Well, we're going to be moving
around the scriptures today, so get ready to turn. The name of the message is Full
Assurance of Salvation. Full Assurance of Salvation. Turn, if you would, to Isaiah
chapter 32 and put your finger in Hosea chapter 2 verse 18. We'll look at how assurance for
the believer is brought forth in the Old Testament here, and
then we'll look at how assurance for the believers brought forth
in the New Testament. Isaiah chapter 32 verse 17, the
scriptures declare this, and the work of righteousness shall
be peace. In the effect of righteousness,
quietness and assurance forever. Now the Hebrew word there in
verse 17 means security. primarily means security or calm
assurance and it can also mean assurance or confidence as to
those who dwell safely in the Lord all according to his almighty
protection and that's where we we are protected
by the Lord his people it also means to lie down safely in security
or to walk securely or assuredly. Again, this is not by anything
in ourselves. This confidence does not come
from us, right? Because we know our weakness
and our confidence is who? Our confidence is Christ, right?
And what he's done for us as the great substitute. Now turn, if you would, to Isaiah
chapter 2 verse 18 or Hosea I mean Hosea chapter 2 verse 18 we see
this truth bought forth in Hosea chapter 2 verse 18 and Take note
as we read this verse Who the safety and who the assurance
comes from? Who does it come from Hosea chapter
2 verse 18 and in that day, this is the Lord speaking Will I make
a covenant for them with the beasts of the field
and with the fowls of the heaven and with the creeping things
of the ground? And I will break the bow and the sword of the
battle and will make them to lie down safely. Who's doing
all the work there? God is. Amen, sister. God's doing
it all. He's saying, I'm going to do
this for my people. Well, see that word safely there? That's
the same Hebrew word that was translated assurance in Isaiah
32, 17. It means security. I'll make
them lie down secure. Secure in Him. Now let's turn
to the New Testament. Let's turn to the New Testament,
and we'll see that the believer in Christ has this security this
full assurance of salvation in and through the Lord Jesus Christ
Hebrews chapter 6 first Hebrews chapter 6 so we have the same
security spoken in Isaiah we have this security as believers
in Christ and what comfort this can bring us as we go through
these trials of life Hebrews chapter 6 Paul writing these words to those who are going through
various afflictions and I ask you who are tried and tested
and tempted each day would it bring you comfort to
know from the scriptures that the believer has in Christ full
assurance of our salvation would that be a comfort to you it would
be when look what Paul writes here in
the book of Hebrews chapter 6 verses 10 to 12 for God is not unrighteousness
to forget your work and labor of love which you have showed
towards his name and that you have ministered to the Saints
and do minister and we desire that every one of you do show
the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end
that you may not be slothful but followers of them who through
faith and patience inherit the promises. Now look at verse 11.
And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence
to the full assurance of hope unto the end. So Paul's bringing
forth that he desires that everyone who he's writing to would show
the same diligence in their exercise of their faith and love, which
means ministering to one another, ministering to one another, faithfully
forgiving, showing mercy, and trusting the Redeemer. Not only
that you may keep up a hope of eternal life by keeping our eyes
on Christ, right? But that you should grow to a
full and confident assurance of that hope until the Lord calls
you home. Now turn a couple chapters over
to Hebrews chapter 10. Now see that word full assurance
in verse 11, that's one word in the Greek language. Now let's
turn to Hebrews chapter 10. Hebrews chapter 10 let's look
at verses 19 to 25 having therefore brother and
boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new
and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the
veil that is to say his flesh speaking of what Christ has done
for us and heaven and high priest over the house of God. Let us
draw near with a true heart in full assurance. That's one word
in the Greek. Full assurance of what? Of faith.
And who's the object of our faith? Christ is, right? He's the object
of our faith. Having our hearts sprinkled from
an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water, let us
hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he
is faithful that promised. God's faithful. Let us consider
one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking
the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but
exhorting one another, and so much more, as you see the day
approaching. So see that word there, full assurance, again,
those two words, and full assurance in our text in verse 22 of Hebrews
chapter 10. Again, it's one word in the Greek,
and it means this, full assurance. It means full assurance. It means
this, too. Most certain confidence. Most
certain confidence. See, we have no confidence in
ourselves, do we? But we have a most certain confidence
in our Savior, don't we? Oh, we do. Oh, yeah. He alone is my rock. He alone
is my Redeemer. He alone is my Savior. And I
know it's so for you who believe, too. Now let's turn to 1 Thessalonians
1, and we'll read verse 5. And then put your finger in Colossians
2. 1 Thessalonians 1, I'm sorry, verses 5 and 6. The scripture declares, for our
gospel came not unto you in word only. So when the Apostle Paul
was preaching the gospel, it didn't come to the Thessalonians
in word only. They didn't just hear the words
of Paul. Because if all they heard was the words of Paul,
it wouldn't have profited them nothing, right? Brother Henry used to
say it all the time. He says, if my words are the
only words you hear, you're not going to profit at all from it.
And our prayer is that the Holy Spirit would take those words
and use them for his glory and for the good of God's people. our gospel came not unto you
in word only but in power and that's the power of God the Holy
Spirit and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance same Greek
word there certain confidence full assurance as you know what
manner of man we were among you for your sake and you became
followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much
affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost now these these Thessalonian
believers they were going through it they were getting persecuted
by their own countrymen see they were Gentiles and they were idol
worshipers at one time and they turned from worshiping idols
to serve the true and living God Paul continues to write down
in the first chapter of 1st Thessalonians they turned from that and they
were being persecuted they were going through it below They were
going through it. And he writes them this letter
to encourage them. So the same Greek word is used
there for assurance in verse 5. Strong's defines this word
as entire confidence. Entire confidence. I like that.
Our entire confidence is in Christ. Every believer's entire confidence
is in him. Right? Full assurance again they
say too. Now one last place to look to
is Colossians chapter 2 and again it is the same Greek word which
we've been looking at. We see it here once again translated
full assurance. Colossians chapter 2 verses 1
to 3. Oh, Paul's writing again to the
Colossian believers who are having Gnostics come in and tell them
that there's various mediators between God and man. And he brings forth in this book
the supremacy of Christ, the absolute supremacy of Christ.
And he writes them here in Colossians 2, verses one to three. He says
this, for I would that you would know what great conflict I have
for you and for them at Laodicea. and for as many as have not seen
my face in the flesh that their hearts might be comforted see
God's people are God's preachers are commanded to comfort you
comfort you my people well well we can't do that in ourselves
but but the only way we can do that is by preaching the gospel
right and the Holy Spirit takes those words and comforts you
I was greatly comforted putting this message together greatly
comforted oh my it's wonderful it just solidified even more
that my entire confidence is in Christ and Him alone. And
I hope it does the same for you. I hope it does the same for you.
Look at this. For I would that you know what great conflict
I have for you and for them at Laodicea and for as many as have
not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts might be comforted
being knit together in love. See again, we have the same Father,
same Spirit, right? Same Redeemer, and our hearts
are knit together in love. My, it's incredible. And unto
all riches of the what? Full assurance, that's certain
assurance, that's full assurance again, of understanding to the
acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and
of Christ, in whom, being Christ, are hid all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge. Now people put a lot of stock
back then in the Greek philosophers and all that, they were all these
wise men, All the wisdom and knowledge
is in Christ. The treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He's called wisdom in the Proverbs,
isn't he? Oh my. Now, I ask you, how can
we have a full assurance of salvation? Spurgeon used to say, the only
people who doubt their salvation is those who are born again. It's true. So how can we have
a full assurance of salvation? Beloved of God, assurance of
personal salvation comes only through trusting and resting
in the Lord Jesus Christ. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ,
trusting the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on Calvary's cross,
that through his death, in the shedding of his precious, precious
blood. He alone is the only way of salvation. The only way. The only way to
God the Father. And that's in and through the
Lord Jesus Christ. Turn, if you would, to Isaiah chapter 35.
There's only one way. There's only one way. Christ
himself said what? I'm the way, the truth, and the
life. John 14, 6, that's what he said. Well, look at this in
Isaiah, chapter 35, verse 8. And notice this isn't called
many ways. Look at this. Isaiah 35, verses
8 to 10. In an highway shall be there,
and a way, singular. Highway in a way now remember
there was roads to the cities of refuge, right? There was one
road that though those those priests kept clean didn't it?
to that city of refuge They took the rocks out of the way, so
there'd be no obstacles, right? Here and then highway shall be
there in a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness
Who are we holy in? Christ Amen sister Christ way
of holiness the unclean shall not pass over it but it shall
be for those the wayfaring man the fools shall not err therein
no lion shall be there no ravenous beast shall go there so go up
there are thereon it shall not be found there but the redeemed
shall walk there oh my beloved we walk in Christ don't we every
day we walk by faith in Christ Every day. In the ransom to the
Lord shall return and come to Zion. We're going to go home
to be in glory with the Lord one day. In everlasting joy upon their
heads. And they shall obtain joy and
gladness and saw and sighing. Shall flee away. Oh, what joy. Now, this is what God's word
says. And by God-given faith, we believe that, right? We believe
that. We believe what the word of God
says by God-given faith. We know that God cannot lie.
He can't lie. God cannot lie. And we know Christ
didn't die in vain. We know that he finished the
salvation for all who trust in him. We know that. And we know that all who come
to him are those he died for. There won't be one missing. And
we believe what the Word of God says. We believe, don't we, as
born-again, blood-washed believers? We believe what the Lord Jesus
Christ said when He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
We believe that by God-given faith. We take God at His Word, don't
we? And we believe that his death
is the finished salvation for all his people. We believe the word of God. Again,
when it says there's no other way to the Father but through
Christ, we believe that. God cannot lie. And he has said
that eternal life is only in his son. And we believe that. There may be a time when we didn't
believe that, and there was a time when we didn't believe that,
but now we believe it, don't we? By God's grace and mercy,
we believe it, and we hold to that truth, don't we? Do you know the only sure ground
of our assurance of our salvation is the Lord Jesus Christ? That's
the only sure ground. The only sure ground of the assurance
of our salvation is the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's turn to 1 John chapter
5. When we read these words, when
we read these words of God, let them warm your heart. Let them
warm your heart. Let them warm your heart that
God has given you an understanding of these words. Because there
was a time when we did not have an understanding of these words.
As you read these, beloved of God, let it warm your heart again. And these are words written by
the Apostle John, and they speak of the very fact that Jesus Christ,
our Lord, is the only sure ground of our salvation, the only sure
assurance for the believer in Christ. 1 John 5, verses 10 to
12. He that believeth on the Son
of God hath the witness in himself. He that believeth not God hath
made him a liar, because he believeth not the
record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal
life in this life is in his son he that hath the Son hath life
and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life look at these words again in
verse 12 the only sure ground of salvation is the Lord Jesus
Christ he that hath the Son hath life he that hath not the Son
hath not life We see it very, very clearly put before us, don't
we, in the scriptures? Do you believe these words? Do you believe these words? Rejoice
if you do, because they proclaim the assurance of your salvation
in the Lord Jesus Christ. It also says if you do not believe
these words, If you do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you
do not have eternal life, no matter how sincere you are in
what you might believe. If you are not trusting Christ,
you do not have eternal life. You see, for the believer in
Christ, we found a ransom, haven't we? We found a ransom for our
souls. Job wrote about that. And that
ransom for our souls is Christ, beloved. It's Christ. By God's grace and by God's mercy,
we found the sure way of salvation. And we weren't even looking for
it when we found it. He found us, didn't he? He found
us, beloved. Oh, my. So what are we to do
then? Well, beloved, we're to rest.
We're to rest in Christ. There's nothing more that needs
to be done to make our salvation any more secure. Right? If we're secure in Christ, there's
nothing more that will make us any more secure. Nothing we do,
nothing we say. Isn't that amazing? We are absolutely
secure in Christ. And we have God's own word to
rest on. We have God's own word right
here to rest on. Because God said it, right? He
said this, he that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not
the Son of God hath not life. Well, by God's grace and mercy,
we who are the people of God have the Son, don't we? Then
we have life. Eternal life, all by the grace
and mercy of God. And we have God's word to rest
on. We have God's word just to rest
on. God's own salvation provided for you and I who believe. Provided for us by God. Therefore, let we who are the
people of God be content in Christ. Let us cease from any of our
labors, and let us wholly rest upon Christ and Him alone. Because
He is the full assurance of our salvation. He is our full confidence
of our salvation. One may say, am I not to be better? No, not before salvation. But after salvation, you'll both
be better and worse in your own conscience. you're sure to be worse because
you're you're learn more clearly your sinfulness right we know now more clearly
as believers are sinfulness don't we and we know how far short we
come of all spiritual goodness any spiritual goodness and we
know how much greater is the power of indwelling sin And how much deeper is the corrupt
principle of our natural hearts than we could ever have imagined
possible? And all our discovered sinfulness
does not, however, alter the fact that we are secure in Christ. Does not alter the fact of that. Even though we see ourselves
as more sinners now We're sinners now, and when the Lord saved
us, it does not alter the fact that our salvation is absolutely
secure and certain in Christ. Isn't that amazing? Now that's
good news, isn't it? That's good news for sinners.
Good news for sinners. But you will be better in your
conscience in the fact that now Now you have an appetite for
the things of Christ. You don't want to just go out
and go crazy now in sin. Because we have this freedom
in Christ now. Now that you're born again, you
have an appetite for the things of Christ. That you didn't have
before. You hunger and thirst after Christ
and after the preaching of the gospel, you want to hear more
about Christ. You'll want to think about Him
more. And as you grow in grace and as you grow in the assurance
of our salvation in Christ, you'll want to rejoice in Him more.
You'll want to praise Him more. And you'll want to please Him
more in your daily walk. You will. You're going to find
out you sin more than you want to. because you're going to find
out your desire is that you don't want to sin anymore. One day
that'll happen when we breathe our last breath here. Oh my. And you'll also find that sin,
however the battle within, does not have the mastery over you
that it once had. Because of your relationship
to Christ Who gives you strength against it? If you find yourself being tempted
or going through a trial just say Lord help me give me grace
and strength Because I can't overcome this on my own Just pray for the Lord give you
grace and strength You know we now have a battle within don't
we I We have a battle within now, we have a civil war within
now, between the new nature and our old flesh. And God gives us strength though,
against our sin, because of the new nature within us. Through
the Holy Spirit's gracious work, which gives you an increasing
hatred of sin. Not only in yourself, but in
the world even. That's why we pine to go home
and be with the Lord. We're just tired of all the sinfulness. In ourselves and in the world.
I can't wait to be in glory with the Lord. I've got to wait. But
my, oh my, don't shed tears for me when I die. I'm in glory.
I know we mourn each other's passing. I know that. I know
that. And I don't mean that, but as far as, you know, it'll be incredible
when we enter into glory by God's grace and mercy. It'll be incredible. So all those things we go through,
our sight of our increasing sinfulness, does not in the least make your
salvation from wrath to come in any way more perfect. Our salvation from the wrath
to come is perfect in Christ. Absolutely perfect. Turn if you would to Ephesians
chapter two. Ephesians chapter 2 You know our salvation is perfect
to start with Because it's in Christ It's perfect
to start with From beginning to end our salvation in Christ
is perfect Because we're saved by his grace, and we're saved
by his mercy now we're imperfect aren't we because we're sinners
and Look what it says here, though, in Ephesians 2, verses 8 to 10. And we see here clearly that this salvation is perfect
to start with. And you know, if it wasn't perfect, it would be
of our works. But because it's perfect, it's
all of grace. It's all of grace. Look at this,
Ephesians chapter two, verse eight to 10. For by grace are
you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is
the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should
boast. Well, not of works, because it
wouldn't be perfect anymore, right? Because we're sinful beings.
Not of works, lest any man should boast, for we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained, that we should walk in them." We're his workmanship,
beloved, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. So let us consider,
then, what the Scriptures say about God's salvation, and how
it is a full salvation, and how we can have full assurance that
when we trust in Christ alone that we have a full salvation
in him and may God give us grace to look him in all situations
in all situations now these statements are going to come from the Word
of God these statements of the full
assurance of our salvation comes from the Word of God in it alone
because that is where we look to, right? Okay, Romans chapter
five, verses eight and nine. In these statements of the gospel
of God's grace concerning all sinners who truly trust in Christ
Jesus for salvation alone. These are true statements. The gospel of God's grace proclaims
that sinners who trust in Christ are already justified by his
blood. Already. Romans chapter five,
verses eight and nine. But God commandeth his love toward
us. That's his everlasting, eternal
love. Toward us, in that while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more than being now
justified, right now, you're justified right now, is a believer. Being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him. So we see there that the word
of God proclaims that sinners who trust in Christ are already
justified by his blood. They're justified by the blood
of the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is a statement of fact,
it's not up for debate. And it's not based upon us, is
it? And this is true of every born-again
blood-washed people, God's blood-washed people. We are right now justified,
right now, by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Turn now,
if you would, to Acts chapter 13, Acts chapter 13. Here's another
statement of fact from the gospel of God's grace in Christ. And
this one is just, will make your heart sing. Think of our billions
of sins we commit in our lifetime. Sins of thought, sins spoken,
sins in deed, sins of affection. Look at this marvelous statement. This is a fact, again, from the
gospel of God's grace in Christ. The scriptures proclaim that
sinners who trust in Christ are already justified from all things,
and that their salvation is already accomplished by Christ's death
in our place. Acts chapter 13, verses 38 and
39. Look at this. Be it known unto you, therefore,
men and brethren, through this man is preached unto you the
forgiveness of sins every time the gospel is preached Christ
is set forth every time the gospel is preached
Christ is set forth through this man through Christ is preached
the forgiveness of sins and look at this and by him that's Christ
all that believe are justified from all things and which he
could not be justified by the law of Moses look at that look at that verse 39 says that
the believer is justified in Christ from all things praise
be to God I'm justified in Christ from all my sins just as if I
never sinned and that's true for you if you're a believer
That's what the scriptures declare, isn't it? Justified from all
things. There's nothing that the Lord's
gonna go, well, I forgot about this thing right here. Nothing
like that. You know how somebody does something
to us or wrongs us, we can remember it for years, can't we? We're
not supposed to, right? He didn't remember no more. All
our sins are gone, beloved. washed in the precious, precious
blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to God. Oh, so. This brings forth the truth,
too, that we could never be justified by our works, because look what
it says in the latter part of verse 39. I'll read the whole
verse, and by him, all that believe are justified from all things
from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. That's saying
right there, you could never be justified by your works. I
could never be justified by my works. That's so clear, isn't
it? That's what it says. But it says rejoice, beloved
God, because it says, and by him, all that believe are justified
from all things, all things. What is what a message of salvation
in Christ? What good news for sinners? Now, turn, if you would, to Colossians
chapter 1 Colossians chapter 1 you know we have redemption
through Christ's blood and the forgiveness of sins all according
to the riches of God's grace look at Colossians chapter 1
verses 12 to 14 and remember to this is a statement
of fact in our natural state we are unfit for heaven are we
we're absolutely unfit for heaven in our natural state look what
the gospel of God's grace proclaims here in Colossians chapter 1
verses 12 to 14 given thanks unto the father which had made
us meet that means qualified right there giving thanks to
the father which hath made us qualified to be partakers of
the inheritance of the saints in light, who had delivered us
from the power of darkness. You notice this is all past tense? Isn't it wonderful? It's all
accomplished. Who had delivered us from the
power of darkness and had translated us into the kingdom of his dear
son. That's when we're born again. in whom we have redemption through
his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. That's a statement of
fact. We are made qualified for heaven,
made fit for heaven by Christ, and we have redemption through
his precious blood, and the forgiveness of all our sins by the shedding
of his precious blood, and we are delivered from the power
of darkness, and we are translated, born again into the kingdom of
his dear son. And it's God who's done it all.
He's done it all. And as a result of this wondrous
salvation, the scripture declares, and again, this is fact. Turn,
if you would, to Romans chapter 8, verse 1. This fact here is
a result of the gospel of God's grace. This fact is proclaimed,
and this is the truth proclaimed. And let this comfort your hearts,
beloved. Let this just comfort your hearts. Romans chapter 8,
verse 1. The statement of fact is that
sinners who trust in Christ are no longer under condemnation
from God's law and justice. This is a statement of fact. There is therefore now no condemnation
In the Greek, it's judgment. There is therefore now no judgment
to them which are in Christ, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the spirit. That's a statement of fact, beloved.
No judgment for those in Christ Jesus. Again, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the spirit. My oh my. Turn, if you would, to Hebrews
chapter one. I told you we're gonna be turned around quite
a bit here Hebrews chapter 1 oh My do you know that before
Christ ascended to glory the sins of his people were already
removed and judicially purged by his precious blood That all
occurred at Calvary's cross That's why the words it is finished
are so important Our salvation was complete at Calvary's cross.
Remember, the scripture says he was raised for our justification,
to show that God was satisfied with the sacrifice. But as far
as the purchase of our souls, it was finished. Look at this,
Hebrews chapter one, verse three. Who being the brightness of his
glory and express image of his person, and upholding all things
by the word of his power, when he had by himself our sins sat
down on the right hand of the majesty on high when did he purge
our sins at Calvary's cross and then when the work was done he
sat down now this is a statement of fact that the Lord Jesus Christ
has purged the sins of his people that's a statement of fact and
who did it he did it by himself by himself the sacrifice of himself
he made atonement for the sins of his people he took our sins
upon him they were imputed to him and he bore them all he bore
them all he died under the penalty of them the perfect sinless spotless
lamb of God he died under the penalty of our sins and he abolished
them completely so completely that God says to
His people, I'll remember your sins and iniquities no more. That's God that said that. Oh, my. Praise be to God. Praise be to God. Turn, if you
would, to Revelation chapter one, verse five. Again, this
precious, precious truth of Christ having purged us from our sins
and washed us from our sins is brought forth again in Revelation
1, verse 5. The Scriptures declare of the
Lord Jesus Christ that he is the faithful witness and the
first begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the
earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in
his own blood. That's a statement of fact. Christ did that for all his people.
And we know when he washed us from our sins in his own blood,
we know the scripture says the life of the flesh is in the blood.
He gave his life for us. He died in our place, bearing
that wrath of God. And we know, too, he gave his
life up willingly, didn't he? Scripture says he gave up the
ghost. See, he's sinless, he's spotless
in his life and in his death, beloved. Death couldn't hold
him either, could it? He is raised for our justification,
hallelujah. Oh my, and as a result of this
wondrous salvation wrought in Christ alone, those who believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ by God-given faith shall never perish. Never
perish. Neither shall any of them pluck
them out of the Father's hand or out of the Christ's hand,
never. So beloved, if you are one of the redeemed of the Lord,
you already possess everlasting life. You already have it. You already
have full assurance of your salvation. Now we're gonna go through a
doormark death, aren't we? But that doesn't change our salvation
in Christ, does it? No, not at all. We're already
safe and secure right now, even amidst all the trials of this
world in Christ. And that door of death will just
be that, a door, won't it? It'll be a door into the presence
of our great God and our Savior. Because the minute we breathe
our last breath here, we'll be in the presence of the Lord.
The second we breathe our last breath. And who is the door of
the sheepfold? We'll turn, if you would, to
John chapter 10. John chapter 10. Who's the door of the sheepfold?
What's the Lord Jesus Christ, the one who said, there's no
other way to the Father but by me? John chapter 10, verses seven
to nine. He's the only way to glory. He's
the only way to the presence of the Father. He says this,
and again, again, this is not the words of a mere man. This
is the words of the word of God incarnate. And remember, this is a statement
of fact. Scriptures are statements of
facts. They're not to be debated. They're statements of facts.
Then said Jesus unto them, again, verse seven, verily, verily,
I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me
are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved and
shall go in and out and find pastors look at that statement
by him in verse 9 I am the door remember the highway there's
only one highway I am the door and that way is called the way
of holiness isn't it and that's in Christ in Christ alone he
says here I am the door by me singular If any man enter in,
man or woman, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find
pasture. That's the Word of God saying
that. Put your name in here as I read
this. I'll read it with my name, but
you put your name in here if you're a believer. I am the door. By me, if Wayne enter in, he
shall be saved. Oh my goodness. Shall. It's not maybe. It's not if you let me. They shall be saved. What an assurance of salvation
we see here. What an assurance of salvation.
We have much to rejoice about, don't we? We have a full salvation
in Christ and Him alone. And the scriptures declare that
the born-again, blood-washed saint of God who believes on
the Lord Jesus Christ right now possesses eternal life. It says
this in John 3, verse 36. He that believeth on the Son
hath everlasting life. Hath it right now. he that believeth not the Son
shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him my oh my let's go back to Colossians
chapter 2 and again we'll look at verses 8 and 10 here beloved of God those who believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ are already complete in him again
this is a statement of fact We are complete in Christ. What joy this can bring us! The
fact that we have a full salvation in Christ. And it's the Word of God that
assures us that we have that. And God cannot lie. Colossians chapter 2, verse 8. Beware lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after
the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. Beware of man's
religions of works. Beware of it. It's crafty. You see, just a pinch of works
destroys grace, right? Just a pinch of grace destroys.
They'll tell you there's something you have to do to be saved. And
that's a lie. The salvation is only in and
through the Lord Jesus Christ and him alone. And we're going
to see here that we're complete in him. Paul continues to write. He writes the next verse for
in him, that being Christ, dwell all the fullness of the Godhead
bodily. All the fullness of the Godhead
body. And you. He's writing to born-again, blood-washed
saints. Remember, this is for our learning,
right? And you, put your name in there. If you're a believer,
put your name in there. And you are complete in Christ,
which is the head of all principality and power. And you know what? We can say that's only by God's
grace and mercy. Well, then it gets better, though.
It gets better. Turn, if you would, to Ephesians
chapter 1. Last place we're going to turn, okay? Last place we're
going to turn. It gets better. Because all those who are trusting
in Christ alone is the only way of salvation are right now fully
accepted in the Beloved, in Christ. Which means we are fully accepted
by the one true holy God right now in Christ. Right now. Ephesians 1, verses 3-6. Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed
us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before
Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. It's all according to the good
pleasure of His will that we're saved. To the praise of the glory
of His grace, wherein He hath made us, what? Accepted in the
beloved. Right now. Right now. You and I who believe are accepted
in Christ. That's a statement of fact. Oh my, what a privilege for we
who are the people of God. We now rejoice over this wondrous
grace and mercy which has been shown to us in Christ Jesus.
We are now God's reconciled children. So let us rejoice in full assurance
this week. Let us think upon the things
that we've seen today. And let we who are the redeemed
of the Lord have full assurance of our salvation from the scriptures
in Christ, that this is a finished, complete work. It's done. And may God give us grace and
mercy and comfort us with these truths. God be the glory, amen
and amen. Heavenly Father, we thank you
for your manifold mercy and grace which is bestowed upon we who
are your people in Christ. We are so undeserving. We do
not merit your grace and mercy, and yet you bestow it upon us.
Glory to you, O Lord, honor and praises and blessings to you.
O Lord, let us think upon these things which we've looked at
today. Oh Lord, help us to rejoice in the midst of our trials. And
help us to rest in the full assurance of our salvation in and through
you, Lord Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen. We're going to sing number 236. I thought it was a fitting hymn
for after the wonderful message of God's full salvation in Christ,
that we would sing Amazing Grace. Because God's grace is truly
amazing, isn't it? It truly is. Let us stand up
and sing number 236. Amazing grace, how sweet the
sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now
am found, Was blind, but now I see, was grace that taught
my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved of precious fear. that grace appeared the hour
I first believed. Through many dangers, toils,
and snares, I have already come to this place and thought He's taking us far, and grace
will lead me home. When we've been there 10,000
years, bright shining as The sun we know that stays to sing
God's praise. And when we first begun.