What Do You Know?
I Know I’m Saved!
1 John 5:13
May 27, 2001
Intro:
A. This morning I want to give you the most important "Pop Quiz" you will ever take:
1. If you were to die today and stand before God seated upon the great white throne of judgment, would He or would He not let you into heaven?
2. Why should He let you into heaven?
B. Those are the two most important questions that we will ever answer.
1. Because our answer to those two questions will determine our eternity.
2. And our answer to those two questions will determine how we live the rest of this life.
3. Now we have been over and over these two questions in the past three months—I hope you have some idea what you’re answers to those two questions are.
C. I hope that as a result of the past three months of sermons, you know that the only answer to the last question is: "I have accepted God’s grace!"
1. My friend, if you answered ANYTHING ELSE to that second question—then you’re probably NOT saved.
2. The Bible says there is no other answer to that question.
3. Good deeds don’t save us from hell.
4. Being a good person doesn’t saves us from hell.
5. Not even being baptized saves us from hell.
6. Those are good and important things, but they don’t save us.
7. The only answer as to why God should let us into heaven is because "I have accepted God’s grace."
8. God has done all the work.
9. Jesus has done all the work.
10. The HS has done all the work.
11. All we have to do is believe and accept it.
12. So if you answered anything else to that second question, then you’re probably NOT saved.
D. And as for the answer to the first question…
1. If you answered, "I KNOW that I will go to heaven!" then you got the right answer.
2. If you answered anything else, then you’re probably not saved.
3. If you answered, "I hope I would get into heaven." then you’re probably not saved.
4. If you answered, "I think I would get into heaven." then you’re probably not saved.
5. If you answered anything other than, "I KNOW I would get into heaven." then I think you need to do some more studying and get these answers straight before its two late and you are standing before the judgment seat of God and you don’t truly know the right answers then!
E. We have spent five weeks so far studying together the book of 1 John to answer the question: "What do you know?"
1. I know that Christ lives in me!
2. I know that I will make it through the end times!
3. I know that I am a child of God!
4. I know what love is!
5. I know the ways of God!
F. Today in our conclusion to the book of 1 John, we come to 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.
1. John says that he has written these things so that we can KNOW that we have eternal life.
2. Not "think so" or "hope so," but KNOW that we have eternal life.
3. Do you KNOW that you have eternal life?
4. Do you KNOW that you will go to heaven?
5. Well this morning I want to ask, "What things has John written in order that we may KNOW that we have eternal life?"
6. So today as we consider this one verse from the book of 1 John, we are going to review the entire book and see what we can find are the things that John has written so that we can KNOW that we have eternal life.
7. Today I have compiled the "Top Ten Ways to Know We are Saved from the book of 1 John," first…
I. I know my sin
1 John 1:8-2:2, If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
A. I know I have eternal life, because I know my sin.
1. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death.
2. That means the paycheck or outcome of sin is death.
3. And death is an eternal separation from God in hell.
4. John says here that we have all sinned.
5. John says that if we say we haven’t sinned, then we are a liar, we call God a liar, and the Bible has no place in our lives.
B. I am saved and therefore know and understand my sin.
1. The Bible says that we must confess our sins.
2. And if I’m going to confess my sins, then I first of all have to acknowledge that I have sinned and I have to know what my particular sin is, if I’m going to confess it.
3. You see, I think the Devil has done such a fantastic job convincing us that we are good people, it is very difficult for us to even admit that we have sinned, let alone know the particular sin we have committed.
4. You see, I have learned that I can’t just say, "God forgive me if I have sinned." because John says there isn’t any "if" to it.
5. So the only question is, "What is the specific way in which I have sinned?"
6. Then I need to confess that specific sin.
7. You see the more I learn about my own weaknesses to specific temptations, the more I am aware of my dependence upon God.
8. And because I am saved, I want to know everything I can about my sin (which all boils down to my attitudes about things) so that I will sin less and less and please God more and more.
9. I know who I am without God—I know the particular kind of sinner I am.
10. And I know what my sin does to myself and those around me.
11. I know how bad I really I am.
12. The saved know they aren’t good people: they know how bad they really are.
13. And we understand, we love, and we care for others when they come to confess their sin because we know our own sin.
14. I am saved because I know my sin; second…
II. I know His Word
1 John 2:3-6, We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
A. I am saved because I know His Word.
1. John says that we know God if we obey His commands.
2. John says that the one who says they know Him, but does not obey is a liar.
3. John says that if we obey God’s Word, His love is made complete in us.
4. John says that if we claim to know God, we must walk and live as Jesus did.
B. I know God’s Word.
1. I meditate on God’s Word.
2. I pray God’s Word.
3. I sing God’s Word.
4. I live God’s Word.
5. I trust God’s Word.
6. God’s Word means more to me than ANYTHING I have.
7. God’s Word means more to me than ANYONE I know.
8. God’s Word means more to me that my right arm!
9. God’s Word means more to me than my two legs!
10. God’s Word means more to me than life itself!
11. I’m saved because I KNOW God’s Word; third…
III. I know where my home is
1 John 2:15-17, Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
A. I am saved and I therefore know I am not of this world.
1. The Bible says I’m a stranger and an alien here.
2. I LONG for my homeland!
3. There is nothing in this world that will shake my allegiance to my homeland!
4. I enjoy this life and I live it to its fullest, but when the trumpet sounds I will RUN to Jesus and not look back!
B. John says that since I’m saved, I don’t love this world or anything in it.
1. John says that if I love the world, the love of the Father is not in me.
2. John says that everything in the world comes from the world and not the Father.
3. John says the world and its desires will pass away, but if I do the will of God, I will live forever!
4. I am saved because I know where my home is! Fourth…
IV. I know God’s love
1 John 3:1, How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
1 John 4:16, And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
A. I am saved because I understand the depths of how much God loves me!
1. John says that God has lavished love upon me.
2. That means that He has gone exceedingly over and above what we would expect someone to do for us!
3. When we think about how lavish someone lives, that is the way God loves us.
4. We’re often taken to the notion that lavishness is too much, but I’m here to tell you that I am not about to tell God that He has loved me too much and He just needs to stop it!
5. No, I’m going to bask in it and live it up!
6. I’ve got the richest, most gracious, most lavish Father anyone ever had and I’m going to live like it!
7. He’s got it all and I am His child!
8. He loves me and I’m gonna soak it up!
9. And I’m gonna BOAST to you about my Father!
10. You wanna play, "My Dad’s Better Than Your Dad!"?
B. I wasn’t physically born into the family, I was adopted in; I was spiritually re-born and adopted into the family by my Father.
1. Its not like I’m His flesh and blood and He therefore has to love me.
2. No, He chose me and He loved me enough to adopt me into His family.
3. Did it cost Him anything to adopt me into His family!
4. You better believe it!
5. He had one physical Son and He sacrificed that only Son just so I could be adopted into His family!
6. How great is the love [my] Father has lavished on [me], that [I] should be called [God’s child]! And that is what [I am]!
7. You wanna play, "My Dad’s Better Than Your Dad!"?
8. I am saved because I know God’s love! Fifth…
V. I know what love is
1 John 3:16-18, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 4:10, This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:19-21, We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
A. I know I am saved because of how much I love others.
1. Because of the love the Father has lavished on me, I have extended love to people I could have never extended love to otherwise.
2. Because I know what the love of God means to me, I do and say everything I can so that others can experience God’s love for themselves the way I have.
3. Because I know how important it is for people to experience God’s love I make sacrifices of my time, talent, and finances in order for others to know and understand God’s love.
B. Because I know how important it is for people to know God’s love, several years ago I had to stand behind this pulpit and say some pretty strong things about evangelism (seeking and saving the lost).
1. There are many ways of showing God’s love to people, but none more important than in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with them!
2. Several years ago, I stood behind this pulpit and said that those who want to keep their church a small, country church are telling the rest of the world that they can go to hell!
3. I haven’t changed that conviction.
4. Just because this church has never been very big doesn’t mean that I should stop showing love to others.
5. Just because this church has never been very big doesn’t mean that I should stop fulfilling the Great Commission.
6. Just because this church is out in the country doesn’t mean that we all shouldn’t sacrifice (as John said we should)and change some things in order to reach others for Christ.
7. Just because we aren’t comfortable with large church doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t love others and desire for this church to grow!
8. Because I know how much love God has LAVISHED on me, I want EVERYONE to know it!
9. Because I know how much love God has LAVISHED on me, I want EVERYONE to be adopted into the family!
10. And that means that I must SACRIFICE in order for that to happen!
11. And if we all sacrifice like the Bible says we should, this church will be HUGE!
12. The very first church was over 3,000 people the first day and was shortly up over 10,000.
13. Now we need to ask ourselves some serious questions if we are uncomfortable with that many people coming to know the love of God.
14. Are we going to tell God that church was too big?
15. Are we going to tell God that heaven is going to have too many people there!
16. Why is it that we get so uncomfortable with a large number of people coming to know the love of God?
17. Why is it that we get so uncomfortable with SACRIFICING in order for that to happen?
18. I know I am saved because there is NOTHING more important to me that sharing God’s love with as many people as I can! Six…
VI. I know no fear of judgement
1 John 4:17-18, In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
A. Johns says that if I am saved, I won’t fear judgment day.
1. I live this life happy as a lark, because I know that I have nothing to fear on judgment day.
2. When I am asked what would happen to me if I died today, I don’t get scared at all.
3. I have confidence in what will happen to me because I believe what the Bible says.
B. You see there is a big reason why John says there should be no fear of Judgment Day.
1. The reason is because we know that it has very little to do with us.
2. So many people fear Judgment Day because they have bought the lie of the Devil that it has to do with how good of a person we have been.
3. You see the sad thing is that so many people believe what Satan has told them about being a good person.
4. So many people answer the second question with, "God should let me into heaven because I’ve been a pretty good person…" and then they go into their list of what they think qualifies them as a good person.
5. You see Satan has gotten a lot of people to believe this lie.
6. And when a person who believes that lie stands before God on judgment Day, Jesus well say, "Depart from Me, I never knew you." and Satan we laugh all the way to hell as his demons carry that poor soul away.
7. Satan will laugh because he caught another sucker.
8. That’s the truth about what will happen and the truth is that our soul already knows this.
9. And since the person’s soul already knows that the person has bought a lie of the Devil, that soul causes the person to fear Judgment Day.
10. The soul knows what’s going to happen and it is very afraid!
11. That fear is the soul’s way of telling the person that something is very wrong.
12. That fear is the soul’s way of telling the person that something very dreadful is going to happen if this lie is continued to be believed.
13. That fear is the fear of punishment—the separation from God in hell for eternity.
C. John says that God’s love is complete; it doesn’t lack anything.
1. God’s love doesn’t require anything to be added to it in order for a person to be saved.
2. God’s love doesn’t need our good deeds to be added to it in order for a person to be saved.
3. God’s love doesn’t need a certain amount of good deeds to be added to it in order for a person to be saved.
4. No! God’s love is complete it doesn’t need anything added to it; it just needs to be accepted.
5. That’s why the answer to the second question is, "I have accepted God’s grace."
6. That’s the only reason that God should let me into heaven—because He offered His love and grace to me and He promised that if I accepted it, I could be saved from the eternal penalty of my sin which is eternal separation from God in hell.
7. My friends God’s grace is good news and you need to receive it.
8. If you answered anything else to those two questions, you need to do some serious soul searching.
9. Don’t believe the lie the Devil just told you, "Oh, I’m saved. I just gave the wrong answer."
10. I’m telling you today that if you answered anything else to those two questions, you need to do some serious soul searching!
11. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
12. Have you or have you not received His perfect and complete love?
13. Because I know no fear of Judgement Day, I know I’m saved!
VII. I know Jesus
1 John 5:1, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
A. John says that if we believe that Jesus is the Christ, we are a child of God.
1. John also recorded the words of Jesus in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2. Whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life.
3. Whoever believes in Jesus will be saved.
B. But I have to say that that word "believe" is multifaceted…
1. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
2. So the word "believe" includes obedience; if we truly believe, we will obey.
3. And Jesus told a parable in Matthew 7 where He spoke of Judgment Day and people claiming that they had done all kinds of good deeds in His name.
4. But Jesus said to them in Matthew 7:23, Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!
5. Jesus said there will be people who did good deeds that He will call "evildoers."
6. Wow!
7. And Jesus said their problem was, they didn’t "know" Jesus.
8. So we see that this knowledge of Jesus is more than just head knowledge because those people claimed to do their good deed in Jesus’ name.
9. So they knew about Jesus. They knew about Jesus in their heads, but they didn’t really "know" Jesus and they went to hell.
10. Its the same for us today: there are people we know of and there are people that we really know.
11. If we are to be saved, we have to really know Jesus.
12. So belief includes this word "know."
13. I know that I’m saved because I truly know Jesus.
14. I know the Father and the Son.
15. And because I know the Son, I want EVERYONE to know Him as well!
16. I know I’m saved because I KNOW the Son. Eight…
VIII. I know what happiness is
1 John 5:3, This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
A. I spoke a lot about this last week.
1. God’s ways are not burdensome. God’s ways are not heavy.
2. God’s ways are light and easy and joyous.
B. Because I know I’m saved, I’m happy!
1. I’m not fearful, I’m happy.
2. I’m not depressed, I’m joyous.
3. I’m not longing to die, I’m living life to the full!
4. My soul knows that there is no fear of eternal punishment, and I want to sing!
5. My soul knows that there is no fear of hell, and I want to celebrate!
6. My soul knows that there is no fear of damnation, and I want EVERYONE to know it!
C. I will have problems and trials and sufferings, but I still have joy because I at least know I’m saved.
1. I still have joy because I know that God cares for me!
2. I still have joy because I know that my redeemer lives!
3. I still have joy because I know that God is still going to LAVISH His love on me!
4. I still have joy because I know that God will do more than I can ask or imagine!
5. I still have joy because I know that my sins are forgiven!
6. I still have joy because Jesus died for me!
7. I still have joy because God loves me!
D. I know that I’m saved because my life is not a burden!
1. I know that I’m saved because my life is a joy!
2. I know that I’m saved because I know whom I have believed!
3. I know that I’m saved because He has promised to work ALL things out for my good!
4. I know that I’m saved because I’ve found the secret to happiness!
IX. I know victory
1 John 5:4, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
A. I know I’m saved because I know victory!
1. I know that I’m going to win!
2. Satan may knock me down, but I get back up because I know that I’m going to win.
3. Satan may give me a black eye, but I just show it off to people and tell people, "The Devil thinks he can beat me up!"
4. Satan may kick me in the ribs when I’m down, but I put a rib support on and write on it, "Pain is temporary! Heaven is eternal!"
B. I’ve read the Book and I know how the story ends!
1. I know that God has already won!
2. I know that God won when Jesus rose from the dead!
3. I know that Satan has been defeated!
4. I know the war has been declared over.
5. There are still battles that rage.
6. There are still souls whose eternities hang in the balance and we must engage in those battles.
7. But my soul has been saved!
8. Satan may win some insignificant battles against me—but he’s already lost the war for my soul!
9. My God has and will overcome and I live like a champion!
10. I know that I’m saved because I know VICTORY!
X. I know eternal life
1 John 5:11-12, And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
A. I know I’m saved because I know eternal life.
1. I don’t just know it in my head; my soul knows it very well.
2. And because my souls knows it well, my life is joy after joy and victory after victory.
3. I walk with my head held high and a shout of triumph on my lips!
4. I have eternal life and nothing nor no one can take that away!
B. I know that I’ve been saved from the eternal penalty of my sin!
1. I know that I deserve to go to hell eternally because of my sin.
2. But I praise God that I’m not gonna get what I deserve!
3. I’m getting eternal life! I’m getting eternal life!
4. I’m saved! I’m saved! I’m saved!
5. I’m saved! I’m saved! I’m saved!
6. I’m saved! I’m saved! I’m saved!
Conclusion:
A. What do you know? I know I’m saved! Here are the top ten reasons from the book of John for how I know I’m saved.
1. I know I’m saved because I know my sin.
2. I know I’m saved because I know His Word.
3. I know I’m saved because I know where my home is.
4. I know I’m saved because I know His love.
5. I know I’m saved because I know what love is.
6. I know I’m saved because I know no fear of judgment.
7. I know I’m saved because I know Jesus.
8. I know I’m saved because I know what happiness is.
9. I know I’m saved because I know victory.
10. I know I’m saved because I know eternal life.
B. 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.
1. If you should die today and stand before the great white throne of judgment, would God let you into heaven?
2. Why should God let you into heaven?
3. If you don’t KNOW that you have eternal life, you need to take care of it today!
4. You need to come forward and let me help you receive God’s love and grace today!
5. Please get these two very important questions straight before it is too late for you!
