Assurance of Salvation

Transcription

1 (Mission Moment) Assurance of Salvation Part 17 Assurance of Salvation The LACK of assurance (3) PART 3 For those who LACK assurance, but who desperately want it. Because you know that once you die, it's forever too late, if you were wrong. Past weeks Lack of assurance because of PRESENT SIN in your life. If it's ongoing willful sin You need to be saved! If it's slow spiritual growth You need to be patient! Dennis Hinks 2013 Lack of assurance because of PAST SIN in your life. Your sins are paid for by Jesus Christ! They're GONE! You need to focus on NOW: "Seek first God's kingdom" (Matthew 6:33) and trust God to use even the past to accomplish good in your life (Romans 8:28). Black Stripe at en.wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) This week Lack of assurance because: Horrible things happened to you in the past. You don't know why, but you just have a fear of eternity. Did something horrible happen to you in the past? Do you now feel too "unclean" or too "polluted" to face God? too far "beyond God's acceptance"? Why did that happen to me? Black Stripe at en.wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) 1

2 The PAST is history; you cannot live there. What can I do about it NOW? You may feel as "unclean" as a leper. The issue is how you respond at the PRESENT. If so Take comfort in Jesus' words to the leper! (His attitude is the same toward you.) A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" (Matthew 8:2-3a NIV) Many of the Psalms were written just for you! (and also for the rest of us) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 NIV) READ THEM and LEARN THEM! Steve Evans (CC BY 2.0) REMEMBER THIS: God does not hold you accountable for what others may have done. Anything you might have done is now under the blood of Jesus. What can I do about it NOW? God will use it for good. (This is a "fact of life" for those who love him.) We know that in all things God works to accomplish good in the lives of those who love him, whom he has called according to his plan. (Romans 8:28) (Note: This fact applies ONLY to those who LOVE GOD. If you don't love God, you've got other, more serious issues to worry about.) 2

3 What must you do? * You want God's promise to apply to you. * You need patience. You will need the right focus on Jesus, not on the past. What must I do for this "good" to happen to ME? Some of the Scripture passages we saw in previous weeks apply here. Therefore let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ** looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, ** (Hebrews 12:1-2a, WEB) What about consequences that don't go away? Once again, the apostle Paul shows us how to respond What can I do about the consequences? Paul was constantly burdened by a "thorn in the flesh" that did not go away. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." (2 Cor. 12:8-9a NLT) His response to this? YOUR MISSION (if the past continues to haunt you) So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9b-10 NLT) REMEMBER THIS: Anything that has happened in the past is PAID for by the blood of Jesus. Even if there are lasting consequences in this present life, they will end and be GONE in eternity. 3

4 YOUR MISSION (if the past continues to haunt you) AND REMEMBER ROMANS 8:28 DO THIS: PUT YOUR FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS. But seek FIRST God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things [= anything else you need] will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 WEB) A fear of eternity that just seems to "be there." Does your confidence change with changing feelings and emotions? Changing circumstances? Perhaps you don't know the reason you have such fears. But you still have them. You need a different foundation Feelings and emotions will always vary. They can never guarantee anything. Circumstances in life will always vary. They can never guarantee anything. God provides us a firm and unchanging foundation for assurance. You need to get on this foundation. You can overcome these fears. It's OK to be weak because God is STRONG! It may take time, but by focusing on the promises of God's Word, you will overcome. You are not alone. There have been many people in the past who experienced the same thing and who overcame. 4

5 YOUR MISSION (if your feelings, emotions, or "whatever" get you down) How to build a firm foundation: Build a firm foundation with Jesus' words. "I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. "He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." (Luke 6:47-48, NIV) Untitled blue (CC BY 2.0) Remember the basis for your salvation: SCRIPTURE Credits (1) 2 Corinthians 12: Scripture quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois All rights reserved. ( The finished work of Christ, paying the penalty for your sin. Matthew 8:2-3a; Psalm 34:18; Luke 6: Scripture quoted from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. ( Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 12:1-2 Scripture quoted from the World English Bible (Public Domain). ( Romans 8:28 my translation. The present work of the Spirit, using God's Word to change your values and actions. PICTURES Fire background - Dennis Hinks 2013 Smoky background - Black Stripe at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 ( from Wikimedia Commons (modified) Woman walking away - By Scott Meltzer (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons (cropped) Jesus & leper (bowing) - By Н.М.Алексеев.Testus at ru.wikipedia, from Wikimedia Commons (modified) NOT feelings or circumstances, which may change daily. Untitled blue (CC BY 2.0) Credits (2) PICTURES Jesus & leper (arms raised) - James Tissot, via Wikimedia Commons _Healing_of_the_Lepers_at_Capernaum_%28Gu%C3%A9rison_des_l%C3%A9preux_%C3%A0_Capernaum%29_-_James_Tissot_- _overall.jpg (enhanced) Man reading the Bible - By Steve Evans (Flickr: South Sudan: Bible Reading) [CC-BY-2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons Man jogging - By U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane, via Wikimedia Commons e_executive.jpg (modified) Thorn Dennis Hinks, 2005 Paid stamp By Merlin2525 (Public Domain) (modified) Sunset Dennis Hinks, 1995, Sad woman - By Samael Kreutz from Concepción, Chile (Broken Heart) [CC-BY-2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons Excavator (silhouette) - By Untitled blue ( [CC-BY-2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons (modified) Presentation and any backgrounds not listed above (and not a solid shade) Dennis Hinks DISCLAIMER: The use of a picture does not imply that the author of that picture agrees with the views of this presentation. Some might agree; some might not. 5