BLESSED ASSRUANCE

 

Blessed Assurance – 1 John 5:13-15 – May 25^th 2008

 

Intro:  It seems to have taken a long time to get here but this is the second last message of 1 John.  Today we are going to learn about assurance and the power of prayer.  Both essential in the life of faith.

 

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so you may know that you have eternal life.

 

1.  This letter is written primarily to the Christians of the church at Ephesus.  This was a

     Church that according to Jesus in Rev 2:4-5, had forgotten their first love, and they

     Have fallen from a great height of faith.  He tells them to repent and do what they did

     At first or they would have their lamp stand removed. 

2.  Now the church at Ephesus was not all backslidden in fact far from it.  In Rev 2:2-3

     Jesus commends them on their patience, hatred of wickedness, ability to test false

     Teaching, perseverance, ability to endure hardship and refusal to grow weary.

3.  Unfortunately when you have forgotten or neglected your first love one of the results

     Is not fully knowing where you stand.  John wrote them to remind them that if they

     Believe in the name of the Son f God they would know they have eternal life.

4.  Scholars tell us this verse, it the Key to he Book of John.  John wrote it so that his

     Readers and audience of that day and today, would know that they have eternal life.

     Frank Thompson says this verse is “The purpose of this Word.”  This is the foundation

     Of the next verse and subject we will cover which is the power of prayer. 

5.  Now remember John in the last paragraph, talked about the testimony of God.  He is

     Saying here that the assurance of ones salvation always rest fundamentally and

     Sufficiently on the direct promises of God.  As Roy B Zuck wrote.  “One’s assurance

     Rests on the testimony of God. “

6.  Here are some assurance scriptures.

 

a.  In Col 2:2, Paul tells us that assurance brings encouragement and unity in love.

     Fullness and complete understanding.

b.  Paul writes in 1 Thess 1:5, that with deep conviction and the power of the Holy Spirit

     Comes assurance.

c.  Paul then in 1 Tim 1:12, reminds Timothy that faithful service gives strength and

     Assurance. 

d.  The writer of Hebrews says in Heb 10:22, that when we draw near to God with sincere

     Hearts, we will have full assurance.  With that will come a cleanse heart, mind and

     Body.

e.  In1 John we have five assurance scriptures more than any other book in the New

     Testament.  They are, 2:3, 3:19, 4:13, 5:10 & 5:13  

 

 

 

 

 

This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

 

1.  This is such a powerful statement.  There is again not just assurance knowing about

     Salvation but also in the power of prayer.  This statement gives confidence when we

     Pray.  This is scriptural & spiritual knowledge.  You know in your inner most being.

2.  Dan 9:12 & 1:23, tell us that before our prayer request is out of our mouth the answer

     Is on the way.  Heb 4:15 tells we have access to the throne of God.  Immediately and

     Instantaneously.

3.  I could talk for a long time about the power of prayer.  But John puts so simple.  If we

     Ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  What assurance, what confidence.

     You say what is the will of God.  This book I am holding in my hand.  This morning

     I am not giving a discussion about the will of God except to say.  The Bible is the will

     Of God.  What is the will of God for you and me?  It is tell others about Him.  To love

     One another.  To stay close to God and do whatever He asks.  Seek His kingdom first.

4.  The will of God is to supply all your needs, your food, shelter, clothing and

     Transportation.  Even the smallest of needs.   Talk about what Jess said in the Sermon

     On the mount about the flowers and birds.  I love this story.  4582.

 

And if we know He hears us whatever we ask, we know that we have what ask of Him. 

 

1.  The French mystic, Jean Guyon said, it is the simple faith of a child who knows that

     When ask our father for something out of love if it is possible and good for us he will

     Give to us. 

2.   This verse is a simple declaration of faith and truth.  You know in your heart, soul

      And mind.  You know God will hear you.  I personally believe His ear is tune to

      Our requests, desires and needs.  What ever it is, you know.  You know, you

      Know. 

3.  It is this simple.  We know, He hears, we ask, He gives and we get.  This declaration

     Of faith is a cornerstone verse of prayer.  John believed this and so should we John

     Saw in action in the life of Christ.  Jesus calmed the waves, fed the 5000, healed the

     Sick, cleansed the leper and raised the dead on this statement.  Jesus stated in the book

     Of John that the Father granted whatever he asked because they were one.  We can be

     One with the Father if we take this verse to heart.

4.  John is stating you have a divine audience and a promise of answered prayer and

     God’s provision.   This is a promise from God.  There are 3476 groups of promises

     In God’s words.  Hundreds of categories.  All given to us his people and John is re-

     Stating this so as we open these altars today and pray for you.  Take this to heart.

     The will of God is to save, heal, deliver, restore, reconcile, forgive, encourage,

     Strengthen,  bring victory, protect, guide, direct and bring total victory

ENDTIMES

 

Warning against the Anti-Christ's - May 27, 2007

 

Intro;  It is apparant we live in a wicked age.  Jesus said, that in the last days that men would do what their hearts desire and that is what has happened.  Today, John talks about what is the Spirit of the anti-christ and the difference between it and the church.  Today we will spend time talking about this.

 

1.  John reveals twice in vs 18, that the end of the age and its hour has come.  John believed as

     we do that we are living in the last days.  Climate change, war, terror, hatred for Israel, politics

     based on oil and resources.  All the attention focused on the middle east is all an indicator that

     we are living in the last days.  If you have not pick up my study on the last days, please do so it

     is available in the church foyer.

 

2.  John reveals to the church in Ephesus and to us that the anti-christ is here.  This morning

     we will examine this spirit from the three foremost biblical authorities on this spirit.  John,

     Jesus and Paul. Many believe the actual person who will become the antichrist is alive

     somewhere right now just waiting his time.  John reveals that the antichrist is not just a person

     but a spirit and It is shown in these ways and these are its charactertistics. 

 

a.  By people going out from among us.  vs 19,  People get saved and then for one reason or

    another they live and feel that they are no longer subject to the church, it leaders, teachings,

    organization and dotrinbe.  The spirit of the antichrist operates on pride.  Some feel they are

    to spiritual or superior in their outlook than the church.  Talk about two yong men at

    Sunnyside.  John says that individuals under this spirit do not remain true to the truth.  They are

    the ones looking for the last fad or spiritual high. 

b.  John reveals that the spirit of anti-christ lies and why not it is based upon satan the father of

     all lies.  vs 22

c.  Those under this influence deny that Jesus is the Christ.  Every religion in the world is under

     the iinfluence of the spirit of anti-christ.  vs 22

d.  They deny the relationship between the Father and the Son.  They discount and dismiss the

     trinity.  The J.W`S and Mormans both of which I have extensive experience deny Christ is

     part of the trinity.  Even people within the Pentecost umbrella deny the trinity.  vs 22

e.  John makes it clear that a person that does this is aligned with the antichrist.  vs 22

f.   John again reveals this spirit's characteristics in in 1 John 4:3 and 2 John 7, that it will deny 

     that Jesus came in the flesh.  To deny Jesus coming in the flesh denies his humanity and all

     He did on the cross.  The denial is at the core of redemption.  If Jesus did not come in the flesh

     there is no physical substitute sacrifice for sin.  There would be no broken body to deal with

     infirmities, iniquities, transgressions, sickness,  sorrows, lack of peace, and healing as

     Isaiah pictured it for us in Is 53:4-6.

g.  Without Jesus coming in the flesh.  His precious blood that was shed could not bring

     forgiveness, total removal of sin, victory over death, hell and the grave.  Eternal life would not

     be ours.  Because of the blood, we have success, access to the throne of God in prayer and

     so many other things that time does not permit me to further explain.  John had a more clearer

     picture of this spirit than any other New Testament writer.   John saw The Gnostic belief that

     attack the church in its early stages do this.  He called this spirit and its promoters deceivers.   

 

3.. Jesus revealed in Matt 24:9-15.  The characteristics of the world preceeding the antichrist.

     This again helps identify the spirit of anti-christ.

 

a.   It hates, persecute and kills those who belong to God.  vs 9

b.   It causes many to turn from the truth, betray and hate those in the faith.  vs 10 

c.   It causes people to believe in false prophets and false truth.  vs 11

d.  It causes an increase in wickedness because anything goes.  vs 12

e.  The love of many will grow cold.  vs 12  

f.   The spirit of the antichrist wants to profane & displace the worship of God with itself.  vs 15

 

4.  Paul saw the spirit of antichrist in the physical form in 2 Thess 2:1-12 where Paul talks his

    characteristics as follows.

 

a.  It is a spirit of rebellion and lawlessness.  vs 3

b.  It opposes, and exalts itself over anything of God.  It wants worship and even claims to be

     God. vs 4

c. It is the secret power behind lawlessness.  vs 7

d. It displays countfeit miracles, signs and wonders and every sort of evil to deceive those who

     are perishing. vs 9-10

e. It preys upon people that refuse to love the truth and be saved.  vs 10

f.  It is especially powerful with people who delight in wickedness.  vs 12

g.  In Rev 13 and 17, it is know as the beast.  Whose main objective is power, prestige, worship

    and domination.

 

5.  John then contrasts the spirit of the antichrist to what a true believers possesses.  True

     beleivers have. 

 

a.  An anointing from the Holy One.  You have been set aside dear friends for holy service with

    a calling, power, authority and enablement.  vs 20

b.  There is a sense of belonging, a desire to stay connected with God and the community of

     believers.  You know that the church is not perfect but you are willing to be part of the solution

     instead of an outside critic.  vs 19

c.  You know the truth and you know it has no lie.  You believe every word in the bible and

     promote it to others because you know it has set you free and it will do the same for others.

     vs 21

d.  You acknowledge the Son and you have the Father.  Jesus to you is both Saviour and Lord.

     You publicly testify of HIs Lordship by you words, deeds, thoughts and attitudes.

e.  You make a commitment to keep what you heard from the beginning.  You work to stay

     fresh, full of vision, strength and be committed.  vs 24

f.  This allows you to remain in Christ and possess eternal life.  You will always have the Father

    and the Son.

 

3.  Frank Thompson revealed in his Bible outline that this passage is talking about the rise of

     antichrist's with their apostacy and denial of Christ.  This is the sign of the last time period.

 

a.  This passage is an exhortation to remain in the truth with the assurance that divine anointing

     will give all the need instructions.

b.   I want to point out three things in closing.  First, Paul point out in 2 Thess 2:7, that the Holy

     Spirit is holding back this spirit and until He is removed this spirit cannot fully manifest itself. 

     Where does the Holy Spirit live.  In Us.  We hold back this spirit.  Secondly, Jesus will destroy

     this spirit with the breath of His mouth and with the splendor of His coming.  Jesus is coming

     back church.  Lastly, God has allowed people to be under this spirit`s influence.  I believe

     we need to pray for people to be set free from this. 

THE WAY IS CLEAR

 

May 27. 2012 – 1Thess 3L11-13 – The way is clear. 

 

Intro:  Our message is from the Book of 1 Thessalonians.  This church was established by Paul during his second missionary journey.  There had been great persecution but the small church, comprised of Greeks and Jews were standing fast in victory.  Paul was so elated at the news he wrote them this letter.  This was the first of his two letters to the Thessalonians 

 

Background:  There were four things Paul wanted to address.

 

1. Someone had claimed the Lord had already come so he wanted to address this.
2. The church had become idle and complacent because some key people had died.  Paul spoke to that issue by reminding them they would see them again.  He told them that idleness lead to returning to old habits, choices and heathen voices.  A powerful lesson here is you are not going ahead, sooner or later you will go backward,
3. The church had 3 distinct cultural groups and so he wrote in an effort to unite them.  He encourages them to be unified and defend the faith and to not lose heart in the midst of persecution. 
4. He exhorts the church to be pure, full of brotherly love and daily walk with the Lord in the midst of persecution. 

 

 

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for one another and for everyone else. 

 

1. It begins with us loving God first with every fibre of our being then letting it overflow to others, this will extend to all the community,  Paul says to follow his example and model along with the other apostles to love sinners.  Paul had sent Timothy to see how the church was doing and that had prompted the letter, 
2. Brotherly love shows that we are His disciples.

 

 

Vs 12

 

      1.  Paul’s prayer was that God the Father and Jesus Christ could clear the way for 

           them to come and see them.  This statement has a strong prayer and spiritual 

           warfare component.

2.  Only prayer, fasting and spiritual warfare can open the heavens and bring revival. 

3.     Paul was encouraging and exhorting the Thessalonians to get unified.  Revival

      doesn’t just happen.  Prayer is the key.  Talk about the New Hebrides revival. 

 

Vs 13

 

 

      3.  Paul prays that they would be strengthened in their hearts.  The inner affects the outer.  Prayer, word, and using your spiritual language are key components to facilitate the strengthening of your hearts.

 

2. When your inner world is right. The outer world will follow.  Gordon Macdonald says, “When you order your private world, your outer life shows the inner world’s progress.” 
3. This whole process enables you to be blameless and holy which means separated unto God.  This of course affects lifestyle, attitudes and habits.
4. Paul encourages and exhorts them to be prepared.  Jesus is coming back.  If his exhortation was relevant for that day how much more should it be for our day.  The Lord is coming back with His holy ones.  Remember the dead in Christ rise first. 
5. Paul comforts the Thessalonians that they would see their loved ones again.  Paul exhorts them to have orderly conduct in life.  He wanted their hearts and lives to be ready. 

GOD IS TRUST

 

Psalm 84 – The Power of Trust – Nov 2, 2008

 

Intro:  Good morning.  Today our message is from Ps 84.  This Psalm is found in the Third Book division of the Psalms.  From Psalm 73-89, three themes emerge.  Trust, praise and love for God.  This Psalm focuses on when we come face to face with the loving, living God, we will trust, praise and respond to His love.

 

1.  This Psalm was written by the Sons of Korah the great grandsons to Levi.  Their

      Father was the leader of the three main families of Levi that rebelled against Moses

      In the desert.  Talk about this.

 

a.  They however did not all agree or rebel.  So the remnant were later given the divine

     responsibility and privilege of composing songs, leading worship and praise in the

     Tabernacle and later the Temple. 

b.  The Sons of Korah are a story of redemption and restoration.  Just like Peter was in

      the New Testament.

 

2.  Now in Vs 1-2,  Three Truths are highlighted.  First, A love for God’s house.  “How

     Lovely is your dwelling place.”  David said the same thing in Ps 122:1.  Oh how I

     wish more today would have this view.  Did you know that between 35 -40% of

     people who say that go to church on a regular basis will miss Sunday morning

     worship at least 1-2 Sundays a month.  In 2004 a study was done and found that

     It will take the average Christian 29 years to invite a friend to church.  In 1981, the

     BGEA did a study that found out that 95% of the N.A. Christian church will never

     lead a soul to Christ or invite someone to church.

 

a.  Secondly, The writers encourage spiritual desire. “My soul yearns and even faints

     for God’s house.”  Jesus said in Mt 5:6, “Blessed are those that hunger and thirst

     after righteousness, they shall be filled.

b.  Thirdly, The Psalmists write, “My heart and flesh cry our for the living God.”  They

     wanted a relationship with the Living God.   My question is myself and us.  Is that

     our desire.

 

3.  The Psalmists in vs 3-4, use the analogy of a sparrow finding a home near the altar.

     Talk about this.  He then says, “As they have a place near your altar,”  So I wish to

     Be.  “O Lord God, Almighty, My King and my God.”  This is a statement of truth

     And acknowledgement.

 

a.  You are blessed when dwell in His house.  This love for God’s house and Him leads

     to a life praise and worship. 

b.  The writers want you think about this a moment because they use the word Selah,

      which simply means, “think about this for a moment          

 

 

 

 

4.   The Psalmists write, “Blessed are those who strength is in you.”    God needs to be

      Our strength today.  Paul says in Phil 4:13, that we can do all things through Christ

      Who strengthens us.  Like the children’s song.  Jesus Loves Me,  “We are weak but

       But He strong. 

 

a.  Micah talk about a strength and courage to help men rebuke sin.  Micah 3:8

b.  Zechariah reminded, Zerubbabel and  us in Zech 4:6,  that it is not by might, or by

     by power but by the Spirit of the Lord, that mountains in our way shall be removed.

c.  The Jesus reminded the disciples in Acts 1:8, that we shall have power when the Holy

     Spirit come upon us. 

d.  Paul remind in Rom 8:11, that we have resurrection in us.  God the Lord is our

     Strength.

e.  The Psalmists then talk about our hearts are on a pilgrimage.  The picture they talk

     about is the Valley of Baca.  A valley close to Jerusalem, know for its streams,

     poplar trees and restful beauty.  It being in this restful place so God will renew

     our hearts.   This valley was a resting place for the people coming from the north

     the last stop before coming into Jerusalem about a days walk away.

f.  The Lord is our strength from place to place in this pilgrimage until we get heaven.

     The Psalmist’s are saying in Dean Steel vernacular.  “Keep focused, rely on God,

     Don’t lose sight of goal, we are just passing through this life till we see Jesus.”

 

5.       

JULY 5, 2026

 

GOD IS LOVE

 

God is Love – 1 John 4:12-16

 

Intro:  Today we are going to look again at John’s exhortation about love.  As Burt Backarack said in 1969.  “What the world needs now, is Love sweet love.”  We know that is what all need right now.

 

(Slide 1)We know that we live in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit.

 

1.  John states that the assurance of God is living in us.  This assurance is manifested

     By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  He is the third person of the Godhead.  He is

     The comforter that Jesus talked about.  Do you remember how in early message I

     Spoke about John had the clearest understanding of the all the apostles of the makeup

     And ministry of the Holy Spirit.?

2.  (Slide 2)  As the Holy Spirit works in us we begin to develop His thoughts, attitudes,

     Deeds and speech.    We begin to exhibit His fruit and gifts.  We walk with, love joy,

     Peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faith, patience and self control.  Use Moody’s

     Illustration of getting air out of the class.  Brother’s ands Sisters in Christ we need

     More filling of the Holy Spirit than air.

 

(Slide 3)  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world.

 

1.  In and through God’s Holy Spirit we see Him working through us.  Some of the

     Changes are subtle and longer in process others are dramatic and shorter in duration.

2.  This helps us to testify that God has sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world. John

      May have been thinking about his own transformation from an ambitious, fiery, quick

      Temper and zealous man to the apostle of love.  He may have been thinking how

      Peter was transformed from a boastful, fearful impetuous man to the fearless, humble

      And patient man of the book of acts.  He may of though of Simon the Zealot to went

      On to preach and die not for an impossible dream but for a Kingdom with no end.

3.   Jesus is our saviour, healer, baptizer and soon coming king.  Jesus as our Saviour

      Came as Luke said in Luke 19:10, to seek and save the lost.

 

a.  In John 3:17, John states that Jesus came not to condemn but the world through Him

     Might be saved.

b.  In Acts 5:31, Peter stated that Jesus is the Saviour and Prince to give repentance and

     Forgiveness of sin to Israel.

c.  Paul writes in 1 Tim 1:5 that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners which

     Paul called himself the chief.

d.  The writer of Hebrews tells us through Christ salvation we are made complete and

     Jesus right now is making intercession for us.

 

4.  (Slide 4)  The greatest witness of Christ’s Saviour hood  are those that allow the

     Holy Spirit to transform their lives into the image of Jesus Christ.  We are walking

     Billboards for Jesus.  What does your billboard say?  Do funny signs  (Slides 5-14)

(Slide 15)  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in Him and he in God.

 

1.  This is that heart confession that John saw as essential.  This meant you believe that

     Jesus is God.  Remember John believed that Jesus was God.  That was validated by

     Jesus’ transfiguration when John heard the Father’s voice telling him, Peter and James

     That this was His Son in whom He was well pleased.  He was there at Jesus’ water

     Baptism when the dove landed on Jesus’ shoulder.  He was there when the voice in

     The temple again stated that Jesus was God’s Son and was well pleasing to Father.

2.  This statement was also to refute the Gnostic theories of outlooks about Jesus.  Jesus

     Is not just a prophet, moral teacher, great religious leader, social reformer or example.

     He is the Son of God.  The perfect union of the divine and human.  He is God with a

     Face 100% God and 100% man.  Jesus is God, John taught.

3.  John saw this abiding together with God as essential proof of God’s work.  (Slide

     16)  Only God dwelling in us can bring this full revelation of God.  Talk about the

     time I was studying with the different United Church ministers.

4.  John taught in John 15 the principle of the vine and branches.  The vine is Christ and

    We are the branches.  We can do nothing spiritually with out Him.

 

(Slide 17)  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever

Lives in love lives in God and God in Him.

 

1.  John says we must know and rely on the love God has for us.  This is the motivation

    Behind mercy and grace.  This is spiritual revelation.  The writers of the Bible grasped

    This truth and wrote about it. 

 

a.  Moses in Deut 7:8 stated that God’s love redeemed Israel from slavery.

b.  Jeremiah says in Jer 31:3, that the love of God is everlasting and long suffering. 

c.  Jesus called this love universal and rescuing in John 3:16

d.  Paul in Rom 5:8, says that love of God  possesses action and was demonstrated

     Through Christ.  He further states in Eph 2:4-5, that the love of God is rich in mercy

     And makes us alive.

e.  John says it has been lavished on us and grace us the privilege to be called the Sons

     Of God.

 

2.  John closes our passage this morning with the statement, “God is love.”  This is who

     God is.  Everything flows out from this virtue.  Paul states in 1 Cor 13:13, it is the

     Greatest virtue.  It is the axis of everything God does.  It is the hub of God’s

     Character. Every action, decision, thought or attitude He does begins with love. 

3.  Even His wrath is motivated by love.  Love does not allow self destruction to

     Continue. 

4.  John closes with, “Whoever lives in His love, lives in God and God in Him.” 

     This is the abiding Jesus talked about.  Those in abide or live in love will be