Scripture Reading: John 12:34-41
"I Want to be Sure"
Intro.
1. Some say they haven’t yet obeyed the gospel because they “want to be sure” before they commit.
2. We should be certain of the truth, our obligations to God, and the results of obeying Christ (the cost, the blessings, etc.), Luke 14:28.
3. This can also become an excuse that hinders us from doing what we know is right and needed, James 4:17; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7-8.
4. Consider things we need to be sure of and hear God’s warning not to delay obeying the gospel.
A. About My Faith.
1. It is good to assess one’s faith, 2 Cor. 13:5 (Luke 6:46).
a. Test your faith against the word of God (Rom. 10:17).
b. Do not test your faith against: The faith of others, emotions, human tradition, experiences, etc., Col. 2:8.
-“I want to be sure (have faith) that…”
2. Jesus really is the Son of God, Matt. 16:13-17.
-His works and words, John 5:36-39, 46-47 (20:30-31).
3. There really is only one church, Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; Eph. 1:21-23; 4:4; 5:23.
4. The Bible really is the word of God, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
-Fulfilled prophecy, its unity and harmony, etc. If not, all lies.
B. About What I Need To Do to be Saved, Acts 16:30-34; 2:36-41.
1. Are you sure you have (unforgiven) sin in your life? (Rom. 3:23)
2. Do you want to be saved from your sins? (Rom. 6:23)
3. Will you trust God’s grace and truth that saves sinners in Christ to save you? Rom. 5:8; Eph. 1:7; Rom. 1:16
4. Will you obey Christ in faith? Plan of salvation clear and essential:
a. Must hear and believe gospel, Heb. 11:6; John 8:24.
b. Must confess faith, Matt. 10:32-33.
c. Must repent of sins, Luke 13:3, 5 (Acts 17:30).
d. Must be baptized for remission, Acts 2:38 (22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).
C. About My Ability to Remain Faithful.
1. Will never be faithful if you do not begin (Acts 22:16).
2. Will remain faithful if you do what Bible says is right, 1 John 1:7; 2:3-6.
3. You can achieve what others before you have accomplished, Heb. 10:32-35.
a. With endurance you can remain faithful, Heb. 10:36-39.
b. Understand, you will be tempted, but you can escape and stand in Christ, 1 Cor. 10:12-13; Eph. 6:13; James 4:7.
D. About My Eternal Destiny.
1. You can be sure:
a. By being a faithful to Christ, 1 John 5:11-13; 2 Tim. 1:12.
b. By being disobedient and not a Christian, 2 Thess. 1:8-9.
II. DANGERS IN THE “I WANT TO BE SURE” THINKING.
A. We Can End Up Put Off Obeying the Lord, Acts 22:16; 16:33.
B. Rationalization Can Replace Sound, Biblical Reasoning, Acts 24:25.
C. Missed Opportunity Does Not Always Come Again, Prov. 27:1 (2 Cor. 6:2).
D. The Heart Can (Will) Harden When We Delay, Heb. 3:7-8, 13.
1. Every time you say “no” to God it becomes easier to say “no” again, until finally you become “without feeling” (Eph. 4:19; cf. Eccl. 12:1).
2. Do not ignore your heart being touched by truth, obey it (Acts 2:37, 41).
Conclusion
1. The question comes to you: Are you sure of your spiritual safety? Are you saved or lost? Do you want to be saved from your sins? Do you want to go to heaven?
2. Then obey Christ in faith and be saved from your sins. To delay keeps us in sin with the outcome being eternal death.
3. Come to Jesus now (Matt. 11:28-30).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted February 23, 2022