1. DEFEAT DOUBT WE CAN BE CONFIDENT ABOUT SALVATION

2. INTRODUCTION Many lack confidence and assurance in their salvation Salvation for many = wishful thinking When we lack confidence in our salvation: –We are not dedicated to the work –We don’t try to teach others –Our worship suffers

3. ASSURANCE IN JOHN John 20:30-31 30 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.

4. ASSURANCE IN JOHN 1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 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.

5. DOUBT AND INSECURITY World is full of doubt – God, Jesus, Bible, Heaven, Hell, salvation, church QUESTION: If you died tonight, would you be saved and go to heaven? How would you answer this question?

6. WILL YOU GO TO HEAVEN? QUESTION: If you died tonight, would you be saved and go to heaven? Your answer might show: –Insecurity about what to believe –Unsure about believing wrong things –Failure to understand the promises of God

7. STATEMENTS I HAVE HEARD I don’t know what to believe so I can be saved 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. John 8:24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

8. STATEMENTS I HAVE HEARD I don’t know what to believe so I can be saved I am a Christian, but what if I sin? 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 1:9-10 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

9. STATEMENTS I HAVE HEARD I don’t know what to believe so I can be saved I am a Christian, but what if I sin? How can I know I am doing the will of God? 1 John 2:3-6 3 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.

10. DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE SAVED? Do you have eternal life? Some view salvation as a light switch – on / off / on / off They are never sure at any moment if the switch flipped.

11. IN DOUBT NO MORE Do you know that Jesus saves? Do you believe that He offers eternal life? Have you believed strongly enough to obey Him? –Decide to turn away from sin –Confess your faith in Jesus –Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins

12. 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.