Rest Assured

How to Grow in the Assurance of Your Salvation:

2 Corinthians 13:5, Jeremiah 17:9

1 John 5:13 - I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

2 Peter 1:1-10

1. I grow in assurance when I focus on His POWER. (2 Pet 1:1-3)


2. I grow in assurance when rest in His PROMISE. (2 Pet 1:4)


3. I grow in assurance when I PRACTICE godly qualities. (2 Pet 1:5-7, 10)


4. I grow in assurance when I PERSEVERE through time. (2 Pet 1:8-9)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Peter 1:1-10

1. Why do you think it’s so important to be confident in your salvation? How does confidence affect your walk with Christ? How does not being confident affect your walk?
    
2. Why do you think many Christians struggle with assurance? What would you say to a friend who confides in you, “I just don’t know if I am really saved?”

Breakout Questions:

1. On a scale of 1­-10 (1 = I have NO idea, in fact, I may be a Pagan, 10 = I am 100% positive) rate your assurance of your own salvation as of right now.
    
2. What can you do to grow in assurance right now? Tonight? This week? (2 Peter 1:1-10).
    
3. Pray for one another.

The Evidence of New Life Test - Part 2

Circle whether you Agree, are Undecided, or Disagree according to each of the statements on assurance below:

6. I am growing in PRAYER.

Agree Undecided Disagree

Genesis 4:26 - At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.



7. My non-Christian friend notice something DIFFERENT about me.

Agree Undecided Disagree

1 Peter 4:3-5 - The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.



8. I love SHARING Christ with others.

Agree Undecided Disagree

2 Cor 5:20 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.



9. I love other CHRISTIANS.

Agree Undecided Disagree

1 John 3:14 - We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.



10. I love giving MONEY to the work of the Lord.

Agree Undecided Disagree

Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!
Sermon Audio: (no recording)

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Corinthians 13:5

Breakout Questions:

1. Discuss these “signs of new life” and rate yourselves, 1-­10 (1 = very little appetite for this, 10 = huge appetite for this) on how much of an appetite you see in yourself for these. Be honest. Talk to each other about how you can mature in these areas.
    
2. Pray for one another.

The Evidence of New Life Test - Part 1

Circle whether you Agree, are Undecided, or Disagree according to each of the statements on assurance below:

1. I love and long for God's WORD.

Agree Undecided Disagree

1 Peter 2:2 - Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation...



2. I have a new AWARENESS of good and evil.

Agree Undecided Disagree

Hebrews 5:13-14 - for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.



3. I live in REPENTANCE.

Agree Undecided Disagree

Matthew 3:8 - Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.



4. I have a desire to be like JESUS.

Agree Undecided Disagree

Romans 8:29 - For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.



5. I am growing spiritually MATURE.

Agree Undecided Disagree

Philippians 1:6 - And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!
Sermon Audio: (no recording)

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Cor 13:5

Breakout Questions:

1. Discuss these “signs of new life” and rate yourselves, 1-­10 (1 = very little appetite for this, 10 = huge appetite for this) on how much of an appetite you see in yourself for these. Be honest. Talk to each other about how you can mature in these areas.
    
2. Pray for one another.

The Self-Deception Test

Circle whether the statements on assurance are True or False in your life today:

1. There is no way I can be self-deceived.

True False

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is DECEITFUL above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?



2. I think I am a really good and important person.

True False

Galatians 6:3 - For if anyone thinks he is SOMETHING when he is nothing, he deceives himself.



3. Sin has never really been an issue for me.

True False

1 John 1:8 - If we say we have no SIN we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.



4. I know a lot about the Bible, but it doesn’t really affect the way I love.

True False

James 1:22 - But be DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.



5. The way I talk doesn’t really match up with my religious profession.

True False

James 1:26 - If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his TONGUE but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!
Sermon Audio: (no recording)

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Corinthians 13:5

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.