Unshakeable Assurance: The Security of Salvation in Christ
Summary
In this message, we explore the profound assurance of salvation and the eternal security that believers have in Christ. The central theme is the unshakeable position of believers, who are seated with Christ in heavenly places, as described in Ephesians 2:6. This is not a future promise but a present reality for those in Christ. The argument is made that nothing can remove us from this position, as it is secured by the power and purpose of God. The notion of doubting one's salvation is addressed, emphasizing that such doubt is not humility but rather a form of unbelief.
The message further delves into the intercessory role of Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God. This is not an anticlimax but a continuation of the assurance that our salvation is complete and perfect. The intercession of Christ is not a literal courtroom drama but a figurative expression of His ongoing work to secure the benefits of His death for us. This includes the continuous flow of grace and mercy from God through Christ, ensuring that we have everything we need for our spiritual journey.
The permanence of Christ's priesthood is highlighted, contrasting it with the temporary nature of the old priesthood. Christ's eternal priesthood guarantees that our salvation is to the uttermost—perfect and complete. The message refutes the idea that Christ's intercession involves repeated defenses against accusations, emphasizing instead that His once-for-all sacrifice has already perfected us forever.
Ultimately, the presence of Christ at God's right hand is a guarantee of our access to God's grace and mercy. It assures us that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that all spiritual blessings are mediated through Christ. This eternal intercession means that our salvation is secure, and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Believers are already seated with Christ in heavenly places, a present reality that assures us of our eternal security. This position is unassailable, as it is established by God's power and purpose. Doubting this reality is not humility but a form of unbelief. [31:30]
- Christ's intercession is not a literal courtroom drama but a figurative expression of His ongoing work to secure the benefits of His death for us. This includes the continuous flow of grace and mercy from God through Christ, ensuring that we have everything we need for our spiritual journey. [39:24]
- The permanence of Christ's priesthood guarantees that our salvation is to the uttermost—perfect and complete. Unlike the old priesthood, which was temporary, Christ's eternal priesthood ensures that our salvation is secure and cannot be undone. [35:44]
- The presence of Christ at God's right hand is a guarantee of our access to God's grace and mercy. It assures us that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that all spiritual blessings are mediated through Christ. [46:17]
- Our salvation is secure, and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. The eternal intercession of Christ means that our salvation is guaranteed, and we can live with the assurance that we are forever in God's care. [51:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [30:29] - The Assurance of Salvation
- [31:14] - Seated with Christ
- [32:11] - The Impossibility of Losing Salvation
- [33:16] - Christ's Intercession
- [35:01] - The Eternal Priesthood of Christ
- [36:02] - Salvation to the Uttermost
- [37:44] - Misunderstandings of Intercession
- [39:04] - Figurative Language of Intercession
- [41:04] - No Condemnation in Christ
- [42:18] - Assurance of Eternal Life
- [44:00] - Our Sympathetic High Priest
- [45:17] - Benefits of Christ's Intercession
- [47:26] - The Gift of the Holy Spirit
- [50:31] - Guaranteed Salvation and Glorification
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2:6 - "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."
2. Hebrews 7:23-25 - "Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
3. Romans 8:34 - "Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 2:6, what is the current position of believers in relation to Christ? How does this position affect our understanding of salvation? [31:14]
2. In Hebrews 7:23-25, what is the significance of Christ's eternal priesthood compared to the old priesthood? [35:28]
3. How does Romans 8:34 describe the role of Christ in relation to our salvation and condemnation? [32:56]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of Christ's intercession for us? Is it a literal courtroom drama or something else? [39:04]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for believers to be "seated with Christ in heavenly places" as a present reality? How does this impact our daily lives and spiritual confidence? [31:30]
2. How does the permanence of Christ's priesthood provide assurance of our salvation being "to the uttermost"? What implications does this have for our understanding of grace and mercy? [35:44]
3. The sermon emphasizes that doubting one's salvation is a form of unbelief rather than humility. How can this perspective change the way believers approach their faith and assurance? [32:23]
4. How does the figurative language of Christ's intercession help us understand the continuous flow of grace and mercy from God? What does this mean for our spiritual journey? [39:24]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea that believers are already seated with Christ in heavenly places. How does this truth influence your perspective on current challenges or doubts you may face? [31:30]
2. In what ways can you remind yourself of the permanence of Christ's priesthood and its assurance of your salvation, especially during times of spiritual struggle? [35:44]
3. Consider a time when you doubted your salvation. How can you address these doubts with the understanding that they may stem from unbelief rather than humility? [32:23]
4. How can you practically experience the continuous flow of grace and mercy in your life? Are there specific spiritual practices or habits that can help you stay connected to this truth? [39:24]
5. The sermon suggests that Christ's intercession is not a literal courtroom drama. How can this understanding change the way you pray and approach God with your needs? [39:04]
6. How does knowing that nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus affect your relationships with others, especially those who may challenge your faith? [51:32]
7. Identify one area of your life where you need to approach God with more confidence, knowing that all spiritual blessings are mediated through Christ. What steps can you take this week to do so? [46:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Assurance of Our Heavenly Position
Believers are already seated with Christ in heavenly places, a present reality that assures us of our eternal security. This position is unassailable, as it is established by God's power and purpose. Doubting this reality is not humility but a form of unbelief. The assurance of being seated with Christ is not just a future hope but a current truth that transforms how we live today. It means that our identity and security are rooted in the heavenly realm, beyond the reach of earthly trials and tribulations. This understanding calls us to live with confidence and boldness, knowing that our place with Christ is secure and unchangeable. [31:30]
Ephesians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him."
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your secure position in Christ, especially when faced with doubts or challenges?
Day 2: The Continuous Flow of Grace
Christ's intercession is not a literal courtroom drama but a figurative expression of His ongoing work to secure the benefits of His death for us. This includes the continuous flow of grace and mercy from God through Christ, ensuring that we have everything we need for our spiritual journey. The intercessory role of Christ is a powerful reminder that we are never alone in our walk of faith. His presence at the right hand of God signifies a constant advocacy on our behalf, providing us with the grace and strength needed to navigate life's challenges. This ongoing intercession assures us that we are equipped for every good work and that God's grace is always available to us. [39:24]
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: How can you actively seek and rely on the grace and mercy of Christ in your daily life, especially in moments of weakness or need?
Day 3: The Eternal Priesthood of Christ
The permanence of Christ's priesthood guarantees that our salvation is to the uttermost—perfect and complete. Unlike the old priesthood, which was temporary, Christ's eternal priesthood ensures that our salvation is secure and cannot be undone. This eternal priesthood means that Christ's work on our behalf is finished and perfect, providing us with a foundation of unshakeable faith. It assures us that our salvation is not dependent on our efforts but on the completed work of Christ, who intercedes for us eternally. This truth invites us to rest in the assurance of our salvation, knowing that it is held securely by the eternal priesthood of Christ. [35:44]
Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV): "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to rest in the assurance of Christ's eternal priesthood, and how can this understanding impact your daily faith journey?
Day 4: Confidence in God's Grace
The presence of Christ at God's right hand is a guarantee of our access to God's grace and mercy. It assures us that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that all spiritual blessings are mediated through Christ. This access to grace is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that empowers us to live boldly and confidently in our faith. It means that we can approach God without fear or hesitation, trusting in the sufficiency of Christ's work on our behalf. This confidence in God's grace invites us to live with a sense of freedom and assurance, knowing that we are fully accepted and loved by God. [46:17]
Ephesians 3:12 (ESV): "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of confidence in approaching God, and what steps can you take to live more boldly in the assurance of His grace?
Day 5: The Unbreakable Love of God
Our salvation is secure, and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. The eternal intercession of Christ means that our salvation is guaranteed, and we can live with the assurance that we are forever in God's care. This unbreakable love is a source of profound comfort and strength, reminding us that no circumstance or challenge can sever our relationship with God. It calls us to live with a sense of peace and security, knowing that we are held in the everlasting arms of God's love. This assurance invites us to trust in God's faithfulness and to rest in the knowledge that we are eternally loved and cherished by Him. [51:32]
Jude 1:24-25 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of God's unbreakable love, especially during times of doubt or fear, and how can this assurance transform your perspective on life's challenges?
Quotes
You see if you're in Christ you were crucified with him you died with him you were buried with him you've been raised with him but wait a minute it goes on and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus now this isn't the prophecy of what's going to happen he's telling these Ephesians of what is already true of them. [00:31:05]
My dear friend you who still doubt the final perseverance of the Saints are you asking me to believe that anything or anybody can ever draw you out of that position in which you were seated in the Heavenly places already in Christ Jesus are you asking me to believe that the almighty and everlasting God has raised you to that position and that there's any power that can ever bring you from it? [00:31:59]
It's not a sign of spiritual modesty not to be sure of your salvation it's the exact opposite it's unbelief very well there is the first there is this third statement the first of the two statements that we're looking at this evening it is Christ that died G that is risen again the that is even at the right hand of God. [00:32:34]
He is able to save to the uttermost by which he means this that there will be nothing left to be done now often you know evangelists abuse scripture in a terrible way I know their motives very good I remember a men once making great business out this he says you know what this to the uttermost means it means he's able to save to the gutter poor fellow gutter most no no you're not looking at a gutter here you're looking at heaven and Perfection saving to the uttermost means saving absolutely perfectly and completely until there's not a spot or a wrinkle or any such thing left. [00:36:10]
The presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at the right hand of God is a guarantee that we have the mercy it's a throne of grace to us because he's there he proves that so I know I have mercy and I can go into the presence of God with boldness with assurance and I not only get Mercy but I get Grace to help in time of need I get everything I need and everything I get comes through the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:46:17]
All the benefits of God come through him God has treasured in him all the treasures of his wisdom and of his grace and they come to me through the head the whole analogy of the body proves it everything comes from the head and we draw our sustenance from the head all now the greatest proof of that of course was what happened on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit was shared abroad and he was sent by the son. [00:47:26]
The father looks upon the son and he sees in him all of us he sees all our needs he sees everything else that's the meaning of making intercession the father looks upon him as our representative as the one who's done all this for us the one who was so concerned about he gives him everything and he gives him everything for us and we receive all these glorious and wonderful gifts in him and through him. [00:49:50]
He is there as our representative he is there as our mediator and it is through him we have access into the presence of God it is through him we pray and it is through him the reverse traffic comes of all the blessings of God shower down upon us as we need them in this sinful evil gainsaying World Grace to help in time of need every needed grace everything comes to us in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [00:50:31]
While he is there I shall lack nothing that is essential to my final Salvation And glorification while he's there yes but he'll always be there he ever liveth he continueth ever so that my final salvation is absolutely guaranteed he is able also to save to the utmost all those who believe in him why because he ever liveth to make intercession for them no day can ever Dawn when he'll not be there. [00:51:32]
No day can ever Dawn then when anything or anyone can in any way rob me of the Salvation which he has purchased for me and given to me in Christ I can throw out this challenge who is he that condemneth the thing is monstrously ridiculous Christ that died yeah rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us he's there on our behalf for our good for our welfare there's no condemnation conceivable in such a situation there isn't any thank God. [00:52:18]
Oh Lord Our God how can we thank thee oh for a thousand tongues to sing my great redeemer's praise the triumphs of my God and King the glories of my God and King the triumphs of his grace oh Lord we thank thee that we are under the reign of Grace and beneficiaries of the triumphs of his grace Lord make thy truth plain and clear to all of us oh by thy Spirit give understanding that we may rejoice in thy presence as we ought. [00:52:59]
We may live to the praise of the glory of thy Grace as we ought and that we may ever know that nothing shall be able to separate us from thy love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord and now May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the love of God the fellowship and the communion of the Holy Spirit abide and continue with us now this night throughout the remainder of this hour short and certain Earthly life and pilgrimage and until we shall be with him in the glory in body as well as in spirit perfect and entire. [00:53:59]
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