1. How Can I Know I Am Saved? 1 John 5:13-17

2. Trends… Survey: “How often do you wonder: ‘If I were to die today, do I know for sure that I would go to heaven?’” –Daily (8%) –At least monthly (31%) –Once a year (11%) –Never (46%) (Lifeway Research)

3. Various Ideas About Eternity False hope of Calvinism –Cannot know –All up to God Doubt in place of certainty

4. Overreaction To False Doctrine Paul said he knew –Philippians 1:23 –2 Timothy 4:6-8 We can know –2 Peter 1:5-11 –1 John 5:13

5. Who Can Know? Christians –Those who are true disciples

6. Disciple Webster –A follower of Jesus Christ in his lifetime; 1a: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrine of another 1b: a convinced adherent of a school or individual

7. Who Can Know? Christians –Those who are true disciples –Those who have trusted in God –Not just accepted a few facts –Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26)

8. Who Can Know? Believe in Jesus as God’s Son –Can’t just believe what we want –Believe in His power to save (Matthew 9:6-8; Hebrews 5:8, 9) –Has all power (Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 3:17)

9. What Can We Know? That we have eternal life –Not talking about sinless perfection –Could still forfeit it (2 Corinthians 13:5) –Child of God can be lost (Galatians 5:4; 2 Peter 2:14)

10. What Can We Know? Involves many things –Not just duration –About the quality of our existence (1 Peter 1:4) –Promise to the faithful (1 John 2:24, 25) –Must not turn back (Hebrews 6:4)

11. Why Would I Want To Know? Gives us confidence –Pray with greater confidence (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:14) –Assurance that God hears (Hebrews 13:5, 6)

12. Why Would I Want To Know? Strength to face the struggles of life –Threats from the world (1 Corinthians 15:31-34) –Paul’s attitude (Philippians 4:13)

13. How Can I Know? Based on the Scriptures –Not feelings (John 1:12; 6:44, 45; Romans 8:16) –Why John wrote what he did (1 John 1:4; 2:3; 3:19; 4:2, 13; 5:13-20) –Importance of the Word (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17)

14. How Can I Know? Question is whether one has the Son? –If yes, then you have life (1 John 5:12) –Then one must walk in the light (1 John 1:5-9)

15. Conclusion Do you have the hope of eternal life? Why would you want to delay?