Reassurance of Faith
Steve McKenzie April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

1 John 3:18-24

OUR HEART’S CONDEMNATION

  • “for whenever our heart condemns us” [1 John 3:20]
  • “Self-condemnation can be due to a number of factors. It can be a matter of disposition; some people are just more introspective and melancholy than others. It may be a question of health; how a person feels inevitably affects how he thinks. It may be due to specific sin. It may be due to circumstances. But whatever the cause, the problem is a real one and quite widespread. How is a believer to deal with such doubt? (Boice, The Epistles of John, 121–22)”
  • REASONS FOR CONDEMNATION
    • Discernment
    • Disposition
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Health
    • Circumstances
    • Specific Sins

GREATNESS OF GOD

  • “God is greater than our heart.” [1 John 3:20]

DOUBTS RETURN

  • “and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” 1 John 3:22

BELIEVE IN GOD & LOVE ONE ANOTHER

  • “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.” 1 John 3:23
  • “In some ways we would prefer to hear Jesus’ call to deny father and mother, houses and land for the sake of the gospel than his word to wash feet. Radical self-denial gives the feel of adventure.… But in service we much experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves. Service banishes us to the mundane, the ordinary, the trivial.” Richard Foster

CONCLUSION

  • LEAD YOUR HEART
    • Connect with your heart
    • Surrender through prayer
    • Listen to the scriptures
  • REST IN JESUS
    • Meditate on the scriptures
    • Pray through your pen
  • LOVE OTHERS
    • Discern your next steps
    • Share with others