Persevering in Faith Amidst Deception and Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Vigilance in the Last Hour

In the period between Christ's ascension and His return, known as the "last hour," believers are called to be vigilant against false teachings and the presence of "Antichrists." These individuals, who once appeared to be part of the faith community, have departed from the truth, revealing that they were never truly converted. This era requires discernment, as false doctrines can easily lead believers astray. The Holy Spirit provides guidance, helping believers remain rooted in the true gospel. As you navigate these times, trust in the Spirit's leading to discern truth from error. [05:55]

1 John 2:18-19 (ESV): "Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us."

Reflection: Who in your life might be leading you away from the truth of the gospel? How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to discern and address these influences today?

Day 2: Genuine Conversion and Assurance

True conversion is not merely about outward actions or affiliations but is marked by a heart transformed by God's power. Assurance of salvation comes from a deep, personal trust in Jesus Christ alone. It is essential to examine your heart to ensure your faith is genuine, relying on God's grace to sustain you. This assurance is not about perfection but about a sincere relationship with Christ. As you reflect on your faith journey, consider the depth of your trust in Jesus and how it shapes your daily life. [14:37]

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "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!"

Reflection: What specific evidence of transformation can you identify in your life that reflects a genuine conversion? How can you deepen your personal trust in Jesus today?

Day 3: Perseverance Through God's Grace

The tension between God's preservation and our perseverance is resolved in understanding that God's grace enables us to remain faithful. Our security in Christ is not passive; it involves actively holding onto Him as He holds us. This dynamic relationship is vital for enduring faith. As you journey through life's challenges, remember that faithful perseverance is not about achieving perfection but about repentance and clinging to God's grace. [23:24]

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to persevere in faith? How can you actively rely on God's grace to sustain you in these areas today?

Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Anointing

The Holy Spirit anoints believers, guiding them into all truth and enabling them to discern falsehood. This divine presence assures believers of their standing in Christ and empowers them to live out their faith with confidence and clarity. As you navigate life's complexities, rely on the Spirit's leading in all aspects of life, trusting that He will guide you into truth and help you discern what is false. [20:20]

John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

Reflection: How can you become more attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions? What steps can you take to ensure you are listening to His voice?

Day 5: Engaging in Ordinary Means of Grace

Engaging in practices like reading Scripture, prayer, and fellowship are essential for tapping into God's grace. These disciplines help believers remain in Christ, drawing strength and assurance from His presence. By participating in these means, you align yourself with God's sustaining power. As you incorporate these practices into your daily routine, consider how they can deepen your relationship with Christ and strengthen your faith. [29:39]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Which of the ordinary means of grace do you find most challenging to engage with regularly? How can you create a plan to incorporate this practice into your daily life starting today?

Sermon Summary

In our ongoing series, "Assured," we delve into the book of 1 John, a letter penned by the Apostle John, the last surviving member of Jesus' original apostles. John, now elderly and residing in Ephesus, addresses the infiltration of false doctrines within the early Christian community. These heresies challenge the incarnation of Christ, the significance of righteous living, and propose salvation through enlightenment. John writes to affirm the true gospel, which he personally witnessed, against these misleading teachings. His letter, characterized by a cyclical style, revisits themes of light, love, truth, and righteousness to reinforce the believers' faith.

In today's passage, John addresses his audience as "dear children," reflecting his deep pastoral love rather than their spiritual immaturity. He introduces the concept of the "last hour," a term unique to his writings, signifying the period between Christ's ascension and His anticipated return. This era is marked by the presence of "Antichrists," individuals who once belonged to the faith community but have since embraced falsehoods. John emphasizes that these individuals were never truly part of the faith, highlighting a universal reality where some within the church may not be genuinely converted.

John reassures his readers of their anointing by the Holy Spirit, which enables them to discern truth from error. He urges them to remain steadfast in the teachings they received from the beginning, promising eternal life for those who do. This assurance is not a contradiction but a call to perseverance, supported by God's preserving grace. The recent fall of a prominent pastor serves as a reminder that faithful perseverance is not about perfection but about repentance and clinging to God's grace.

As we navigate these last days, characterized by deception and godlessness, we are called to remain in Christ through the ordinary means of grace: engaging with Scripture, prayer, gospel preaching, and fellowship. These practices help us tap into God's sustaining grace, enabling us to persevere in faithfulness. Let us hold fast to Him as He holds us, living out our faith with love and devotion.

Key Takeaways

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2. True Conversion and Assurance: Genuine conversion is marked by a heart transformed by God's power, not merely outward actions or affiliations. Assurance of salvation comes from a deep, personal trust in Jesus Christ alone. We must examine our hearts to ensure our faith is genuine, relying on God's grace to sustain us.

3. Perseverance and God's Preserving Grace: The tension between God's preservation and our perseverance is resolved in the understanding that God's grace enables us to remain faithful. Our security in Christ is not passive; it involves actively holding onto Him as He holds us. This dynamic relationship is vital for enduring faith.

4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit anoints believers, guiding them into all truth and enabling them to discern falsehood. This divine presence assures us of our standing in Christ and empowers us to live out our faith with confidence and clarity. We are reminded to rely on the Spirit's leading in all aspects of life.

5. Ordinary Means of Grace: Engaging in practices like reading Scripture, prayer, and fellowship are essential for tapping into God's grace. These disciplines help us remain in Christ, drawing strength and assurance from His presence. By participating in these means, we align ourselves with God's sustaining power.

** [05:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Introduction to 1 John
[03:08] - John's Cyclical Writing Style
[04:08] - Understanding "Dear Children"
[05:04] - The Last Hour Explained
[06:57] - God's Redemption Timeline
[08:10] - God's Patience and Purpose
[09:30] - Signs of the Last Times
[10:16] - Antichrist and Antichrists
[12:01] - Apostasy and True Belonging
[14:37] - Genuine Conversion
[16:49] - Assurance of Salvation
[18:13] - Denying Christ and the Father
[20:20] - The Anointing of the Holy Spirit
[22:52] - Preservation and Perseverance
[24:26] - Faithful Perseverance
[29:39] - Remaining in Christ Through Grace
[31:26] - Prayer and Communion

Sermon Clips

1) "Well, ever since Jesus ascended to heaven, and sent His Holy Spirit with the promise of His return, we have been in the last days, the last times, or the last hour. Right? This is the final chapter before the Lord comes to gather His church, judge the wicked, defeat Satan, restore the world, and reign as king. And honestly, in the grand scheme of things, 2,000 years is not that long of a time. You say, I say, Pastor Don, are you kidding me? Well, consider this. It took some 4,000 years for God to unfold His redemption plan leading up to Christ after humanity fell into sin and up until Christ's, you know, first coming. 4,000 years." [06:57] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "What is God doing? What is taking so long? Well, the answer to that is He is gathering His church. He is calling people to repentance and faith. With His blood. With His blood, Jesus purchased for His Father a people from every tribe and tongue and nation and language. And so, when the earliest Christians asked that very question of Peter, He answered it in His letter. In 2 Peter 3.9, Peter says, The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise, as some understand slowness, but He is patient toward you. Not wanting that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." [08:10] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Now, often when we hear Antichrist, our mind goes to a singular figure that will rise to influence and deceive the nations on the eve of Christ's return. And Scripture affirms that. But our focus should not be on trying to identify who this is or who this will be. John states it as a certainty. That Antichrist is coming. Yes. Check. But then he quickly redirects their focus onto something more urgent. So, with that sort of pre-explanation, now let's get into our opening verse. Verse 18 of chapter 2. Are you there? It says, Because he is their elder. He is their spiritual dad. Right? This is the last hour." [11:07] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Has there been a genuine work of God in my heart? Am I trusting fully and only in Jesus for my salvation? If not, then humble yourself. Humble yourself and pray to the Lord that He would renew your heart and give you faith to trust in Him. If you're just here along for the ride, if you're just hanging out because we're such great people, friend, you might be more deceived than those out there. If you can confidently say yes, yes, God has done a work in my heart of conversion, of renewal, of redemption, I am saved, my trust is fully, genuinely, and only in Jesus Christ and nothing else, then you have nothing to fear." [16:49] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "The truest way that we can have confidence of our security is if we remain in Him. As we remain in Him. Because the only thing holding us, gripping us, to remain in Him, is His grace. The preserving grip of the grace of God enables the believer to persevere faithfully. And so, as God holds you, hold on to Him. Just as Christ is in you, you ought to remain in Him. God so loved you, you so love God. As Christ lived and died, died for you, you live and die to this world for Christ." [28:57] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "How do we remain in Him? By practicing the ordinary ways that He has given us to tap into His grace to us. By practicing the ordinary ways that He has given us to tap into His grace to us. The ordinary means of grace. Spending time reading and studying His word. Turning to Him and casting our cares upon Him in prayer. Sitting under gospel preaching of His word. Remembering our salvation through remembering our baptism. Rehearsing the gospel. And participating in fellowship with His people in communion. These are the ordinary ways that we can tap into God's gripping grace. That will enable us to faithfully persevere and remain in Him." [29:39] (64 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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