ASSURANCE OF SALVATIONSunday Service 5 Aug 2012Cecil Ang

DISCIPLE VS CONVERTDisciple: (Latin, discipulus) a

learner or pupil; one who accepts and follows a given doctrine or teacher

Convert: one who changes religion based on conviction or due to external pressure

CALL OF THE EARLY DISCIPLES18And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. Matt 4:18-22 (NKJV)

COST OF DISCIPLESHIP“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23b (NKJV)

“Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Gal 5:24 (NKJV)

WORKS OF THE FLESH19Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21 (NKJV)

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A DISCIPLE?“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” Jn 8:31 (NKJV)

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Rom 8:29 (NIV)

FOLLOWING CHRIST“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” Jn 14:12 (NKJV)

“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.” 1 Pet 2:21-22 (NASB)

WHO IS A DISCIPLE?Commits to living relationship

with ChristRenounces the self-lifeCarries his/her cross daily Abides in God’s WordExemplify the Christ-life

THE SINNER’S PRAYER (4SL)

"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be." Amen

SALVATION IN THE EARLY DAYSThen Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Ac 2:38 (NKJV)

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.  …. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Ac 16:31-33 (NKJV)

SALVATION IN THE EARLY DAYSWhile Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Ac 10:44-48 (NKJV)

CONFESSION OF FAITH… that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:9-10 (NKJV) … And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”  So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” Ac 8:36-38 (NKJV)

CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE3His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 2 Pet 1:3-6 (NIV)

CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Pet 1:7-11

THREE KEY ASSURANCES1. THE HOLY SPIRIT2. THE WORD OF GOD3. A TRANSFORMED LIFE

THE HOLY SPIRIT“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Ac 19:2 (NKJV)

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God .... The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Rom 8:14, 16 (NIV)

THE WORD OF GOD“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

Jn 1:12 (NKJV)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9 (NKJV)

A TRANSFORMED LIFEThen Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”  And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.

Lk 19:8-9 (NKJV)

COUNTERING FALSE TEACHING“You aren’t saved by being good,” they say, “so you might as well be bad. Do what you like, be free.” But these very teachers who offer this ‘freedom’ from law are themselves slaves to sin and destruction. For a man is a slave to whatever controls him.”

2 Pet 2:19 (TLB)

PETER’S LADDER OF VIRTUESVirtue PurposeFaith Basis of salvation (Eph 2:8)Goodness Activation of faith (Jas 2:20)Knowledge Building of faith (Hos 4:6)Self-Control Overcoming trial & temptation (Gal

6:22)Perseverance

Overcoming trial & temptation over the long haul (Heb 10:36)

Godliness Reflect Christ-likeness (Rom 8:29)Mutual affection

Fulfilling the Great Commandment(Mt 22:39)

Love (agape)

Highest expression of true discipleship (Jn 13:35)