2. Growing in God 1. Assurance of Salvation

3. Introduction

4. Lesson Outline Assurance of Salvation Plan of Salvation
We first examine the idea of assurance of salvation, noting what it is and why it is crucial if we are to grow in our relationship with God. We note that many people lack assurance because they do not fully understand the plan of salvation.
We then explore the biblical plan of salvation, using Ephesians 2:8-10 as our anchor text for the presentation. We note that it has three key ideas: not by works, but by grace through faith, and for works.

5. Assurance of Salvation

6. The Probe for Assurance

7. The Probe for Assurance
We shall begin by asking three key questions, drawn the EE3 course. Please answer each question—you may answer in your thoughts if you wish, or you may write your response down—before you move on to the next question. This is the most important exercise in the Crossroads programme. Please do not ‘cheat’ yourself by skipping it.

8. Three Questions Do you think you will go to heaven when you die?
Suppose you want to go to heaven, why do you think God should let you in?
Do you think that before you could go to heaven, God would have to change anything about the way you live right now?

9. Assurance 2
The Power of Assurance

10. The Power of Assurance
Many Christians are insecure in the relationship with God because they lack assurance of salvation. It shows in their stop-start Christian life—two steps forward, two steps backward. We can only grow in our relationship with God when we are sure of our salvation. Assurance of salvation is a powerful catalyst of spiritual growth.

11. The Possibility of Assurance

12. Possibility of Assurance
The scriptures teach that we can be sure of our salvation in this life. In other words, the Holy Spirit gives us an inner assurance that we are born again, we are children of God, and we have eternal life.

13. Possibility of Assurance
The scriptures teach that we can be sure of our salvation in this life. In other words, the Holy Spirit gives us an inner assurance that we are born again, we are children of God, and we have eternal life.
1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

14. Possibility of Assurance
The scriptures teach that we can be sure of our salvation in this life. In other words, the Holy Spirit gives us an inner assurance that we are born again, we are children of God, and we have eternal life.
1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

15. The Plan of Salvation

16. Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

17. Plan of Salvation We are not saved by works
We are saved by grace through faith
We are saved for works

18. Not
By works

19. We are not saved by works
Not by Works
We are not saved by works

20. Not by works Satan Jesus Where on this continuum would you place:50
100
Where on this continuum would you place:
a) The best person alive today
b) The worst person alive today
c) The best person you know personally
d) Yourself

21. Not by works Satan Jesus Worst Person Best Person Myself! Friend 50
100

22. Not by works Satan Jesus Worst Person Best Person Myself! Friend 50
100

23. Not by works! Not by works Satan Jesus Worst Person Best Person
Myself!
Friend
Satan
Jesus 50
100

24. Not by works 1. Man is separated from God a) God is holy
b) Man is sinful

25. Not by works 1. Man is separated from God a) God is holy
b) Man is sinful
2. Man cannot cross the divide

26. Not by Works
Man
God
SIN
Death
Life

27. But
BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH

28. But by Grace, through Faith
Grace is God’s part G R A C E
God’s
Riches At
Christ’s
Expense

29. But by Grace, through Faith
Grace is God’s part
Faith is our part G R A C E
God’s
Riches At
Christ’s
Expense F A I T H
Forsaking
All
Take
Him

30. But by Grace, through Faith
Man
God
Jesus
SIN
Death
Life

31. And
For Works

32. And for Works
Good works are the sign that we are saved.
Good works are not the cause of salvation, but they are the consequence of salvation.
We don’t do good works so that we may be saved; we do them because we have been saved!

33. And for Works
There are three changes that take place as a direct result of our salvation. 1) Conscious: we become alive to the Spirit. 2) Conscience: we become aware of sin. 3) Conformity: we become a-lot like Christ.

34. Conclusion

35. Summary
Many people do not grow in the relationship with God because they lack assurance of salvation.
They lack assurance of salvation because they do not fully understand the plan of salvation.
The plan of salvation teaches us that we are not saved by doing good works, but by grace through faith, and for good works.