“Forgiven to be Sure!” Hebrews 10:19-31

Many hymns and songs learned in the past and sung today speak of assurance and the expectation of eternal life in God’s presence…

We sing these and others Sunday after Sunday. Do we mean them We sing these and others Sunday after Sunday. Do we mean them? Do we really consider ourselves “ready for the Judgment Day?”

Is heaven nothing more than wishful thinking?

Remember the commercials for this product – “raise your hands if you’re sure”? Let me ask this morning, how many of you are sure you are headed for heaven?

Purpose: by exposing false ideas of assurance we can be sure of heaven through forgiveness

I Assurance and PRE- DESTINATION A. Its History

Once saved always saved began with Augustine… Part of his theology or “system” is known today as Calvinism… Augustine

I Assurance and PRE- DESTINATION A. Its History B. Its Summary (T.U.L.I.P.)

Total Depravity – born in sin… incapable of any good… Unconditional Election – God chooses His own… Limited Atonement – Christ died only for “the elect” or those whom God predestined… Irresistible Grace – forgiven and saved even if you don’t want to be a Christian… Perseverance of the Saints - once you are saved you are always saved…

I Assurance and PRE- DESTINATION A. Its History B. Its Summary (T.U.L.I.P.) C. Its Fallacy

Bible teaches assurance, but not an unconditional assurance that ignores your will and removes your freedom and responsibility of choice!

II Assurance and EX- PERIENCE (Feelings) A. Common Belief Today

You know you are saved IF you have had a certain feeling &/or experience…

II Assurance and EX- PERIENCE (Feelings) A. Common Belief Today B. Common Mistake Today

2 Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders…”

“Was Noah safe in the ark. What made him safe, his feelings or the ark Dwight L. Moody

Bible nowhere says a particular feeling or experience is the basis of knowing you are saved; instead,…

III Assurance and GOD’S PROMISES

Under grace salvation is NOT ours because we earn or deserve it in any way… Our assurance rest entirely on God’s promises – we literally are standing on the promises of God!

III Assurance and GOD’S PROMISES A. The Death of Jesus

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love to us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:10 “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!”

III Assurance and GOD’S PROMISES A. The Death of Jesus B. The Resurrection of Jesus

Up from the grave He arose!

III Assurance and GOD’S PROMISES A. The Death of Jesus B. The Resurrection of Jesus C. Our Own Death/Resurrection

God promises: “Meet me in baptism and I will apply the blood of Jesus to cover your sins and give you the gift of My Spirit to enable you to live for Me.”

“It was as if Satan were whispering, ‘Martin, do you feel your sins are forgiven?’ After fretting, I rose to my feet and said, ‘No, I don’t but I know they are because God says so in His Word!’” Martin Luther

Conclusion and Summary May our minds rest upon God’s strength and faithfulness and not upon our weaknesses and fickleness…