Praying with Blessed Assurance

“Praying With Blessed Assurance”

1 John 5:13-21

1 John 5:13–21 NLT

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 ()

A- Our confidence is based upon our secure relationship with God. ()

1 John 5:13 NLT

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 NLT

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).

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C- Our confidence is energized by sharing His desires. ()

1 John 5:14b NLT

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).

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D- Our confidence is magnified by faith in unshakable truth. ()

1 John 5:15 NLT

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).

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II- PRAY WITH COMPASSION ()

A- Compassion should move us to prayer for fellow believers who err. ()

1 John 5:16a NLT

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.

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B- Compassion should never lead to unconditional affirmation of a fellow believer’s sin. ()

1 John 5:16b–18 NLT

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.

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III- PRAY WITH COMMITMENT ()

C-

A- Commitment to living for Jesus in enemy territory. ()

1 John 5:19 NLT

19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

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B- Commitment to living in close fellowship with God. ()

1 John 5:20 NLT

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.

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C- Commitment to keeping Christ first in our hearts. ()

1 John 5:21 NLT

21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

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CONCLUSION: