The Purpose of the Letter, Part 4: Assurance
The Book of 1 John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Tonight, we will conclude our four part series on the purpose behind the book of 1 John.
There are four verses in this book that tell us why it was written. We have looked at all but one. It’s been a couple weeks since we have been here, so let’s review a bit before getting into this fourth and final reason...
To Promote Joy
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
2. To Prevent Sin
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
3. To Protect the Saints
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
And the fourth reason, which we will look at tonight:
4. To Provide Assurance
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
The first essential in the Christian life if we are ever going to make progress, or grow, is that we are absolutely sure about our own salvation.
How are you going to talk to someone confidently about something you’re not confident about? It is important to know you are on your way to Heaven if you are going to effectively share the Gospel with unbelievers.
How could you really witness for Christ if you did not know you were going to Heaven yourself?
Why would an unbeliever want to trust in the Lord if you were uncertain about your own salvation?
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Many people struggle with the subject of assurance. Many people don’t believe you can know. Many people believe that you can lose salvation. But I’ll just say that when you read and study the Bible, you’ll find that you can know that you have eternal life!
Going through some Bible characters, I’d like to make a point right off that:
Job knew he had eternal life:
Job knew he had eternal life:
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth,
And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
Yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And mine eyes shall behold, and not another;
Though my reins be consumed within me.
Paul knew he had eternal life:
Paul knew he had eternal life:
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV 1900)
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Peter knew he had eternal life:
Peter knew he had eternal life:
1 Peter 1:3–5 (KJV 1900)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
John knew he had eternal life:
John knew he had eternal life:
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
There are three reasons I’d like to give you tonight, on how the believer can KNOW they are saved!
1-His Work Gives Me Assurance
1-His Work Gives Me Assurance
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The purpose behind the work of Jesus Christ was to bring about a transformative exchange.
Through Jesus' substitutionary sacrifice, believers are given the opportunity to be made righteous in the sight of God. Their sins are imputed to Christ, and His righteousness is imputed to them. This divine exchange occurs through faith in Jesus and the acceptance of His atoning work.
Christ is my way OUT of sin!
Christ is my way OUT of sin!
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
The very mission of Christ was to save!
His very name, Jesus, carries profound meaning to his mission!
The name “Jesus” is derived from the Hebrew name "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." This name encapsulates the mission and purpose of Jesus' earthly ministry—to bring salvation and deliverance to people.
Christ is my way INTO salvation!
Christ is my way INTO salvation!
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Through faith in Christ, believers are set free from their past sins, guilt, and the power of sin over their lives. They are made new, receiving a fresh start and a restored relationship with God.
This understanding demonstrates how Christ is the way into salvation. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus provides the means by which we can be reconciled to God and receive forgiveness of sins.
The work is done!
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
His work gives me assurance!
2-His Word Gives Me Assurance
2-His Word Gives Me Assurance
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
His Word Gives The Experience of Salvation
His Word Gives The Experience of Salvation
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV 1900)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him...
So where does faith come from?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hearing refers not only to the physical act of hearing sound but also to understanding and receiving the message being communicated. In the context of this verse, it specifically refers to hearing the message of the Word of God—the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Faith is not something that originates within us naturally (seeing is believing is what is natural to us), but faith is sparked and nurtured by the Word of God.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
His Word Gives The Extent of Salvation
His Word Gives The Extent of Salvation
He saved me!
He saved me!
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Before salvation, I was dead in my sin, I was separated from God because of my sinful nature, and despite this fallen nature, God, “…hath quickened us together with Christ...”
The term "quickened" means to be made alive or brought to life. Here, Paul is emphasizing that through God's grace and mercy, believers are spiritually revived and brought to life together with Christ.
He sealed me!
He sealed me!
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
This sealing with the Holy Spirit demonstrates the security and assurance of salvation that believers have in Christ.
He seated me!
He seated me!
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Through faith in Christ, we are not only forgiven and reconciled to God, but we also experience a radical change in our spiritual position. We are no longer separated from God, but have been raised up and brought into a close relationship with God through our union with Christ.
Thank God tonight for His Word!
3-His Witness Gives Me Assurance
3-His Witness Gives Me Assurance
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Plainly put, Paul says that those who are God’s children, born again by the Spirit of God, know their status because the Holy Spirit testifies to our spirit that it is so.
Notice the phrase, We are children of God: We don’t have to wonder if we are really Christians or not. God’s children know who they are.
Jewish law stated that at the mouth of two or three witnesses everything had to be established (Deuteronomy 17:6). Well, guess what? There are two witnesses to our salvation: our own witness and the witness of the Spirit.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
You can know! I know I’m saved because of the Spirit dwelling within me!
When I mess up, I know it! When I want to do something that’s not right, there’s something in me that tells me to think again!
The Spirit's guidance, comfort, and conviction work within us, reminding us of the truth of the Gospel and the promises of God.
The Spirit's presence is a constant source of reassurance, reminding me of my standing before God and the eternal life I’ve received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We must go back to the Bible and what the Spirit of God says to us through the word of God.
Assurance of our salvation will make us happy, hopeful, and helpful.
Do you know for certain that you have eternal life?
Lehman Strauss wrote, “The child of God can be certain about his past sins, his present sufficiency, and his prospective security. This is having a knowing faith, and it grows out of a saving faith.”
The purpose of the Scripture is to let the child of God know that he has eternal life.
God does not give conditional life, we do not have speculations about the life to come, but we have certainties. God gave us His word on it! If we can be saved and then lost, then God’s word is no good.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.