“We Have Been Set Free!”

“Saved by Grace to be Sure!” Hebrews 10:19-31

Ever noticed how many of the hymns we sing speak of assurance – the expectation of eternal life?

Is it true that none of us can be sure of heaven? Why do doubts and uncertainly reign so freely? Are you sure?

Purpose: to better understand the absolute assurance God gives through His grace

IAssurance and Predestination

A.It’s History

Augustine (died A.D. 430) Once saved always saved began by this church leader… Part of his theology or system is known today as Calvinism… A most popular system today…

IAssurance and Predestination A.It’s History B.It’s Summary (T.U.L.I.P.)

T otal Depravity – born bad, unable to do anything good from birth… U nconditional Election - God chooses… nothing you can or will to be His… L imited Atonement - Christ died only for “the elect”… I rresistible Grace – one is saved even if one doesn’t want to be saved… P erseverance of the Saints - once saved always saved…

IAssurance and Predestination A.It’s History B.It’s Summary (T.U.L.I.P.) C.It’s Fallacy

Colossians 1:21-23 “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach – if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard…”

Hebrews 3:12-14 “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.”

IIAssurance and Experience (feelings) A.Common Belief Today B.Common Mistake Today

Was told by a man he didn’t “feel saved,” Moody asked, “Was Noah safe in the ark?” “Certainly he was!” “Well, what made him safe, his feelings or the ark?” Dwight L. Moody

The Bible nowhere says a particular feeling or experience should ever be the basis of one’s salvation… Our assurance is tied to objective events…

IIIAssurance and Good Works A.Being Good Enough

In Luke 18:9-12 two men were praying. One was a Pharisee and the other was a Publican…

IIIAssurance and Good Works A.Being Good Enough B.Being Unsure

IVAssurance and God’s Promises

Under grace, salvation is not ours because we’ve earned it or deserve it – sin is there but is covered by the blood of Christ; thus, our assurance rest ultimately on God’s promises – we literally are “standing on the promises!”

IVAssurance and God’s Promises A.The Death of Christ

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

IVAssurance and God’s Promises A.The Death of Christ B.The Resurrection of Christ

Christ promises to give us life, to raise us from spiritual death at baptism… to raise us at His second coming… Why accept this? Because God demonstrates…

IVAssurance and God’s Promises A.The Death of Christ B.The Resurrection of Christ C.Our Own Death and Resurrection

The point is, we have an objective reference point. God met us in baptism and it was on this occasion we received His gift of grace. We have His word!

Martin Luther “It was as if Satan were whispering: ‘Martin, do you feel your sins are forgiven?’” Luther writes, “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.’”

Conclusion and Summary Christian hope rests on God’s promises not on feeling &/or experiences. It rests on works – God’s works and not our works. May our minds rest upon God’s strength and faithfulness and not upon our weakness and fickleness…

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He is faithful Who promised.”