Our Blessed Assurance and Prayer
Our Blessed Assurance • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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1 John 5:13-21
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.
15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
16 If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.
17 All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.
18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.
19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
INTRODUCTION:
I- PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE (1 John 5:13-15)
I- PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE (1 John 5:13-15)
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.
15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
A- Our confidence is based upon our secure relationship with God. (1 John 5:13)
A- Our confidence is based upon our secure relationship with God. (1 John 5:13)
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
* Ταῦτα ἔγραψα ⸀ὑμῖν(I have written these things to you) ἵνα εἰδῆτε (that you may know [to know or have knowledge of something or someone gained through reflection or thinking]) ὅτι ζωὴν ⸂ἔχετε αἰώνιον⸃(that you have [present tense] eternal life), ⸂τοῖς πιστεύουσιν⸃ εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ ([and that you might] continue to believe in the name of the Son of God).
1- The confidence we have comes from examining the facts and reflecting on them.
a. The facts recorded in scripture make clear our secure relationship in Christ.
2- What do the scripture teach us?
a. Eternal life belongs to those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ.
3- The second goal of John writing is that the believer would continue to live life in continual trust in Jesus!
B- Our confidence is anchored in the trustworthiness of Christ. (1 John 5:14a)
B- Our confidence is anchored in the trustworthiness of Christ. (1 John 5:14a)
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.
14 καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ παρρησία ἣν ἔχομεν πρὸς αὐτόν(and we have this confidence [boldness] before him), ὅτι ἐάν τι αἰτώμεθα κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ἀκούει ἡμῶν (if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us).
1- When we ask within the will of God, we can pray with confidence.
(John 15:7)
7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
(Hebrews 4:16)
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
C- Our confidence is energized by sharing His desires. (1 John 5:14b)
C- Our confidence is energized by sharing His desires. (1 John 5:14b)
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.
14 καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ παρρησία ἣν ἔχομεν πρὸς αὐτόν(and we have this confidence [boldness] before him), ὅτι ἐάν τι αἰτώμεθα κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ἀκούει ἡμῶν (if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us).
1- like the salvation of a lost person.
(1 Timothy 2:3-4)
3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,
4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
2- Like spiritual growth for the believer.
(1 Peter 2:2)
2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,
(2 Peter 3:18)
18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
D- Our confidence is magnified by faith in unshakable truth. (1 John 5:15)
D- Our confidence is magnified by faith in unshakable truth. (1 John 5:15)
15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
15 καὶ ἐὰν (and if [since]) οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀκούει ἡμῶν (that he hears us) ὃ ⸀ἐὰν αἰτώμεθα, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἔχομεν τὰ αἰτήματα ἃ ᾐτήκαμεν ⸀ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ(we know that we have whatever we request of him).
1- He assures us that He will answer our prayers.
(Matthew 7:7-8)
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
II- PRAY WITH COMPASSION (1 John 5:16-17)
II- PRAY WITH COMPASSION (1 John 5:16-17)
16 If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.
17 All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.
A- Compassion should move us to prayer for fellow believers who err. (1 John 5:16a)
A- Compassion should move us to prayer for fellow believers who err. (1 John 5:16a)
16 If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.
1- There is a possibility that a believer can rebel against God in a way that leads to death.
(Acts 5:1–11; 1 Cor. 5:5; 11:30)
1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.
2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.
4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.
6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”
9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”
10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
5 Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.
30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.
2- The emphasis here is not on the sin leading to death, but on intercessory prayer.
a. Notice that even in the case of a believer sinning the sin leading to death, prayer is not forbidden.
b. Intercessory prayer is one of the most encouraged and modeled practices in scripture.
B- Compassion should never lead to unconditional affirmation of a fellow believer’s sin. (1 John 5:16b-18)
B- Compassion should never lead to unconditional affirmation of a fellow believer’s sin. (1 John 5:16b-18)
16 If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.
17 All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.
18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.
1- Intercessory prayer for believers who have sinned can lead to a reclaimed life for Christ.
2- What is sin?
The breaking of God’s law. (1 John 3:4)
4 Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.
Failing to do what we should. (James 4:17)
17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Arrogance and evil acts (Prov 21:4)
4 Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.
3- The believer does not live in a practice of sin, nor should we encourage it.
(Romans 6:1-2)
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?
2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?
(1 Peter 1:14-16)
14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.
15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
III- PRAY WITH COMMITMENT (1 John 5:19-21)
III- PRAY WITH COMMITMENT (1 John 5:19-21)
19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
A- Commitment to living for Jesus in enemy territory. (1 John 5:19)
A- Commitment to living for Jesus in enemy territory. (1 John 5:19)
19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
(οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐσμεν, καὶ ὁ κόσμος ὅλος ἐν τῷ πονηρῷ κεῖται.)
1- The world is under the control of Satan.
(2 Corinthians 4:4)
4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
(James 4:4)
4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
2- We are children of God, and are to live differently that the people of this world.
(1 John 2:15-17)
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
(Galatians 1:4)
4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.
B- Commitment to living in close fellowship with God. (1 John 5:20)
B- Commitment to living in close fellowship with God. (1 John 5:20)
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
1- Our commitment should be to pursue an intimate relationship with Christ above all else!
(Matthew 6:33)
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
(Philippians 3:8-10)
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
C- Commitment to keeping Christ first in our hearts. (1 John 5:21)
C- Commitment to keeping Christ first in our hearts. (1 John 5:21)
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
1- The Lord must be first in our lives.
(Mark 12:30)
30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
(James 4:8)
8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
CONCLUSION:
