My 1/17/16AM sermon, Believer’s Benefits (1) from 1 John 5:13-17, is now online. This sermon was the first of a brief 2 part sermon set that highlight the difference that believing in Jesus Christ makes in the life of those who believe. This sermon was grouped together because both of my points had to do with confidence: confidence for eternal life and boldness in our prayers. So, I hope this sermon encourages you in relationship: the relationship you have with God your Father through Jesus Christ, His Son.
Weekend Recap – Faith Overcomes
My 1/3/16AM sermon, Faith Overcomes from 1 John 5:1-5 is now online. One way God works assurance in His people is by showing the fruit of lives that are born of God, those who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. This sermon unpacked the fruit of love, obedience and a reality of faith that overcomes the world. I hope it encourages you.
Weekend Recap (Part 1) – 11/1/15
My 11/1/15AM sermon, Assuring Love from 1 John 3:19-24, is now online. This sermon helped showcase what God is up to in calling us to love and how this works to build assurance in us. So, the big aim of John – helping us know that we have eternal life – was tied to the practical aim of 1 John 3 – having our identity in love. These two purposes were fused in action. I hope this sermon proves helpful and encouraging to you.
How Do You Know?
A big question that many of us grapple with has to do with assurance, or knowing that we have a relationship with Christ. Here’s how Andrew Fuller gave counsel to his daughter in a letter:
If, you dear, you do really enjoy the presence of God, and so see the greatness of your sin as to abhor it and yourself on account of it, that is certainly an evidence that God has chosen you out of the world. If there be any doubt in the matter, it is whether those feelings which you enjoy be excited by the Lord’s presence, and whether the sense you have of the greatness of your sin does lead you to bewail and hate it. I do not mean to discourage you, or to suggest as if I thought otherwise; but it may be well for you to suspect your own heart, which is deceitful. I may add, that if you think you “see yourself a great sinner,” it may in part be because you at present know but little of yourself. You are a much greater sinner, my dear, than you are aware of; and an interest in the dying love of Christ is of far greater importance that you have ever yet conceived. But let not this discourage you. Though your sins be as scarlet, yet the blood of Christ is sufficient to make you pure as snow. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. Believe his gospel, commit your soul to him as a perishing sinner, and you will be everlastingly saved. See Isaiah 1:18; 1 John 1:7; 2 Timothy 1:12. Follow on to know the Lord, and you shall know him. Call upon him in the name of Christ, that is, pray him to pardon and accept of you, and grant all your petitions, not for your worthiness’ sake, for you are utterly unworthy; but for the worthiness’ sake of his dear Son, who died for sinners. [1]
There is so much godly counsel and wisdom in these words. Notice that Fuller isn’t to give even his own daughter assurance apart from Christ. It’s there, and only there, that our confidence and worthiness is found. So, how do you know? Do you know Christ and His sacrifice for sinners?
[1] Andrew Fuller, “Letter 13: To Mary Fuller,” in The Armies of the Lamb: The Spirituality of Andrew Fuller, ed. Michael Haykin. (Dundas, Ontario: Joshua Press, 2001), 135-136.
Weekend Preview – Assurance in Promise of God
This coming Lord’s Day, we hope to look at Hebrews 6:13-20. This passage picks up where 5:10 left off, prepping us for the amazing truth we will consider in chapter 7. You might remember, though, that a firm issue was dealt with in 5:11-6:12 — spiritual immaturity. In response to this, in 6:9-12, the writer gives them encouragement about what he sees in their lives. In Hebrews 6:13-20, then, we see:
What the writer is concerned to show is (1) the solemnity of God’s promises; (2) His unchangeable character and, therefore, (3) the absolute certainty of His Word. This is really an explanation of the basis of the Christian’s full assurance of hope. Having given these stern warnings, now he is going to explain on what basis a Christian may rightly have full assurance of the hope of the Lord Jesus Christ. (quote by Donald Guthrie)
I hope you will pray for this in your life this week and find it as we unearth God’s Word this coming Lord’s day.