TITLE: Can I Know for Sure?

TEXT: I John 5:10-13

PROPOSITION: God has given simple commands.  We can know if we have obeyed them or not.

QUESTION: Which?

KEY WORD: Commands

READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

          1. I John 5:13 "may know that you have eternal life"

          2. Many are not sure because:

                    A. Doctrine of apostasy

                    B. "Possibility" has become "Probability"

          3. YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE --- IF:

1. You study the Bible.

          A. Jn. 5:39 "search the scriptures"

          B. Ja. 1:21 "receive the word"

          C. 2 Tim. 2:15 "study to show thyself approved"

          D. 2 Pet. 3:18 "grow in grace and knowledge"

          E. Ac. 17:11 "they searched the scriptures daily"

2. You believe all that the Bible says.

          A. Jn. 20:30-31 "written that you might believe"

          B. Heb. 11:6 "without faith it is impossible to please"

          C. Jn. 12:48 "Same shall judge you in the last day"

3. You heed what the Bible says.

          A. Ja. 1:22 "not a forgetful hearer, but doer"

          B. Lk. 6:46 "Why call me, Lord?"

          C. Heb. 5:9 "learned obedience"

          D. Matt. 7:21 "he that doeth the will of my Father"

4. You repent.

          A. Lk. 13:3 "except ye repent"

          B. Ac. 17:30 "commands all men everywhere to repent"

          C. Ac. 2:38 "Repent and be baptized"

5. You confess your faith in Christ.

          A. Matt. 10:32-33 "Confess me before men"

          B. Ac. 8:37 "I believe ..."

          C. Rom. 10:9-10 "with the mouth confession is made"

6. You are scripturally baptized.

          A. Ac. 2:38 "Repent and be baptized"

          B. Rom. 6:4 "buried with him in baptism"

          C. Gal. 3:27 "baptized into his Christ, put on Christ"

7. You are in the Lord's church.

          A. Ac. 2:47 "Lord added to the church daily"

          B. Eph. 5:23 "savior of the body"

8. You worship properly.

          A. Jn. 4:24 "worship Him in spirit and truth"

9. You are putting Christ first in your life.

          A. Matt. 6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom"

          B. Mk. 12:30 "love God with heart, soul, mind, strength

10. You manifest a love for others.

          A. Jn. 13:35 "by this shall all men know"

          B. Mk. 12:31 "love thy neighbor as thyself"

11. You show your faith by your works.

          A. Ja. 2:24 "not by faith only"

          B. Ja. 2:26 "faith without works is dead"