Blessed Assurance

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.