Certainties of a Christian (2)
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION: We are living in a world of uncertainty. Nothing seems sure anymore. Nations are strong today, defeated tomorrow. Many Christians are confused, frustrated and uncertain about their relationship with God. But the sanctified, the Spirit-filled, are fully persuaded that they are God’s children and that He will keep them by His power.
The Christian knows who he is, he knows where he stands and he knows where he is going. There is no uncertainty in the Christian life. John employed the words KNOW, KNOWETH and KNOWN thirty-three times in the five short chapters of the First Epistle of John.
I. JOHN WAS CERTAIN HE KNEW JESUS CHRIST.
I. JOHN WAS CERTAIN HE KNEW JESUS CHRIST.
A. 1 John 2:3, “And hereby WE DO KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM, if we keep his commandments.”
A. 1 John 2:3, “And hereby WE DO KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM, if we keep his commandments.”
B. Paul agrees, “… for I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED and …” 2 Tim. 1:12.
B. Paul agrees, “… for I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED and …” 2 Tim. 1:12.
C. Acts 9:1–5, Paul was a great enemy of the church. When a light shone around him and he fell to the ground, he heard a “Voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecuteth thou me?’ ” Paul answered, “Who art thou, Lord?” But Paul knew who He was. You cannot have a confrontation with Jesus Christ without knowing who He is! When your path crosses His, you will know Him. The darkest night God ever sent, if He puts His hand upon you or calls your name, you will know who He is.
C. Acts 9:1–5, Paul was a great enemy of the church. When a light shone around him and he fell to the ground, he heard a “Voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecuteth thou me?’ ” Paul answered, “Who art thou, Lord?” But Paul knew who He was. You cannot have a confrontation with Jesus Christ without knowing who He is! When your path crosses His, you will know Him. The darkest night God ever sent, if He puts His hand upon you or calls your name, you will know who He is.
D. JESUS ASKED HIS DISCIPLES two important questions.
D. JESUS ASKED HIS DISCIPLES two important questions.
1. “Whom do men say I the Son of man am?” Their answer? “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others.…”
E. Then Jesus asked them,
E. Then Jesus asked them,
2. “But, whom say ye that I am?”
Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” What a significant reply!
F. What a statement from our Lord and Saviour! “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 16:13–17. Jesus is saying here that it is a divine revelation! “My father hath revealed it unto you.”
F. What a statement from our Lord and Saviour! “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 16:13–17. Jesus is saying here that it is a divine revelation! “My father hath revealed it unto you.”
G. This kind of faith and confession does not come through the teaching of mother or father. Neither is it learned in catechism, grade school, Sunday school, high school, college or seminary. One can know all about doctrines, creeds, ceremonies, dogmas, and rituals and still be completely void of any understanding of Jesus Christ. Knowing Him comes only through a Divine Revelation by the Holy Ghost and the new birth.
G. This kind of faith and confession does not come through the teaching of mother or father. Neither is it learned in catechism, grade school, Sunday school, high school, college or seminary. One can know all about doctrines, creeds, ceremonies, dogmas, and rituals and still be completely void of any understanding of Jesus Christ. Knowing Him comes only through a Divine Revelation by the Holy Ghost and the new birth.
H. “He that hath the Son hath life.…” 1 John 5:12.
H. “He that hath the Son hath life.…” 1 John 5:12.
II. HE KNEW HE HAD A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.
II. HE KNEW HE HAD A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE WITH GOD.
A. 1 John 3:14, “We know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.”
A. 1 John 3:14, “We know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.”
From death unto LIFE! What a statement! What a transition! What a transformation! From the grave clothes of death to a spotless robe of righteousness, from Satan to the Saviour, from sin to salvation, from sadness to gladness, and from the prison house of death to freedom within the household of faith.
B. We Become a New Creation.2 Cor. 5:17.
B. We Become a New Creation.2 Cor. 5:17.
“… old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.” Old habits and old haunts lose their attractiveness. We find new acquaintances and we adopt a new way of life. “Things are so different now.” It is an experience of transformation, not conformation. “Be not conformed [made like] … but be ye transformed [changed].…” Romans 12:2.
C. It is a different realm, a different world.
C. It is a different realm, a different world.
“I’m in a new world, old things
have passed away
Behold all things are new, ever
since that happy day
He opened up my blinded eyes
and then I had a great surprise
I’m in a new world, since the Lord
saved me.
D. 1 Cor. 10:21, “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table and.…”
D. 1 Cor. 10:21, “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table and.…”
E. Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters.…” One man who was critical of Christianity said, “We Jews have denied Christ. You Christians, by your poor living of what He taught, have disgraced Christ.” 9
E. Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters.…” One man who was critical of Christianity said, “We Jews have denied Christ. You Christians, by your poor living of what He taught, have disgraced Christ.” 9
F. Eph. 4:22–24: We must put off the old man and put on the new man.
F. Eph. 4:22–24: We must put off the old man and put on the new man.
III. HE KNEW HE HAD THE SPIRIT’S INDWELLING.
III. HE KNEW HE HAD THE SPIRIT’S INDWELLING.
A. 1 John 3:24: “… And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
A. 1 John 3:24: “… And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
B. 1 John 4:13: “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”
B. 1 John 4:13: “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”
C. Paul also confirms this view. “The Spirit itself heareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16.
C. Paul also confirms this view. “The Spirit itself heareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16.
D. Romans 8:26: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
D. Romans 8:26: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
E. Ephesians 5:18: “… But be filled with the Spirit.”
E. Ephesians 5:18: “… But be filled with the Spirit.”
F. This is God’s mysterious masterpiece: A deposit of His Spirit in man.
F. This is God’s mysterious masterpiece: A deposit of His Spirit in man.
G. Satan has always tried to substitute, and to imitate God and to counterfeit His work, even from the Garden, (“Thou shalt not surely die.” Gen. 3:4) where he tried to substitute or set himself up as higher authority than God.
G. Satan has always tried to substitute, and to imitate God and to counterfeit His work, even from the Garden, (“Thou shalt not surely die.” Gen. 3:4) where he tried to substitute or set himself up as higher authority than God.
H. In Moses’ day the Egyptian magicians imitated the miracle of Moses’ rod turning into a serpent. (Ex. 7:8–12).
H. In Moses’ day the Egyptian magicians imitated the miracle of Moses’ rod turning into a serpent. (Ex. 7:8–12).
I. But with all his diabolical onslaughts, he cannot touch the indwelling Spirit of God within us. He may destroy our churches, even as in some other countries, and he may even burn our Bibles and imprison us, but one thing he cannot reach is the Spirit in us. No man can control, stop or destroy the Spirit of God.
I. But with all his diabolical onslaughts, he cannot touch the indwelling Spirit of God within us. He may destroy our churches, even as in some other countries, and he may even burn our Bibles and imprison us, but one thing he cannot reach is the Spirit in us. No man can control, stop or destroy the Spirit of God.
IV. HE KNEW THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYER.
IV. HE KNEW THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYER.
A. 1 John 5:14, 15: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
A. 1 John 5:14, 15: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
B. 1 John 3:22: “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
B. 1 John 3:22: “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
C. Matt. 7:7, 8; Matt. 21:22; John 15:7; James 5:14, 15.
C. Matt. 7:7, 8; Matt. 21:22; John 15:7; James 5:14, 15.
D. When the church prayed, Peter was delivered from prison. Acts 12:5–7.
D. When the church prayed, Peter was delivered from prison. Acts 12:5–7.
E. When Paul and Silas prayed, an earthquake shook the foundation of their prison and they became free men. Acts 16:25–40.
E. When Paul and Silas prayed, an earthquake shook the foundation of their prison and they became free men. Acts 16:25–40.
V. HE KNEW CHRISTIANS DO NOT COMMIT SIN.
V. HE KNEW CHRISTIANS DO NOT COMMIT SIN.
A. 1 John 5:18: “… We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not.…”
A. 1 John 5:18: “… We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not.…”
B. 1 John 3:6–10: “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”
B. 1 John 3:6–10: “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”
C. A born-again child of God does not practice sin but lives a righteous life. Jesus told two persons He blessed to “Go and sin no more.” John 5:14–8:11.
C. A born-again child of God does not practice sin but lives a righteous life. Jesus told two persons He blessed to “Go and sin no more.” John 5:14–8:11.
D. “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Pet. 4:18.
D. “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Pet. 4:18.
E. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:48.
E. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:48.
F. Does this mean it is impossible for a child of God to sin? NO! John writes and warns the Christians not to commit sin, but he goes on to say, but “if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.…” 1 John 2:1. He is our advocate, our attorney, our counsel of defense.
F. Does this mean it is impossible for a child of God to sin? NO! John writes and warns the Christians not to commit sin, but he goes on to say, but “if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.…” 1 John 2:1. He is our advocate, our attorney, our counsel of defense.
VI. HE KNEW THERE IS A LIFE AFTER THIS ONE.
VI. HE KNEW THERE IS A LIFE AFTER THIS ONE.
A. “These things write I unto you … that ye may know that you have eternal life.…” 1 John 5:13.
A. “These things write I unto you … that ye may know that you have eternal life.…” 1 John 5:13.
B. Paul believed in a future life. “We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God.…” 2 Cor. 5:1.
B. Paul believed in a future life. “We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God.…” 2 Cor. 5:1.
C. The scriptures declare Abraham “was seeking a city which hath foundations, whose.…” Heb. 11:10.
C. The scriptures declare Abraham “was seeking a city which hath foundations, whose.…” Heb. 11:10.
D. Job believed this truth. He had lost everything, including 7 sons, three daughters, many servants, 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 she asses and 500 yoke of oxen. He was smitten with sore boils from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. His wife urged him to curse God and die. His closest friends accused him of sinning against God. And, worst of all, he couldn’t find God (Job 23:1, 2). But amidst all this, he cried out, “I know my redeemer liveth, and that.…” Job 19:25–27.
D. Job believed this truth. He had lost everything, including 7 sons, three daughters, many servants, 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 she asses and 500 yoke of oxen. He was smitten with sore boils from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. His wife urged him to curse God and die. His closest friends accused him of sinning against God. And, worst of all, he couldn’t find God (Job 23:1, 2). But amidst all this, he cried out, “I know my redeemer liveth, and that.…” Job 19:25–27.
E. John saw his “after-this-life” home. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Rev. 21:1, 2.
E. John saw his “after-this-life” home. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Rev. 21:1, 2.
VII. HE KNEW CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN.
VII. HE KNEW CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN.
A. “… we know that, when he shall appear.…” 1 John 3:2, 3.
A. “… we know that, when he shall appear.…” 1 John 3:2, 3.
Other apostles attest to this truth:
B. 1 Peter 5:4: “When the chief Shepherd shall appear.…”
B. 1 Peter 5:4: “When the chief Shepherd shall appear.…”
C. James 5:8: “… for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
C. James 5:8: “… for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
D. 1 Thess. 4:16–18: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven.…”
D. 1 Thess. 4:16–18: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven.…”
E. Acts 1:11 “… shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
E. Acts 1:11 “… shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
F. Jesus Himself said “… I will come again.…” John 14:3.
F. Jesus Himself said “… I will come again.…” John 14:3.
CONCLUSION: Yes, the Christian knows who he is, he knows where he stands and he knows where he is going. He is the only man on earth who is certain about the future.
Wade H. Horton, Sound Scriptural Sermon Outlines, vol. 1 (WORDsearch, 2010), 6–13.