Sermon Cloud

Assurance

B. Harrington

1 John 1:1-2:5

Do not walk alone . . . .  

1 John 5:12-13 - He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

1. Confidence in JESUS CHRIST.  (1 John 1:1)

1.  
   1. Not a blind-Faith.
   2. Informed Faith - based on the historical events.
   3. Informed Faith – based on the teaching of scripture.
   4. Informed Faith – based on spiritual/intuitive experience.
   5. Not based on feelings, but on the reality of Jesus Christ

2. Confidence in the CROSS of Jesus Christ.  (1 John 1:2)

Romans 3:22-25 (NLT) - We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.  For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

a. The cross = God’s holiness and love

b. Grace, not my works.

c. Grace = Free Gift = not earned.

3. Confidence in my FAITH COMMITMENT  to Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3-4)

Romans 10: 9-11 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

4. Confidence based on my OBEDIENT FAITH in Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:5-7)

In the Bible the word “walk” is a common metaphor for the “basic direction of one’s life.”

Two “walks” are mentioned. To walk in darkness is to be someone who is living in ongoing sin. The person who lives this way is lying if he or she claims to have a saving faith and genuine relationship with God. But the opposite is also true: someone who is walking in God’s direction, who is living a responsive, Christ-centered lifestyle can boldly claim genuine faith in God, and the ongoing certainty of salvation.

Thus, when a Christian “walks in the way of Jesus” or “walks in the light,” he or she is living in a saved relationship with God. 

5. Confidence based upon CONFESSION of My Sins to Jesus Christ.  (1 John 1:8-10)

“Walking in the light” does not mean, however, that you have ridded yourself of every sinful act. The verse itself makes this clear — one of the two blessings we receive as a result of this walk is that Jesus’ blood “cleanses us from every sin.” That phrase is meaningless if a person is not walking in the light until he has conquered every sin. Sinning, not as a lifestyle, but as an occasional act, is part of walking in the light.

6. Confidence based upon RELATIONSHIP Faithfulness.  (1 John 1- 2:5)

Hebrews 13:5-6 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
   "Never will I leave you;
      never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence,
   "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
      What can man do to me?"

Memory Verse - 1 John 1: 9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Small Group Questions

Care  (15 Minutes)

Ask two or three people to share something that was a highlight in their lives this past week.

Study  (30 Minutes)

READ and review the illustration in First Steps about the hikers and the ranger entitled, “We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight” (page 17). What is most helpful to you about this illustration?  Explain why.

What is the difference between “blind faith” and “informed faith”?  Why is it important that faith is not just based upon feelings?   What are we to do when our feelings are getting the best of us?  Practical examples?

Read and review 1 John 1:5 – 1:9.  What does 1 John mean when it uses the word “walk”?  What is it to “walk in the light” and what is it to “walk in darkness”?  What do we know about someone who claims to be a Christian and 1) he or she walks in the light or 2) he or she walks in darkness?

RECITE (AS A GROUP) 1 JOHN 1:9 Why is it important that we regularly confess our sins?  What happens when we do confess our sins?

 If you have one “sin area” with which you most need help, what is it?  What comfort do you receive from 1 John 1:9?

Prayer  (30 Minutes)

1) As I look over this list, I pray that I will take the following specific step in the Ways of Jesus this week (pick one and explain why)  . . .

• Intentional Love (for other people)
• Acceptance (of God’s Grace and/or Truth)
• Connecting (with God and/or God’s People)
• Service (to the church and/or the world)
• Leading (others in the Ways of Jesus)

2) Please also help me with your prayers for the following . . .