A Know-So Salvation

"A KNOW-SO SALVATION!" 1 JOHN 5:9-13 INTRO: How do you know that you are saved today? On what basis do you place your right to Heaven? If you should die do you know you'd go to Heaven? If someone should ask you these questions, how would you respond to them? Every believer should know they are saved and why they are saved! 1 Peter 3:15 says, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." I have found, from studying God’s Word, that the BIBLE teaches a "Know-So Salvation"! That will serve as our title for the message today. When we are saved we should know it! In 1 John 5:13 the SCRIPTURE says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." The words "know, knoweth, known and knew," in their combined appearances total not less than thirty-nine times in this epistle. (Lehman Strauss. The Epistles of John. p.76). The word "Know" is translated from the Greek word "Oida" which means "fullness of knowledge, or to know perfectly, or beyond the shadow of a doubt." Our belief in Jesus Christ gives us something that can never be destroyed! Paul in Romans 8:38-39 declares, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Seven times in 1 John 5 we find the assuring words, "We know." The Christian possesses a knowing faith because Christianity is based upon certainties. The child of God can be certain about his past sins (2 Timothy 1:12), his present sufficiency (Romans 8:28), and his prospective security (2 Corinthians 5:1). This is a knowing faith and it grows out of a saving faith. (Lehman Strauss. The Epistles of John. p.76). The question implied by our text, 1 John 5:13 is this, "have you or have you not been saved?" What is your salvation based upon? Ask yourself that question! In the message, let us see what a "Know-So Salvation" is based upon! OUR SALVATION IS BASED UPON: (1) FACT NOT FICTION 1 JOHN 5:9-11—“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

A. THE FACTS ABOUT THE SAVIOR. John wrote in v9—“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.” The sayings or teachings of men soon perish and are forgotten, but God's Word endures forever! (Isaiah 40:8). We do receive human testimony. We have human testimony of many and unimpeachable witnesses to the facts of the life of Christ, but we have also the greater witness of God. We have the Father's testimony on record, and we have it constantly repeated in his transforming grace. Every one born again to a new life is a new demonstration. (B. W. Johnson. The People’s New Testament. e-Sword. Version 7.7.7. Copyright 2000-2005. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide). John wrote concerning the purpose of his gospel in John 20:30-31—“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” From John's gospel we learn that Jesus is:  The Light of the world (John 1:9, 8:12, 9:5).  The Lamb of God (John 1:39, 36).  The Messiah (John 1:41).  The Begotten of the Father (John 1:14).  The Only Begotten Son (John 1:18, 3:16).  The Word (John 1:1).  The Son of Man that must be lifted up (John 3:14).  The Giver of Living Water (John 4:14).  The Bread of Life (John 6:35).  The Door (John 10:9).  The Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14).  The Resurrection and the Life (John 11: 25).  The True Vine (John 15).  The Way (John 14:6). Each of these 14 divine titles of our LORD Jesus describe some facet of His character. Thank God for such a Savior! B. THE FOUNDATION OF SALVATION. Christianity is CHRIST! There is no salvation apart from HIM! You cannot turn your back on Jesus and your face toward God, because they stand together! -B. Smith, 1982 SBC (Bible Illustrator For Windows. Version 3.0f. Copyright 1990-1998, by Parsons Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved). Our salvation is based upon the FACT of His:  Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:21—“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”) Why is this so important? Because if He had been born of anything but a virgin, He would have been conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5)! But Christ was born in the likeness of man, yet without sin! How? Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us—“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” I want you to notice the words "took part" in v14. They are translated from a Greek word “Metecho” that means "to take part, but not all!” He was born in a body of flesh, but His life came from above! The angel appeared to Joseph in Matthew 1:20—“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”  Vicarious Death (Romans 4:25—“Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.”). "Vicarious" means "to suffer for or to take the place of another." (Isaiah 53:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).  Visible Resurrection. Notice: 1. Its Manner (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). 2. Its Meaning (1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 Corinthians 15:17). Friends, we have A KNOW-SO SALVATION! It is based upon FACT NOT FICTION and it is based upon the… (2) FAITHFULNESS OF GOD NOT THE FAITHFULNESS OF MAN 1 CORINTHIANS 1:9—“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” A. THE REALITY OF HIS FAITHFULNESS. Our God is faithful! We read in Psalm 103:17 tells us—“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children.” Psalm 111:4, 7-10 tells us—“He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion… The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.” God is faithful but man is unfaithful! That is why Psalm 118:8 says— “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Paul said in Romans 3:4a—“Let God be true, but every man a liar...” God is true, faithful to his word, constant in his promises, and will always fulfil his purposes (John Gill. John Gill’s Exposition of The Entire Bible. e-Sword. Version 7.7.7. Copyright 2000-2005. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide). B. THE REVELATION OF HIS FAITHFULNESS. Through Jesus Christ we see the revelation of God’s faithfulness. Jesus said in John 14:9—“… he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” You have no right to reckon on God's help and protection and guidance, and all the other splendid privileges which he promises to "the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ," until you have this first blessing, the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, for it is "in" Jesus Christ that all the promises of God are yea and amen. -- Frances Ridley Havergal. By J. Wilbur Chapan, "Present Day Parables." Through Christ we see the revelation that God is:  Faithful In His Love (John 3:16, 1 John 3:16, 4:9-10).  Faithful In His Mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5; Psalm 100:5).  Faithful In His Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 5:20).

We read in 2 Timothy 2:13—“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." Our salvation is based upon FACT NOT FICTION, the FAITHFULNESS OF GOD NOT THE FAITHFULNESS OF MAN and finally… (3) FAITH IN CHRIST NOT ON FEELINGS THROUGH LIFE 1 JOHN 5:12-13—“He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” A. FAITH CONFIRMS. Both of these verses speak of ASSURANCE. Our salvation rests in certainties! John says—“He that hath the son hath life…”. How does one have the Son? By believing in Him and placing their trust in HIM! 1 John 5:1 tells us—“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” This belief, accepted in the heart, confessed with the mouth, and perfected by the obedience of faith (Rom_1:5; Jam_2:22) makes one a child of God. (B. W. Johnson. The People’s New Testament. e-Sword. Version 7.7.7. Copyright 2000-2005. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide). Warren Wiersbe aptly had aptly pointed out: “Most people in the world do not know what a Christian is or how they can become Christians. They trust in religious works and good intentions, depending on the energy of the flesh. God says that a Christian is someone who has been born again . It is faith in the finished work of Christ that makes a child of disobedience into a child of God” (Warren W. Wiersbe. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on The New Testament. p. 776). Friends, we are not saved by how we feel, but on our trust in Jesus Christ! Jesus said in John 5:24—“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Our trust in Christ gives us HOPE. Romans 8:24-25 tells us—“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” The word “hope” found in these verses speak of “anticipation, expectation, and confidence.” It is a “confident expectation of the unseen and future". It is said of Moses in Hebrews 11:27—“...he endured…seeing him who is invisible." That how we endure in this life! Walking by faith, not by sight! Friends, that's how we were first saved by looking to Him that is invisible! We see him with the spiritual eye not the physical eye (Isaiah 45:22; John 6:40). Hope can never be divorced from salvation because salvation is the ground of our hope. (Jerry Falwell. Liberty Bible Commentary: New Testament. p. 375). This hope in Christ is a living hope! (1 Peter 1:3-5). John says in v13—“… believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…”. Faith confirms but also…

B. FAITH CONSTRAINS. A person with A KNOW-SO SALVATION will be have a desire to live for the Lord! 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 tells us—“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Our faith and trust in Christ causes us to:  Live By His Commandments (1 John 2:3-6).  Love Our Brethren (1 John 3:14-19).  Look To His Spirit For Guidance (1 John 3:24b; 4:13; Romans 8:14). CLOSING: What is your hope of heaven based on today? Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are saved and on your way to heaven? Our salvation is based upon the infallibility of the Word of God, not on the fallibility of man! A KNOW-SO SALVATION is based upon FACT NOT FICTION, the FAITHFULNESS OF GOD NOT THE FAITHFULNESS OF MAN, FAITH IN CHRIST NOT ON FEELING THROUGH LIFE. Do you possess a "Know-So Salvation"? An unknown author wrote: "As a tree falls, so the tree lies. As a man lives, so a man dies. As a man dies so shall he be through all the years of eternity." (Herbert Lockyer. All The Doctrines of The Bible. p. 286). Once we leave this life our destiny is sealed. Do you know you are saved today? Billy Graham in his Book, PEACE WITH GOD, says “There are thousands of people who have had some form of emotional experience that they refer to as conversion but who have never been truly converted to Christ. Christ demands a change in the way you live—and if your life does not conform to your experience, then you have reason to doubt your experience!” (Billy Graham. Peace With God. p. 113).