Living with Assurance: Faith Amidst Trials and Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance of Salvation Empowers Our Witness

The assurance of salvation is a profound gift that transforms the believer's life. It is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality that empowers Christians to confidently witness for the gospel, regardless of life's challenges. This assurance stems from faith in Jesus Christ, who promises eternal life to those who believe in Him. The early church, despite facing severe persecution, held onto this assurance, which fueled their courage and resilience. Their faith was not in human leaders or circumstances but in Jesus, who overcame the world. This assurance invites believers today to live boldly, knowing that their eternal destiny is secure in Christ. [45:05]

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you live more boldly today, knowing that your salvation is assured in Christ?

Day 2: Perseverance Through Persecution Strengthens Faith

The early church's experience of persecution serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of faith. Despite facing severe trials, they remained steadfast, and their faith grew stronger. This historical context challenges believers today to endure hardships with the same resilience, understanding that their faith is not in human leaders but in Jesus, who has overcome the world. The testimony of the early church is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working within believers, providing strength and courage to face adversity. This perseverance is a call to trust in God's sovereignty and to remain faithful, even when circumstances are difficult. [54:38]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you find joy in your current trials, trusting that they are strengthening your faith?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit Transforms and Empowers

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the life of a believer, empowering them to live holy lives and transforming them to be more like Jesus. This transformation is not about self-improvement but about being made new in Christ. The Spirit provides strength, wisdom, and boldness to share the gospel, enabling believers to endure hardships and live out their faith with courage. The early church's testimony is a testament to the Spirit's power, as they were able to persevere through persecution and spread the gospel despite immense challenges. Believers today are invited to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and empowerment in their daily walk with Christ. [01:08:13]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit for transformation and empowerment?

Day 4: Urgency in Sharing the Gospel

The call to share the gospel is urgent, compelling believers to leverage their lives, families, and resources for God's glory. The early church understood this urgency, as they spread the gospel even amidst persecution. This call challenges believers today to lay aside their preferences and comforts for the sake of advancing the kingdom. The gospel's urgency invites Christians to be intentional in their witness, whether across the street or around the globe. It is a call to action, to be moved by the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to share the good news with those who have not yet heard. [01:22:53]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to share the gospel with someone in your life?

Day 5: Responding to God's Call

Each believer has a role in advancing the kingdom, whether through prayer, giving, or going. The assurance of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit invite believers to respond to God's call with confidence and trust. This response is not limited to grand gestures but includes everyday acts of faithfulness and obedience. Believers are encouraged to examine their lives and consider how they can leverage their time, talents, and resources for God's glory. The call to respond is an invitation to partner with God in His mission, trusting that He will guide and empower them every step of the way. [01:26:10]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you respond to God's call today, using your unique gifts and resources to advance His kingdom?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of 1 John, we are reminded of the profound assurance of salvation that John offers to believers. John writes to the early church, a community facing severe persecution, to affirm their faith and encourage them to live out their salvation with confidence. The message is clear: despite the trials and tribulations that come with following Jesus, our faith in Him assures us of eternal life. This assurance is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that empowers us to be witnesses for the gospel, regardless of the challenges we face.

John's words are a call to not miss the point of our faith. We are reminded that the essence of our Christian journey is not just about knowing Jesus intellectually but experiencing Him personally. The early church faced immense persecution, yet they did not shrink back. Instead, their faith grew stronger, and the gospel spread even more. This historical context serves as a powerful reminder that our faith is not in human leaders or circumstances but in Jesus Christ, who overcame the world.

The testimony of the early church is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working within believers. It is through the Spirit that we find the strength to endure hardships and the courage to share the gospel. The Spirit transforms us, making us more like Jesus, and empowers us to live holy lives. This transformation is not about becoming a better version of ourselves but about being made new in Christ.

As we reflect on the early church's perseverance, we are challenged to examine our own lives. Are we willing to lay aside our preferences and comforts for the sake of the gospel? Are we ready to embrace the call to go and make disciples, whether across the street or around the globe? The urgency of the gospel compels us to leverage our lives, families, and resources for God's glory.

In this moment, we are invited to respond to God's call. Whether through prayer, giving, or going, each of us has a role in advancing the kingdom. Let us not miss the point of our faith. Instead, let us be moved to action, trusting in the assurance of our salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Key Takeaways

1. improvement but about being made new in Christ. We rely on the Spirit for strength, wisdom, and boldness in sharing the gospel. [01:08:13]
4. Urgency of the Gospel: The call to share the gospel is urgent, compelling us to leverage our lives, families, and resources for God's glory. We are challenged to lay aside our preferences and comforts for the sake of advancing the kingdom.

5. Response to God's Call: Each of us has a role in advancing the kingdom, whether through prayer, giving, or going. We are invited to respond to God's call, trusting in the assurance of our salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

** [68:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:58] - Missing the Point
[42:11] - Prayer for Understanding
[45:05] - Assurance of Salvation
[46:48] - Faith Amidst Persecution
[49:34] - Overcoming the World
[50:38] - Apostles' Sacrifices
[52:11] - Hall of Faith
[54:38] - Persecution and Growth
[55:25] - Faithfulness and Persecution
[56:50] - Growth Through Trials
[58:39] - Love and Obedience
[60:37] - Testimony of Faith
[63:29] - Victory Over the World
[65:26] - Eternal Life Assurance
[67:23] - Power of the Holy Spirit
[68:13] - Spirit's Role in Transformation
[71:09] - Randy's Transformation
[73:52] - Becoming New in Christ
[76:05] - Evangelism in Early Church
[77:30] - Post-Christian Culture
[78:34] - Cost of Following Jesus
[81:12] - Urgency of the Gospel
[82:53] - Leveraging for the Gospel
[84:54] - Assurance and Strength
[86:10] - Responding to God's Call

Sermon Clips

1. "The reality is, y 'all ever see those videos on Facebook or on Instagram where the sheep goes and dives into the ditch head first, and then the shepherd pulls them out? And then all of a sudden, he's like back in the ditch head first? Like, that's us a lot of times." [40:58] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What is being said to the church this morning is, yes, we can trust in our salvation. And because we trust in our salvation, we can live out our salvation. Think about it this way, John's writing to the church says, I'm writing these things to you who believe. You've already believed." [45:05] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And John wants to assure them that regardless of the circumstances we face, that regardless of the troubles that would come their way and our way, that faith in Jesus, that living for Jesus, that being a gospel witness for Jesus is always, look at your neighbor and tell them always. Always worth it." [46:48] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Bible clearly teaches that if you are faithful to Jesus, you will be, you will be persecuted for Jesus. If you are faithful to Jesus, trouble will naturally come your way. He goes on and he says, this persecution is one of the natural consequences of living the Christian life. It is to the Christian what growing pains are to the growing child." [55:25] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "No pain, no development, no suffering, no glory, no struggle, no victory, no persecution, no reward. And so, the early church, under the, understand they don't just know this they embrace this they expect this and church they share the gospel through this how do they hold fast in the midst of such great persecution and uncertainty?" [56:50] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "And friends, that will not be the worst day of my life, it will be the best day of my life. Because in that very moment, in that very next breath, in that very next blink of an eye, in that very next step, I will walk out of this world and walk into eternity." [01:05:26] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is God. And as a follower of Jesus, he has sealed you and come to you to live inside of you, that he might counsel you, that you might be empowered by him, not your wisdom, not your strength, but by him who lives in you to live out this life of faith." [01:08:13] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "It's not going to be by simply becoming a better version of myself or turning over a new leaf. Perhaps one of my favorite illustrations of this is the story of Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin wasn't a believer. Benjamin Franklin, he decided that he was going to ascribe to becoming a virtuous person." [01:13:52] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Yes, following Jesus will cost you something but I have tried to articulate to you as John tries to articulate to the church the early church in his time Jesus is worth it God's glory is worth it and I want you to understand that the church the church that decides to do this will experience a freshness of God's power a freshness of God's grace a freshness of God's presence unlike most will ever dare to experience." [01:18:34] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Where God has placed you, he is calling you. What God has given you and blessed you, it is not for you to keep, but for you to use for his glory that others might know Jesus through you. And the church that does this, the church that does this will be the church that lives." [01:22:53] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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