Today is Easter. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I think most everyone knows the story of the resurrection. That is a given. I think there is a deeper question that needs to be addressed? The question is, what difference has the resurrection made in my life? Why believe in the resurrection? For me, the resurrection means assurance. I find that people are looking for assurance, believers as well as non-believers.
About one and a half years ago I spoke to our youth leaders on a Tuesday night at Lee and Cindy’s home. At that time I was new and the youth did not know me. I wanted to help them get to know me so I shared some of the stories from my life. When you share in such a meeting I think it is natural to share special stories from your life. I went back and shared four or five highlight stories from my life. I, like many of you, have some special stories of what God has done in my life. These are stories that have happened over fifty-five years. When you are sharing four or five stories from a fifty-five year time frame it is easy to present a dramatic picture. One of the boys made the comment to me; I wish that God would work in my life like he has in yours. I translated that comment to be, I want the assurance that God will work in my life. Teenagers are looking for the assurance that God is working in their lives.
On another occasion I was teaching a study from Acts for our senior adults. In Acts 1:3 Luke refers to “infallible proofs”. I asked the senior adults to share “infallible proofs” from their lives of God’s power. They were reluctant because of doubts. Senior adults are looking for assurance that what they believe is real.
I am continually looking for people who will share a testimony in our services. There seems to be a reluctance to do this. I think we are afraid that our story is not worth sharing. There are doubts. We are looking for assurance.
We need to be like the 84 year old grandmother who fiercely maintained her independence and lived alone in the old family home. Her 4 children lived n the same town, but she rarely called them except in emergencies. It was with some apprehension, therefore, that one of her sons drove to her home one morning in answer to her phone call. When he arrived she said she suspected that there was a burglar in her bedroom closet, since she had heard noises in there the night before. “Why didn’t you call me last night?” he exclaimed. “Well,” she replied, it was late and I hated to bother you, so I just nailed the closet shut and went to bed.” That’s the kind of attitude a Christian can have when faced with the impossible. Nail the door of fear shut and go to bed in calm assurance.
(Contributed to Sermon Central by David Yarbrough)
There are many people who are looking for answers in today’s economy. They are questioning where we are headed. People are asking, where is the world headed?
I have a first cousin who had a stroke, four weeks ago. She has been in a coma ever since. Our family is wondering, will she ever wake up? We are looking for assurance!
In the Bible we find many people lacking in assurance. In Luke 24 we find the story of two people who were leaving Jerusalem after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The resurrection had occurred but they lacked assurance. They met Jesus as they traveled from Jerusalem to a place called Emmaus. As they walked they talked with Jesus, not knowing with whom they spoke. They made a comment to Jesus that is one of the most dismal statements in the Bible. They said “we were hoping.” They lacked assurance. People are looking to find assurance.
Charles E. Fuller once announced that he would be speaking the following Sunday on “Heaven.” During that week, a beautiful letter was received from an old man who was very ill. The following is part of his letter: “Next Sunday you are to talk about Heaven. I am interested in that land, because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for over fifty-five years. I did not buy it. It was given to me without money and without price. But the donor purchased it for me at tremendous sacrifice. I am not holding it for speculation since the title is not transferable. It is not a vacant lot. For more than half a century I have been sending materials out of which the greatest architect and builder of the universe has been building a home for me which will never need to be remodeled or repaired because it will suit me perfectly, individually, and will never grow old. Termites can never undermine its foundations for they rest on the rock of ages. Fire cannot destroy it. Floods cannot wash it away. No locks or bolts will ever be placed upon its doors, for no vicious person can ever enter that land where my dwelling stands. It is now almost completed and ready for me to enter in and abide in peace eternally, without fear of ever being rejected. I hope to hear your sermon on heaven next Sunday from my home in Los Angeles, but I have no assurance that I shall be able to do so. My ticket to heaven has no date marked for the journey -- no return coupon -- and no permit for baggage. Yes, I am all ready to go and I may not be here while you are talking next Sunday, but I shall meet you there some day.” (Ency of 7700 Illust. P. 545, #2183.Contributed to Sermon Central by Gene Barron)
Joke: You have possibly heard of the little boy who was playing little league baseball and his team was behind 17-0 in the first inning. A passerby yelled to the boy, “I guess you are upset to be behind 17-0.” The little guy yelled back, “No we haven’t been up to bat yet.” That is assurance.
One of the best illustrations of assurance is found in the sinking of the ship named Express of Ireland, which sank many years ago. As the ship began to sink in the Atlantic Ocean it was discovered that there were not enough life belts to go around. On that ship were 130 Salvation Army officers—109 were drowned and not one body that was picked up had on a life belt. The few survivors told how the Salvation Army Christians took off their own belts and strapped them on other passengers, saying, “I can die better than you.” (From: Paul Lee Tan, ed. , Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations. Rockville, Maryland: Assurance Publishers, 1979) p. 1177)
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Richard Tow)
As I prepared this message one of the men from our church related a story to me. This man’s brother had told him about a fire that occurred in their community. He said there was a family of four that was burned to death in a mobile home fire. Our church member said his brother was struggling to find answers. That family was close friends with the brother. The brother was searching for answers. He was searching for assurance.
I want to read a text from the Bible where Jesus followers find assurance. “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:19-21 NKJV) This passage reveals a lot of truth about assurance. Where does it come from? What is its source?
1. God uses people to give assurance. Notice verse 18. “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.” God used Mary to encourage the disciples. God uses people to share assurance with others.
Last week Erica, our daughter in law, shared a story with the group that is praying about a mission trip to China. There was a Mr. Jow to whom they ministered. An American medical mission team went to China a couple of years back. While there they examined Mr. Jow. They discovered that he had Lou Gehrig’s disease. Mr. Jow told about a dream he had had some days earlier. Mr. Jow dreamed that a group of men with white skin, wearing white jackets, would come to him and give him hope. One of the men in his dream wore a white jacket and had a face that glowed. It was Jesus in the midst of the doctors. When the doctors came to him he identified them as the men in his dream. Mr. Jow gave his life to Christ. Even though he died some months later he had the assurance of a place in Heaven because those doctors took the time to share the Good News with him. God uses people to share assurance with others.
Two years ago I was introduced to a new book, 30 Minutes In Heaven. It was written by a man, Don Piper, who died in a tragic car wreck. Don Piper spent 30 minutes in Heaven and was revived. He came back to earth to share his story of assurance. I read that book right after my daddy died. Don Piper’s story was tremendously encouraging. God uses people to share assurance with others.
Illustrations: I mentioned Josh McDowell’s book “Evidence That Demands A Verdict.” When Josh McDowell compiled information for that book he included a section entitled “A multitude of conversions and changed lives.” In that section he included the testimonies of 58 individuals who came to faith in Christ. God still uses people to bring assurance. (p. 329-359. Evidence That Demands A Verdict. Josh McDowell)
Joke: Have you heard about the man who was trapped in rising flood water? His home was surrounded by a raging flood so he prayed a prayer to God. He prayed, “God please save me.” An army truck came by and offered help. He refused their help! As the waters rose he climbed to the roof of his home. A rescue team in a boat came by. He refused their help. The flood waters forced him to the peak of the roof. Finally a rescue helicopter came by and offered help. He refused! He died in the flood waters. When he arrived in Heaven he was angry with God for not rescuing him. God said “I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter.” Has God been sending people into your life? God uses people to share assurance.
2. Assurance grows in the midst of struggle. Just as precious metal is purified by fire and steel is tempered as it passes through the furnace, we are strengthened as we pass through struggles. The very fact that you are passing through a struggle may be an indication that God is working to give you assurance. Muscles are built by exercise. Assurance is built by struggle. Today you may be struggling with inner turmoil. You cannot find peace. Your struggle is drawing you to God. You may feel as if a war is taking place within your heart. Your struggle is drawing you to God.
It is important that we acknowledge several points. Being around Jesus does not grant immunity from struggles. Being in a spiritual environment does not bring assurance. In our text, the individuals who struggled with fear and doubt were Jesus’ chosen disciples. They had first hand knowledge of His crucifixion. They also had first hand knowledge of His teachings and His miracles. Yet they were struggling. In the midst of their struggles they found assurance.
3. Jesus comes to give us assurance.
A. Jesus is gentle. Notice verse 19. “Jesus came and stood in the midst.” He did not come with an iron rod. He did not come with condemnation in His voice. He did not come as a critique. He was gentle. People who are looking for assurance need a gentle Savior. Jesus said “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28-30)
Lynn Anderson, in "They Smell Like Sheep," relates this story: “Several years ago in Palestine, Carolyn and I rode a tour bus through Israel’s countryside nearly mesmerized as the tour guide explained the scenery, the history, and the lifestyle. In his description, he included a heart-warming portrayal of the ancient shepherd/sheep relationship. He expounded on how the shepherd builds a relationship with his sheep—how he feeds them and gently cares for them. He pointed out that the shepherd doesn’t drive the sheep but leads them, and that the shepherd does not need to be harsh with them, because they hear his voice and follow. And so on… He then explained how on a previous tour things had backfired for him as he was giving this same speech about sheep and shepherds. In the midst of spinning his pastoral tale, he suddenly realized he had lost his audience. They were all staring out the bus window at a guy chasing a ‘herd’ of sheep. He was throwing rocks at them, whacking them with sticks, and siccing the sheep dog on them. The sheep-driving man in the field had torpedoed the guide’s enchanting narrative. The guide told us that he had been so agitated that he jumped off the bus, ran into the field, and accosted the man, ‘Do you understand what you have just done to me?’ he asked. ‘I was spinning a charming story about the gentle ways of shepherds, and here you are mistreating, hazing, and assaulting these sheep! What is going on?’ For a moment, a bewildered look froze on the face of the poor sheep-chaser, then the light dawned and he blurted out, ‘Man. You’ve got me all wrong. I’m not a shepherd. I’m a butcher’” This poor unwitting fellow had just provided the tour guide and all of us with a perfect example of what a ‘good shepherd’ is not.” [Dr. Lynn Anderson, "They Smell Like Sheep," © 1997 Howard Publishing Co., Inc., West Monroe, LA]
B. Jesus wants to comfort. In this text, twice Jesus offers His peace to the disturbed disciples. The word peace comes from a word that means to join. The teaching of the Bible indicates that man is at odds with God because He is Holy and we are imperfect sinners. God desires that we join Him in perfect fellowship. However, we cannot do this on our own. Jesus came to join us with God. Jesus came to break down the barriers.
Joni Erickson Tada, who was paralyzed from the neck down while still a teenager, wrote, "You don’t have to be alone in your hurt! Comfort is yours. Joy is an option. And it’s all been made possible by your Savior. He went without comfort so you might have it. He postponed joy so you might share in it. He willingly chose isolation so you might never be alone in your hurt and sorrow. (Joni Erickson Tada, Christian Reader, Vol. 32, no. 2.
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Mark Beaird)
Do you have assurance today? Jesus Christ wants to share His peace and is assurance with you. Will you accept His invitation?
