“WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD” (Outline)
May 14, 2023 – Easter 6 – 1 JOHN 3:19-24
INTRO.: Have you ever trusted the wrong person? Or thing? Probably. In doing so, we learn that nothing good comes from misplaced confidence. We also learn that the Lord God of Armies never, ever lets us down. "Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of the destruction of the wicked when it comes, because the LORD will be your confidence. He will keep your foot from being caught” (PROVERBS 3:25, 26). “WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD.” I. We belong to the Truth. II. We remain in the Truth.
I. WE BELONG TO THE TRUTH.
A. Verse 19. “…we know that we are of the truth…” This was the Lord’s assurance for his church.
1. The Lord reminded these early Christians they belonged to the truth. Not a guessing game.
2. Even though oppressed and persecuted they had peace with God. Hearts at rest in the Lord.
B. Verse 20. Hearts did condemn the believers. The Law revealed their sinfulness. Disobedience.
1. Their wicked actions demanded judgment. Punishment. Hearts condemned by the Law.
2. “God is greater than our hearts…” God’s mercy and grace far greater than condemnation.
3. The Lord “knows everything.” Knew they needed forgiveness. A Savior. Gospel message.
C. Verse 21. The Gospel delivered the good news of forgiveness. Guilt taken away.
1. Through the blood of Jesus there was now no condemnation. Instead, sins were forgiven.
2. Believers had confidence before God. They belonged to the truth which set them free.
D. We have a God, the only true God (Triune: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), who is greater than our hearts. Our heavenly Father’s love for us is far greater than we fully understand. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus took on human flesh. Lived here on earth to carry out his Father’s will for us. While on earth Satan severely tempted Jesus. The world offered its distractions to try and prevent Jesus’ work. All of this Jesus endured for us. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin” (HEBREWS 4:15). Jesus knows everything. Knows every temptation that we face. Saves us.
E. We review the two great teachings in the Bible: Law and Gospel. The Law cannot and does not save us from our sins. The Law shows us our sin. Reminds us that we are unworthy of any and every mercy of the Lord. Condemns. The Gospel shows us our Savior. Reveals that Jesus fully paid the price for our sins and the sins of the world. We know this truth of salvation. We belong to the Truth. “In him we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace, which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight" (EPHESIANS 1:7, 8). Redemption = forgiveness.
F. Are we under condemnation? Or not? Law does condemn. God is greater than our hearts. Greater than our sins. In spite of our constant sinning, disobedience, and wickedness we are forgiven. Freely. Fully. “So then, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (ROMANS 8:1). We are set free from the law of sin and death. We are set free by the law of the Spirit of life. Love is the fulfillment of the Law. Only by the loving sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are we no longer condemned. Not in fear, but with confidence we can and do approach God’s throne of grace. By grace we belong to the Truth.
“WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD.” We belong to the Truth.
II. WE REMAIN IN THE TRUTH.
A. Verse 22. These early believers were reminded of their connection with the Lord.
1. By faith they had access to the Lord God to ask whatever they desired.
2. By faith they knew what was good and right in God’s sight. Could do the good.
B. Verse 23. Word command used twice in this verse (one time in verses before and after).
1. “This then is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ…”
a. Son = Son of God. b. Jesus = save. c. Christ = anointed as Prophet, Priest, King.
2. Reminded believers of what Jesus taught: believe in him, love the Lord and one another.
C. Verse 24. Early believers were outcasts. Society and family rejected their worship of Jesus Christ.
1. Society looked only to the many false gods. Jesus was just a crucified criminal.
2. God lived in them. They lived in God. They remained in the Truth.
3. “We know it from the Spirit, whom he has given us.” Saved by faith. Gift of the Holy Spirit.
D. Society has not changed very much. All too many worship countless false gods available in almost every aspect of life. Money. Power. Worldly wisdom. Believers are spurned by the world. Called untrue names. Falsely identified. Even the Apostle Paul felt he was doing God’s work by chasing down the followers of the Way. After all, these Christ-followers were not following the traditions of the church. God changed Saul into Paul. Paul learned that everything in the world was rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus. The Lord Jesus had opened his eyes. Changed his heart. Life. “…and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, which comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God by faith” (PHILIPPIANS 3:9). We are saved by Christ’s righteousness. By faith. We have confidence before God. We remain in the Truth.
E. Spring is an exciting season. The weather changes. The wind seems to be especially strong. This helps to trim the trees. Branches are broken off. Fall to the ground. They do not miraculously grow new leaves. Or fruit. Broken off of the tree they are dead. “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him is the one who bears much fruit, because without me you can do nothing” (JOHN 15:5). Without the Lord we can do nothing. We are dead in our sins. We belong to the Truth. Remain in the Truth. Connected to the Vine. We have confidence before God. Life in Christ alone.
F. Truth is a rare commodity. Always has been. It is not always easy to remain in the truth. Satan tempts us to discard the truth for a lie. The world does not really want nothing but the truth, the whole truth. At times we may have given in to not being very truthful. After all, it can be so much easier to tell people what they want to hear. Even if it is not the truth. “Make known to me your ways, O LORD. Teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth and teach me, because you are the God who saves me. In you I hope all day long” (PSALM 25:4, 5). Serious, important prayer: “Make me walk in your truth…”
CONCL.: Our eternal salvation depends completely one the powerful work of the Lord God of Armies. Saved by grace. By faith. By Christ alone. God has called us out of darkness to belong to the Truth. The Holy Spirit strengthens us to remain in the Truth. That TRUTH IS CHRIST! “Listen to me, you people who pursue righteousness, you people who seek the LORD! Look confidently to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were cut” (ISAIAH 51:1). “WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD.” Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
EASTER 6 readings: ACTS 17:22-31; 1 PETER 3:13-22; JOHN 14:15-21; (PSALM 66)
SERVICES: 8:00am @ McCook (Sun) / 10:30am @ Redeemer (Sun) / NCF 1:00 Min. (Sat) & 12:00 Med. (Sun)
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