Sermon Tone Analysis

Solemn Assembly: Spiritual Cleansing

Sermon / Week 1: Preparation of the heart; the certainty of your salvation.

(From appendix A and pages 15 & 16) (Consider Chambers 6/24; Reconciling one’s self to the fact of sin)

We have been bought with a price to be ambassadors of Christ and our salvation is nearer than when we believed so let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God so that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him in His coming.

The Day of Judgment:

Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

This passage has caused many Christians to question or even doubt their salvation.

However GOD is a GOD of order and He did not add this to HIS Bible so that we might be confused.

In fact HE made sure there was hope to be found in His Bible also.

In I John 5:13 He says “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Our Father has provided a way and a means of our being assured of our salvation.

Today we will cover some of the biblical indicators of salvation.

We will also look at some of the sources of doubt.

Biblical Indicators of Salvation: [1](pg91)

1. Genuine Christians testify to a real and personal relationship with Christ.

a.

This is why Christians often refer to Christianity not as a religion but as a way of life; a life spent in a personal relationship with GOD.

God has arraigned for us to know Him and to know that we know Him.

b.

John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

c.

Now you know if you know Him; you know if you pray to Him: you know if you have had a personal encounter with Him.

Perhaps you have forgotten that…

2. Saved people have experienced genuine conviction of sin and trust Christ alone for eternal life.

a. John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” The he is the Holy Spirit.

When the Holy Ghost comes upon you He will convict you of your sinfulness, of your sinful life.

It was through this touch of the Holy Ghost that you began to believe; you began to have faith.

Do you remember?

b.

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

It was nothing you did; it was all the working of the Holy Ghost in your heart.

It’s not by how much you know or how smart you are.

It’s not because you are a member of this or any other church that you are saved.

It is by His Grace, through your faith in Him, (your believing in Him), you were saved.

I want you to remember this: I want you to recall it if you can.

Do you remember when God saved you?

Do you remember a time when you were personally convicted by the Holy Spirit?

Do you recall a time when you fell upon your knees and confessed Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, asking Him to come into your heart.

Do you remember this encounter, this drawing of the Holy Spirit upon your life?

You should, but even if you can’t there is still hope because God provides a supernatural assurance also.

3. Genuine Christians possess a Supernatural Assurance:

a. Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

i.

The child of God has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

We are more than saved, we are empowered, Acts 1:8.

Listen, that Holy Spirit in you will stir your heart to do things you used to not would do; you wouldn’t even consider some things.

Perhaps you’ve noticed the difference in yourself.

Are you the same as you use to be? Do you find you hunger for the word of God.

4. Children of God exhibit a hunger for spiritual growth:

a.

I John 3:3 “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

i.

The hope of Christ; the hope of eternal life.

We purify ourselves by reading and studying the word of God.

To willfully live in sin would make us, the Christian, miserable.

If you are willfully living in sin without remorse then you are not saved; you are still dead in your trespasses and sin.

b.

If we have been quickened, that is made alive, and we have, then we should be hungry for growth.

We want to be closer to GOD; we want to sense His presence.

5. Genuine Christians sense God’s presence and hear His voice.

The word of God says so.

a. John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

b.

Where do you stand in this regard?

If you have a longing to know Christ then it cannot be explained except by the fact that you are hearing the wooing of the Holy Spirit.

It is HIS voice that is calling you.

6. True Christians have a love for the church.

a.

I John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.

He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

b.

You know your heart.

Do you love the people of this church?

If you do not have a desire to fellowship with the brethren then you are not saved.

There is your indication.

7. Before and after experience.

a. II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

b.

Most people can describe a before and after experience in terms of their salvation.

Can you?

Sources of Doubt:

1.

You have simply backslidden and grown cold.

This can occur by lack of fellowship.

It can also occur from a lack of discipleship.

a. Forsake not the fellowship.

With the fellowship comes growth.

i. Sunday school & Preaching.

2. You may be saved, but Satan is constantly accusing and creating doubt.

Revelation 12:10 says this accuser will be cast down; “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

Satan will do everything he can to cause you to doubt; it stunts your spiritual growth.

You are in the midst of a spiritual warfare; you will need to know the scriptures in order to battle against spiritual demons that confront you.

3. False profession.

You may indeed be one of thousands of lost church members who made a profession that wasn’t real.

This was not intentional on your part.

Perhaps you were too young to understand or perhaps you were going along with friends that too may or may not have been experiencing real salvation.

Conclusion to the thought and an ending to the service

James 4: 8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.