Knowing That You Know The earthly facts about eternal life Doubt is normal. We all are prone to doubt at points in our journey. I recall a time in 1987 when I was experiencing my own season of doubt. I remember vividly … the tomb was empty. It was enough for me. But what is the source for much of our doubt? The Source of Our Doubt   We struggle against an unholy threesome in our lives: the world, the flesh, and the Devil. In each case, there is a struggle for truth: *The world system is against God. *Each of us struggles with our own fleshly desires because there is sin in the world. *Satan is bent on our destruction. On this basis, here are some reasons why you may doubt your salvation: You may have not been walking in obedience to Him. There may be sin in your life.    Satan may have planted doubts in your mind. He is a liar and the father of all lies. You may think this is just too simple. You may have neglected the disciplines of the Christian life: prayer, Bible study, worship, participation in your lifegroup family, public worship attendance. You may have questions about God, His work in the world, or life experiences Knowing That You Know The earthly facts about eternal life

Knowing That You Know 1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” John 17:1-3 NIV What does it mean to say that we know Jesus? Ginosko – Experiential, tested and proven

Knowing Jesus is the basis of salvation. Knowing That You Know Knowing Jesus is the basis of salvation. We offer a relationship with the Living God through Jesus. Each of us comes to God this way. Knowing Jesus is the basis of salvation. We do not invite people to join a church. We do not hope people become more moral. We do not have a message of prosperity for obedience. We do not have a list of facts that once memorized magically change people. We do not offer a feel good emotional high that blocks out the evils of the world. We offer a relationship with the Living God through Jesus. Each of us comes to God this way. My relationship began. I knew that I was broken. I needed someone to save me. I found that He had been chasing me for a long time. I had fought Him off until I couldn’t any more. Have you experienced this point? Has your heart embraced Jesus entirely?

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: Knowing That You Know 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Knowing Jesus is synonymous with a changed life. I knew that my life was changed because … I wanted to be more like Jesus – fruit of the Spirit. I wanted to get rid of bad habits and sin habits – conviction. I was willing to do the hard work – forgiveness, servanthood, reconciliation, obedience. For some, change is dramatic and quick with lasting effect. For many change is slow, daily, and challenging.

Every transformed life has fruit in keeping with the change Knowing That You Know Know the new life A change is the core We all began to change to grow in the likeness of Jesus from the day we believed Every transformed life has fruit in keeping with the change Know the new life A change is the core: my death exchanged for the life of Jesus. Change is as obvious as Lazarus coming out of the grave with burial cloths wrapped on him. I began to change to grow in the likeness of Jesus from the day I believed. No change or desire to change = no eternal life. Every transformed life has fruit in keeping with the change. Have you seen a change in your heart? A change in your attitudes? A change in your purpose?

Knowing That You Know 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” When death draws near, it is only natural to ponder the meaning of what is next. When my dad died this last July, … I wanted to know that I know.

A saving faith is an enduring faith Knowing That You Know Know your future A saving faith is an enduring faith We trust God to know people’s hearts I can only know my own heart We can trust God. We can have confidence in spite of the fallen world that surrounds us Know your future. Security of the believer A saving faith is an enduring faith. I trust God to know people’s hearts. I can only know my own heart. We can trust God. We can have confidence in spite of the fallen world that surrounds us.