1. THE SEARCH FOR ASSURANCE

2. CHRISTIANS SEEM TO VACILLATE  Assurance – 1 John 5:3  Warning – 1 Corinthians 10:12  Assurance Has Been Hotly Debated  This Subject Deserves Study 8/18/2013 2

3. WICKED AND THE RIGHTEOUS  Wicked Can Turn and be Saved  So Can the Righteous Fall and Be Lost – Ezekiel 18:21-26  A Christian's Fellowship With His Father – Romans 11:19-22; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 14 8/18/2013 3

4. WHAT ASSURANCE IS NOT  Emotional: Our Emotions / Feelings of Certainty Luke 18: 9-14 and Matthew 7:15-23  Purely Cognitive: Our Knowledge of Theology of the Bible  The Pharisees searched the Scriptures – John 5:38, 39  The demons believe there is one God – James 2:19  The Devil knows the Bible – Matthew 4:1-13  Experiential: Intense Spiritual Experiences 8/18/2013 4

5. THE EVIDENCE OF SCRIPTURE  God Clearly Intends for His Children to Know Assurance – Romans 8:15  The Essence of the Kingdom is “Righteousness, Peace and Joy" – Romans 14:17  “Love, Joy and Peace" are the “Fruit of the Spirit“ – Galatians 5:22  There Cannot be Peace Without Assurance, and no Joy Without Peace 8/18/2013 5

6. PAUL'S CONFIDENCE  “There is Laid Up for Me a Crown of Righteousness, Which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, Shall Give to Me at that Day“ – 2 Timothy 4:8  As a Sinner, he was Saved by the Grace of God just as You and I Must Be – Philippians 3:9  “Justified by Faith in Christ" – Galatians 2:16 8/18/2013 6

7. GOD’S GRACE AND ASSURED PROMISES  The One that Trusts in God Fights Sin – Romans 6:1- 14  True Faith Works the Will of God – Romans 1:5; Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-26  True Love Keeps the Commandments of Christ – John 14:15  Failure to Please our Savior Will Bring Grief – 2 Corinthians 7:10 8/18/2013 7

8. SPIRIT OF OBEDIENT FAITH  Continue in His Goodness – Romans 11:19-22  Hold Fast to the Word – 1 Corinthians 15:1-2  Continue in the Grounded and Steadfast in the Faith – Colossians 1:22-23  We Become Partakers of Christ if we Hold Steadfast – Hebrews 3:6; 14 8/18/2013 8

9. DEFENSE AGAINST DECEPTION  A Single-Minded Will to do God's Will – John 7:17  A Genuine Love of His truth – 2 Thessalonians 2:10  Trust in God With a Whole Hear His Way Will be Revealed – Philippians 3:13-15  Our Task  Bring to our Father a true heart  Ask God through prayer – Ephesians 3:20 8/18/2013 9

10. THREE KEY ASSURANCES  The Holy Spirit – Acts 19:2; Romans 8:14, 16  The Word of God – John 1:12; 1 John 1:9  A Transformed Life – Luke 19:8-9 8/18/2013 10

11. PEACE IN OUR HEART  If Our Heart Condemn Us, God is Greater than Our Heart and Knows All Things – 1 John 3:19-20  Put Confidence in His Promises, Not Your Feelings  Peace Surpasses Understanding – Philippians 4:7  Paul said that Nothing can Separate Us From the Love of God but he Also Said I Buffet My Body – 1 Corinthians 9:27 The assurance of God is a holy confidence together with our sober vigilance which results in assertion that by His grace, may never be lost! 8/18/2013 11

12. WHAT MUST I DO?  Believe the Gospel of Christ John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:10  Repent or Turn From Your Sins Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31  Confess Your Faith in Christ Matt 10:32-33; Rom 10:9-10  Be Immersed in Water Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21  Live in Obedient Faith 1 Peter 1:14; Rev 2:10 8/18/2013 12