Confident Salvation 1 John 5:11-13 November 7 - AM

Are you confident? Many Christians lack the confidence and assurance of their salvation We sing – “Blessed Assurance” But – We don’t believe it We often treat salvation as “wishful thinking” Many think it is presumptuous to believe that we are really saved

Are you confident? Without some feeling of confidence and assurance: 1.We lack holiness and sanctification in our lives 2.We are not dedicated to the work 3.We don’t proclaim the gospel to others 4.Even our worship suffers

Are you confident? John is the source of assurance John 20:30-31 John 20: And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Are you confident? 1 John 5:13 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.

Age of Doubt and Insecurity Our world is filled with doubt – About EVERYTHING – God – Jesus Bible – Heaven – Hell QUESTION QUESTION: If you died tonight, do you know for sure that you would be saved and go to heaven?

Age of Doubt and Insecurity Your answer to this question shows if you are: 1.Insecure about what to believe 2.Unsure about believing wrong things 3.Hesitant to believe right thing 4.Not confident in the promises of God

Some Statements: “I don’t know what to believe so that I can be saved.” 1 John 1:1-3 1 John 1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Some Statements: “I don’t know what to believe so that I can be saved.” Romans 1:16 Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Some Statements: “I am a believer but what happens when I sin?” Was the sin intentional or through weakness and temptation? Have you repented of the sin? 1 John 1: John 1: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Some Statements: “There are so many contradictory teachings that I am not sure what to believe.” 1 John 4: John 4: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Some Statements: “There are so many contradictory teachings that I am not sure what to believe.” Do not believe the preacher – even the Apostle Paul Acts 17:11 - Acts 17:11 - These were more fair- minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Some Statements: “How can I know that I am doing the will of God?” 1 John 2: John 2: Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Some Statements: “How can I know that I am doing the will of God?” 1 John 2: John 2: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Some Statements: “How can I know that I am doing the will of God?” 1 John 4: John 4: He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Do you KNOW? Do you KNOW that you are saved? Do you KNOW that you have eternal life? Some view salvation like a light switch – On / Off / On / Off Many are never sure at any moment if the light just flickered You don’t have to live in doubt.

Do you KNOW? YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE!

Are you sure? Do you know that Jesus saves? Do you believe that He offers eternal life to those who believe? Salvation is not subjective jumping through hoops Salvation is faith, trust, and obedience in Him