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Sermon #51 — 1st John Series

Title: “That Ye may Know”

Text: 1 John 5:13

Subject: Assurance

Date: Tuesday Evening — December 17, 2013

Recording# 1st John #51

Readings: Bob Duff and Rex Bartley

Introduction:

The Bible talks about “the full assurance of understanding,” “the full assurance of hope,” and the “full assurance of faith.” But is it really possible for anyone to have such assurance? Is it really possible for sinful men and women like you and me to have an assured faith, an assured hope, and assured confidence of salvation and eternal life in this world? Is it really possible for people like us, people who struggle with such inward lusts, such vile corruptions, such depravity and darkness of heart as we do to have assurance of a saving interest in the Lord Jesus Christ?

David

I know that such assurance is possible because the Book of God speaks of it so very plainly. I know that it is possible for such sinners as we are to have such assurance because no man ever knew his sin more fully and confessed it more frankly than David (Psalms 32; 51; 73). Yet, David had a full assurance of faith, confidence, and hope before God (Psalm 23:1-6; 2 Samuel 23:5).

Psalm 23:1-6 (1) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

2 Samuel 23:5 (5) Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.

Job

I know that it is possible for such sinners as we are to have such assurance because God’s servant Job possessed it (Job 19:25-28).

Job 19:25-28 (25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: (26) And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: (27) Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (28) But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?

Peter

I know that it is possible for such sinners as we are to have such assurance because Peter, who denied the Lord Jesus so shamefully, had a full assurance of his own saving interest in and union with the Lord Jesus (John 6:69; 21:15-17).

John 6:69 (69) And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

John 21:15-17 (15) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. (16) He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (17) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Paul

I know that it is possible for such sinners as we are to have such assurance because Paul, who was once a proud, self-righteous Pharisee, Paul who knew the pain and bitterness of his sin (Romans 7), possessed such assurance (2 Timothy 1:12).

2 Timothy 1:9-12 (9) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (10) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (11) Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (12) For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

1st John

I know that it is possible for such sinners as we are to have such assurance because the Apostle John was inspired by God the Holy Spirit to write an entire epistle devoted to the promotion of assurance, “the full assurance of faith” and “the full assurance of hope” among God’s saints. Turn to 1st John 5:13. Let’s see if that is not the case. I said, “John was inspired by God the Holy Spirit to write an entire epistle devoted to the promotion of assurance, ‘the full assurance of faith’ and ‘the full assurance of hope’ among God’s saints.” Is that or is it not what John says in this text?

1 John 5:13 (13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Obviously, some who are true believers do not enjoy the blessedness of this assurance. They trust Christ; but they do not know that they truly trust him. They are washed in his blood, born of his Spirit, and robed in his righteousness, and genuinely love the Lord Jesus; but they plod through dark day after dark day, crying…

“`Tis a point I long to know,

Oft it causes anxious thought:

Do I love the Lord or no;

Am I His or am I not?”

I will not attempt to tell you why so many of God’s saints have the struggles they do with assurance. I will neither blame them nor excuse them, in this regard. But I do sympathize with them, pity them, and want very much to help them. In fact, it is precisely for you my doubting brother and for you my trembling sister that I am bringing this message.

Warnings

Having said all that, let me say this and say it clearly: — The Bible is full of warnings about false faith, warnings about carnal security, and warnings about the presumption of salvation. — Amos cried, “Woe unto them that are at ease in Zion!” Obadiah declares, “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee.” Multitudes hide from God in a refuge of lies that must be destroyed (Isaiah 28:14-20).

Isaiah 28:14-20 (14) Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. (15) Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: (16) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (17) Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. (18) And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. (19) From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. (20) For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

Am I talking to you? Do the prophet’s words describe you? Is your religious profession a refuge of lies by which you are trying to hide from God? The Scriptures speak of many, not a few but many, who will stand before God in judgment and say, as they are being cast into hell, “Lord! Lord! Have we not prophesied in thy name? Have we not done many wonderful works in thy name?” And he will say to them, “I never knew you!”

As I travel back and forth across the country and across the oceans to other countries preaching the gospel, I am keenly aware of the fact that I am preaching to a lost religious generation of men and women who are sure they are saved, men and women who have hope of salvation and eternal life; but their hope is a delusion, a false hope based on the flesh, based on works, based on religious experiences, not that “good hope through grace” spoken of in this Book.

· They made a decision for Jesus.

· They decided to start serving the Lord.

· They keep their church rules.

· They go to church regularly.

· They give money to the church.

· They teach Sunday School.

· They serve as deacons.

· They preach.

· They are missionaries.

· Their lives have been radically changed.

Be warned, my friends. — “Give diligence to make your calling and election sure!”

2 Corinthians 13:5 (5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

In the Word of God we are hedged about on the one side with the warnings of God, lest we presume and on the other side with the promises of God lest we despair. I warn you, as God orders me, I warn you. — “Make your calling and election sure!”

2 Corinthians 13:5 (5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Come to Christ! Trust the Lord Jesus! Believe on the Son of God! God help you now to look away from yourself, look away from the church, look away from the religious tom-foolery of this reprobate age, and look to Christ.

Isaiah 45:22 (22) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

John 3:14-17 (14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:36 (36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

“Know”

Alright, now, let’s look at 1st John and the instruction God gives us about assurance. John uses the word “know” 27 times in these five chapters.

Proposition: John wrote these five chapters by divine inspiration so that all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ might know that they have eternal life in him.

1 John 5:19-20 (19) And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (20) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Back in verse 14 of chapter 3 John says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life!” Look at that with me. — “We know that we have passed from death unto life!”

Spiritually Dead

If “we know that we have passed from death unto life,” we know that we were once dead. I didn’t know it when I was dead; but I know it now; and I know what spiritual death is. All who are without Christ are dead spiritually, though they do not know it. In fact, if they knew they were dead they wouldn’t be dead.

Now I am not talking about a physical death, I am not talking about a mental death. And, please, I am not even talking about religious death. I am talking about spiritual death. And I was dead spiritually. I was very much alive to the world. I was very much alive to self. Now here is what it means to be dead spiritually. I am going to give you these things. You listen carefully to them.

1. A man is dead spiritually who has no true knowledge of the attributes and character of the living God (Romans 10:1-4).

Sovereignty
Justice
Righteousness
Grace

Romans 10:1-4 (1) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (2) For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

2. All are spiritually dead who do not know their sin (John 16:8).

All men have an awareness of sin (Romans 2:14-16). All know right from wrong by nature. God has stamped that on the hearts of all. None can escape the voice of his Creator within.

Romans 2:14-16 (14) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: (15) Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (16) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

But only those who are born of God know themselves sinners. — You will never know what happened at Calvary until you find out what happened in the Garden.

“When Adam by transgression fell,

And conscious, fled his Maker’s face,

Linked in clandestine league with hell,

He ruined all his future race.

The seeds of evil once brought in,

Increased and filled the world with sin.

But lo! The Second Adam came,

The serpent’s subtle head to bruise;

He cancels his malicious claim,

And disappoints his devilish views;

Ransoms poor sinners with His blood,

And brings the sinner back to God.

[To understand these things aright,

This grand distinction should be known:

Though all are sinners in God’s sight,

There are but few so in their own.

To such as these our Lord was sent;

They’re only sinners who repent.]

[What comfort can a Savior bring

To those who never felt their woe?

A sinner is a sacred thing;

The Holy Ghost hath made him so.

New life from Him we must receive,

Before for sin we rightly grieve.]

This faithful saying let us own,

Well worthy ‘tis to be believed,

That Christ into the world came down,

That sinners might by Him be saved.

Sinners are high in His esteem,

And sinners highly value Him.”

—Joseph Hart

3. I was dead in sin, completely under the dominion of sin, when I thought I had power to control sin (Romans 6:14-18).

Romans 6:14-18 (14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

4. We were dead in sin when we had no hunger and thirst for righteousness, when we were (like the Pharisee) content with our filthy rags righteousness (Matthew 5:1-12).

Matthew 5:1-12 (1) And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: (2) And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, (3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

5. I was dead in trespasses and in sins when I did not trust Christ as my Redeemer (John 3:36).

John 3:36 (36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

I was dead, spiritually dead, dead in Adam, dead in trespasses and in sins until God the Holy Spirit gave me life and faith in Christ (John 3:1-17).

John 3:1-17 (1) There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: (2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (9) Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? (10) Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (11) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. (12) If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? (13) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

To be dead is to be…

Ignorant of God.
Ignorant of My Sin.
Under the Dominion of Sin.
Content with My Own Righteousness.
Without Faith in Christ.

A Great Change

We were dead; but “we know that we have passed from death unto life.” That means we have undergone a great change. It does not mean we have decided to make a change. It does not mean that we changed. It means we have been changed. We have been raised from the dead by the power of God. We have passed from spiritual death unto spiritual life.

Ezekiel’s Infant
The Valley of Dry Bones
Lazarus

What does that mean? What does it mean for a person to be alive toward Go? It means exactly the opposite of what it means to be spiritually dead. Having passed from death unto life…

1. I know God (John 17:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

Sovereignty
Justice
Righteousness
Grace

John 17:3 (3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Corinthians 4:4-6 (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2. I know my sin (John 16:8).

3. I hunger and thirst for Christ and his righteousness (Philippians 3:3-14).

Philippians 3:3-14 (3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (4) Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: (5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

4. I am freed from sin (Romans 6:14-18; 1 John 3:5).

1 John 3:5 (5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

5. I know that I have passed from death unto life because I trust Christ as my Redeemer (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). — I know the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who he is!
Why he came!
What he accomplished!
Where he is now!
What he is doing!

I’m like old John Jasper the black preacher from Richmond, VA. Someone asked him, “John when you get to heaven suppose somebody stops you at the pearly gates like they do down here at the restaurants and the railroad cars and the depots and all these places and stop you black men and say, ‘What right have you got to be here?’ What are you going to say, John Jasper?”

He said, “I am going to say, ‘I ain’t got no right to be here. I am not here on my rights. I am here on the righteousness of another.’” And he said, “They are going to open it wide and say, ‘Come in. Come in. If you are here on his righteousness come on in.’”

We know that we have passed from death unto life because trusting Christ we love the brethren.

1 John 3:14 (14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (CHRIST), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (CHRIST), I am nothing. (3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (CHRIST), it profiteth me nothing. (4) Charity (CHRIST) suffereth long, and is kind; charity (CHRIST) envieth not; charity (CHRIST) vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (8) Charity (CHRIST) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity (CHRIST), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (CHRIST).

Amen.

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s