Ten Essential Assurances
Illustration: 30 years ago two shoe salesmen were sent to Nigeria to survey the country for the possibility of building a shoe factory. The first man came back and said, "Few people here wear shoes so there is little need to build a new shoe factory in Nigeria. The second came back to London and said, "This is the greatest opportunity we have ever had. Everybody I saw needs a good pair of shoes." That is how we need to look at every community when it comes to their need for Jesus Christ and His love and forgiveness. Let us learn to view everyone, everything and every relationship from the mind of Jesus Christ.
1. Assurance of Salvation: I John 5:11,12.13 - And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has ilfe; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you wo believe in the name of the Son of god so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Illustration:There are four basic categories:
1) Those who think they are saved, but aren’t. Matthew 7:21-3
2) Those we think are saved, but aren’t. 1 John 2:18-19
3) Those who are saved, but don’t act like it: Corinthians.
4) Those who are saved, and they act like it.
2. Assurance of Forgiveness: I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
3. Assurance of Guidance: Prov. 3:5,6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
4. Assurance of Victory Over Temptation: I Cor. 10:13; John 16:33 - 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.
Quote from Jesus: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
5. Assurance of Peace: John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
6. Assurance of Answers to Prayer: John 14:12-14 - I tell the the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.
7. Assurance of Provision for Needs: Phil. 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
8. Assurance of Sufficient Grace: 2 Cor. 12:9,10 - My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakneses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
9. Assurance of Enablement: 2 Tim. 1:7 - For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
10. Assurance of Empowerment for Accomplishments: Phil. 4:12,13 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Illustration:Sometime when you’re in an airport, observe the difference between passengers who hold confirmed tickets and those who are on standby. The ones with confirmed tickets read newspapers, chat with their friends or sleep. The ones on standby hang around the ticket counter, pace and smoke, smoke and pace. The difference is caused by the confidence factor. If you knew that in fifteen minutes you would have to stand in judgment before the Holy God and learn your eternal destiny, what would your reaction be? Would you smoke and pace? Would you say to yourself, "I don’t know what God’s going to say--will it be ’Welcome home, child,’ or will it be ’Depart from me; I never knew you’?
Bill Hybels, Too Busy Not To Pray, IVP, p. 113
Concluding Application:
Ask the Lord to help you to live in confident assurance of the above ten promises from God. Trust the Lord to help you utilize all of these assurances in all our personal affairs, relationships and ministries. Share each of these ten assurances with others who need the loving assurance from God for all of their hurts, fears, feelings of anger, unrealized expectations, disappointments, and unmet needs.
