Prioritizing Salvation: Assurance Through Faith in Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of putting "first things first" in our spiritual lives. This idea is rooted in the biblical principle of first fruits, where the first and best are dedicated to God. As we journey through life, it's crucial to prioritize what truly matters, starting with the assurance of our salvation. Many people, even those who attend church regularly, grapple with doubts about their salvation. This uncertainty can be a tool the enemy uses to sow doubt and fear, but the Bible provides clarity and assurance.

We discussed common misconceptions about what makes someone a Christian, such as being a good person, loving everyone, being baptized, or attending church. While these are positive actions, they do not guarantee salvation. True assurance comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible, particularly in 1 John 5:10-13, assures us that those who have the Son have life. This is not a matter of wishful thinking but a promise from God.

To know for certain that you are saved, the Bible outlines three simple steps: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and ask Jesus to save you. This is the essence of the gospel—simple yet profound. It's not about earning salvation through good deeds but receiving it as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

The message is clear: salvation is available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. This includes even those we might consider beyond redemption. The gospel's power is such that it can transform the most hardened heart. As we reflect on this truth, let us ensure that our lives are built on the firm foundation of knowing Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

Key Takeaways:

1. Assurance of Salvation: Many people, even regular churchgoers, struggle with doubts about their salvation. The Bible assures us that we can know for certain that we are saved if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This assurance is not based on our deeds but on the promise of God. [15:01]

2. Misconceptions About Salvation: Common misconceptions include believing that being a good person, loving everyone, being baptized, or attending church makes one a Christian. While these are positive actions, they do not guarantee salvation. True assurance comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. [21:17]

3. Confession and Belief: To know for certain that you are saved, the Bible outlines three simple steps: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and ask Jesus to save you. This is the essence of the gospel—simple yet profound. [33:46]

4. The Power of the Gospel: The gospel's power is such that it can transform the most hardened heart. Salvation is available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, regardless of their past. This includes even those we might consider beyond redemption. [42:29]

5. The Simplicity of Grace: Salvation is not about earning God's favor through good deeds but receiving it as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This simple yet profound truth is the foundation of our faith and the assurance of our salvation. [38:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Introduction and Personal Reflections
- [04:45] - The Concept of First Fruits
- [07:20] - Prioritizing What Matters Most
- [10:15] - Assurance of Salvation
- [15:01] - Common Misconceptions About Being a Christian
- [21:17] - The Importance of Knowing You're Saved
- [25:25] - Misconceptions: Good Person, Love Everyone
- [29:03] - Misconceptions: Baptism and Church Attendance
- [33:46] - Confession and Belief
- [38:31] - The Heart of the Gospel
- [42:29] - The Power of the Gospel for All
- [45:00] - The Simplicity of Grace
- [48:15] - Invitation to Salvation
- [51:30] - Closing and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 John 5:10-13
- Romans 10:9-13

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to 1 John 5:10-13, what is the testimony that God has given us, and how does it relate to having eternal life? [29:03]

2. In Romans 10:9-13, what are the specific steps mentioned that lead to salvation? How are these steps described in the sermon? [33:46]

3. What are some common misconceptions about what makes someone a Christian, as discussed in the sermon? [21:17]

4. How does the sermon describe the power of the gospel in transforming lives, even those considered beyond redemption? [42:29]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the assurance of salvation, as described in 1 John 5:10-13, impact a believer's confidence in their faith? [29:03]

2. Why is it important to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, as stated in Romans 10:9-13? How does this dual action reflect a genuine faith? [33:46]

3. The sermon mentions that salvation is not about being a good person or attending church. How does this challenge common cultural beliefs about Christianity? [21:17]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the simplicity of grace and its role in salvation? How does this simplicity contrast with human expectations of earning salvation? [38:31]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Do you have assurance of your salvation? If not, what steps can you take to gain this assurance based on the sermon and Bible passages? [15:01]

2. Consider the misconceptions about salvation discussed in the sermon. Have you ever relied on any of these misconceptions in your own faith journey? How can you shift your focus to a personal relationship with Jesus? [21:17]

3. The sermon emphasizes the power of the gospel to transform even the most hardened hearts. Is there someone in your life you consider beyond redemption? How can you pray for and engage with them this week? [42:29]

4. How can you incorporate the practice of confessing Jesus as Lord in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this confession in your interactions with others? [33:46]

5. The sermon highlights the simplicity of grace. How can you embrace this simplicity in your understanding of salvation and share it with others who may struggle with the concept of grace? [38:31]

6. Reflect on the role of grace in your life. How has understanding grace changed your perspective on your relationship with God and others? [38:31]

7. Identify one area in your life where you need to put "first things first" spiritually. What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize your relationship with Jesus? [07:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance of Salvation is Found in Relationship
True assurance of salvation is not based on deeds or church attendance but on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many people, even those who regularly attend church, struggle with doubts about their salvation. This uncertainty can be a tool the enemy uses to sow doubt and fear. However, the Bible provides clarity and assurance. In 1 John 5:10-13, it is stated that those who have the Son have life. This assurance is not a matter of wishful thinking but a promise from God. By focusing on a genuine relationship with Jesus, believers can find peace and certainty in their salvation. [15:01]

1 John 5:10-13 (ESV): "Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus today to find assurance in your salvation?


Day 2: Misconceptions About Salvation
Many people hold misconceptions about what it means to be a Christian, such as believing that being a good person, loving everyone, being baptized, or attending church guarantees salvation. While these are positive actions, they do not ensure one's salvation. True assurance comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible emphasizes that salvation is not about our deeds but about knowing Jesus as our Savior. By understanding and addressing these misconceptions, believers can focus on what truly matters in their spiritual journey. [21:17]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Are there any misconceptions you hold about salvation that you need to address? How can you align your understanding with the truth of the gospel?


Day 3: Confession and Belief as the Essence of the Gospel
The Bible outlines three simple steps to know for certain that you are saved: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and ask Jesus to save you. This is the essence of the gospel—simple yet profound. It is not about earning salvation through good deeds but receiving it as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. By embracing these steps, believers can experience the transformative power of the gospel in their lives. [33:46]

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV): "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Reflection: Have you taken the steps of confession and belief in your own life? If not, what is holding you back from doing so today?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The gospel's power is such that it can transform the most hardened heart. Salvation is available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, regardless of their past. This includes even those we might consider beyond redemption. The gospel's transformative power is a testament to God's grace and love for all humanity. By embracing this truth, believers can be encouraged to share the gospel with others, knowing that no one is beyond the reach of God's love. [42:29]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who seems beyond redemption? How can you share the transformative power of the gospel with them today?


Day 5: The Simplicity of Grace
Salvation is not about earning God's favor through good deeds but receiving it as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This simple yet profound truth is the foundation of our faith and the assurance of our salvation. By understanding and embracing the simplicity of grace, believers can find peace and rest in their spiritual journey, knowing that their salvation is secure in Christ. [38:31]

Titus 3:5-7 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Reflection: How can you embrace the simplicity of grace in your daily life, and what changes might this bring to your understanding of salvation?

Quotes



As a pastor and as an evangelist one of the most common questions I get from people revolves around them doubting whether or not they're really saved and then in real-world experience if I'm on an airplane or if I'm in a restaurant or if I'm at the Y working out or if I'm just in line at Target and I engage people in conversation I am blown away at the mass majority of people I've talked to who don't even have a concept that you can have assurance of your salvation. [00:15:08] (34 seconds)


How do you know you're a Christian? And here's what the guy on the plane told me. Four misconceptions, and they are almost always, when people answer this question, they will always give me one of these four answers. If not all four. Number one, he said, oh, I know I'm a Christian because I'm a good person. [00:19:12] (18 seconds)


So being a good person is not what makes you a Christian. Here's the second misconception. I love everyone. How do you know you're a Christian? Well, I love everyone. Now on this one, I just got to call bologna. You don't really love everyone because here's the deal. You don't even know everyone. [00:21:22] (23 seconds)


You're reading what the Bible says. You're reading what God is saying to you right now. If you have Jesus, you have life. If you don't have Jesus, you don't have life. If you know Jesus, you're saved. If you don't know Jesus, you're not a Christian. Jesus is not a therapist. Though I believe in therapy. [00:28:48] (20 seconds)


Jesus doesn't want to be first on your list Jesus wants to be your list that Jesus is Lord meaning boss master ruler and king over everything guys this is scandalous to declare that Jesus is Lord means that there are no other gods before him and that's the first commandment no other gods my loyalty is to Jesus my life belongs to Jesus my love belongs to Jesus my loyalty my life my love all oriented toward God Jesus Christ you are Lord I am NOT I submit to you that takes humility that is what it means to believe you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. [00:34:47] (40 seconds)


Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Feb 16, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

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