What Gives You Confidence?

Introduction:

It is necessary to explain a few matters regarding confidence before we look at the passage.

First, why does this question matter? Why does it matter what gives you confidence?

What gives you confidence matters because...

(1) Confidence has to do with how we make decisions for life.

(2) Confidence is easily shaken by hard or difficult circumstances.

(3) Confidence can be easily placed in the wrong people, places, or things.

(4) Confidence in the wrong source can be eternally fatal.

Second, understanding the context of the people of the passage is important.

(1) Though they were Christians, they need assurance.

(2) There were people who had begun saying lies about who Jesus was.

(3) If the truth of Jesus is a lie, then we have not hope in this life or in the life to come.

Prop:

We must know and believe the truths that can give us ultimate confidence!

Body:

Why can Christians have confidence in the Lord?

Confidence because God is greater than our heart (I John 3:19-20)

(a) When our own heart condemns us as unworthy before God - I John 3:19

1 John 3:19 KJV 1900

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

(b) When we don’t know what we don’t know - I John 3:20

1 John 3:20 KJV 1900

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Application:

(1) Do not trust your heart.

(2) What God says is true over what you tell yourself is true.

(3) God-confidence is greater than self-confidence.

(4) God-confidence requires that we increasingly know God through scripture, through prayer, through other believers in church.

Confidence because of Obedience to God’s Command (I John 3:21-23)

(a) When we approach God in prayer - I John 3:21-22

1 John 3:21–22 KJV 1900

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

(b) Of upward belief and outward love (one command) - I John 3:22-23

1 John 3:22–23 KJV 1900

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Application:

(1) When our confidence is in God over our hearts, we have faith in prayer

(2) If you say you believe in Jesus but do not love your Christian brethren, then you have no reason to be truly confident.

Confidence because of God’s Holy Spirit in us (I John 3:24)

(a) Who confirms we have relationship with God. - I John 3:24

1 John 3:24 KJV 1900

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

(b) Who indwells us as God’s gift. - I John 3:24

1 John 3:24 KJV 1900

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Application:

(1) Truth produces experience. The Holy Spirit confirms the truth of Jesus in us. (this is not a statement about whim or feelings). Truth first.

(2) The Holy Spirit is God’s seal that we will continue believing and doing.

Conclusion:

Why can Christians have confidence in the Lord?

Because God is greater than our hearts

Because of obedience to God’s commands

Because of God’s Holy Spirit in us

Application:

Are you truly a Christian according to God’s truth?

Is your confidence in your own heart or in the God who is greater than your heart?

Does your life really depend upon your trust in God or trust in yourself?