The 5 Assurances

Hi guys, how are you doing ? I think i am very very very super late to wish you guys Happy Chinese New Year, but yea, its better late than never.

So, we ...

wish a Prosperous Chinese New Year to all the Ohanas :)

May our relationship as a family be bonded even closer.

Lets leave all the worst-case scenario behind,

and charge forward to be a better you..

Take good care, and God Bless.

ps : those who still owes me mushroom, i ll redemn from you on SUNDAY !!!

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THE 5 ASSURANCES

Introduction :

As a new believer, it is important that you begin to build a strong foundation upon which you can build build your new life in Christ. To begin with, you need to have a full sense of assurance based on the Scriptures concerning 5 key areas of your Christian walk.

5 KEY ASSURANCES

1. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

One of Satan's first attacks on new Christian is to raise doubts about their salvation. Feelings can go up and down, so we cannot rely on them for assurance regardsing our relationship with God.

Too many people make the mistake of measuring the certainty of their salvation by their feelings. Dont make this tragic mistake. Believe God. Take Him and His Word.

What does the Word says ? Read this verse together aloud :

1 John 5:13

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life"

Not guess or assume but KNOW that God has given us eternal life.

Now, explore 1 John 5:11,12:

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son, He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of Fod does not have life."

A. Who gives eternal life ?

God - He alone is the Author of Life

B. Where is eternal life found ?

In His Son - Jesus Christ. Only through Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross, life is made available.

C. Who has eternal life ?

He, who has the Son

D. Who does not have eternal life ?

He, who does not have the Son

Look at John 5:24

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemed; he has crossed over from death fo life."

Pre-requisites = Hearing and Believing. Mixing hearing with faith.

"Condemned" = Found guilty

What are the 3 THINGS that resulted from you hearing and believing in God's Word ?

1. Has eternal life

2. Will not be condemned

3. Crossed over from life to death

2. ASSURANCE OF ANSWERED PRAYER

As a Christian, you can speak directly to your Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. You can confidently enter God's presence and talk to Him about everything that affects your life.

EVERYTHING MEANS BIG & SMALL

John 16:24

"Until now, you have not asked Me for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will complete."

A. What did Jesus identify as a major need in the disciple's life ?

The need to ask in prayer.

B. In whose name should we pray and why ?

In the name of Jesus. Only on account of Christ and what He has done, are we accepted by God.

C. What results from prayer ?

We receive from God and find joy

3. ASSURANCE OF VICTORY

Sometimes Satan attacks the new believer when he is weak, and has trouble standing against some of the areas of their life. Again, the weapon that God has provided for us to use against Satan's temptation is the Word of God.

1 Corinthians 10:13

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it"

Differentiate temptation and sin.

A. How would you define temptation ?
That which Satan sends to lure one into sin.

B. What is true about every temptation that you face ?
It is common to man - we often think that what we go through is unique but it is not.

C. Who can give you victory when you are tempted ?
God

D. What does God do for you ?
He would provide a way out so that we will not be overcome by the temptations that come.

4. ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Sometimes, we miss God's "way of escape" and sin against Him. Does failure mean that you are no longer a child of God ? NO !! We will still love our children although they disobey us.

1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to (1) forgive us our sins and (2) purify us from all unrighteousness"

"If" - conditional on confession
"Faithful and Just" = not to us but to Jesus Christ
(1) and (2) becomes a necessity because of the Cross

A. What does God want you to do if you sin ?
Confess

B. What does it mean to confess ?
To admit the wrongs that we have done

C. Why does God forgive us ?
On the basis of what Jesus Christ has done for us on the Cross

D. What else does God do when you confess your sins ?
He also purifies us (made clean) from all unrighteousness

5. ASSURANCE OF GUIDANCE
You may have questions about the future. You may wonder how this new life of yours is all going to work out. "What is God's will for my life ?" "Will God really lead me ?"

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with with all your hearts and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make you paths straight"

This verse is only applicable to the whole hearted.

A. What are the 3 things you are told to do ?
Trust in the Lord whole heartedly.
Lean not on our own understanding.
Acknowledge Him in all our ways.

B. When you do them, what does God promises you ?
He will direct our paths (Make our paths straight)

REVIEW THE 5 ASSURANCES
1. Assurance of Salvation 1 John 5:11-12
2. Assurance of Answered Prayer John 16:24
3. Assurance of Victory 1 Corinthians 10:13
4. Assurance of Forgiveness 1 John 1:9
5. Assurance of Guidance Proverbs 3:5-6

The 5 Assurances can be put in different order to see if the disciples have been familiarized with the verses.

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So, reflect on the 5 Assurances that our Lord Father has promised onto us, and witness the miracle that He is about to bless into our life. Be blessed Ohanas.

<3
Angie