Walking in the Light: Assurance Through God's Holiness

 

Summary

In today's message, we embarked on a journey through the first letter of John, focusing on the profound question: "How can I be sure?" This question of assurance is one that many believers grapple with, especially in a world where faith is often abandoned, personal holiness seems elusive, and biblical experiences of joy and peace feel distant. John's letter is a beacon of hope, written to assure believers of their eternal life in Christ. The key to this assurance lies in understanding and living out the gospel with clarity, fruitfulness, and faith.

We began by exploring the foundational truth that "God is light," emphasizing the holiness of God as the starting point for understanding the gospel. Without acknowledging God's holiness, the necessity of the cross and the exclusivity of salvation through Christ become meaningless. This understanding leads us to the possibility of fellowship with God, a privilege that is impossible for those who walk in darkness. Walking in darkness is characterized by holding onto sin without repentance, a state that precludes genuine fellowship with God.

Conversely, walking in the light is the path to true fellowship with God and others. It involves submitting to the light of God's Word, confessing our sins, and ordering our lives according to His commandments. This walk is not about achieving perfection or transparency but about living in truth and honesty before God. As we walk in the light, we experience the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, which purifies us from all sin and brings us into deeper fellowship with God and fellow believers.

The message concludes with a call to renounce the lie that sin doesn't matter and to practice the truth by walking in the light. This is the path to assurance, where the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us, and we experience the joy of fellowship with God and others.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Foundation of Assurance: God's Holiness
Understanding that "God is light" is crucial for grasping the gospel. Without acknowledging God's holiness, the cross loses its significance. This truth challenges us to see the necessity of Christ's sacrifice and the exclusivity of salvation through Him. [07:06]

2. Fellowship with God: Walking in the Light
True fellowship with God is impossible for those who walk in darkness, holding onto sin without repentance. Walking in the light involves submitting to God's Word, confessing sins, and living in truth. This path leads to genuine fellowship with God and others. [11:32]

3. The Cleansing Power of Jesus' Blood
As we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. This cleansing is not available to those who remain in darkness. It purifies our character and restores us, enabling us to have fellowship with God. [31:47]

4. Renouncing the Lie: Sin Matters
The lie that sin doesn't matter and that one can have fellowship with God while walking in darkness is dangerous. True assurance comes from renouncing this lie and practicing the truth by walking in the light. [37:03]

5. Practicing the Truth: A Call to Action
Assurance is not just about knowing the truth but practicing it. Walking in the light means submitting to God's Word, confessing sins, and ordering our lives accordingly. This leads to fellowship with God and others and the continual cleansing by Jesus' blood. [40:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to the Series
- [00:32] - The Question of Assurance
- [01:07] - Reasons for Doubt
- [03:24] - Purpose of 1 John
- [04:20] - Three Strands of Assurance
- [05:34] - Gospel Clarity: God is Light
- [07:06] - The Importance of God's Holiness
- [09:10] - Fellowship with God
- [11:16] - Walking in Darkness vs. Light
- [17:18] - Joy of Walking in the Light
- [21:36] - Misunderstandings of Walking in the Light
- [24:23] - Confessing Sin in the Light
- [26:16] - Ordering Life by God's Word
- [30:37] - Cleansing by Jesus' Blood
- [36:29] - Renouncing the Lie and Practicing the Truth

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1 John 1:5-10

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Observation Questions:

1. What does it mean when John says, "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all"? How does this foundational truth set the stage for understanding the gospel? [05:54]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of walking in the light versus walking in darkness? How does this relate to having fellowship with God? [11:32]

3. What are the implications of the statement, "The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin," for those who walk in the light? [31:47]

4. How does the sermon describe the lie that sin doesn't matter, and what is the danger of believing this lie? [37:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding God's holiness as "light" help clarify the necessity of the cross and the exclusivity of salvation through Christ? [07:43]

2. What does it mean to have fellowship with God, and why is it impossible for those who walk in darkness? How does this challenge common misconceptions about sin and grace? [11:32]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that walking in the light involves more than just avoiding sin? How does it involve actively practicing the truth? [40:25]

4. How does the concept of continual cleansing by Jesus' blood provide assurance to believers, and what role does confession play in this process? [24:38]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of God's holiness. How does this understanding impact your view of the gospel and your personal walk with God? [07:43]

2. Consider areas in your life where you might be "walking in darkness." What steps can you take to bring these areas into the light and experience true fellowship with God? [11:32]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of confessing sins. How can you incorporate regular confession into your spiritual practice, and what difference might it make in your relationship with God? [24:38]

4. Think about the lie that sin doesn't matter. Are there any beliefs or behaviors in your life that align with this lie? How can you renounce these and align more closely with the truth? [37:03]

5. Walking in the light involves submitting to God's Word. What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure you are consistently engaging with Scripture? [21:53]

6. The sermon mentions the joy of fellowship with other believers. How can you actively seek out and nurture these relationships within your church community? [30:08]

7. Reflect on the cleansing power of Jesus' blood. How does this truth give you hope in your personal struggles with sin, and how can you remind yourself of this assurance daily? [31:47]

Devotional

Day 1: The Holiness of God as the Foundation of Assurance
Understanding that "God is light" is crucial for grasping the gospel. Without acknowledging God's holiness, the cross loses its significance. This truth challenges us to see the necessity of Christ's sacrifice and the exclusivity of salvation through Him. The holiness of God is the starting point for understanding the gospel. It is only by recognizing His holiness that we can appreciate the necessity of the cross and the exclusivity of salvation through Christ. This understanding leads us to the possibility of fellowship with God, a privilege that is impossible for those who walk in darkness. Walking in darkness is characterized by holding onto sin without repentance, a state that precludes genuine fellowship with God. [07:06]

1 John 1:5-6 (ESV): "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."

Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge God's holiness in your daily life, and how does this understanding impact your view of the cross and salvation?


Day 2: Walking in the Light for True Fellowship
True fellowship with God is impossible for those who walk in darkness, holding onto sin without repentance. Walking in the light involves submitting to God's Word, confessing sins, and living in truth. This path leads to genuine fellowship with God and others. Walking in the light is not about achieving perfection but about living in truth and honesty before God. As we walk in the light, we experience the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, which purifies us from all sin and brings us into deeper fellowship with God and fellow believers. [11:32]

Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to walk in the light and deepen your fellowship with God and others?


Day 3: The Cleansing Power of Jesus' Blood
As we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. This cleansing is not available to those who remain in darkness. It purifies our character and restores us, enabling us to have fellowship with God. The cleansing power of Jesus' blood is a continual process that purifies us from all sin and brings us into deeper fellowship with God. This cleansing is not available to those who remain in darkness, but for those who walk in the light, it is a source of restoration and renewal. [31:47]

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: How can you allow the cleansing power of Jesus' blood to purify your conscience and restore your relationship with God today?


Day 4: Renouncing the Lie that Sin Doesn't Matter
The lie that sin doesn't matter and that one can have fellowship with God while walking in darkness is dangerous. True assurance comes from renouncing this lie and practicing the truth by walking in the light. It is essential to recognize the seriousness of sin and the impact it has on our relationship with God. By renouncing the lie that sin doesn't matter, we can practice the truth and walk in the light, experiencing the joy of fellowship with God and others. [37:03]

1 John 3:7-8 (ESV): "Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil."

Reflection: What lies about sin have you believed, and how can you renounce them to walk in the truth today?


Day 5: Practicing the Truth for Assurance
Assurance is not just about knowing the truth but practicing it. Walking in the light means submitting to God's Word, confessing sins, and ordering our lives accordingly. This leads to fellowship with God and others and the continual cleansing by Jesus' blood. Practicing the truth involves a commitment to living according to God's Word and confessing our sins. By doing so, we can experience the assurance of our salvation and the joy of fellowship with God and others. [40:25]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to practice the truth and experience the assurance of your salvation?

Quotes


Now Dr Martin Lloyd Jones writing on this makes the point that if we do not start with the Holiness of God that is God is light we will not understand the gospel the gospel tells us that God Saves us through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross but you see if a person is only ever told that God is love at some point the question is going to arise well then why do we need the cross. [00:07:32]

Fellowship with God now that is the greatest joy the greatest privilege that a human being could ever possibly know we were made God created us for this very purpose we read in First Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 9 that God has called us into Fellowship with his son fellowship with the Son of God. [00:09:37]

Fellowship with God is impossible for a person who walks in darkness if we say verse six that we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness we lie and do not practice the truth now here is a person then who claims to have Fellowship ship with god um he may be able to express a compelling testimony. [00:11:25]

Walking in darkness well very simply to walk in darkness is to hold on to what God calls sin and refuse to let it go so no confession no repentance just excuses or explanations or perhaps concealment or perhaps self-justification walking in darkness this is what Adam did when he sinned against God by breaking that very first commandment in the Garden of Eden. [00:12:56]

Walking in the light means submitting yourself to the light of God's word your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path now if you want to have fellowship with God which is what John is speaking about here then very obviously to have fellowship with God you need to know what pleases him and what offends him. [00:21:42]

The blood of Jesus does not reach to cleanse the person who remains in the darkness it cleanses as you walk in the light that's what he's saying now think about this the blood of Jesus cleanses us cleanses us um sin causes us to be guilty before God that is why we need forgiveness in the throne room of heaven. [00:31:56]

The most powerful thing in the world is not the sin that we know all too well the most powerful thing in the world is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from it and if you can see that you will have hope the blood of Jesus Christ that would not have reached you if you had remained in the darkness will progressively cleanse you. [00:35:28]

Renounce the lie that sin does not matter renounce the lie that you can have fellowship with God while you stay in the darkness it's impossible and then practice the truth we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness we lie and do not practice the truth can you see how he speaks about truth here. [00:40:07]

The call of God through these scriptures that are before us today very clearly is that we walk in the light which means that you submit yourself to the light of God's word you confess your sin in the light of that word and you order your life in accordance with that word walk in the light and you will have fellowship with God. [00:40:30]

The blood of Jesus Christ his son will cleanse you from every kind of sin and in the words of Jesus to his disciples now that you know these things you will be blessed if you do them if you do them let's pray together shall we dear father Sunday passes Sunday and we're almost unknowingly relentlessly heading towards eternity. [00:41:09]

I pray that today may be the day when someone who's believed the LIE will be delivered from it and the person who has been walking in darkness concealment will come into the light father grant that in your great Mercy we may practice the truth that we've been looking at in your word today so that we may truly walk in fellowship with you. [00:42:08]

As the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing us from every sin hear our prayers for these things we ask in Jesus name amen. [00:42:34]

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Transcript
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