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TITLE:  Confident Salvation
TEXT:  1 John 5:111-13
PROPOSITION:  We can be confident about our salvation.
QUESTION:  How?
KEY WORD:  Attitudes
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

 

INTRODUCTION:

  1. Many Christians lack the confidence and assurance of their salvation.
  2. We often treat salvation as “wishful thinking”
  3. AND we think that we are presumptuous to believe we are really saved
  4. 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
  5. John is a source of assurance
    1. John 20:30-31
    2. 1 John 5:13

 

Age of Doubt and Insecurity

  1. Our world is filled with doubt – about everything – God, Bible, Jesus, Heaven and Hell
  2. If you died tonight, do you know for sure that you would be saved and go to heaven?
  3. Your answer to this question shows your:
    1. Insecurity about what to believe
    2. Unsure about believing wrong things
    3. Hesitant to believe right things
    4. Failure to understand the promises of God
  4. I hear some statements often
    1. “I don’t know what to believe so that I can be saved.”

                                                               i.      1 John 1:1-3

                                                              ii.      Romans 1:16

    1. “I am a believer but what happens when I sin?”

                                                               i.      Was the sin intentional or through weakness and temptation?

                                                              ii.      Have you repented of the sin?

                                                            iii.      1 John 1:8-9

                                                            iv.      1 John 2:1

    1. “There are so many contradictory teachings that I am not sure what to believe.”

                                                               i.      1 John 4:1-3

                                                              ii.      Don’t believe the preacher – even Paul

                                                            iii.      Acts 17:11

    1. “How can I know that I am doing the will of God?”

                                                               i.      1 John 2:3-6

                                                              ii.      1 John 2:15-17

                                                            iii.      1 John 4:7-11


 

Do you KNOW that you are saved?

  1. Let me change the question: Do you have Eternal Life?
  2. Some view salvation like a light switch – ON / OFF / ON / OFF
  3. Thus we are never sure at any moment if the light just flickered
  4. You don’t have to live in doubt – you can know

 Conclusion:

  1. Do you know that Jesus saves?
  2. Do you believe that He offers eternal life to those who believe?
  3. Salvation is not subjective jumping thorugh hoops
  4. Salvation is faith and trust in Him

 




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