 2:8-10).  Yet, obedience is a condition to the gift God offers.

              It is required by God (Heb 5:9).  God reaches out to us with grace.  We reach up to

              Him with obedience.  

-Another condition set forth by John is loving one another.

            -We first need to be mindful of God’s love for us:  2:5; 3:1; 4:8-11,16,19

            -The love God has for us should then motivate us to love one another.

                   -2:9-11; 3:11,13; 4:7-12, 20-21 - Consider the importance of 1 John 3:18-19.

-Summary and Invitation

-Let’s strive for the assurance that God has made available.  Let’s enter into a relationship

  with Him through Christ.  Let’s strive to grow in the knowledge of His will for us and

  apply it accordingly in our lives.  Let’s not live like the world.  Let’s not be like the world.

  Let’s be more like God wants us to be.  Let’s appreciate His love for us, realize that He

  knows us and recognizes our efforts.  Let’s strive for a life of righteousness that exhibits

  our love to one another. 

-1 John 5:13

-Do you have that assurance?  Have you obeyed the Gospel?  If not, believe in Jesus as the

 Son of God (John 3:15, John 8:24); confess that faith (Heb 11:1, Rom 10:9-10, Matt 10:32);

 repent of your sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30); be baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38, Matt

 16:16; Gal 3:26-29).

-If you have obeyed the Gospel but haven’t remained faithful, confess your shortcomings,

  repent of them and pray for God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).