Assurance of Salvation and True Faith in Christ

 

Summary

In Romans 8:28-30, we find a profound assurance of our ultimate glorification in Christ. This passage is not merely about election and predestination but is a grand declaration of the final perseverance of the saints. It assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. This divine purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. The journey of salvation is marked by God's foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. Each step is a divine act, ensuring that nothing can thwart our final salvation.

The visible church, however, presents a challenge. It is a mixed multitude, much like the Israelites in the wilderness. Not everyone in the visible church is a true believer. This distinction is crucial for understanding the warning passages in Scripture, which are often misinterpreted as suggesting that one can lose their salvation. These passages serve to test the genuineness of our faith, urging us to examine ourselves to ensure we are in the faith. The parables of the ten virgins and the talents illustrate this point. They reveal the difference between true and false professions of faith. True believers are characterized by a living faith that produces fruit, while false professors are marked by a lack of genuine concern for their spiritual state.

The Book of Life, mentioned in Revelation, further underscores the security of the believer. Names written in the Book of Life were inscribed before the foundation of the world, based on God's foreknowledge. The assurance that names will not be blotted out is a figure of speech emphasizing the certainty of our salvation. It is not a threat but a promise of eternal security for those who overcome.

Key Takeaways:

- The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God. This is not an automatic process but a divine orchestration by God Himself, ensuring our ultimate glorification in Christ. [01:36]

- The visible church is a mixed multitude, and not everyone within it is a true believer. This understanding is crucial for interpreting warning passages in Scripture, which test the genuineness of our faith. [09:52]

- The parables of the ten virgins and the talents illustrate the difference between true and false professions of faith. True believers are marked by a living faith that produces fruit, while false professors lack genuine concern for their spiritual state. [23:54]

- The Book of Life, mentioned in Revelation, assures us of the security of our salvation. Names written in the Book of Life were inscribed before the foundation of the world, based on God's foreknowledge, and will not be blotted out. [46:24]

- The warning passages in Scripture are not threats but tests of our profession of faith. They urge us to examine ourselves to ensure we are in the faith, highlighting the importance of a living faith that produces fruit. [19:12]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Romans 8:28-30
[01:06] - Doctrine of Final Perseverance
[02:31] - Steps to Glorification
[03:32] - Addressing Difficulties in Doctrine
[04:36] - Warning Passages in Scripture
[06:34] - Visible vs. Invisible Church
[08:14] - Temporary Faith and False Profession
[10:06] - Examples from Romans
[13:40] - True vs. False Israel
[16:19] - Purpose of Warning Passages
[21:31] - Parables of the Ten Virgins and Talents
[33:49] - Parable of the Sheep and Goats
[38:23] - Revelation and the Book of Life
[46:24] - Assurance of Salvation
[51:09] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:28-30
- Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the Ten Virgins)
- Revelation 3:5 (The Book of Life)

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 8:28-30, what are the steps in the journey of salvation mentioned by Paul? How do these steps assure us of our ultimate glorification in Christ? [00:46]

2. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), what distinguishes the wise virgins from the foolish ones? How does this distinction relate to the concept of true and false professions of faith? [23:54]

3. What does Revelation 3:5 say about the security of the believer's name in the Book of Life? How is this assurance presented in the sermon? [46:24]

4. How does the sermon describe the visible church, and why is it important to understand its mixed nature? [09:52]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints provide comfort and assurance to believers, according to the sermon? What role does God's divine orchestration play in this assurance? [01:36]

2. The sermon discusses the warning passages in Scripture. How do these passages serve as tests of our profession of faith rather than threats to our salvation? [19:12]

3. In what ways do the parables of the ten virgins and the talents illustrate the difference between true and false professions of faith? How does this understanding impact our view of salvation and works? [23:54]

4. How does the concept of the Book of Life in Revelation 3:5 reinforce the idea of eternal security for believers? What is the significance of names being written before the foundation of the world? [46:24]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own faith journey. How can you be more aware of the steps of calling, justification, and glorification in your life? What practical steps can you take to align more closely with God's purpose for you? [00:46]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of examining ourselves to ensure we are in the faith. What specific practices can you implement to regularly assess the genuineness of your faith? [19:12]

3. Consider the parable of the ten virgins. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you might be acting like the foolish virgins, assuming rather than ensuring your readiness? How can you address these areas? [23:54]

4. How does understanding the mixed nature of the visible church change your perspective on church membership and community involvement? What actions can you take to foster genuine faith within your church community? [09:52]

5. The sermon discusses the assurance of salvation through the Book of Life. How does this assurance affect your daily life and interactions with others? In what ways can you share this assurance with those around you? [46:24]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt your faith was being tested. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply those lessons to future challenges? [19:12]

7. Identify one aspect of your spiritual life where you desire to see more fruit. What specific actions can you take this week to cultivate that fruit and demonstrate a living faith? [19:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Orchestration of Goodness
God's divine orchestration ensures that all things work together for the good of those who love Him. This is not an automatic process but a deliberate act of God, guiding every step of our journey towards ultimate glorification in Christ. The assurance of the final perseverance of the saints is rooted in the understanding that God is actively involved in every aspect of our lives, weaving together circumstances, challenges, and blessings to fulfill His purpose. This divine purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, ensuring that nothing can thwart our final salvation. [01:36]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenging situation in your life where you can trust God to work it for your good today?


Day 2: The Mixed Multitude of the Church
The visible church is a mixed multitude, much like the Israelites in the wilderness. Not everyone within it is a true believer, and this distinction is crucial for interpreting the warning passages in Scripture. These passages are not threats but tests of the genuineness of our faith, urging us to examine ourselves to ensure we are in the faith. Understanding this helps us navigate the complexities of church life, recognizing that true believers are characterized by a living faith that produces fruit, while false professors lack genuine concern for their spiritual state. [09:52]

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you examine your own faith today to ensure it is genuine and producing fruit?


Day 3: True and False Professions of Faith
The parables of the ten virgins and the talents illustrate the difference between true and false professions of faith. True believers are marked by a living faith that produces fruit, while false professors are marked by a lack of genuine concern for their spiritual state. These parables serve as a reminder to continually assess the authenticity of our faith, ensuring that it is not merely a superficial profession but a deep-rooted commitment to Christ that manifests in our actions and attitudes. [23:54]

"Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:20, ESV)

Reflection: What specific fruit is your faith producing in your life today, and how can you nurture it further?


Day 4: Assurance from the Book of Life
The Book of Life, mentioned in Revelation, assures us of the security of our salvation. Names written in the Book of Life were inscribed before the foundation of the world, based on God's foreknowledge, and will not be blotted out. This assurance is not a threat but a promise of eternal security for those who overcome. It emphasizes the certainty of our salvation, encouraging us to live confidently in the knowledge that our eternal destiny is secure in Christ. [46:24]

"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering." (Hebrews 12:22, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of your name being in the Book of Life impact your daily walk with Christ today?


Day 5: Testing the Genuineness of Our Faith
The warning passages in Scripture are not threats but tests of our profession of faith. They urge us to examine ourselves to ensure we are in the faith, highlighting the importance of a living faith that produces fruit. These passages serve as a spiritual mirror, reflecting the true state of our hearts and prompting us to make necessary adjustments to align with God's will. By embracing these tests, we can grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Christ. [19:12]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your faith can you test today to ensure it aligns with God's will and produces genuine fruit?

Quotes

All things work together for good for those who love God, not automatically but made to work together for good by God Himself for those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose. For nobody would ever love Him unless they were called, and they'd never be called unless they were a part of His great and eternal purpose. [00:01:36]

The visible church is a mixed multitude, like the children of Israel marching from Egypt to Canaan. If we think every church member is a Christian, we'll never understand these passages and end in confusion. The Bible gives ample evidence to show that’s a false assumption. [00:09:52]

The parables of the ten virgins and the talents illustrate the difference between true and false professions of faith. True believers are marked by a living faith that produces fruit, while false professors lack genuine concern for their spiritual state. [00:23:54]

The Book of Life, mentioned in Revelation, assures us of the security of our salvation. Names written in the Book of Life were inscribed before the foundation of the world, based on God's foreknowledge, and will not be blotted out. [00:46:24]

The warning passages in Scripture are not threats but tests of our profession of faith. They urge us to examine ourselves to ensure we are in the faith, highlighting the importance of a living faith that produces fruit. [00:19:12]

The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God. This is not an automatic process but a divine orchestration by God Himself, ensuring our ultimate glorification in Christ. [00:01:36]

The visible church today, and more so in New Testament times, is a mixed multitude. As we read our New Testament, especially the Epistles and letters written to churches, we must remember they were writing to the visible church, not the invisible. [00:10:06]

The parable of the ten virgins is a test of profession. Here are people together in the professing Christian church, yet we are told there is this vital difference possible between this wisdom and that folly, and it shows itself inevitably. [00:28:23]

The parable of the talents reveals the difference between true and false professions. The man who received one talent and hid it shows a wrong attitude, revealing himself as not truly belonging to the Master, unlike the others who sought to please Him. [00:33:49]

The parable of the sheep and goats teaches that what saved the first group was their unselfconscious good deeds, not done for reward but as a natural outflow of their faith, contrasting with the second group who did not act in love. [00:38:23]

The assurance that names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life is a figure of speech emphasizing the certainty of our salvation. It is not a threat but a promise of eternal security for those who overcome. [00:46:24]

The warning passages in Scripture serve to test the genuineness of our faith, urging us to examine ourselves to ensure we are in the faith. They highlight the importance of a living faith that produces fruit, distinguishing true believers from false professors. [00:19:12]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?