Living with a Clean Heart: Assurance and Obedience
Summary
### Summary
In our ongoing series "Prove It," we delve into the book of 1 John, focusing on the theme of proving our faith through our actions and understanding of Jesus Christ. Today, we explore the question, "Are you living with a clean heart?" by examining 1 John 3:19-24. This passage reassures us that we are of the truth and can have confidence before God, even when our hearts condemn us. John emphasizes that our faith is not based on works, but our actions can provide assurance of our faith.
The early church faced false teachings and internal doubts, much like we do today. John reassures believers that true knowledge and comfort come from adhering to Christ's teachings and loving one another. He highlights the importance of living a counter-cultural, kingdom-minded life, which may bring discomfort but ultimately aligns us with God's will.
John also addresses the role of our conscience, which can either convict us of sin or condemn us with guilt and shame. He distinguishes between condemnation, which is rooted in guilt, and conviction, which leads to repentance. When our hearts condemn us, we can find comfort in God's omniscience and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, John encourages us to approach God with confidence in prayer, regardless of the size of our requests. He explains that as we delight in God's love, our desires will align with His will, leading to answered prayers. Finally, John reiterates the two major themes of his letter: belief in Jesus as the Son of God and love for one another. Obedience to these commands ensures that we abide in Christ and maintain fellowship with Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Assurance in Truth and Comfort: John reassures us that we are of the truth and can find comfort in God's omniscience, even when our hearts condemn us. This assurance comes from adhering to Christ's teachings and loving one another, which aligns us with God's will and provides a counter-cultural, kingdom-minded perspective. [06:35]
2. Role of Conscience: Our conscience serves as a witness, judge, and executor of our actions, thoughts, and words. While it can convict us of sin, leading to repentance, it can also condemn us with guilt and shame. Understanding this distinction helps us find comfort in God's forgiveness and omniscience, knowing that He has already forgiven our sins through Jesus Christ. [12:51]
3. Confidence in Prayer: We are encouraged to approach God with confidence in prayer, regardless of the size of our requests. As we delight in God's love, our desires will align with His will, leading to answered prayers. This confidence stems from our obedience to God's commands and our trust in His provision and wisdom. [17:58]
4. Obedience and Fellowship: Obedience to God's commands ensures that we abide in Christ and maintain fellowship with Him. Disobedience can temporarily break this fellowship, causing a sense of distance from God. However, repentance and confession restore our relationship with Him, allowing us to walk in His light and love. [27:44]
5. Belief and Love: John emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus as the Son of God and loving one another. These two commands are central to our faith and ensure that we abide in Christ. Repeatedly reminding ourselves of these truths helps us stay aligned with God's will and maintain a clean heart. [24:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:16] - Introduction to "Prove It" Series
[02:45] - Today's Focus: Living with a Clean Heart
[04:02] - Assurance for an Unsure Heart
[05:17] - Counter-Cultural Living
[06:35] - Knowledge and Comfort in Truth
[07:43] - Following Christ's Teachings
[09:02] - Comfort in God's Approval
[10:13] - Handling Finances and Life Choices
[11:30] - Role of Conscience
[12:51] - Conviction vs. Condemnation
[14:05] - God's Greater Knowledge
[15:25] - Confession and Humility
[16:41] - Assurance for a Sure Heart
[17:58] - Confidence in Prayer
[19:21] - God's Wisdom in Answering Prayers
[20:45] - Aligning Desires with God's Will
[22:13] - Importance of Asking in Prayer
[23:35] - Praying Scripture
[24:56] - Assurance Through Faith and Obedience
[26:18] - Repeated Themes: Belief and Love
[27:44] - Obedience and Fellowship
[29:06] - Evaluating Broken Fellowship
[30:41] - Importance of Baptism
[32:04] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 John 3:19-24 (ESV)
> By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does John say about the relationship between our hearts and God's omniscience in 1 John 3:19-20?
2. According to 1 John 3:21-22, what is the result of having a heart that does not condemn us?
3. What are the two commandments mentioned in 1 John 3:23, and how do they relate to our fellowship with God?
4. How does John describe the assurance of God's presence in believers in 1 John 3:24?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that "God is greater than our heart" (1 John 3:20) help believers deal with feelings of guilt and condemnation? [14:05]
2. What does it mean to have confidence before God in prayer, and how does this confidence affect our prayer life? [17:58]
3. How can believers align their desires with God's will, and what role does delighting in God's love play in this process? [16:41]
4. Why does John repeatedly emphasize the importance of believing in Jesus and loving one another throughout his letter? [26:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your heart condemned you. How did you find comfort in God's greater knowledge and forgiveness? [14:05]
2. In what ways can you cultivate a counter-cultural, kingdom-minded life that aligns with God's will, even if it brings discomfort or ridicule? [05:17]
3. How can you approach God with confidence in prayer, regardless of the size of your requests? Share a specific prayer request you have been hesitant to bring before God. [17:58]
4. Think about a recent situation where your conscience convicted you of sin. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to ensure your response leads to repentance rather than condemnation? [12:51]
5. Identify one area of your life where you feel distant from God due to disobedience. What specific action can you take this week to restore fellowship with Him? [27:44]
6. How can you practically show love to someone in your life this week, in obedience to the command to love one another? [26:18]
7. Have you ever felt unsure about your faith due to external influences or false teachings? How can you strengthen your assurance by adhering to Christ's teachings and loving others? [07:43]
Devotional
### Day 1: Assurance in God's Truth
Description: In 1 John 3:19-24, believers are reassured that they are of the truth and can find comfort in God's omniscience, even when their hearts condemn them. This assurance is rooted in adhering to Christ's teachings and loving one another, which aligns us with God's will and provides a counter-cultural, kingdom-minded perspective. The early church faced false teachings and internal doubts, much like we do today. John reassures believers that true knowledge and comfort come from adhering to Christ's teachings and loving one another. This alignment with God's will provides a sense of peace and assurance, even in the face of internal and external challenges. [06:35]
Bible Passage: "By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt condemned by your own heart. How can you remind yourself of God's greater knowledge and forgiveness in that situation today?
### Day 2: Understanding the Role of Conscience
Description: Our conscience serves as a witness, judge, and executor of our actions, thoughts, and words. While it can convict us of sin, leading to repentance, it can also condemn us with guilt and shame. Understanding this distinction helps us find comfort in God's forgiveness and omniscience, knowing that He has already forgiven our sins through Jesus Christ. John emphasizes that condemnation is rooted in guilt, while conviction leads to repentance and restoration. This understanding allows believers to navigate their spiritual journey with a clearer sense of God's grace and mercy. [12:51]
Bible Passage: "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God." (1 John 3:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your conscience condemned you. How can you differentiate between condemnation and conviction in your spiritual life today?
### Day 3: Confidence in Prayer
Description: Believers are encouraged to approach God with confidence in prayer, regardless of the size of their requests. As we delight in God's love, our desires will align with His will, leading to answered prayers. This confidence stems from our obedience to God's commands and our trust in His provision and wisdom. John explains that as we grow in our relationship with God, our prayers become more aligned with His will, resulting in a more effective and fulfilling prayer life. This alignment brings a deeper sense of peace and assurance in our spiritual journey. [17:58]
Bible Passage: "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific prayer request you have been hesitant to bring to God? How can you approach Him with confidence today, trusting in His wisdom and provision?
### Day 4: Obedience and Fellowship
Description: Obedience to God's commands ensures that we abide in Christ and maintain fellowship with Him. Disobedience can temporarily break this fellowship, causing a sense of distance from God. However, repentance and confession restore our relationship with Him, allowing us to walk in His light and love. John emphasizes that maintaining this fellowship is crucial for a vibrant spiritual life. This ongoing process of obedience, repentance, and restoration keeps believers in close communion with God, fostering a deeper sense of spiritual growth and maturity. [27:44]
Bible Passage: "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you have been disobedient to God's commands. What steps can you take today to repent and restore your fellowship with Him?
### Day 5: Belief and Love
Description: John emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus as the Son of God and loving one another. These two commands are central to our faith and ensure that we abide in Christ. Repeatedly reminding ourselves of these truths helps us stay aligned with God's will and maintain a clean heart. This dual focus on belief and love forms the foundation of a strong and vibrant Christian life, enabling believers to navigate their spiritual journey with clarity and purpose. By continually reinforcing these core principles, believers can maintain a strong connection with God and with one another. [24:56]
Bible Passage: "And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him." (1 John 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate your belief in Jesus and love for others today? What specific actions can you take to live out these commands in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When we delight in the love of God, our desires will be in the will of God. And as we unpack this passage today, I hope that I can help shine the light on that this morning." [04:02] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we walk in the truth, we walk with a clean heart. When we walk in the truth, we walk with clean heart. With a clean heart." [10:13] (6 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God earnestly desires that you would ask him for provision. God earnestly desires that you would ask him for help in every single area of your life. Whether you're struggling, raising a family, whether you're struggling in school, and you're struggling in what the future might hold for you, bring it before the Lord for he earnestly desires to help you." [23:35] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we delight in the love of God, our desires will be in the will of God. This is again why in Matthew chapter 6, Jesus is teaching on prayer. And one of the first things he says to us is to pray your kingdom come, that be God's kingdom come, your will, God's will be done." [20:45] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus has forgiven you of all of your sins, past, present, and future, and there is no place for shame or guilt when you go before the Lord in prayer. In Romans, it says that there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." [14:05] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We want you to biblically look at your life and ask the question, if someone were to shine a light on your life, what would it be? Spotlight on you. Would your faith shine through? Would you reflect the light of Christ? Would you reflect him? Or would you be walking in darkness?" [01:16] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so what John is pointing us to, he's saying this, when we are unsure, we can find the true and right way to live by following the teachings of Christ. And so if you are ever wondering, man, how should I live my life? What should I do to actually follow God? Man, turn no further than the actual teachings of Jesus himself. That will be your north star." [07:43] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "John points out that we can reassure, that we can find comfort regardless of the way that we live, because the way that Christians live will be countercultural to the world that John has just outlined. And he knows that that's going to bring in some discomfort. He knows that that's going to bring in some worry, that those outside of the church, those maybe even who call themselves Christians, are going to judge you based on the way that you live your life." [09:02] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "John says, when our heart condemns, and he's talking about that inner voice, that voice that says, look at you, do you think you're worthy of God's love? That voice that points out your sin, and it berates you, and it says, how dare you ask God of anything? Look at what you just did yesterday. Look at the thought that you just had towards your wife. Look at the way that you just spoke to your kids. How dare you ask the Lord of anything? That is condemnation." [14:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Obedience is the key to abiding in Christ. So in one sense, if we are actually genuinely saved, we're always abiding in Christ because of his finished work on the cross. Pastor Robert, a while ago, preached a message where he used Tupperware to illustrate how we are always in Christ, sealed in him. He had multiple different types of Tupperware and tape, and it was really helpful as an analogy." [27:44] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 12, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?