Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance

 

 

Purpose: Encourage Christians by helping them to understand that they can know that they are saved.

 

Introduction

I. We often sing the song Blessed Assurance
    A. As Christians we have assurance of many, many things.
 II. We can have Blessed Assurance for the following reasons:
     A. Because we do not live under the Old Covenant.

B. Because of the cross of Christ.

C. Because we are made righteous in Christ.

D. Because the Father promises he will remember our sins no more.

 

 

I.   We can have Blessed Assurance because we no do not live under the Old Covenant.

A. The Old Law was a law of condemnation.  There was no salvation to be found in it. (Colossians 2:14)

1. The law told people that they were sinners but gave no way to be justified, only sins were rolled forward.

2. It served only to remind them of their sins.

 

B. The law was meant only to bring us to the Gospel and the church.

1. The church was God's eternal purpose. (Matthew 16:18)

2. From the moment sin entered into the world, God set out to bring about our salvation through Christ. (Genesis 3:15)

C. We should be so grateful that we do not live under that system.

 

II.  We can have Blessed Assurance because of the cross of Christ.

A. Sin was (and still is) the ultimate crime against the almighty God and therefore required the ultimate sacrifice.

1. Hebrews 2:9 – “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

2. John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

3. Christ's death on the cross, made possible the forgiveness of our sins.

 

 

III. We can have Blessed Assurance because we are in Christ.

A. One gets into Christ by obeying the Gospel.

1. Hearing  - Romans 10:17

2. Believing John 8:24 – “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”

3. RepentingLuke 13:3 – “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

4. ConfessingMatthew 10:32 – “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”

5. Being baptizedActs 2:38 – “Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

B. At the point of baptism one is put into Christ –Galatians 3:27 – “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

1. To be in Christ is to be in the Church.  Acts 2:47 – “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
2. This is where I want to be, don’t you?

 

IV.  We can have Blessed Assurance because the Father promises he will no longer remember our sins.

A. Hebrews 8:12 – “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

B. 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

C. The only sin God will not forgive is the one that is not confessed.

 

 

Conclusion

I. To those of you who have never obeyed the gospel, you do not have these assurances.  
     A. However, we know that God will not go back on His word.

B. As long as you're living, it is not too late to obey him.

C. Give plan of salvation.

II. To those of you who have obeyed the gospel; I would like to ask you one question.
      A. If you knew that Christ were going to come in the next 30 minutes would you have the assurance to know that you would be found faithful?
 
III. If you are not absolutely sure, there is something wrong.
     A. 1 John 2:3 tells us that if we keep His commandments, we should know that we know Him.
     B. Are you keeping His commandments?
 
Jimmy
Adapted
10/04/09