Walking in Our Assurance 1 John 5:14-21

I. We are to have confidence in prayer

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

II.  We are to intercede in prayer

1 John 5:16-17 (NKJV) 16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which doesnot lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leadingto death.

     There are some things that we are not to pray about

        Sin unto death (Moses, Ananias and Saphira)

        Paul and his thorn

III. We know what we know

1 John 5:18-20 (NKJV) 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

III. We know what we know

      A. We know we are to abstain from persistent sin

      B. We know that we are of God

      C. We know that the Son of God has come

      D. We know that He is true and we are in Him

1 John 5:21 (NKJV) 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

What are the key elements of confidence in prayer according to 1 John 5:14-15?

In what circumstances does 1 John 5:16-17 suggest we should intercede for others?

What does it mean to keep ourselves from sin as mentioned in 1 John 5:18?

How does understanding that we are of God affect our everyday lives?

How does the concept of asking according to God's will influence our prayers?

How can understanding our identity in Christ help us in dealing with sin?