ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Sunday Service
5 Aug 2012
Cecil Ang
DISCIPLE VS CONVERT
 Disciple:
(Latin, discipulus) a learner
or pupil; one who accepts and follows a
given doctrine or teacher
 Convert: one who changes religion
based on conviction or due to external
pressure
CALL OF THE EARLY DISCIPLES
18And
Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw
two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew
his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they
were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them,
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 They immediately left their nets and
followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw
two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee
their father, mending their nets. He called them,
22 and immediately they left the boat and
their father, and followed Him.
Matt 4:18-22 (NKJV)
COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow Me.”
Luke 9:23b (NKJV)
“Those who are Christ’s have crucified
the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Gal 5:24 (NKJV)
WORKS OF THE FLESH
19Now
the works of the flesh are evident,
which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and
the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just
as I also told you in time past, that those who
practice such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God.
Gal 5:19-21 (NKJV)
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A DISCIPLE?
“If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples indeed.”
Jn 8:31 (NKJV)
“For those God foreknew he also
predestined to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers and sisters.”
Rom 8:29 (NIV)
FOLLOWING CHRIST
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in
Me, the works that I do he will do also; and
greater works than these he will do, because I go
to My Father.”
Jn 14:12 (NKJV)
“For you have been called for this purpose, since
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example for you to follow in His steps, who
committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in
His mouth.”
1 Pet 2:21-22 (NASB)
WHO IS A DISCIPLE?
 Commits
to living relationship with
Christ
 Renounces the self-life
 Carries his/her cross daily
 Abides in God’s Word
 Exemplify the Christ-life
THE SINNER’S PRAYER (4SL)
"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank
You for dying on the cross for my
sins. I open the door of my life and
receive You as my Saviour and
Lord. Thank You for forgiving my
sins and giving me eternal life.
Take control of the throne of my
life. Make me the kind of person
You want me to be." Amen
SALVATION IN THE EARLY DAYS
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let
every one of you be baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and
you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Ac 2:38 (NKJV)
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you
will be saved, you and your household.” Then
they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to
all who were in his house. …. And
immediately he and all his family were
baptized.”
Ac 16:31-33 (NKJV)
SALVATION IN THE EARLY DAYS
While Peter was still speaking these words, the
Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the
word. And those of the circumcision who believed
were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard
them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then
Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that
these should not be baptized who have received
the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he
commanded them to be baptized in the name of
the Lord.”
Ac 10:44-48 (NKJV)
CONFESSION OF FAITH
… that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus
and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:9-10 (NKJV)
… And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What
hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If
you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he
answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still.
And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the
water, and he baptized him.”
Ac 8:36-38 (NKJV)
CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE
3His
divine power has given us everything we need
for a godly life through our knowledge of him who
called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through
these he has given us his very great and precious
promises, so that through them you may participate
in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very
reason, make every effort to add to your faith
goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to
knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
2 Pet 1:3-6 (NIV)
CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE
7 and
to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual
affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in
increasing measure, they will keep you from being
ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have
them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they
have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore,
my brothers and sisters, make every effort to
confirm your calling and election. For if you do these
things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will
receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Pet 1:7-11
THREE KEY ASSURANCES
1.
2.
3.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE WORD OF GOD
A TRANSFORMED LIFE
THE HOLY SPIRIT
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you
believed?”
Ac 19:2 (NKJV)
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God
are the children of God .... The Spirit
himself testifies with our spirit that we are
God’s children.”
Rom 8:14, 16 (NIV)
THE WORD OF GOD
“But as many as received Him, to them He
gave the right to become children of God, to
those who believe in His name.”
Jn 1:12 (NKJV)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9 (NKJV)
A TRANSFORMED LIFE
Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord,
“Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the
poor; and if I have taken anything from
anyone by false accusation, I restore
fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today
salvation has come to this house, because
he also is a son of Abraham.
Lk 19:8-9 (NKJV)
COUNTERING FALSE TEACHING
“You aren’t saved by being good,” they say,
“so you might as well be bad. Do what you
like, be free.” But these very teachers who
offer this ‘freedom’ from law are themselves
slaves to sin and destruction. For a man is
a slave to whatever controls him.”
2 Pet 2:19 (TLB)
PETER’S LADDER OF VIRTUES
Virtue
Purpose
Faith
Goodness
Knowledge
Basis of salvation (Eph 2:8)
Activation of faith (Jas 2:20)
Building of faith (Hos 4:6)
Self-Control
Overcoming trial & temptation (Gal 6:22)
Perseverance Overcoming trial & temptation over the
long haul (Heb 10:36)
Godliness
Mutual
affection
Reflect Christ-likeness (Rom 8:29)
Fulfilling the Great Commandment
(Mt 22:39)
Love (agape) Highest expression of true discipleship
(Jn 13:35)