Be Very Sure

The PROCLAMATION:

I know in whom I have believed...2Ti.1:12

Being confident of this very thing...Phil.1:6

These two statements were spoken from the core of his being...he had no doubt who he was (I have believed), and who his God was(He is able; He who hath begun...will perform)

His faith was unwavering through life's circumstances, undaunted through life's storms, and undiminished through life's hardships. He stood firm and allowed nothing to move him (be ye steadfast, unmoveable...1Cor.15:58),

This was all based on his knowledge and confidence in who he was and who his God was.

The PROBLEM:

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compasses about woth so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every WEIGHT, and the SIN which doth so easily BESET us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

WEIGHT: bulk, mass, remembrance; that which hinders or slows you down; it may not be wrong-but it's wrong for you

SIN: sin and especially known sin must be faced and dealt with

Why? Because of its besetting nature.

The POWER of a Besetting Sin:

Beset: to surround with hostile intent; to set upon, attack, assault on all sides

-A besetting sin is any particular sin to which is susceptible; it is the sin which one most easily and often falls into

-A besetting sin can tower and loom like a mountain between the individual and God.

-Besetting sins defy, taunt and dare you to seek deliverance. They say, 'You're helpless, what are you going to do? You're stuck...you''re hopeless.

FEAR besets

WORRY besets

*DOUBT besets

-Besetting sins become strongholds

2 Cor.10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds

The PARADOX

(a statement or proposition that seems absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth):

Those who are saved and should be sure are walking around worrying and wondering if they are, while those who are not saved but think they are, are walking around with a sense of confidence in who they are. They have a pseudo-peace because they have set of standards approved by them and those they run with. The truly saved one cannot come to grips with their performance and constantly feel unworthy and hence they lose assurance of their salvation.

Concerning DOUBT:

Heb.10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: (for he is faithful that promised)

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Mat.14:25-32 Peter's doubt: v31 And immediately Jesus stretched for his hand and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Why did he doubt? His faith was diminished.

Contrast with:

Acts 27:22-25 Paul’s faith: v25 ...for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

The difference? He believed what God said.

THE PATH TO PEACE (A WORD FOR WHATEVER YOU’RE DEALING WITH)

God allowed a messenger of Satan in Paul's life to buffet him (it was given to him)

It was given to him to keep him in his place...God knew that without it, he would walk, he would stray, he would be lifted up in his own mind and heart...let your thorn perform its ministry in your life...in the meantime, His grace will be sufficient for you.

The PLAN:

1...let us lay aside (weight & sin)

2 ...let us run with patience

3...look unto Jesus (see Him rather than yourself)

4...consider Him (think over; ponder)

The POWER OF HIS PROMISES:

1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

2Cor.13:5 Examine yourselves, whether he be in the faith; prove your own selves...