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.