Confident Salvation

1 John 5:11-13

November 7 - AM

Are you confident?Many Christians lack the

confidence and assurance of their salvation

We sing – “Blessed Assurance”

But – We don’t believe it

We often treat salvation as “wishful thinking”

Many think it is presumptuous to believe that we are really saved

Are you confident?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

Are you confident?John is the source of assurance

John 20:30-31John 20:30-31 - 30And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples,

which are not written in this book; 31but 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.

Are you confident?

1 John 5:131 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.

Age of Doubt and Insecurity

Our world is filled with doubt –

About EVERYTHING –

God – Jesus

Bible – Heaven – Hell

QUESTIONQUESTION: If you died tonight, do you know for sure that you would

be saved and go to heaven?

Age of Doubt and Insecurity

Your answer to this question shows if you are:

1. Insecure about what to believe

2. Unsure about believing wrong things

3. Hesitant to believe right thing

4. Not confident in the promises of God

Some Statements:““I don’t know what to believe so that I I don’t know what to believe so that I

can be saved.”can be saved.”1 John 1:1-31 John 1:1-3 - 1That which was from the

beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have

looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear

witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was

manifested to us—3that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our

fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Some Statements:““I don’t know what to believe so I don’t know what to believe so

that I can be saved.”that I can be saved.”Romans 1:16Romans 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.

Some Statements:““I am a believer but what happens I am a believer but what happens

when I sin?”when I sin?”Was the sin intentional or through Was the sin intentional or through

weakness and temptation?weakness and temptation?

Have you repented of the sin?Have you repented of the sin?

1 John 1:8-9 - 1 John 1:8-9 - 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the

truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us

our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Some Statements:““There are so many contradictory There are so many contradictory

teachings that I am not sure what to teachings that I am not sure what to believe.”believe.”

1 John 4:1-3 - 1 John 4:1-3 - 1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of

God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus

Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you

have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Some Statements:““There are so many contradictory There are so many contradictory

teachings that I am not sure what to teachings that I am not sure what to believe.”believe.”

Do not believe the preacher – even Do not believe the preacher – even the Apostle Paulthe Apostle Paul

Acts 17:11 - Acts 17:11 - These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in

that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures

daily to find out whether these things were so.

Some Statements:““How can I know that I am doing the will How can I know that I am doing the will

of God?”of God?”1 John 2:3-6 - 1 John 2:3-6 - 3Now by this we know

that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4He who says, “I know

Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoever keeps His

word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He

walked.

Some Statements:““How can I know that I am doing the will How can I know that I am doing the will

of God?”of God?”1 John 2:15-17 - 1 John 2:15-17 - 15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If

anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in

the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God

abides forever.

Some Statements:““How can I know that I am doing the will How can I know that I am doing the will

of God?”of God?”1 John 4:8-11 - 1 John 4:8-11 - 8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9In

this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we

might live through Him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He

loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if

God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Do you KNOW?Do you KNOW that you are

saved?

Do you KNOW that you have eternal life?

Some view salvation like a light switch – On / Off / On / Off

Many are never sure at any moment if the light just flickered

You don’t have to live in doubt.

Do you KNOW?

YOU CAN KNOW FOR YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE!SURE!

Are you sure?Are you sure?Do you know that Jesus saves?Do you know that Jesus saves?

Do you believe that He offers Do you believe that He offers eternal life to those who eternal life to those who

believe?believe?

Salvation is not subjective Salvation is not subjective jumping through hoopsjumping through hoops

Salvation is faith, trust, and Salvation is faith, trust, and obedience in Himobedience in Him