Assurance of Salvation…
Getting Back To Biblical Basics
I John 5:11-13
INTRO
Is it possible...
I. Refreshing Our Thinking
A. I John 5:11-13
1. “the record” — assurance is based on God’s record
2. “given” — works are not involved
3. “eternal” — we can’t lose it
4. “in his Son” — salvation is in Christ
5. “These things... that ye may know.”
God intends us to have assurance.
B. Ephesians 2:8,9
C. Romans 10:13
D. Acts 16:31
II. Re-examining Our Teaching
God wants you to KNOW you are saved. Your salvation is not dependent on works. We all believe that... but what are we communicating?
A. We need care in teaching the Biblical evidences of salvation as evidences, not requirements, or else we are bumping up against a works salvation.
1. Evidence can prove something to be true, but it cannot really show something to be untrue.
2. I John is given to give us assurance, not to take away assurance.
B. We need care in preaching the glorious truth of salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ.
Beware “The Assurance Knockout” One-two punch of...
1. raising the bar of what true salvation and repentance are, and then...
2. using an illustration of someone who hurdles that bar, but then realizes even they need to make a salvation decision.
C. We need care in maintaining the Biblical distinction between salvation and discipleship.
III. Restoring Our Trust
Why do people doubt? Either they are saved or not. If not, they need to be saved. They have never called upon the Lord for salvation.
If they are not sure they have called upon Him, obviously the matter is too important to leave unsettled. But why are they not sure?
CHART (available upon request from contact form at www.bethelbc.info)
A. Sometimes when they say they are not sure, they are doubting God and His Word.
B. Sometimes when they say they are not sure, they are doubting whether they called on the Lord for salvation or not.
1. The Biblical Analogy
Jesus compared being saved to being born when He called it being “born again” in John 3. See also I Peter 1:23
2. The Biblical Reminders
a. Public profession reminds a convert of his decision for Christ.
b. Baptism reminds a convert of his decision for Christ.
c. Giving testimony reminds a convert of his decision for Christ.
3. The Biblical Evidences
Lacking the evidences will rob the believer of his assurance, but it will not rob him of his salvation.
C. Sometimes when they say they are not sure, they are doubting the validity of their call.
1. People say or think, “Did I really mean it?”
A better question is...
The “really, really mean it” trap ought to be avoided. How many really's must there be?
2. People say or think, “Did I understand enough?”
How much did the thief on the cross understand?
Mark 10:15 Luke 18:17
3. People say or think, “Did I repent enough?”
a. The definition of repentance
b. The deforming of repentance
(1) Some make it an extra step to salvation.
(2) Some confuse salvation and discipleship.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” — Luke 14:33
c. The details of repentance
4. People say or think, “I can’t remember all the details”
Conclusion:
The Lord has so much for you in the Christian life. Let’s get victory in this area of assurance so that you can grow and experience the joy of the Christian walk and be used of God in a mighty way for the cause of Christ.
