You: Rejoicing in the Work of Christ

Romans 5:1-11
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Over the past two months, Pastor Colin has been leading a series centred on the prayer, “Lord, increase my faith”. The purpose of this series is to delve into what faith truly is and how it operates in our lives. Through exploring faith as a bond of a living union with Jesus Christ, believers are encouraged to love, trust, and serve Him fully.

Pastor Colin uses an anatomical analogy to describe faith’s functions: it hears the word of Christ, serves with Christ’s love, feeds on the bread of Christ, declares His praise, prays in His name, and walks in obedience to Him. As the series concludes, he focuses on what fully grown faith looks like, emphasising the assurance of faith found in the New Testament. He points out the joy, freedom, and confidence that believers can experience in Jesus Christ.

The key takeaway from Pastor Colin’s message is that faith does not grow by looking at itself but by looking to Christ. He highlights that Christians are not saved by the strength of their faith but by the strength of their Saviour. Assurance of faith, according to him, is not presumptuous as it is based on Christ’s finished work on the cross, not on our deeds.

Throughout the sermon, Pastor Colin provides seven insights for increasing faith, recognising that Christians have different degrees of faith. He assures that Christ deals gently with weak faith and encourages us to do the same. Assurance of faith should be desired and pursued as it enhances our experience and fruitfulness in serving Christ.

In wrapping up the series, Pastor Colin reminds the congregation that the answer to doubting faith is trusting the Saviour. Faith grows by consistently drawing near to Christ, not as an occasional act but as a continuous habit. This approach leads to deeper assurance and greater fruitfulness in the Christian life.

1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:04,320 over these two months, we’ve been asking of God one simple question, I hope you’ve been praying 2 00:00:04,320 –> 00:00:14,720 this prayer with me. Lord, increase my faith. Lord, increase our faith. And the whole purpose 3 00:00:14,720 –> 00:00:20,879 of this series has been to see how this can happen. We’ve discovered what faith is. we’ve 4 00:00:20,879 –> 00:00:25,760 used this definition that it is the bond of a living union in which a believer comes to love 5 00:00:25,760 –> 00:00:33,279 and to trust and to serve Jesus Christ. And having seen what faith is, we have focused on what faith 6 00:00:33,279 –> 00:00:40,560 does. And we’ve used the picture of an anatomy. Faith hears the word of Christ, 7 00:00:40,560 –> 00:00:48,160 serves with the love of Christ, feeds on the bread of Christ, declares the praise of Christ, 8 00:00:48,160 –> 00:00:54,160 praise in the name of Christ, and walks in obedience to Christ. 9 00:00:54,560 –> 00:01:01,599 So we’ve been learning about faith. I want to wrap up the series on this weekend by focusing 10 00:01:01,599 –> 00:01:06,879 on what faith looks like when it’s fully grown. We’re asking God to increase our faith. 11 00:01:07,760 –> 00:01:16,320 I want us to think today together about the assurance of faith. It’s a very important subject. 12 00:01:16,320 –> 00:01:28,559 In the New Testament we find compelling descriptions of the joy, the freedom and the confidence 13 00:01:29,440 –> 00:01:37,120 that a believer can have in Jesus Christ. Let me just read a couple of them to you and ask how 14 00:01:37,120 –> 00:01:44,239 you relate to them. One is from the passage that’s just been read. Romans chapter 5 and verse 11. 15 00:01:44,879 –> 00:01:49,839 Paul says this, having laid out our justification by faith, he comes 16 00:01:49,839 –> 00:01:56,000 to this concluding point verse 11. He says we rejoice in God. 17 00:01:56,720 –> 00:02:02,080 Now could you say that? Is that a good description of you? Are you doing that? 18 00:02:03,919 –> 00:02:05,599 He says of the person who has 19 00:02:07,040 –> 00:02:12,240 grasped what this faith is and in whom this faith has become fully grown. He says, 20 00:02:12,240 –> 00:02:16,800 we rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received 21 00:02:16,800 –> 00:02:25,119 reconciliation. What do you know of that? Joy in God. Peter puts it this way, 1 Peter chapter 1 22 00:02:25,119 –> 00:02:35,039 in verse 8. Peter says, of Christians, though you have not seen Christ, you love him, and even 23 00:02:35,039 –> 00:02:43,279 though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious 24 00:02:43,279 –> 00:02:48,160 joy. For you are receiving the goal of your faith, which is the salvation of your souls. 25 00:02:48,160 –> 00:02:56,960 Is that true of you? Does that describe you? Now these verses and many others in the scriptures 26 00:02:57,039 –> 00:03:05,199 are describing the gift of assurance, which, to put it very simply, is faith fully grown. 27 00:03:05,199 –> 00:03:13,520 That’s what assurance is. To define it in another way, assurance is the joy and the freedom of a 28 00:03:13,520 –> 00:03:18,080 confident faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is faithfully grown, 29 00:03:19,360 –> 00:03:23,279 and that is what this series has been about. How can you grow in your faith, 30 00:03:23,279 –> 00:03:29,440 how can you move in this direction and know more of what is described in the New Testament 31 00:03:29,440 –> 00:03:35,199 scriptures? Now, we’re wrapping it up this weekend, and I want, very simply, to offer 32 00:03:36,160 –> 00:03:43,759 seven insights for increasing your faith. I’m going to be noting things that I think are critical 33 00:03:43,759 –> 00:03:48,240 from the series as we’ve gone along, and I want to pull them together this evening as we wrap 34 00:03:48,240 –> 00:03:57,199 this up. Seven insights for increasing your faith, for moving in the direction of assurance 35 00:03:58,240 –> 00:04:05,919 that is the wonderful, wonderful gift of Christ. Here’s number one, 36 00:04:08,960 –> 00:04:15,839 and it really is the place to start. If you want to be serious about increasing your faith, 37 00:04:16,000 –> 00:04:21,359 you need to begin by recognizing that Christians have different degrees of faith. 38 00:04:22,720 –> 00:04:27,200 The scriptures are very clear on this and I think we’ve seen it throughout the series. Romans 420, 39 00:04:27,200 –> 00:04:32,880 Abraham was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. Therefore it is possible for faith 40 00:04:32,880 –> 00:04:39,119 to be strengthened. Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks in the Gospels to Peter and he says, 41 00:04:39,119 –> 00:04:44,720 you of little faith, why did you doubt? And notice Christ does not say to Peter, hey, 42 00:04:44,720 –> 00:04:49,279 you’ve got no faith, I actually rather admire Peter’s faith in getting out to walk on the 43 00:04:49,279 –> 00:04:52,640 water looking at Jesus. Don’t you admire that he did that? Would you have done that? I’m not 44 00:04:52,640 –> 00:04:56,320 sure if I would have done that. Peter had great faith to do that. But then he takes his eye of 45 00:04:56,320 –> 00:05:01,920 Christ and Jesus says, oh, you of little faith. Matthew chapter eight and verse ten, Jesus says 46 00:05:01,920 –> 00:05:08,160 to a Roman centurion, a person not of the Jewish race, I tell you the truth, I have not found 47 00:05:08,160 –> 00:05:15,119 anyone in Israel with such great faith. So there were many in Israel who had faith but Jesus says 48 00:05:15,119 –> 00:05:19,760 this man has more faith. I have not found anyone else who has such great faith. There are degrees 49 00:05:19,760 –> 00:05:24,959 of faith. Remember in Luke chapter eight and verse twenty five, in the storm on the lake, 50 00:05:24,959 –> 00:05:30,079 Jesus turns in the boat and says to the disciples, and he says, where is your faith? Making it quite 51 00:05:30,079 –> 00:05:34,959 clear it is possible to have faith and then not to use it for it just as it were to lie dormant. 52 00:05:35,040 –> 00:05:41,760 Remember in Mark chapter nine in verse 24. A man comes to Jesus and he says, I believe. Help 53 00:05:41,760 –> 00:05:48,160 me with my unbelief which clearly indicates that true faith can be mixed with doubt and with many 54 00:05:48,160 –> 00:05:55,440 questions and uncertainties. On the other hand, in Hebrews chapter 10 in verse 22, we read these 55 00:05:55,440 –> 00:06:01,119 words, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith. Indicating 56 00:06:01,119 –> 00:06:05,839 that faith can come to God with great boldness and with great confidence. 57 00:06:08,000 –> 00:06:10,799 Now, you see if you drift through a Christian life, simply saying, well, 58 00:06:10,799 –> 00:06:14,720 I have faith and you know, that’s really all that matters. You’ll never make progress. 59 00:06:16,399 –> 00:06:24,000 Just pass it. But once you grasp that there are varying degrees of faith. 60 00:06:24,880 –> 00:06:36,000 That you can grow in faith. That there can be progress in faith. Then you will have the mindset 61 00:06:36,000 –> 00:06:43,359 to move in the direction of the kind of assurance and joy that we read about from the scriptures. 62 00:06:43,359 –> 00:06:56,059 Here’s the second thing—Christ deals with weak faith gently and we should do the same. 63 00:06:56,059 –> 00:07:02,239 Now, lest any of us should become discouraged, this seems to me to be of great importance. 64 00:07:02,239 –> 00:07:09,779 Listen to the gentleness of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount when he speaks to those he describes 65 00:07:09,940 –> 00:07:15,700 as little faith, and he says this. 66 00:07:15,700 –> 00:07:21,579 Do not worry saying, what shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we wear? 67 00:07:21,579 –> 00:07:29,160 For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need 68 00:07:29,160 –> 00:07:30,160 them. 69 00:07:30,160 –> 00:07:32,540 You hear the gentleness in that? 70 00:07:32,540 –> 00:07:37,899 That’s how Jesus speaks to people with little faith, not clobbering them over the head. 71 00:07:38,079 –> 00:07:42,440 With great gentleness. 72 00:07:42,459 –> 00:07:50,739 A bruised reed the scripture says he will not break, and a smoking wick he will not 73 00:07:50,739 –> 00:07:54,200 snuff out. 74 00:07:54,200 –> 00:07:58,380 Which is why we’ve been saying in this series that you can come to Jesus Christ as you are. 75 00:07:58,380 –> 00:08:00,380 You don’t need to dress up in order to come to him. 76 00:08:00,380 –> 00:08:06,779 You don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not to draw near to Jesus Christ. 77 00:08:06,959 –> 00:08:11,799 We do not come to Christ to give him something that we offer. 78 00:08:11,799 –> 00:08:18,920 We come to Jesus Christ to receive what he has for us. 79 00:08:18,920 –> 00:08:27,200 Since Christ deals so gently, so beautifully, with those who’s faith is weak, it follows 80 00:08:27,200 –> 00:08:30,720 that we as his followers must seek to do the same. 81 00:08:30,720 –> 00:08:32,719 And you find this in the New Testament. 82 00:08:32,719 –> 00:08:37,239 For example, Romans 14 verse 1, 83 00:08:37,239 –> 00:08:44,679 …without passing judgment on disputable matters. 84 00:08:44,679 –> 00:08:50,539 Not everyone at the early stages of following Christ and trusting Christ is going to see 85 00:08:50,539 –> 00:08:57,000 everything that you see clearly. 86 00:08:57,119 –> 00:09:02,059 Paul says in 1 Thessalonians, that we are on the one hand to warn the idle, but we’re 87 00:09:02,059 –> 00:09:06,440 to encourage the timid, and we’re to help the weak. 88 00:09:06,440 –> 00:09:15,320 You see, there’s a gentleness that is appropriate towards those whose faith is the weakest. 89 00:09:15,320 –> 00:09:18,559 Be patient with everyone. 90 00:09:18,559 –> 00:09:22,659 And it’s good for us, especially if you’ve been a Christian for some time. 91 00:09:22,659 –> 00:09:25,919 You’ve experienced some growth, you’ve experienced some blessing. 92 00:09:25,919 –> 00:09:26,919 Please remember this. 93 00:09:26,919 –> 00:09:32,320 There’s not one of us here today who has perfect faith. 94 00:09:32,320 –> 00:09:39,039 However much we grow in the Christian life, we struggle with doubt, and remnants of unbelief 95 00:09:39,039 –> 00:09:43,400 remain within us all. 96 00:09:43,400 –> 00:09:45,280 John Calvin says it so well. 97 00:09:45,280 –> 00:09:47,359 Let me just read a paragraph to you. 98 00:09:47,359 –> 00:09:48,919 I think you’ll find it helpful. 99 00:09:48,919 –> 00:09:53,159 I have found it enormously helpful in my own life. 100 00:09:53,159 –> 00:09:55,640 He said, the Godly heart. 101 00:09:55,640 –> 00:09:59,719 Notice this, the Godly heart. 102 00:09:59,719 –> 00:10:06,640 The Godly heart feels in itself a division, because it is partly imbued with sweetness 103 00:10:06,640 –> 00:10:14,559 from the recognition of divine goodness, but partly grieves in bitterness from its calamity. 104 00:10:14,559 –> 00:10:18,799 Partly rests on the promise of the Gospel, but partly trembles at the evidence of its 105 00:10:19,179 –> 00:10:21,219 own iniquity. 106 00:10:21,219 –> 00:10:27,200 Partly rejoices in the expectation of life, partly shudders at death. 107 00:10:27,200 –> 00:10:35,119 This variation, Kelvin writes, arises from the imperfection of faith, since in the course 108 00:10:35,119 –> 00:10:40,260 of this present life, it never goes so well with us that we are wholly cured from the 109 00:10:40,260 –> 00:10:45,039 disease of unbelief, and entirely filled with and possessed by faith. 110 00:10:45,039 –> 00:10:48,000 It’s very helpful, isn’t it? 111 00:10:48,539 –> 00:10:56,419 Oh, when faith is turned to sight we shall know even as we are known, but until that 112 00:10:56,419 –> 00:11:01,140 day we do walk by faith not by sight. 113 00:11:01,140 –> 00:11:02,919 And Kelvin puts it this way so well. 114 00:11:02,919 –> 00:11:13,979 He says it never goes so well with us that we are wholly cured of the disease of unbelief 115 00:11:13,979 –> 00:11:21,380 until the day that lies ahead when we shall see him face to face and know even as we are 116 00:11:21,380 –> 00:11:22,700 known. 117 00:11:22,700 –> 00:11:25,419 So Christ deals with weak faith gently. 118 00:11:25,419 –> 00:11:27,479 Aren’t you thankful for that? 119 00:11:27,479 –> 00:11:30,580 And we should do the same. 120 00:11:30,580 –> 00:11:33,159 Here’s the third thing. 121 00:11:33,159 –> 00:11:34,780 Christians are saved. 122 00:11:34,780 –> 00:11:38,760 Please remember this as we’ve been looking at faith for two months and we’ve been looking 123 00:11:38,760 –> 00:11:40,659 at how we can grow in faith. 124 00:11:40,700 –> 00:11:48,479 Let us remember this, that Christians are saved, not by the strength of our faith, but 125 00:11:48,479 –> 00:11:51,840 by the strength of our Savior. 126 00:11:51,840 –> 00:11:52,840 Thank God for that. 127 00:11:52,840 –> 00:11:59,440 I have a friend, Charles Price, who tells a great story about three people on an airplane. 128 00:11:59,440 –> 00:12:02,000 You’ll get this picture very quickly. 129 00:12:02,000 –> 00:12:07,659 In the seat by the aisle is a businessman who flies all the time. 130 00:12:08,059 –> 00:12:15,059 In the seat in the middle is a student who is flying on her own for the first time. 131 00:12:15,059 –> 00:12:21,500 In the seat by the window is an old lady who has never flown in her life before and already 132 00:12:21,500 –> 00:12:26,039 before the plane takes off is vowing that she will never do this again. 133 00:12:26,039 –> 00:12:27,900 You’ve got the picture? 134 00:12:27,900 –> 00:12:30,419 The plane taxis to the runway. 135 00:12:30,419 –> 00:12:32,979 The businessman takes out his paper. 136 00:12:32,979 –> 00:12:35,739 The student is just a little on edge. 137 00:12:35,739 –> 00:12:40,799 The old lady is holding on to the seat, white-knuckled with fear. 138 00:12:40,799 –> 00:12:42,780 The lunch comes. 139 00:12:42,780 –> 00:12:44,080 The businessmen eats the lot. 140 00:12:44,080 –> 00:12:47,400 The student eats about half. 141 00:12:47,400 –> 00:12:52,619 The old lady can’t look near it, her nose is already in the barf bag. 142 00:12:52,619 –> 00:12:56,260 Here’s the amazing thing. 143 00:12:56,260 –> 00:13:03,440 All three of the travelers arrive in the same place at the same time. 144 00:13:03,440 –> 00:13:05,479 Why? 145 00:13:05,479 –> 00:13:11,400 Because it’s not the degree of your confidence, it’s not the nature of your experience that 146 00:13:11,400 –> 00:13:20,900 determines your safety, but the trustworthiness of that in which you are making the journey. 147 00:13:20,900 –> 00:13:25,719 Now I find that story to be very helpful, because it reminds me that Christians are 148 00:13:25,719 –> 00:13:32,460 saved not by the strength of our faith, not by how great my faith is, but how great the 149 00:13:32,460 –> 00:13:37,080 Christ in whom I have placed my faith is. 150 00:13:37,080 –> 00:13:44,260 Your arriving in heaven does not, in the last analysis, depend on the degree of confidence 151 00:13:44,260 –> 00:13:50,200 that you have in Jesus, but on the Jesus in whom you have placed your often-stammering 152 00:13:50,200 –> 00:13:52,739 trust. 153 00:13:52,739 –> 00:13:59,599 If you are in Christ, to use the Bible’s phrase, your destination is secure, however 154 00:14:00,239 –> 00:14:04,739 fearful, however nervous, however timid a Christian you may be. 155 00:14:04,739 –> 00:14:09,359 Weak faith gets you there as much as strong faith because it is Christ who saves you, 156 00:14:09,359 –> 00:14:10,599 not your faith. 157 00:14:10,599 –> 00:14:13,020 It’s so important to know. 158 00:14:13,020 –> 00:14:15,539 Bishop Ryle puts it this way, 159 00:14:20,539 –> 00:14:25,380 B.B. Warfield says it like this, 160 00:14:30,460 –> 00:14:34,159 You may have weak faith 161 00:14:34,159 –> 00:14:39,580 but thank God you have a great Saviour. 162 00:14:39,580 –> 00:14:43,400 That is of huge importance for us to 163 00:14:43,400 –> 00:14:47,799 understand in relation to our salvation. 164 00:14:47,799 –> 00:14:51,880 Now having said that, here’s the fourth thing. 165 00:14:51,880 –> 00:14:59,159 Assurance of faith is to be desired 166 00:14:59,219 –> 00:15:02,340 and pursued. 167 00:15:02,340 –> 00:15:04,099 Going back to our analogy of 168 00:15:04,099 –> 00:15:07,039 these three folks sitting on the plane, 169 00:15:07,039 –> 00:15:09,380 well they all arrived in the same place 170 00:15:09,380 –> 00:15:11,659 at the same time, 171 00:15:11,659 –> 00:15:14,719 but they had an entirely different 172 00:15:14,719 –> 00:15:18,440 experience on the journey. 173 00:15:18,440 –> 00:15:20,099 And your experience on the journey 174 00:15:20,099 –> 00:15:24,260 matters too, doesn’t it? 175 00:15:24,260 –> 00:15:26,260 The strength of your faith does not 176 00:15:26,400 –> 00:15:29,700 affect your arrival, 177 00:15:29,700 –> 00:15:30,979 but it makes a huge difference 178 00:15:30,979 –> 00:15:34,640 to your experience as you travel. 179 00:15:34,640 –> 00:15:36,219 Now using that analogy, 180 00:15:36,219 –> 00:15:37,539 can you see that growing in 181 00:15:37,539 –> 00:15:42,000 faith is going to change your 182 00:15:42,000 –> 00:15:46,979 experience of the journey through life? 183 00:15:46,979 –> 00:15:49,260 Growing in faith is not going 184 00:15:49,260 –> 00:15:50,919 to make heaven more secure for you 185 00:15:50,919 –> 00:15:52,140 it can’t because that depends on 186 00:15:52,140 –> 00:15:53,219 being in Christ. 187 00:15:53,219 –> 00:15:54,359 But here’s what it will do. 188 00:15:54,359 –> 00:15:55,500 Growing in faith will 189 00:15:55,500 –> 00:15:57,960 change your experience of the journey. 190 00:15:57,960 –> 00:16:00,580 You will have greater peace, 191 00:16:00,580 –> 00:16:02,859 you will have greater hope, 192 00:16:02,859 –> 00:16:05,219 you will have greater joy, 193 00:16:05,219 –> 00:16:08,419 you will have greater love. 194 00:16:08,419 –> 00:16:10,500 It is one thing to believe that 195 00:16:10,500 –> 00:16:12,419 one day you may be accepted 196 00:16:12,419 –> 00:16:14,460 and to hope that all may be well. 197 00:16:14,460 –> 00:16:16,340 It is another thing in terms of 198 00:16:16,340 –> 00:16:18,739 Romans 5 11 to be able to say 199 00:16:18,739 –> 00:16:21,859 that you rejoice in God. 200 00:16:21,859 –> 00:16:23,059 Why? 201 00:16:23,059 –> 00:16:24,219 Because of the peace, 202 00:16:24,340 –> 00:16:25,380 the hope, the love 203 00:16:25,380 –> 00:16:27,179 that has been shed abroad in your heart 204 00:16:27,179 –> 00:16:29,780 by the Holy Spirit 205 00:16:29,780 –> 00:16:31,900 that you have found in him. 206 00:16:31,900 –> 00:16:32,979 And you see, that is why 207 00:16:32,979 –> 00:16:35,900 throughout the whole of the New Testament 208 00:16:35,900 –> 00:16:38,059 you find this emphasis on assurance, 209 00:16:38,059 –> 00:16:39,140 you find Paul praying 210 00:16:39,140 –> 00:16:42,260 in Ephesians chapter 1, for example. 211 00:16:42,260 –> 00:16:47,619 That God would open the eyes of Christians. 212 00:16:47,619 –> 00:16:48,900 This is not for unbelievers. 213 00:16:48,900 –> 00:16:50,299 Paul’s praying for Christians 214 00:16:50,299 –> 00:16:51,659 in Ephesians chapter 1. 215 00:16:51,739 –> 00:16:52,260 And he says, 216 00:17:00,900 –> 00:17:03,059 He’s praying for the strengthening of faith. 217 00:17:03,059 –> 00:17:05,339 He’s praying for a greater grasp, 218 00:17:05,339 –> 00:17:06,739 a greater confidence. 219 00:17:06,739 –> 00:17:08,540 Why? Because that’ll make heaven more secure. 220 00:17:08,540 –> 00:17:11,699 No, because it’ll change your experience now. 221 00:17:15,060 –> 00:17:20,500 Now, some of us may be asking this question. 222 00:17:22,339 –> 00:17:28,459 Is assurance, confidence before 223 00:17:28,459 –> 00:17:32,439 God, not presumptuous? 224 00:17:32,439 –> 00:17:34,500 That is a huge question for 225 00:17:34,500 –> 00:17:36,479 thousands and thousands of people. 226 00:17:36,479 –> 00:17:37,900 And I want to give it’s cleared in 227 00:17:37,900 –> 00:17:40,680 answer as I possibly can today. 228 00:17:40,680 –> 00:17:43,280 Is assurance not presumptuous? 229 00:17:43,280 –> 00:17:45,099 Is it appropriate? 230 00:17:45,099 –> 00:17:47,140 How is it possible for 231 00:17:47,140 –> 00:17:50,420 a sinner to be confident before God? 232 00:17:51,280 –> 00:17:53,099 When Wesley wrote for example, 233 00:17:53,099 –> 00:17:56,979 Bold I approach the eternal throne 234 00:17:56,979 –> 00:18:00,900 and claim the crown through Christ my own. 235 00:18:00,900 –> 00:18:02,719 Would it really be appropriate for 236 00:18:02,719 –> 00:18:05,060 a person like you or me, 237 00:18:05,060 –> 00:18:10,420 to sing that or to say it. 238 00:18:11,339 –> 00:18:14,119 Try to get this clear in your mind. 239 00:18:14,119 –> 00:18:16,380 It will help you greatly. 240 00:18:16,579 –> 00:18:20,099 If salvation rested 241 00:18:20,099 –> 00:18:22,680 on your work, 242 00:18:22,680 –> 00:18:25,400 assurance would be nothing 243 00:18:25,400 –> 00:18:27,760 but pride and presumption. 244 00:18:27,760 –> 00:18:30,900 If salvation rested on your work. 245 00:18:30,900 –> 00:18:32,459 On what you do for God. 246 00:18:32,459 –> 00:18:34,079 On the extent of your faith 247 00:18:34,079 –> 00:18:35,819 and so forth and so you’re serving. 248 00:18:35,819 –> 00:18:36,479 You’re praying, your 249 00:18:36,479 –> 00:18:37,959 ministering and so on. 250 00:18:37,959 –> 00:18:41,099 If salvation rested on your work. 251 00:18:41,099 –> 00:18:42,760 Assurance would be Nothing 252 00:18:42,760 –> 00:18:44,140 but pride and presumption. 253 00:18:44,140 –> 00:18:45,319 It would be saying, I’ve got 254 00:18:45,319 –> 00:18:46,959 what it takes, God, 255 00:18:46,959 –> 00:18:49,199 look at my Christian life. 256 00:18:51,060 –> 00:18:51,979 But friends, if you’ve been 257 00:18:51,979 –> 00:18:53,239 following in this series. 258 00:18:53,239 –> 00:18:54,540 You will have grasped, I hope 259 00:18:54,540 –> 00:18:56,459 by now that precisely, 260 00:18:56,459 –> 00:18:58,280 salvation does not rest 261 00:18:58,280 –> 00:18:59,699 on your work for God, 262 00:18:59,699 –> 00:19:01,400 but on God’s work for you 263 00:19:01,400 –> 00:19:02,739 in Jesus Christ. 264 00:19:02,739 –> 00:19:04,540 Not on the righteousness 265 00:19:04,540 –> 00:19:06,520 that is developing and growing 266 00:19:06,520 –> 00:19:07,180 within your life. 267 00:19:07,180 –> 00:19:08,459 But as always, partial 268 00:19:08,459 –> 00:19:09,420 in this world. 269 00:19:09,420 –> 00:19:11,160 But on the perfect righteousness 270 00:19:11,160 –> 00:19:13,219 of Jesus Christ made yours 271 00:19:13,680 –> 00:19:15,719 the finished work that He 272 00:19:15,719 –> 00:19:17,439 accomplished on the cross. 273 00:19:18,819 –> 00:19:20,339 And because our salvation 274 00:19:20,339 –> 00:19:22,680 rests not on our work for Christ, 275 00:19:22,680 –> 00:19:24,420 but Christ’s work for us. 276 00:19:26,400 –> 00:19:28,859 Far from exalting ourselves, 277 00:19:28,859 –> 00:19:31,839 Christian assurance exalts Christ. 278 00:19:32,760 –> 00:19:35,099 Because it is not confidence 279 00:19:35,099 –> 00:19:36,959 in what we have done for Christ, 280 00:19:36,959 –> 00:19:38,239 but it is confidence 281 00:19:38,239 –> 00:19:41,040 in what Christ has done for us. 282 00:19:41,099 –> 00:19:45,119 So again, Bishop Ryle says it so well, 283 00:19:45,599 –> 00:19:48,140 it cannot be wrong, he says, 284 00:19:48,140 –> 00:19:51,000 to feel confident in matters 285 00:19:51,000 –> 00:19:53,239 where God speaks unconditionally. 286 00:19:54,119 –> 00:19:56,119 To believe decidedly where God 287 00:19:56,119 –> 00:19:58,280 promises decidedly, to have 288 00:19:58,280 –> 00:19:59,939 a sure persuasion of 289 00:19:59,939 –> 00:20:02,520 pardon and peace when we rest 290 00:20:02,520 –> 00:20:04,719 on the word and oath of 291 00:20:04,719 –> 00:20:07,680 Him who never changes. 292 00:20:08,560 –> 00:20:10,959 So if you have come from 293 00:20:10,959 –> 00:20:12,160 a background in which it’s 294 00:20:12,160 –> 00:20:13,459 kind of inculcated in 295 00:20:13,459 –> 00:20:15,260 your mind to think that 296 00:20:15,260 –> 00:20:17,079 it’s somehow inappropriate 297 00:20:17,079 –> 00:20:19,020 to have joyful confidence 298 00:20:19,020 –> 00:20:21,959 before God, then I 299 00:20:21,959 –> 00:20:23,599 want to commend to you 300 00:20:23,599 –> 00:20:25,579 the basis of Christian assurance, 301 00:20:25,579 –> 00:20:26,760 which is that it does not 302 00:20:26,760 –> 00:20:28,000 rest in what you are 303 00:20:28,000 –> 00:20:29,359 doing for Jesus Christ, 304 00:20:29,359 –> 00:20:31,239 but in what He has done for 305 00:20:31,239 –> 00:20:32,680 you, and therefore confidence 306 00:20:32,680 –> 00:20:34,199 in this, exalts not 307 00:20:34,199 –> 00:20:36,560 yourself, but exalts Him. 308 00:20:36,560 –> 00:20:40,079 It glorifies God wonderfully. 309 00:20:40,079 –> 00:20:43,560 Now that is precisely why 310 00:20:43,560 –> 00:20:46,599 when you read through the Bible, 311 00:20:46,599 –> 00:20:47,760 you find that it is 312 00:20:47,760 –> 00:20:49,800 full of the most 313 00:20:49,800 –> 00:20:51,719 marvelous, joyful 314 00:20:51,719 –> 00:20:53,280 expressions of 315 00:20:53,280 –> 00:20:54,439 Christian assurance or 316 00:20:54,439 –> 00:20:55,500 to put it another way, 317 00:20:55,500 –> 00:20:56,719 full grown faith, 318 00:20:56,719 –> 00:20:57,640 which is what you want to 319 00:20:57,640 –> 00:20:58,680 pursue and what I want 320 00:20:58,680 –> 00:21:00,699 to pursue in my life. 321 00:21:00,699 –> 00:21:03,319 Listen to the tone of it, 322 00:21:03,319 –> 00:21:04,719 the joy of it, 323 00:21:04,719 –> 00:21:06,260 the triumph of it. 324 00:21:06,459 –> 00:21:07,479 Ask the question, 325 00:21:07,479 –> 00:21:08,800 is this not what you would 326 00:21:08,800 –> 00:21:12,439 want more of in your life? 327 00:21:12,859 –> 00:21:14,619 I know whom I have 328 00:21:14,619 –> 00:21:17,520 believed and I am convinced 329 00:21:17,520 –> 00:21:18,660 the apostle Paul says 330 00:21:18,660 –> 00:21:20,900 that he is able to guard 331 00:21:20,900 –> 00:21:22,540 what I have trusted to 332 00:21:22,540 –> 00:21:26,680 him against that day. 333 00:21:26,699 –> 00:21:27,660 I know 334 00:21:27,660 –> 00:21:29,400 that my Redeemer living 335 00:21:29,400 –> 00:21:30,359 and on the last day 336 00:21:30,359 –> 00:21:31,780 he will stand upon the earth 337 00:21:31,780 –> 00:21:33,619 and after my skin 338 00:21:33,619 –> 00:21:35,579 has been destroyed, 339 00:21:35,579 –> 00:21:37,219 Job says, 340 00:21:37,219 –> 00:21:39,000 yet in my flesh 341 00:21:39,000 –> 00:21:40,420 I will see God. 342 00:21:40,420 –> 00:21:41,199 Wouldn’t you want that 343 00:21:41,199 –> 00:21:41,880 kind of assurance 344 00:21:41,880 –> 00:21:45,640 on your deathbed? 345 00:21:45,640 –> 00:21:46,760 My flesh and my heart 346 00:21:46,760 –> 00:21:47,660 may fail but 347 00:21:47,660 –> 00:21:48,939 God is the strength 348 00:21:48,939 –> 00:21:49,739 of my heart 349 00:21:49,739 –> 00:21:53,339 and my portion forever. 350 00:21:53,339 –> 00:21:54,640 I have set the Lord 351 00:21:54,640 –> 00:21:55,619 always before me 352 00:21:55,619 –> 00:21:56,859 and because he is 353 00:21:56,859 –> 00:21:58,099 at my right hand 354 00:21:58,099 –> 00:22:02,579 I will not be shaken. 355 00:22:02,579 –> 00:22:03,520 We are always 356 00:22:03,520 –> 00:22:04,719 confident and know 357 00:22:04,939 –> 00:22:05,520 that as long 358 00:22:05,520 –> 00:22:06,520 as we are at home 359 00:22:06,520 –> 00:22:07,500 in the body 360 00:22:07,500 –> 00:22:08,880 we are away from the Lord. 361 00:22:08,880 –> 00:22:10,160 We are always confident. 362 00:22:10,160 –> 00:22:11,619 I say, Paul writes 363 00:22:11,619 –> 00:22:12,979 these words 364 00:22:12,979 –> 00:22:13,479 and would prefer 365 00:22:13,479 –> 00:22:14,959 to be away from the body 366 00:22:14,959 –> 00:22:15,560 and at home 367 00:22:15,560 –> 00:22:18,439 with the Lord, 368 00:22:18,439 –> 00:22:21,859 for I am convinced 369 00:22:21,859 –> 00:22:22,660 that neither death 370 00:22:22,660 –> 00:22:23,219 nor life 371 00:22:23,219 –> 00:22:23,800 nor angels 372 00:22:23,800 –> 00:22:24,520 nor demons 373 00:22:24,520 –> 00:22:25,099 nor the present 374 00:22:25,099 –> 00:22:25,760 or the future 375 00:22:25,760 –> 00:22:28,040 nor any powers 376 00:22:28,040 –> 00:22:28,640 nor height 377 00:22:28,640 –> 00:22:29,099 nor depth 378 00:22:29,099 –> 00:22:29,939 nor anything else 379 00:22:29,939 –> 00:22:30,780 in all creation 380 00:22:30,780 –> 00:22:31,760 will ever be able 381 00:22:31,760 –> 00:22:32,739 to separate us 382 00:22:32,739 –> 00:22:33,739 from the love of God 383 00:22:33,939 –> 00:22:35,420 that is in Christ Jesus 384 00:22:35,420 –> 00:22:35,819 our Lord. 385 00:22:35,819 –> 00:22:36,300 Friends, 386 00:22:36,300 –> 00:22:37,180 that is the assurance 387 00:22:37,180 –> 00:22:37,819 of faith. 388 00:22:37,819 –> 00:22:41,160 It’s beautiful! 389 00:22:41,160 –> 00:22:44,619 A full-grown confidence 390 00:22:44,619 –> 00:22:46,339 in Jesus Christ 391 00:22:46,339 –> 00:22:49,660 and it is to be desired 392 00:22:49,660 –> 00:22:52,959 and it is to be pursued 393 00:22:52,959 –> 00:22:56,839 and that is what 394 00:22:56,839 –> 00:22:57,640 this series 395 00:22:57,640 –> 00:22:58,900 has been all about. 396 00:22:58,900 –> 00:23:01,540 So let me 397 00:23:02,459 –> 00:23:03,060 fifthly, 398 00:23:03,060 –> 00:23:04,859 say this, 399 00:23:04,859 –> 00:23:08,160 that as we pursue 400 00:23:08,160 –> 00:23:09,260 this growth 401 00:23:09,260 –> 00:23:10,680 and this development of faith 402 00:23:10,680 –> 00:23:11,900 Lord increase my faith. 403 00:23:11,900 –> 00:23:13,520 Lord let me know more 404 00:23:13,520 –> 00:23:14,699 of this kind of assurance. 405 00:23:14,699 –> 00:23:17,180 Let me give you 406 00:23:17,180 –> 00:23:18,140 this further encouragement, 407 00:23:18,140 –> 00:23:19,380 assurance of faith 408 00:23:19,380 –> 00:23:21,780 will make you 409 00:23:21,780 –> 00:23:23,619 much more fruitful 410 00:23:23,619 –> 00:23:27,420 in serving Jesus Christ. 411 00:23:27,420 –> 00:23:30,979 Now again Bishop Ryle 412 00:23:31,060 –> 00:23:33,819 has a very helpful analogy here 413 00:23:33,819 –> 00:23:34,819 and sometimes as you know 414 00:23:34,819 –> 00:23:37,900 a picture is worth a thousand words. 415 00:23:37,900 –> 00:23:38,900 Here’s his picture. 416 00:23:38,900 –> 00:23:41,979 I’ve adapted it. 417 00:23:41,979 –> 00:23:43,280 Two men 418 00:23:43,280 –> 00:23:46,900 are both given a farm. 419 00:23:46,900 –> 00:23:48,819 The farms are exactly the same size 420 00:23:48,819 –> 00:23:50,819 and the soil in the farm is exact, 421 00:23:50,819 –> 00:23:51,900 in each farm is exactly 422 00:23:51,900 –> 00:23:53,500 the same quality. 423 00:23:53,500 –> 00:23:56,900 They are given the same gift. 424 00:23:56,900 –> 00:24:01,199 They are given these farms freehold. 425 00:24:01,199 –> 00:24:02,199 The gift of the land 426 00:24:02,199 –> 00:24:03,819 is registered with the county 427 00:24:03,819 –> 00:24:05,560 and all the legal process 428 00:24:05,560 –> 00:24:06,780 for the transfer of full 429 00:24:06,780 –> 00:24:08,160 and permanent ownership 430 00:24:08,160 –> 00:24:12,260 of these two farms is complete. 431 00:24:12,260 –> 00:24:16,439 The first man receives his gift with joy. 432 00:24:16,439 –> 00:24:17,739 From that day he sets to work 433 00:24:17,739 –> 00:24:19,300 cultivating his farm. 434 00:24:19,300 –> 00:24:20,680 He ploughs. 435 00:24:20,680 –> 00:24:21,680 he sews. 436 00:24:21,680 –> 00:24:22,680 he weeds. 437 00:24:22,680 –> 00:24:25,180 he waters and he harvests 438 00:24:25,180 –> 00:24:27,099 day in, day out. 439 00:24:27,099 –> 00:24:27,959 it’s a marvellously 440 00:24:27,959 –> 00:24:31,479 productive farm. 441 00:24:31,500 –> 00:24:34,560 Then Bishop Riles says this, 442 00:24:34,560 –> 00:24:37,739 Suppose in the meanwhile 443 00:24:37,739 –> 00:24:39,619 that the other man 444 00:24:39,619 –> 00:24:41,479 shall be continually 445 00:24:41,479 –> 00:24:44,099 leaving his work 446 00:24:44,099 –> 00:24:45,219 and going repeatedly 447 00:24:45,219 –> 00:24:47,579 to the public registry 448 00:24:47,579 –> 00:24:49,479 to ask whether the land 449 00:24:49,479 –> 00:24:52,420 really is his, 450 00:24:52,420 –> 00:24:53,420 whether there is not 451 00:24:53,420 –> 00:24:55,280 a mistake, 452 00:24:55,280 –> 00:24:56,199 whether, after all, 453 00:24:56,199 –> 00:24:57,599 there is not some flaw 454 00:24:57,599 –> 00:24:58,979 in the legal instruments 455 00:24:58,979 –> 00:25:02,420 which conveyed it to him. 456 00:25:02,420 –> 00:25:03,020 Now here’s the 457 00:25:03,020 –> 00:25:05,500 obvious question, 458 00:25:05,500 –> 00:25:06,420 which of these two men 459 00:25:06,420 –> 00:25:06,920 will have the 460 00:25:06,920 –> 00:25:10,400 greater harvest? 461 00:25:10,400 –> 00:25:11,079 And the answer of course 462 00:25:11,079 –> 00:25:14,979 is so obvious isn’t it? 463 00:25:14,979 –> 00:25:15,780 The man who works 464 00:25:15,780 –> 00:25:19,119 the field produces more 465 00:25:19,119 –> 00:25:19,680 than the man who 466 00:25:19,680 –> 00:25:21,239 spends half his days 467 00:25:21,239 –> 00:25:22,680 inquiring about 468 00:25:22,920 –> 00:25:23,640 whether the field 469 00:25:23,640 –> 00:25:27,119 is really his. 470 00:25:27,119 –> 00:25:28,239 That’s why for some of us, 471 00:25:28,239 –> 00:25:29,420 if we could settle 472 00:25:29,420 –> 00:25:30,800 this matter of assurance, 473 00:25:30,800 –> 00:25:31,560 if we could grow 474 00:25:31,560 –> 00:25:33,119 into a settled faith, 475 00:25:33,119 –> 00:25:34,000 you would be a much 476 00:25:34,000 –> 00:25:36,859 more productive Christian. 477 00:25:36,859 –> 00:25:38,020 You spend too much time 478 00:25:38,020 –> 00:25:38,800 going round and round 479 00:25:38,800 –> 00:25:39,319 in circles, 480 00:25:39,319 –> 00:25:40,119 asking whether you 481 00:25:40,119 –> 00:25:43,300 really are. 482 00:25:43,300 –> 00:25:44,439 Assurance of faith 483 00:25:44,439 –> 00:25:45,319 will make you a much 484 00:25:45,319 –> 00:25:48,680 more fruitful Christian. 485 00:25:48,680 –> 00:25:49,599 In the book of Hebrews 486 00:25:49,599 –> 00:25:51,319 Paul says, 487 00:25:51,319 –> 00:25:52,119 some of us should of 488 00:25:52,719 –> 00:25:53,479 moved on by now. 489 00:25:53,479 –> 00:25:55,520 No constantly be relaying 490 00:25:55,520 –> 00:25:56,719 the same sort of basic 491 00:25:56,719 –> 00:25:58,239 things as if we had 492 00:25:58,239 –> 00:26:01,760 never really received them. 493 00:26:01,760 –> 00:26:02,280 It’s time to settle. 494 00:26:02,280 –> 00:26:03,160 You have put your faith 495 00:26:03,160 –> 00:26:04,079 in Jesus Christ. 496 00:26:04,079 –> 00:26:05,560 The gift of salvation 497 00:26:05,560 –> 00:26:06,680 is yours. 498 00:26:06,680 –> 00:26:07,319 Now, he has given you 499 00:26:07,319 –> 00:26:08,000 this great trust. 500 00:26:08,000 –> 00:26:08,400 He has given you 501 00:26:08,400 –> 00:26:10,739 the Holy Spirit. 502 00:26:10,739 –> 00:26:11,680 Time for you to move 503 00:26:11,680 –> 00:26:12,640 into the fruitfulness 504 00:26:12,640 –> 00:26:15,699 of life. 505 00:26:15,699 –> 00:26:17,060 The years are passing. 506 00:26:17,060 –> 00:26:18,199 Don’t spend them 507 00:26:18,199 –> 00:26:19,119 circling around, 508 00:26:19,119 –> 00:26:19,760 asking the same, 509 00:26:19,760 –> 00:26:20,199 same, 510 00:26:20,199 –> 00:26:20,599 same, 511 00:26:20,599 –> 00:26:20,959 same, 512 00:26:20,959 –> 00:26:21,359 same, 513 00:26:21,359 –> 00:26:21,800 same, 514 00:26:21,800 –> 00:26:22,599 same questions 515 00:26:22,599 –> 00:26:26,359 and never moving. 516 00:26:26,359 –> 00:26:26,839 You say, 517 00:26:26,839 –> 00:26:27,459 remind me how 518 00:26:27,459 –> 00:26:28,280 am I supposed 519 00:26:28,280 –> 00:26:28,800 to cultivate 520 00:26:28,800 –> 00:26:29,719 this assurance? 521 00:26:29,719 –> 00:26:30,920 Then how do I move forward? 522 00:26:30,920 –> 00:26:31,640 That’s what our whole 523 00:26:31,640 –> 00:26:32,040 series, 524 00:26:32,040 –> 00:26:32,439 folks, 525 00:26:32,439 –> 00:26:35,359 has been about. 526 00:26:35,359 –> 00:26:37,239 You cultivate assurance 527 00:26:37,239 –> 00:26:38,400 how by drawing near 528 00:26:38,400 –> 00:26:41,000 to Christ 529 00:26:41,000 –> 00:26:43,520 and how is that done? 530 00:26:43,520 –> 00:26:44,459 We draw near 531 00:26:44,459 –> 00:26:45,520 to Christ how? 532 00:26:45,520 –> 00:26:48,040 By hearing his word, 533 00:26:48,040 –> 00:26:49,439 be careful how you hear. 534 00:26:49,439 –> 00:26:50,040 It’s right here 535 00:26:50,040 –> 00:26:50,859 that faith grows. 536 00:26:50,859 –> 00:26:51,699 If it’s not growing here, 537 00:26:51,699 –> 00:26:53,619 grew. 538 00:26:53,619 –> 00:26:54,140 We draw near 539 00:26:54,140 –> 00:26:54,900 by serving 540 00:26:54,900 –> 00:26:57,359 with the love of Christ. 541 00:26:57,359 –> 00:26:58,040 We draw near 542 00:26:58,040 –> 00:26:58,680 by feeding 543 00:26:58,680 –> 00:27:01,439 on the bread of Christ. 544 00:27:01,439 –> 00:27:02,719 Use the opportunities 545 00:27:02,719 –> 00:27:03,160 of service. 546 00:27:03,160 –> 00:27:04,520 Use the opportunities 547 00:27:04,520 –> 00:27:05,920 of hearing the word 548 00:27:05,920 –> 00:27:06,819 week-by-week 549 00:27:06,819 –> 00:27:08,160 and through this summer. 550 00:27:08,160 –> 00:27:09,420 Use the opportunities 551 00:27:09,420 –> 00:27:10,439 at the Lord’s table 552 00:27:10,439 –> 00:27:11,319 to come and to feed 553 00:27:11,319 –> 00:27:12,839 by faith on him. 554 00:27:12,839 –> 00:27:13,959 Use the opportunities 555 00:27:13,959 –> 00:27:14,579 of worship 556 00:27:14,579 –> 00:27:15,920 to declare his praise. 557 00:27:15,920 –> 00:27:16,959 Don’t let these things 558 00:27:16,959 –> 00:27:18,239 pass you by. 559 00:27:18,239 –> 00:27:19,079 Use opportunities 560 00:27:19,079 –> 00:27:19,699 of prayer 561 00:27:19,699 –> 00:27:21,000 to draw near. 562 00:27:21,260 –> 00:27:22,280 Pray in the name 563 00:27:22,280 –> 00:27:23,780 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 564 00:27:23,780 –> 00:27:25,880 Exercise this marvelous gift 565 00:27:25,880 –> 00:27:27,339 and use the opportunities 566 00:27:27,339 –> 00:27:28,859 to walk in obedience 567 00:27:28,859 –> 00:27:30,760 and to make godly choices. 568 00:27:30,760 –> 00:27:32,359 These are the habits 569 00:27:32,359 –> 00:27:34,219 of a growing Christian life. 570 00:27:35,800 –> 00:27:37,260 This is how it happns. 571 00:27:37,260 –> 00:27:37,859 This is why 572 00:27:37,859 –> 00:27:39,239 some are moving forward 573 00:27:39,239 –> 00:27:39,859 and this is why 574 00:27:39,859 –> 00:27:40,359 some are not. 575 00:27:42,280 –> 00:27:43,079 It’s right here. 576 00:27:45,579 –> 00:27:46,979 Cultivate assurance 577 00:27:46,979 –> 00:27:48,099 by drawing near 578 00:27:48,099 –> 00:27:49,640 to Jesus Christ. 579 00:27:51,199 –> 00:27:53,040 You may be saying 580 00:27:53,040 –> 00:27:54,780 Colin, you have no idea 581 00:27:54,780 –> 00:27:56,020 the tough circumstances 582 00:27:56,020 –> 00:27:56,780 I’m in right now. 583 00:27:57,180 –> 00:27:58,239 I want to say to you 584 00:27:58,239 –> 00:27:59,939 the tougher the circumstances 585 00:27:59,939 –> 00:28:00,959 you are in right now, 586 00:28:02,680 –> 00:28:04,660 the greater that invitation 587 00:28:04,660 –> 00:28:06,420 to draw near to Jesus Christ 588 00:28:06,420 –> 00:28:08,000 in all these ways really is. 589 00:28:10,260 –> 00:28:11,400 Hudson Taylor 590 00:28:13,060 –> 00:28:14,760 was a great missionary 591 00:28:14,760 –> 00:28:16,760 who pioneered evangelism 592 00:28:16,760 –> 00:28:19,439 in China 593 00:28:19,540 –> 00:28:20,540 in the latter part 594 00:28:20,540 –> 00:28:21,839 of the 19th century. 595 00:28:23,579 –> 00:28:24,479 Some of you will have heard 596 00:28:24,479 –> 00:28:25,719 his name, he was a man 597 00:28:25,719 –> 00:28:27,560 of extraordinary faith 598 00:28:29,060 –> 00:28:30,060 and he endured 599 00:28:30,060 –> 00:28:31,719 great trials in his life. 600 00:28:33,599 –> 00:28:36,300 In a single year of 1870, 601 00:28:38,160 –> 00:28:40,040 Hudson Taylor endured 602 00:28:40,040 –> 00:28:41,239 the affliction of 603 00:28:41,239 –> 00:28:42,939 the death of his young daughter 604 00:28:44,859 –> 00:28:47,000 and the death of his son 605 00:28:47,739 –> 00:28:49,459 and the death of his wife 606 00:28:49,459 –> 00:28:52,140 in that order in one year, 1870. 607 00:28:55,040 –> 00:28:56,500 I read from his biography, 608 00:28:59,180 –> 00:29:02,319 days of sorrow and nights 609 00:29:02,319 –> 00:29:04,140 of heaviness came 610 00:29:05,439 –> 00:29:07,119 through a ethical breakdown 611 00:29:07,119 –> 00:29:10,020 in 1871, anyone surprised? 612 00:29:11,959 –> 00:29:13,599 Mr. Taylor found that 613 00:29:13,599 –> 00:29:15,300 a badly deranged liver 614 00:29:15,780 –> 00:29:18,380 made him sleepless 615 00:29:18,380 –> 00:29:21,219 and led to a painful depression 616 00:29:21,219 –> 00:29:22,099 of spirit. 617 00:29:23,599 –> 00:29:26,920 This was increased by chest trouble, 618 00:29:26,920 –> 00:29:28,680 which caused not only pain, 619 00:29:28,680 –> 00:29:30,680 but serious difficulty in breathing. 620 00:29:32,739 –> 00:29:35,920 And time did not lessen 621 00:29:35,920 –> 00:29:37,339 his sense of loss. 622 00:29:39,140 –> 00:29:41,800 Able in some way just to peer 623 00:29:41,800 –> 00:29:43,400 into this man’s life situation. 624 00:29:45,979 –> 00:29:46,979 His biographer says, 625 00:29:46,979 –> 00:29:48,979 it was under these circumstances 626 00:29:48,979 –> 00:29:51,339 that he discovered fresh power and beauty 627 00:29:51,339 –> 00:29:54,780 in the promise already vital in his experience. 628 00:29:54,780 –> 00:29:56,180 There was one promise of scripture 629 00:29:56,180 –> 00:29:59,219 that the Lord had really born into this man’s life, 630 00:29:59,219 –> 00:30:01,939 and it was from John four and verse 14. 631 00:30:01,939 –> 00:30:05,180 Whoever drinks of the water I shall give him, 632 00:30:05,180 –> 00:30:07,920 Jesus said, will never thirst. 633 00:30:09,020 –> 00:30:10,439 His biographer continues, 634 00:30:10,439 –> 00:30:14,780 the suggestion of a continuous habit 635 00:30:14,819 –> 00:30:18,900 indicated by the tense of the Greek verb, drinks, 636 00:30:18,900 –> 00:30:20,939 flooded the passage with new meaning 637 00:30:20,939 –> 00:30:24,060 and met his long continued need. 638 00:30:24,060 –> 00:30:29,040 And I quote, do not let us change the Savior’s words, 639 00:30:29,040 –> 00:30:31,380 he often said in later years. 640 00:30:32,579 –> 00:30:37,479 It is not whoever has drunk, but whoever drinks. 641 00:30:39,579 –> 00:30:42,339 It is not of one isolated draft, he speaks, 642 00:30:42,540 –> 00:30:46,900 or even many, but of the continuous habit of the soul. 643 00:30:49,599 –> 00:30:51,640 It seems to me Hudson Taylor says, 644 00:30:51,640 –> 00:30:53,780 that where many of us err, 645 00:30:55,079 –> 00:30:58,520 is in leaving our drinking in the past 646 00:30:58,520 –> 00:31:01,439 while our thirst continues in the present. 647 00:31:03,359 –> 00:31:05,780 What we need is to be drinking. 648 00:31:07,420 –> 00:31:10,579 Yes, thankful for each occasion which drives us 649 00:31:10,579 –> 00:31:14,079 to drink ever more deeply off the living water. 650 00:31:17,000 –> 00:31:22,000 You cultivate assurance by drawing near to Jesus Christ. 651 00:31:24,060 –> 00:31:29,060 Not as the occasional feature of your routine, 652 00:31:29,400 –> 00:31:33,000 but as the cultivated habit of your life. 653 00:31:34,819 –> 00:31:36,439 Not whoever has drunk. 654 00:31:37,579 –> 00:31:39,140 Not whoever has drawn near to Christ 655 00:31:39,219 –> 00:31:41,540 some time in the last five or 10 years. 656 00:31:41,540 –> 00:31:43,800 Not whoever made a decision a long time ago. 657 00:31:45,000 –> 00:31:47,359 But whoever drinks off the living water. 658 00:31:47,359 –> 00:31:49,380 Drinks, drinks. 659 00:31:49,380 –> 00:31:54,300 What we need is to be drinking, Hudson Taylor says. 660 00:31:54,300 –> 00:31:57,300 Of the water Christ shall give. 661 00:31:57,300 –> 00:31:59,939 We’ll never thirst. 662 00:32:01,540 –> 00:32:03,660 And here’s the very last thing. 663 00:32:03,660 –> 00:32:05,300 And I want to end on this note 664 00:32:06,260 –> 00:32:09,219 because it reaches to those 665 00:32:09,219 –> 00:32:12,020 who may feel most hopeless even today. 666 00:32:14,339 –> 00:32:19,339 The answer to doubting your faith is trusting your savior. 667 00:32:21,060 –> 00:32:22,500 And I just have it on my heart 668 00:32:22,500 –> 00:32:26,020 that that is for someone perhaps 669 00:32:26,020 –> 00:32:29,619 some folks in our congregation this weekend. 670 00:32:29,619 –> 00:32:34,000 Some folks face extreme difficulties 671 00:32:34,000 –> 00:32:36,800 in this whole matter of assurance and of faith. 672 00:32:37,800 –> 00:32:40,880 You struggle with many doubts. 673 00:32:40,880 –> 00:32:43,359 There is an instinct within your own heart 674 00:32:43,359 –> 00:32:45,880 that condemns you in so many ways. 675 00:32:46,920 –> 00:32:49,160 Satan is constantly trying 676 00:32:49,160 –> 00:32:52,079 to cause you to question your faith 677 00:32:52,079 –> 00:32:55,199 and in large measure he is often very successful. 678 00:32:57,000 –> 00:32:59,520 I simply want to end on this note to say to you 679 00:32:59,520 –> 00:33:01,199 that the answer to the weakness 680 00:33:02,160 –> 00:33:03,839 is the strength of your savior. 681 00:33:06,020 –> 00:33:07,920 Think of it this way, 682 00:33:07,920 –> 00:33:12,920 faith is a hand held up to Jesus Christ, 683 00:33:15,040 –> 00:33:18,839 but it is Christ’s hand that holds yours, 684 00:33:18,839 –> 00:33:21,119 not your hand that holds his. 685 00:33:22,119 –> 00:33:23,880 And the strength of his hand 686 00:33:23,880 –> 00:33:25,839 is greater than the strength of your hand. 687 00:33:25,839 –> 00:33:27,979 That’s why there’s a hymn that sometimes sung, 688 00:33:27,979 –> 00:33:30,839 when I feel my faith may fail, 689 00:33:30,920 –> 00:33:33,859 Christ will hold me fast. 690 00:33:33,859 –> 00:33:37,859 Thank God that my salvation rests 691 00:33:37,859 –> 00:33:40,180 on the strength of his grip on me, 692 00:33:40,180 –> 00:33:42,660 not of the strength of my grip on him. 693 00:33:45,199 –> 00:33:48,619 So, you who are always doubting your faith, 694 00:33:49,660 –> 00:33:52,319 when you’re doubting your faith, what are you looking at? 695 00:33:53,300 –> 00:33:55,219 When you’re doubting your faith, help me, 696 00:33:55,219 –> 00:33:56,579 when you’re doubting your faith, 697 00:33:56,579 –> 00:33:58,099 what are you looking at? 698 00:33:58,099 –> 00:33:59,979 Your faith, yourself. 699 00:34:01,479 –> 00:34:04,819 And you see, faith doesn’t grow by looking at faith. 700 00:34:05,660 –> 00:34:07,380 It doesn’t grow by looking in the mirror, 701 00:34:07,380 –> 00:34:10,139 faith grows by looking away to Jesus Christ 702 00:34:10,139 –> 00:34:15,139 and seeing in him all that I do not have in myself. 703 00:34:15,899 –> 00:34:18,459 Faith does not rest on its own serving 704 00:34:18,459 –> 00:34:20,820 or on its own praying or on its own obeying 705 00:34:20,820 –> 00:34:23,739 that is never complete, but on the Christ 706 00:34:25,219 –> 00:34:30,219 who has laid hold of us by whose grace we seek to continue. 707 00:34:30,939 –> 00:34:34,379 In all of our weakness to serve and to whom we pray 708 00:34:34,379 –> 00:34:35,679 and do we seek to obey. 709 00:34:36,959 –> 00:34:40,560 Christian faith looks to Christ and in looking to Christ 710 00:34:40,560 –> 00:34:43,040 you finally get away from looking at yourself. 711 00:34:44,939 –> 00:34:47,120 So that is why it is of huge importance 712 00:34:47,120 –> 00:34:49,679 when Paul comes to the summit of Christian assurance 713 00:34:49,679 –> 00:34:52,639 in Romans 5 in verse 11 he does not say, 714 00:34:52,639 –> 00:34:55,560 therefore we rejoice in our faith, 715 00:34:55,560 –> 00:34:58,179 none of us are gonna be able to do that, 716 00:34:58,179 –> 00:34:59,320 it’s not that good. 717 00:35:00,879 –> 00:35:03,379 But what he says is therefore we rejoice in God 718 00:35:04,300 –> 00:35:08,080 through whom we have received the reconciliation. 719 00:35:10,320 –> 00:35:15,280 I found some pastoral wisdom this is the last quote. 720 00:35:16,959 –> 00:35:20,260 In reading a man I quoted a few times in the series 721 00:35:20,260 –> 00:35:22,300 Professor Donald MacLeod you’ll understand 722 00:35:22,300 –> 00:35:24,300 he’s from my home country of Scotland. 723 00:35:25,300 –> 00:35:28,020 The reason I found him most interesting and helpful to read 724 00:35:28,020 –> 00:35:30,060 is that he comes from a part of Scotland 725 00:35:30,080 –> 00:35:33,379 where I don’t know perhaps it is a cultural thing 726 00:35:33,379 –> 00:35:36,580 but there are many, many, many Christian people 727 00:35:36,580 –> 00:35:40,820 who really, really struggle with the whole issue 728 00:35:40,820 –> 00:35:41,800 of assurance. 729 00:35:41,800 –> 00:35:44,979 And therefore he has a particular sensitivity 730 00:35:44,979 –> 00:35:49,979 towards helping Christians who have this affliction. 731 00:35:50,179 –> 00:35:52,459 And he makes this simple point with which 732 00:35:52,459 –> 00:35:53,659 I want to conclude. 733 00:35:55,020 –> 00:36:00,020 The worst thing that Satan can do to you 734 00:36:00,879 –> 00:36:05,879 is to convince you that you are a sinner. 735 00:36:07,820 –> 00:36:09,780 That all your attempts at Christianity 736 00:36:09,780 –> 00:36:11,620 are completely useless. 737 00:36:12,600 –> 00:36:15,439 That you are an utter failure 738 00:36:15,439 –> 00:36:20,439 and that you have no basis whatsoever for hope before God. 739 00:36:20,600 –> 00:36:23,040 That is the worst thing that Satan can do to you. 740 00:36:25,040 –> 00:36:28,080 And if you should become convinced of that, do you see? 741 00:36:30,340 –> 00:36:33,659 That you are precisely the person 742 00:36:33,659 –> 00:36:36,100 for whom Jesus Christ came into the world. 743 00:36:38,719 –> 00:36:40,860 Let me read the quote and then we’re through. 744 00:36:41,780 –> 00:36:43,120 In the last analysis, 745 00:36:43,120 –> 00:36:45,239 this is the only answer for those 746 00:36:45,239 –> 00:36:47,600 who lack assurance of their own salvation. 747 00:36:49,179 –> 00:36:51,739 When doubt and temptation and depression 748 00:36:51,739 –> 00:36:53,379 have done their worse, 749 00:36:54,760 –> 00:36:58,300 proving that we have never been converted and never saved, 750 00:36:58,300 –> 00:36:59,699 some of you have been there, 751 00:37:00,580 –> 00:37:01,419 you come and you said, 752 00:37:01,419 –> 00:37:03,560 oh I don’t know if I’ve ever really been a Christian. 753 00:37:05,560 –> 00:37:07,679 When doubt and temptation and depression 754 00:37:07,679 –> 00:37:08,739 have done their worst, 755 00:37:08,739 –> 00:37:11,760 proving that we have never been converted and never saved, 756 00:37:11,760 –> 00:37:13,360 what does that make us? 757 00:37:14,360 –> 00:37:15,219 Sinners. 758 00:37:17,500 –> 00:37:22,199 And what does Satan and your own conscience accuse you 759 00:37:22,199 –> 00:37:24,659 of pride, infidelity, covetousness, 760 00:37:24,659 –> 00:37:27,120 lust, anger, envy, and hypocrisy? 761 00:37:28,040 –> 00:37:30,739 Do what they can. 762 00:37:30,739 –> 00:37:35,679 They can make no worse a man or woman of you than a sinner. 763 00:37:36,939 –> 00:37:38,520 And consequently, 764 00:37:39,739 –> 00:37:44,739 such a one as Christ came to justify and to save. 765 00:37:49,919 –> 00:37:51,040 Pray with me please. 766 00:37:52,520 –> 00:37:55,979 May Satan be confounded at this moment dear Father, 767 00:37:58,080 –> 00:37:59,840 what would you do? 768 00:38:03,040 –> 00:38:06,020 My faith looks up to thee, 769 00:38:07,919 –> 00:38:11,379 O Lamb of Calvary, Savior Divine, 770 00:38:13,280 –> 00:38:14,919 hear me while I pray, 771 00:38:14,919 –> 00:38:17,520 wash all my sins away. 772 00:38:19,340 –> 00:38:24,340 And let me from this day be wholly thine. 773 00:38:27,199 –> 00:38:30,320 Let every person in this service today 774 00:38:33,580 –> 00:38:37,540 is joined to you through the bond of a living union 775 00:38:39,199 –> 00:38:41,199 in which we truly come to love you 776 00:38:41,199 –> 00:38:43,939 and trust you and serve you. 777 00:38:46,580 –> 00:38:49,159 And thank you that our salvation does not rest 778 00:38:49,159 –> 00:38:52,239 in the last analysis on the strength of our grip on you, 779 00:38:52,239 –> 00:38:54,919 but the strength of your grip on us. 780 00:38:57,939 –> 00:38:59,959 And Father, with that bond of faith 781 00:38:59,959 –> 00:39:03,659 and that living union that brings new life 782 00:39:03,659 –> 00:39:08,459 to us in Jesus Christ, we pray that in every life 783 00:39:08,459 –> 00:39:10,899 there may be not only the beginnings of faith, 784 00:39:10,899 –> 00:39:13,699 not only little faith but growth in faith, 785 00:39:15,199 –> 00:39:18,699 an increase in joy and peace and assurance 786 00:39:18,699 –> 00:39:21,580 in all that we’ve heard from the scriptures together today 787 00:39:22,659 –> 00:39:25,699 that we may be individually and together 788 00:39:25,699 –> 00:39:30,159 as we grow in faith much more fruitful 789 00:39:30,159 –> 00:39:32,239 in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ 790 00:39:32,239 –> 00:39:36,000 during the short lives that you give to us here on earth 791 00:39:36,000 –> 00:39:40,620 until the day when faith is turned to sight. 792 00:39:41,699 –> 00:39:44,020 The old division within the human heart 793 00:39:44,020 –> 00:39:49,020 that each of us experiences in some degree is no more. 794 00:39:49,280 –> 00:39:53,219 And we not only see you but we shall be like you. 795 00:39:54,159 –> 00:39:58,479 Father, hear our prayers and bring us all the way home. 796 00:39:59,360 –> 00:40:01,800 For Christ’s sake we ask it, 797 00:40:01,800 –> 00:40:04,399 and everyone said together, amen.

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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