100:00:00,860 –> 00:00:08,660If you want to grow in assurance, here are the things you must pursue. These are200:00:08,660 –> 00:00:13,280the things to which God calls us for a lifetime. Obey his commands, love his300:00:13,280 –> 00:00:19,340people, believe in his Son. Now these directions, if you take them to heart,400:00:19,340 –> 00:00:26,240will suggest some questions that you can ask yourself if you are lacking500:00:26,340 –> 00:00:31,760assurance, or if you’re trying to help someone who is wondering whether they600:00:31,760 –> 00:00:35,279really are a Christian. Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor700:00:35,279 –> 00:00:39,320Colin Smith. I’m David Pick, glad you could be with us today. And Colin,800:00:39,320 –> 00:00:44,799sometimes when believers say they don’t have full assurance of salvation, it’s900:00:44,799 –> 00:00:49,200not entirely clear if that is the issue or whether they’re maybe talking about1000:00:49,200 –> 00:00:55,320something else. The way that we speak often reflects the thoughts of our1100:00:55,400 –> 00:01:00,080hearts, and so quite often you’ll have a conversation, perhaps, with someone who1200:01:00,080 –> 00:01:05,360says, well you know I believe, but am I the real deal? I mean, I sometimes wonder,1300:01:05,360 –> 00:01:11,279have I really confessed my sins. Have I have a really believed, or with regards1400:01:11,279 –> 00:01:15,639to Heaven, I hope that I’ll get there in the end. I mean, these are ways of1500:01:15,639 –> 00:01:21,440speaking that reflect a certain doubt, a hesitancy, a sense of I’m not really1600:01:22,199 –> 00:01:26,139confident,’ and therefore such a person doesn’t have a great deal of joy or a1700:01:26,139 –> 00:01:30,519great deal of peace. The good news is that God wants you to have peace, God1800:01:30,519 –> 00:01:35,400wants you to have joy, to enjoy your relationship with Him. But if you’re to1900:01:35,400 –> 00:01:39,760enjoy a relationship, you have to be secure in it, and that’s what John is2000:01:39,760 –> 00:01:45,239writing to us about. He’s telling us how to have a greater degree of security in2100:01:45,239 –> 00:01:49,120our relationship with Christ, the greater confidence, the greater peace, and the2200:01:50,120 –> 00:01:53,199Well, that’s what we’re going to be hearing about today, so join us if2300:01:53,199 –> 00:01:59,519you can in 1 John 2. As we continue the message, assurance grows as you2400:01:59,519 –> 00:02:03,000believe in God’s Son. Here is Colin.2500:02:03,000 –> 00:02:07,300God has declared that Jesus is His Son through His2600:02:07,300 –> 00:02:14,279baptism. He has demonstrated that Jesus is His Son by raising him from the dead,2700:02:15,139 –> 00:02:22,320and He has shown us that Jesus is His Son by sending His Spirit2800:02:22,320 –> 00:02:31,240into our hearts. God has borne testimony concerning His Son.2900:02:31,240 –> 00:02:35,539I want you to notice one more thing that’s very important that John3000:02:35,539 –> 00:02:43,860says about believing in Jesus. And that is that God commands us to believe.3100:02:43,899 –> 00:02:50,759Look at Chapter 3 in verse 23 and this is His Commandment.3200:02:50,759 –> 00:02:57,839That we believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another3300:02:57,839 –> 00:03:05,039just as He has commanded us. Do you realize this? God commands you to believe3400:03:05,039 –> 00:03:11,360in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repent and believe. That’s a command.3500:03:11,479 –> 00:03:20,259Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is a command and John says in his Gospel3600:03:20,259 –> 00:03:25,960chapter 3 in verse 18, whoever believes in Him is not condemned.3700:03:25,960 –> 00:03:33,000What a wonderful promise that is. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned.3800:03:33,000 –> 00:03:39,600But whoever does not believe, is condemned already3900:03:39,639 –> 00:03:47,919because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.4000:03:47,919 –> 00:03:56,300See, if you do not believe in the Son of God, you are in defiance of God’s command.4100:03:56,300 –> 00:04:00,419I mean, you can’t just shrug your shoulder and say, well you know,4200:04:00,419 –> 00:04:03,119this is good for people who are interested in it.4300:04:03,119 –> 00:04:07,199God commands you to believe in His Son and if you do not believe in His Son4400:04:07,199 –> 00:04:09,339you are in defiance of His command.4500:04:09,339 –> 00:04:11,619That means that you are in grave spiritual danger.4600:04:11,619 –> 00:04:15,580Condemnation hangs right over you.4700:04:15,580 –> 00:04:17,679And that is why it is so wonderful that God gives4800:04:17,679 –> 00:04:23,119such a free and open invitation to every person who will hear His Word.4900:04:23,119 –> 00:04:26,339On John chapter 2 and verse 23,5000:04:26,339 –> 00:04:32,660whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.5100:04:32,660 –> 00:04:35,679You can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ5200:04:35,679 –> 00:04:38,899if you will confess faith in Him.5300:04:38,899 –> 00:04:41,359Then in 1John chapter 5 verse 12,5400:04:41,359 –> 00:04:44,380whoever has the Son has life.5500:04:44,380 –> 00:04:49,600Whoever, whoever, and whoever is big enough to include you.5600:04:49,600 –> 00:04:54,459However long you have been defiant towards God.5700:04:54,459 –> 00:04:59,839Believe the testimony of God Himself regarding His Son today.5800:04:59,839 –> 00:05:03,000Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,5900:05:03,000 –> 00:05:06,739and the Son will be yours,6000:05:06,739 –> 00:05:10,299and the Father will be yours,6100:05:10,299 –> 00:05:15,200and life will be yours.6200:05:15,200 –> 00:05:18,720Now we’ve looked then at what we believe about Jesus,6300:05:18,720 –> 00:05:20,459He is the Christ,6400:05:20,459 –> 00:05:22,440He is the Son of God.6500:05:22,440 –> 00:05:25,959We’ve looked at why we believe in Jesus.6600:05:25,959 –> 00:05:28,779Because of the testimony of God Himself,6700:05:29,220 –> 00:05:31,500that matters more than any other,6800:05:31,500 –> 00:05:33,760seen in His Word,6900:05:33,760 –> 00:05:37,420seen in His raising of His Son from the dead,7000:05:37,420 –> 00:05:40,859and born witness to by sending His Spirit7100:05:40,859 –> 00:05:45,179to convince us in our hearts and in our minds.7200:05:45,179 –> 00:05:49,679Now we’ve been three weeks in this series in 1 John7300:05:49,679 –> 00:05:54,019and we’ve been looking at how we know7400:05:54,019 –> 00:05:56,579that we really are in Christ,7500:05:56,679 –> 00:05:59,339and how we know that we are true Christians.7600:05:59,339 –> 00:06:04,339And we’ve seen three themes that John keeps returning to,7700:06:04,540 –> 00:06:06,739obeying God’s commands,7800:06:06,739 –> 00:06:08,279loving God’s people,7900:06:08,279 –> 00:06:11,940and now today, believing in God’s Son.8000:06:12,779 –> 00:06:16,760Now I want you to see in our last part this morning8100:06:16,760 –> 00:06:21,760that John uses these three themes in three distinct ways.8200:06:23,179 –> 00:06:25,820He uses them as tests8300:06:26,940 –> 00:06:30,420he uses them as directions8400:06:30,420 –> 00:06:34,000and he uses them as signs.8500:06:34,000 –> 00:06:37,700So you could think of this as a kind of extended application.8600:06:37,700 –> 00:06:40,260How are these things used?8700:06:40,260 –> 00:06:43,959And how are we to use them today?8800:06:43,959 –> 00:06:48,959First, John uses them as tests.8900:06:49,140 –> 00:06:50,980Obeying God’s commands,9000:06:50,980 –> 00:06:52,480loving God’s people,9100:06:52,480 –> 00:06:55,140and believing in God’s Son9200:06:55,140 –> 00:06:58,640really mark the boundary line9300:06:58,640 –> 00:07:03,640between spiritual death and spiritual life.9400:07:03,760 –> 00:07:05,779These are the tests therefore9500:07:05,779 –> 00:07:08,739by which the church may discern9600:07:08,739 –> 00:07:11,920who really is a Christian.9700:07:13,540 –> 00:07:17,000Does a person know God9800:07:17,000 –> 00:07:20,100simply because he or she says that they do?9900:07:20,859 –> 00:07:25,140John’s answer would be no, no.10000:07:25,140 –> 00:07:29,940The world is full of false claims10100:07:29,940 –> 00:07:32,440as all of you know well.10200:07:32,440 –> 00:07:35,440And claims must be backed by evidence10300:07:35,440 –> 00:07:38,359and the evidence that a person really knows God10400:07:38,359 –> 00:07:42,059or truly is in Christ is that they obey God’s commands,10500:07:42,059 –> 00:07:45,559love God’s people, and believe in God’s Son.10600:07:45,959 –> 00:07:50,959So I want you to notice how strongly John speaks10700:07:51,040 –> 00:07:54,579about those of whom these things are not true10800:07:54,579 –> 00:07:57,880because he’s using them you see as tests10900:07:57,880 –> 00:08:01,399so that you know those who are making false claims11000:08:01,399 –> 00:08:03,119and that’s really important.11100:08:04,359 –> 00:08:05,959Chapter two and verse four.11200:08:07,000 –> 00:08:09,779Whoever says I know Him11300:08:11,000 –> 00:08:14,359but does not keep His commands is a liar.11400:08:16,200 –> 00:08:18,320And the truth is not in Him.11500:08:19,420 –> 00:08:20,359So you see what he’s saying.11600:08:20,359 –> 00:08:22,739Be in no doubt about this.11700:08:22,739 –> 00:08:26,119A person who may claim to be a Christian11800:08:26,119 –> 00:08:30,119but lives in a way that is knowingly resisting God’s command11900:08:30,119 –> 00:08:34,119and continues to do so, the truth is not in that person.12000:08:36,000 –> 00:08:38,059If he claims to know God12100:08:38,059 –> 00:08:41,299while continuing to resist God’s commands,12200:08:41,299 –> 00:08:42,320he’s a liar.12300:08:42,320 –> 00:08:43,840That’s the word John uses.12400:08:45,640 –> 00:08:47,780Notice how he says precisely the same thing12500:08:47,780 –> 00:08:51,460with regards to the second test, loving God’s people.12600:08:51,460 –> 00:08:53,140Chapter four and verse 20.12700:08:53,140 –> 00:08:58,140If anyone says I love God and hates his brother,12800:09:00,539 –> 00:09:01,640he is a liar.12900:09:03,239 –> 00:09:07,179So you see, here is a person who sounds very spiritual.13000:09:07,179 –> 00:09:10,239He claims to be a true lover of God13100:09:10,239 –> 00:09:12,020but when you listen to what he’s saying13200:09:12,020 –> 00:09:13,700in regards to others, there’s a great deal13300:09:13,700 –> 00:09:15,260of hatred that comes out of him.13400:09:15,440 –> 00:09:18,359And John says you could know for sure that man’s a liar.13500:09:19,580 –> 00:09:21,859He lies if he claims to know God13600:09:21,859 –> 00:09:23,539but does not keep the commandments.13700:09:23,539 –> 00:09:26,140He lies if he claims to love God13800:09:26,140 –> 00:09:27,640but does not love his brother.13900:09:29,460 –> 00:09:33,299And he lies if he claims to be from God14000:09:33,299 –> 00:09:36,919but does not confess or believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.14100:09:36,919 –> 00:09:38,859Again, look at chapter two and verse 22.14200:09:38,859 –> 00:09:40,700Who is the liar?14300:09:41,020 –> 00:09:45,700But he who denies that Jesus is the Christ,14400:09:46,559 –> 00:09:49,419this is the Antichrist,14500:09:49,419 –> 00:09:53,119he who denies the Father and the Son.14600:09:54,739 –> 00:09:56,859Now isn’t that very striking?14700:09:56,859 –> 00:09:59,700He set out three tests14800:10:00,719 –> 00:10:03,140and he uses the word liar,14900:10:03,140 –> 00:10:07,219could hardly use a stronger word in regards to each of them.15000:10:07,979 –> 00:10:10,359Liar, liar, liar.15100:10:13,219 –> 00:10:16,820That’s strong language and it needs to be15200:10:16,820 –> 00:10:21,799because you see John is laying out the line of demarcation.15300:10:23,780 –> 00:10:27,119Jesus said, by their fruits you shall know them.15400:10:28,400 –> 00:10:31,859A bad tree produces bad fruit15500:10:32,140 –> 00:10:34,940and defiance of God’s command,15600:10:35,780 –> 00:10:38,200hatred towards God’s people,15700:10:38,200 –> 00:10:41,440and denying that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God15800:10:41,440 –> 00:10:46,440are bad fruits, no matter what a person may claim.15900:10:49,039 –> 00:10:52,580So, obeying God’s commands, loving God’s people16000:10:52,580 –> 00:10:56,979and believing in God’s sin, are tests16100:10:56,979 –> 00:11:01,739by which we may discern those who are truthful.16200:11:02,700 –> 00:11:06,359Those who are not truthful continue to suffer16300:11:06,359 –> 00:11:07,359in Christ.16400:11:08,940 –> 00:11:10,099You’re listening to Open the Bible16500:11:10,099 –> 00:11:11,200with Pastor Colin Smith16600:11:11,200 –> 00:11:12,700and we’ll come back in a moment16700:11:12,700 –> 00:11:15,900and look at two other ways we can use this teaching.16800:11:15,900 –> 00:11:17,419The message is called,16900:11:17,419 –> 00:11:20,419Assurance Grows As You Believe in God’s Son17000:11:20,419 –> 00:11:21,859and it’s part of our series,17100:11:21,859 –> 00:11:23,859How Can I Be Sure All About17200:11:23,859 –> 00:11:26,179Receiving Assurance of Salvation?17300:11:26,179 –> 00:11:28,900And if you’ve tuned in late or if you have to leave early17400:11:29,260 –> 00:11:32,500the website, open the bible.org.uk.17500:11:32,500 –> 00:11:33,780Back to the message now.17600:11:33,780 –> 00:11:35,539Here again is Colin.17700:11:35,539 –> 00:11:38,219Obeying, loving and believing17800:11:38,219 –> 00:11:40,460are God’s directions17900:11:40,460 –> 00:11:42,700for our lives.18000:11:42,700 –> 00:11:45,820God calls us to obey his commands,18100:11:45,820 –> 00:11:48,299love his people, believe in his son.18200:11:48,299 –> 00:11:50,659You know the Christian life is essentially very simple.18300:11:50,659 –> 00:11:53,539It boils down to these three things doesn’t it?18400:11:53,539 –> 00:11:54,820Obey his commands,18500:11:54,820 –> 00:11:56,419love his people,18600:11:56,419 –> 00:11:57,739believe in his son.18700:11:57,859 –> 00:11:59,859These are the things that we are to cultivate.18800:11:59,859 –> 00:12:01,859These are the things that we are to pursue.18900:12:01,859 –> 00:12:05,500These are the means by which assurance will grow.19000:12:07,539 –> 00:12:11,859Now these directions, if you take them to heart,19100:12:11,859 –> 00:12:15,260will suggest some questions19200:12:15,260 –> 00:12:17,340that you can ask yourself19300:12:17,340 –> 00:12:19,179if you are lacking assurance19400:12:19,179 –> 00:12:22,260or if you’re trying to help someone19500:12:22,260 –> 00:12:25,859who is wondering whether they really are a Christian19600:12:25,859 –> 00:12:28,539and they’re struggling with this whole question19700:12:28,539 –> 00:12:31,739of assurance, there are some questions19800:12:31,739 –> 00:12:35,299that are suggested by these directions19900:12:35,299 –> 00:12:36,559that you may find useful.20000:12:36,559 –> 00:12:39,280I find them useful often.20100:12:39,280 –> 00:12:42,239Here’s the most obvious first one.20200:12:42,239 –> 00:12:45,580Just to ask is there a command of God20300:12:47,080 –> 00:12:49,179that you are choosing not to obey?20400:12:50,500 –> 00:12:52,760You know that you’re living in defiance of God20500:12:52,840 –> 00:12:53,679in this area.20600:12:55,179 –> 00:12:57,200There’s a command of God that you’re20700:12:57,200 –> 00:13:00,559perfectly well aware of and you continue20800:13:00,559 –> 00:13:03,140to choose not to obey it.20900:13:04,799 –> 00:13:07,719Well, don’t be very surprised then21000:13:07,719 –> 00:13:09,820if you don’t have much assurance, you see.21100:13:11,739 –> 00:13:16,739Or is there a brother or sister against whom21200:13:17,479 –> 00:13:20,960you are carrying bitterness and resentment?21300:13:21,599 –> 00:13:26,320Well, don’t be surprised, you’ve allowed21400:13:26,320 –> 00:13:28,539it to settle into your heart.21500:13:29,500 –> 00:13:31,320It’s begun to fester.21600:13:33,320 –> 00:13:37,440Well, don’t be surprised if you’re struggling21700:13:37,440 –> 00:13:39,200with regards to assurance.21800:13:41,039 –> 00:13:44,159Or thirdly, are you relying on your attempt21900:13:44,159 –> 00:13:46,400to live the Christian life rather than22000:13:46,400 –> 00:13:48,840really relying on Jesus?22100:13:49,559 –> 00:13:54,559Then, it shouldn’t be surprising that you lack assurance.22200:13:55,840 –> 00:13:59,440If you are trying to help someone22300:13:59,440 –> 00:14:02,239who is struggling with assurance,22400:14:02,239 –> 00:14:04,919it will be helpful for you to ask very simply,22500:14:04,919 –> 00:14:09,919just talk to me about what you believe regarding Jesus.22600:14:10,679 –> 00:14:14,440Try to discern are they trusting the Son of God22700:14:14,440 –> 00:14:17,140who loved them and gave himself for him22800:14:17,140 –> 00:14:20,460or are they trusting themselves,22900:14:20,460 –> 00:14:23,039their record of service,23000:14:23,039 –> 00:14:25,380their self-discipline,23100:14:25,380 –> 00:14:27,859their pursuit of a godly life.23200:14:29,299 –> 00:14:31,159Well, you see what John is telling us?23300:14:31,159 –> 00:14:34,140If you want to grow in assurance,23400:14:34,140 –> 00:14:35,919here are the things you must pursue.23500:14:35,919 –> 00:14:39,580These are the things to which God calls us for a lifetime.23600:14:39,580 –> 00:14:42,179And as you pursue them, you will grow in assurance.23700:14:42,179 –> 00:14:43,020What are they?23800:14:43,020 –> 00:14:45,700Obeying God’s commands, loving God’s people,23900:14:45,719 –> 00:14:47,280believing in God’s Son.24000:14:47,280 –> 00:14:50,140Let these three shape your life.24100:14:51,260 –> 00:14:56,260And as they shape your life, you will grow in assurance.24200:14:58,219 –> 00:15:00,599The last thing, and to me, the most wonderful.24300:15:00,599 –> 00:15:03,219This has been what has gripped my mind and my heart24400:15:03,219 –> 00:15:05,539with great joy as I’ve studied 1 John.24500:15:06,919 –> 00:15:10,739That John uses these primarily,24600:15:10,739 –> 00:15:12,679they are tests and they are directions,24700:15:12,679 –> 00:15:17,679but primarily John lays them before us as signs.24800:15:20,380 –> 00:15:24,500You see, John is supremely confident24900:15:25,359 –> 00:15:29,359that the people to whom he writes really are Christians.25000:15:29,359 –> 00:15:32,460He’s not trying to fail them in a test.25100:15:32,460 –> 00:15:34,599He’s teaching them how to recognize25200:15:34,599 –> 00:15:37,140those who are defiant towards God,25300:15:37,140 –> 00:15:39,219but he’s very confident that the people25400:15:39,219 –> 00:15:41,799to whom he writes really are Christians.25500:15:42,039 –> 00:15:44,599And you see that very clearly in chapter two,25600:15:44,599 –> 00:15:46,460for example, in verse 12,25700:15:46,460 –> 00:15:49,159I am writing to you, little children,25800:15:49,159 –> 00:15:52,359because your sins are forgiven.25900:15:53,640 –> 00:15:54,960You couldn’t get a clearer statement26000:15:54,960 –> 00:15:56,059than that, could you?26100:15:57,239 –> 00:15:59,359And writing to you as forgiven people.26200:16:00,500 –> 00:16:02,320Or chapter two in verse 13,26300:16:02,320 –> 00:16:04,039I am writing to you, fathers,26400:16:04,039 –> 00:16:08,700because you know Him who is from the beginning.26500:16:09,799 –> 00:16:11,599My dear friends, John would say,26600:16:12,080 –> 00:16:12,919if he was in this pulpit,26700:16:12,919 –> 00:16:15,719I’m speaking to you today as forgiven people26800:16:15,719 –> 00:16:17,900and as people who know God.26900:16:18,820 –> 00:16:22,679Then look at the next verse, verse 14.27000:16:22,679 –> 00:16:24,340I am writing to you, young men,27100:16:24,340 –> 00:16:28,400because you have overcome the evil one.27200:16:28,400 –> 00:16:30,679Well, these could hardly be stronger27300:16:30,679 –> 00:16:33,479or clearer statements of confidence27400:16:33,479 –> 00:16:37,020that these people really are in Christ.27500:16:37,900 –> 00:16:42,419And so, when John speaks about obeying God’s commands27600:16:42,419 –> 00:16:44,919and loving God’s people and believing in God’s son,27700:16:44,919 –> 00:16:50,119he is speaking about things that he clearly sees in them.27800:16:50,119 –> 00:16:52,380And we know from chapter five and verse 1327900:16:52,380 –> 00:16:53,940that the reason that he’s writing28000:16:53,940 –> 00:16:56,179is that the things he sees in them,28100:16:56,179 –> 00:17:00,979he wants to be sure that they see in themselves.28200:17:00,979 –> 00:17:04,380He’s writing to help us recognize28300:17:04,660 –> 00:17:08,380the work of God in our own lives.28400:17:08,380 –> 00:17:14,199And he gives us these three unmistakable signs.28500:17:14,199 –> 00:17:18,439And so, I want you to see how he uses them28600:17:18,439 –> 00:17:22,459and to encourage you with these words.28700:17:22,459 –> 00:17:25,739John says, chapter five and verse one,28800:17:25,739 –> 00:17:30,060with regards to our believing in Jesus,28900:17:30,060 –> 00:17:35,439everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ29000:17:35,439 –> 00:17:39,979has been born of God.29100:17:39,979 –> 00:17:43,040Now notice the tense.29200:17:43,040 –> 00:17:45,380John does not say everyone who believes29300:17:45,380 –> 00:17:47,619will be born of God as if this was something29400:17:47,619 –> 00:17:50,020that was still to happen to you.29500:17:50,020 –> 00:17:58,000He says everyone who believes has been born of God.29600:17:58,040 –> 00:18:01,319God gave you new life, he’s saying,29700:18:01,319 –> 00:18:03,599and here’s how you know it.29800:18:03,599 –> 00:18:06,280The sign that he has done this in you29900:18:06,280 –> 00:18:12,140is that you believe in his son.30000:18:12,140 –> 00:18:13,760And then he says precisely the same30100:18:13,760 –> 00:18:16,239with regards to loving God’s people.30200:18:16,239 –> 00:18:18,880Chapter four and verse seven.30300:18:18,880 –> 00:18:22,699Beloved, let us love one another,30400:18:22,699 –> 00:18:25,099for love is from God.30500:18:25,099 –> 00:18:27,380And whoever loves, here it is again,30600:18:27,380 –> 00:18:32,420has been born of God and knows God.30700:18:32,420 –> 00:18:34,640Again, notice the tense.30800:18:34,640 –> 00:18:38,300He is not saying, if you love, and if you love enough,30900:18:38,300 –> 00:18:39,459then at some point in the future,31000:18:39,459 –> 00:18:40,699you will be born of God.31100:18:40,699 –> 00:18:42,280No, he is saying,31200:18:42,280 –> 00:18:47,020whoever loves has been born of God.31300:18:47,020 –> 00:18:51,060You’re believing proves that you are born of God.31400:18:51,060 –> 00:18:54,300You’re loving proves that you have been born of God.31500:18:54,339 –> 00:18:57,939Be encouraged, be strengthened, be reassured by this.31600:18:57,939 –> 00:19:00,579God has given you new life31700:19:00,579 –> 00:19:02,619and here is the evidence of it.31800:19:03,660 –> 00:19:06,579And of course, he says exactly the same thing31900:19:06,579 –> 00:19:08,219about obeying God’s commands,32000:19:08,219 –> 00:19:10,420that’s in chapter two in verse 29.32100:19:10,420 –> 00:19:13,160You may be sure, notice that,32200:19:14,280 –> 00:19:16,680that everyone who practices righteousness32300:19:16,680 –> 00:19:19,699has been born of him.32400:19:20,040 –> 00:19:20,880Him!32500:19:22,680 –> 00:19:23,800Not if you’ve be enough.32600:19:23,800 –> 00:19:25,880Maybe one day you will be born of God.32700:19:27,579 –> 00:19:29,560Everyone who practices righteousness,32800:19:29,560 –> 00:19:31,660you’re seeking to live according to God’s command,32900:19:31,660 –> 00:19:34,020that’s the surest evidence that you could have.33000:19:35,359 –> 00:19:39,040That you have been born of God.33100:19:40,140 –> 00:19:43,839Here are the signs of spiritual life.33200:19:45,359 –> 00:19:49,640Here is the proof that you are in Christ.33300:19:50,560 –> 00:19:52,479Here are things brother, sister33400:19:52,479 –> 00:19:55,540that you can see in yourself33500:19:56,599 –> 00:19:58,880and they will confirm to you33600:20:00,040 –> 00:20:03,260that you have been born of God.33700:20:04,359 –> 00:20:08,459A good tree produces good fruit33800:20:09,619 –> 00:20:14,180and the good fruit of God’s redeeming work in our lives33900:20:14,180 –> 00:20:18,099is that we believe in his son, we love his people34000:20:18,119 –> 00:20:21,839and we are seeking to be obey his command.34100:20:23,260 –> 00:20:24,939And the very last thing is this34200:20:26,079 –> 00:20:30,380that I’m sure there’s going to be some discouraged person,34300:20:30,380 –> 00:20:32,939I’m trying to think about the most discouraged34400:20:32,939 –> 00:20:35,900Christian in the congregation this morning34500:20:35,900 –> 00:20:38,380and what will the most discouraged Christian34600:20:38,380 –> 00:20:40,640in the congregation this morning say?34700:20:40,640 –> 00:20:43,900He or she will probably say well pastor34800:20:43,900 –> 00:20:45,140I hear what you’re saying,34900:20:45,140 –> 00:20:47,459I see it in the First Letter of John35000:20:47,500 –> 00:20:50,400but I’m not sure how much of this fruit35100:20:50,400 –> 00:20:52,239I can see in my life.35200:20:54,500 –> 00:20:55,859To which I would say35300:20:57,719 –> 00:20:59,739how many apples do you need to see35400:20:59,739 –> 00:21:01,520before you can safely conclude35500:21:01,520 –> 00:21:03,760that what you’re looking at is an apple tree?35600:21:06,560 –> 00:21:07,439Not many.35700:21:09,280 –> 00:21:12,339The tree may not be loaded with fruit35800:21:14,060 –> 00:21:16,780but if you can see even a few small apples35900:21:17,819 –> 00:21:21,939you can say with confidence that’s an apple tree36000:21:23,739 –> 00:21:25,420and you see what John is saying?36100:21:27,660 –> 00:21:29,900Brothers, sisters, you’re in Christ36200:21:31,300 –> 00:21:35,819and I want you to know and to enjoy this wonderful reality.36300:21:37,000 –> 00:21:40,579So here is the sure and unmistakeable evidence36400:21:40,579 –> 00:21:42,900that you really are a Christian.36500:21:42,900 –> 00:21:45,380Settle it in your mind and in your heart.36600:21:45,380 –> 00:21:49,839You believe in God’s son, you love God’s people36700:21:49,839 –> 00:21:52,660and you are seeking to obey God’s command.36800:21:54,739 –> 00:21:57,479This fruit will be a sign to you36900:21:59,339 –> 00:22:03,319and the more you see these things in your life,37000:22:04,680 –> 00:22:07,380the more you will have peace and joy37100:22:07,380 –> 00:22:11,300in knowing that you really are in Christ.37200:22:12,180 –> 00:22:13,020In Christ.37300:22:14,579 –> 00:22:16,260You’ve been listening to Open the Bible37400:22:16,260 –> 00:22:17,859with pastor Colin Smith37500:22:17,859 –> 00:22:18,819and the message called,37600:22:18,819 –> 00:22:21,819Assurance grows as you believe in God’s son.37700:22:21,819 –> 00:22:23,439And I hope as you’ve been listening today37800:22:23,439 –> 00:22:26,500that it’s helped you to understand the questions37900:22:26,500 –> 00:22:29,699that pastor Colin was asking there.38000:22:29,699 –> 00:22:31,180Don’t forget if you ever want to listen38100:22:31,180 –> 00:22:32,579to one of the messages again,38200:22:32,579 –> 00:22:34,400you can always do that by coming online38300:22:34,400 –> 00:22:38,260to our website, openthebible.org.uk38400:22:38,319 –> 00:22:41,420or find us as a podcast on all the main podcast sites38500:22:41,420 –> 00:22:42,979search for openthebible.uk38600:22:43,900 –> 00:22:44,979Also on our website,38700:22:44,979 –> 00:22:47,420don’t forget about open the Bible daily,38800:22:47,420 –> 00:22:50,900a series of short two to three minute daily reflections38900:22:50,900 –> 00:22:52,760based on pastor Colin’s teaching39000:22:52,760 –> 00:22:55,380and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish.39100:22:55,380 –> 00:22:59,160Open the Bible is supported financially by our listeners,39200:22:59,160 –> 00:23:01,099by many groups and individuals39300:23:01,099 –> 00:23:05,099who make generous donations regularly, or just once.39400:23:05,099 –> 00:23:07,939If you’re considering becoming one of our contributors,39500:23:07,939 –> 00:23:09,660thank you so much.39600:23:09,660 –> 00:23:11,939You can give online at our website,39700:23:11,939 –> 00:23:15,199which makes it easy to set up either a one-off gift39800:23:15,199 –> 00:23:17,219or a regular direct debit.39900:23:17,219 –> 00:23:19,079Just click on the donate button40000:23:19,079 –> 00:23:21,140at the top right of your computer screen40100:23:21,140 –> 00:23:24,560or at the bottom of the dropdown menu on your phone.40200:23:24,560 –> 00:23:26,920Here’s open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham40300:23:26,920 –> 00:23:28,260to talk about this month’s.40400:23:28,260 –> 00:23:29,300Thank you gift.40500:23:29,300 –> 00:23:30,380Thanks David,40600:23:30,380 –> 00:23:33,900well as I’ve been at home during the summer holidays40700:23:33,900 –> 00:23:35,219with three children,40800:23:35,219 –> 00:23:37,060I think I’ve become aware40900:23:37,060 –> 00:23:39,219that we all face battles41000:23:39,219 –> 00:23:42,640that seem impossible to win at times.41100:23:42,640 –> 00:23:45,540And in the 10 greatest struggles of your life,41200:23:45,540 –> 00:23:48,619Colin Smith unpacks those real life challenges41300:23:48,619 –> 00:23:50,020we all face,41400:23:50,020 –> 00:23:51,900like wrestling with God41500:23:51,900 –> 00:23:55,579or time or truth or contentment.41600:23:55,579 –> 00:23:58,739He then shows us how they connect to something deeper,41700:23:58,739 –> 00:24:02,380our relationship with God and the 10 commandments.41800:24:02,380 –> 00:24:04,339But this book isn’t about roles,41900:24:04,339 –> 00:24:05,599it’s about freedom.42000:24:05,640 –> 00:24:08,560Colin reveals how these age old commandments42100:24:08,560 –> 00:24:11,520are actually life-giving guidance42200:24:11,520 –> 00:24:13,920designed to lead you and me42300:24:13,920 –> 00:24:17,400into peace, purpose and fulfillment.42400:24:17,400 –> 00:24:20,000And what I particularly love about this book42500:24:20,000 –> 00:24:22,680is the really helpful study guide at the back,42600:24:22,680 –> 00:24:25,079which means it’s ideal for doing in a book group42700:24:25,079 –> 00:24:27,479with others or on your own.42800:24:27,479 –> 00:24:29,920We would love to send you a free copy42900:24:29,920 –> 00:24:33,459with five psalm 23 note cards in September.43000:24:33,459 –> 00:24:35,520When you donate a one-off gift43100:24:35,520 –> 00:24:38,520for at least 50 pounds or set up a new43200:24:38,520 –> 00:24:41,339direct debit of at least 5 pounds.43300:24:41,339 –> 00:24:44,300But please do remember to give your address43400:24:44,300 –> 00:24:46,060details when you donate43500:24:46,060 –> 00:24:48,699if you would like to receive this gift.43600:24:48,699 –> 00:24:50,780This offer is available all this month43700:24:50,780 –> 00:24:54,400when you set up a new direct debit for 5 pounds or more43800:24:54,400 –> 00:24:57,560or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more.43900:24:57,560 –> 00:24:59,760Full terms and conditions are on our website44000:24:59,760 –> 00:25:02,780openthebible.org.uk44100:25:02,780 –> 00:25:04,900and you can give directly online.44200:25:04,900 –> 00:25:07,640Please remember to include your full name and address44300:25:07,640 –> 00:25:10,359so that we can send you your free gift.44400:25:10,359 –> 00:25:12,839For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith.44500:25:12,839 –> 00:25:13,900I’m David Pick.44600:25:13,900 –> 00:25:16,060And I hope you’ll join us again next time.44700:25:17,239 –> 00:25:23,479How do you think the Bible describes44800:25:23,479 –> 00:25:26,500ordinary Christian life?44900:25:26,500 –> 00:25:28,760Find out next time on Open the Bible
