Sermon Tone Analysis

Genuine Christianity

Tests for genuineness

Right Belief

Right Behavior

Right Attitude

Obedient Living

Practice of Love

Right Attitude

Is our relationship with God genuine?

Proof of Salvation

Historical Illustration

Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758

One of the most influential preachers during the Great Awakening.

(along with George Whitfield)

Sinner in the hands of an Angry God

People were repenting, embracing the gospel.

Naturally, many questioned whether or not they were truly saved.

What is the litmus test?

How can we know, that we know, that we are saved.

From his book “A Treatise on Religious Affections”

THERE is no question whatsoever, that is of greater importance to mankind, and what is more concerns every individual person to be well resolved in, than this: What are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favor with God, and entitled to his eternal rewards?

Or, which comes to the same thing, What is the nature of true religion?

And wherein do lie the distinguishing notes of that virtue and holiness that is acceptable in the sight of God?

How do we know that we are saved?

Edwards would answer that this way: By our affections.

“Godliness in the heart has direct relation to practice, as a fountain has to a stream...” Chap 6

Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758

One of the most influential preachers during the Great Awakening.

(along with George Whitfield)

Sinner in the hands of an Angry God

People were repenting, embracing the gospel.

Naturally, many questioned whether or not they were truly saved.

What is the litmus test?

How can we know, that we know, that we are saved.

From his book “A Treatise on Religious Affections”

THERE is no question whatsoever, that is of greater importance to mankind, and what is more concerns every individual person to be well resolved in, than this: What are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favor with God, and entitled to his eternal rewards?

Or, which comes to the same thing, What is the nature of true religion?

And wherein do lie the distinguishing notes of that virtue and holiness that is acceptable in the sight of God?

Holy Affections

And sby this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Love in the heart

1

A Treatise on Religious Affection

epub

We start with a preposition and a pronoun.

“By this...”

By what? this refers to the previous pericope.

love for one another.

Based on our love for one another we can have assurance.

Look at the preceding verse.

1 John 3:20

Lets talk about conscience.

First, what is it?

Conscience: συνείδησις syneídēsis; see nae dee sees

from syn (together) and eido (know)

literally join knowing (to join the spiritual and moral consciousness)

Pre salvation:

We are desensitized.

Post Salvation

Our conscience has been redeemed, cleaned, purified.

Here is the dilemma: Our conscience does convict us.

What do we do about that?

is important to understand, although it is quite difficult.

What is John saying here?

Assurance.

God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

It is important to understand, although it is quite difficult what John is saying here.

First of all, Remember John is writing to believers.

Just like today, believers in John’s time struggled with assurance.

Frequently in John’s letter he address this.

Assurance.

Let me give you a better translation and make it personal.

Better translation.

“In whatever your heart condemns you.”

This should speak solidly to us, as believers.

What do we do with this dilemma?

All of us are born with a conscience.

Distinction between an unbeliever’s conscience and a believer’s conscience.

Unbeliever

Our conscience has a tendency to focus on our failures.

Causing us to doubt our salvation.

God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

“Since God sees all things, he is far superior to our hearts.... the knowledge of God penetrates deeper than the perceptions of our conscience (Calvin)

God hates sin more than we do.

God knows our hearts better than we do.

God knows the worst that is in us.

Yet, despite knowing what he knows about us, He justified us.

He made us righteous.

Know that God knows our heart better than we d

That was love for others, now lets talk about love for God.

Our actions manifest the truth that is within us.

Its not just proclamation, but occupation.

Our love (verb/action) for our brothers and sisters demonstrate that the truth abides in us.

We are not talking about the distinction between the unsaved and the saved.

John is addressing the believer here and specifically our heart as it pertains to loving one another and the truth of the gospel.

Believer

Our actions manifest the truth that is within us.

Its not just proclamation, but occupation.

Our love (verb/action) for our brothers and sisters demonstrate that the truth abides in us.

Evidence of

When we walk in obedience, we give no room for insecurity.