The nature of The Christian’s Assurance For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:24-25) Print Slides: 8,11,14 Preached at West Side on August 16, 2009 AM

False Views of Assurance Assurance & Predestination God predetermined the saved and the lost Colossians 1:21-23; Mark 16:15-16

Colossians 1:21-23 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

False Views of Assurance Assurance & Predestination God predetermined the saved and the lost Colossians 1:21-23; Mark 16:15-16 Assurance & Experience (Feelings) If you have a certain experience or feeling… 2 John 9-11; Matthew 7:20-23

2 John 9-11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

Matthew 7:20-23 “Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

False Views of Assurance Assurance & Predestination God predetermined the saved and the lost Colossians 1:21-23; Mark 16:15-16 Assurance & Experience (Feelings) If you have a certain experience or feeling… 2 John 9-11; Matthew 7:20-23 Assurance & Good Works My life lived is “good enough” to save me Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 5:2-4

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Galatians 5:2-4 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

True Assurance Assurance & God’s Promises When you are asked the question, “Are you going to heaven?” Who do you think of first… Yourself? Or God? If self - (Feelings, good works, experiences) - then there is, of course, doubt If God - (His power, promises, mercy, grace) – then there is assurance! Romans 5:8-9; Hebrews 6:17-19

Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Hebrews 6:17-19 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…

Conclusion We must trust in God to obtain full assurance, rather than trusting in ourselves! “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:12