5.9.48 10.23.2022 1 John 3.19-24 Confident Before Him

Start

Entice: Even the best, most accomplished, high performers sometimes lack self-confidence.

I remember as a youngster reading about Leo Durocher speaking to Willie Mays on the phone, calling him up to the big leagues to join the NY Giants. Now, all baseball fans know that Willie is widely thought of as one of the most complete ball-players of all time; the prototype of the “5 tool player”. It was 1951. I believe Willie was 19 years of age and he was unwilling to go, claiming that he didn't think he was ready, that he might not be able to hit the pitching. Leo, (nicknamed of course, “the lip”) got on the phone, berated him and asked him "what are you hitting now?" Wille replied "four seventy-seven." Leo shot back "well do you think you could hit half of that for me?"

If the "best" need encouragement, what about the rest?

Engage: One of John's purposes is to provide proper encouragement for Christians like us who try and live obediently amid a decaying culture. He knows it can be difficult. He knows that even after years of study, real growth, and flourishing service that we all experience down times.

In a sense we're all

"the rest"

and we are all

" the best"

at one time or another.

In our text this morning John considers how the Father Himself provides the encouragement we need to live confidently.

1 John 3:19–24 ESV

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Expand: Throughout this Epistle John has focused on a few essential truths.

Love.

Theological clarity.

Doctrinal purity.

External actions

which demonstrate our internal resolve to live by faith. Even the most obedient among us will occasionally have questions or doubts. When we cultivate a deep and enduring relationship with God through Christ Jesus, He works to alleviate the doubts we might have. He gives certainty for our obedience by faith.

Excite: Yes, yes, yes you can know that you're saved! You can grow more confident in your Christian walk. Your faithfulness and obedience will generate sanctifying confirmation from God. We can know that our relationship with God is growing, flourishing, and deepening.

Explore:

Confidence is the result of our relationship with God.

Explain: John provides three reminders of God's actions in maintaining this relationship.

Body of Sermon: First John reminds us that God

1. Assures Us.

Blessed Assurance...

Jesus is mine!

1.1 Assurance comes in knowing the truth.

1 John 3:19 ESV

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;

Knowing we are of the truth requires listening, discussing, applying, learning, and doing what God expects us to do.

We need his internal assurance, and it is combined with external assurance because

1.2 God Knows the true motive of our heart.

1 John 3:20 ESV

20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

The practical consequence of correct theology is that

we can trust God when we don't even trust our own conscience!

Next, John reminds us that through this relationship God

2. Affirms Us.

2.1 Confidence through a clear conscience.

1 John 3:21 ESV

21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

Each of us will have periods of doubt. Not that we doubt the work of Christ or the Word of God, but that we doubt ourselves. It is during those times that God affirms us and gives us confidence.

John also reminds us that God affirms us because we are obedient and seek to please Him. There is

2.2 Consolation in keeping His commandments.

1 John 3:22 ESV

22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

Finally, this relationship is so intimate that God

3. Abides in Us.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

He abides in us when we

3.1 Act with committed faith.

1 John 3:23 ESV

23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

In doing what He commands we dwell in Him because He dwells in us as we

3.2 Accept the Spirit.

1 John 3:24 ESV

24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Shut Down:

John does not tell us that it will be easy, he reminds us that we do not bear the burden alone. He does not promise absolute freedom but freedom in obedience. He does not tell us that our conscience's will never fail us, but that God's Word, presence, knowledge, love, and Spirit are greater

and that God Himself

assures us,

affirms us

and

abides

within us.

Doctrinal purity paves the way for relational certainty. This is, in a sense, true of regular old human relationships. The reason that many human relationships are filled with doubt and uncertainty is a lack of clear knowledge about the other person or people involved. Clarity is a matter of certainty, trust, accuracy, and allegiance.

To know Him.

To be certain of Him.

To follow Him.

To be in a relationship with Him.

To seek understanding

and

To obey His commands.

When this becomes our path, we will find Him not only beside us but within us! That is the promise He makes today, 10.23.2022