Title: Gospel Driven Assurance Meta: Contrary to what some have taught, full assurance is possible in this life for every believer because Jesus Christ has secured their justification by His finished work. Assurance of salvation is resting in Christ's finished work. If we look to ourselves, we will never have a well-grounded hope of eternal life. Tags: assurance,feelings,christian,Don Currin,believer,know,God 1 00:00:05,875 --> 00:00:08,277 I'm not being frivolous when I say 2 00:00:08,277 --> 00:00:10,008 the best part of any sermon 3 00:00:10,008 --> 00:00:14,309 is the reading of the text. 4 00:00:14,309 --> 00:00:16,573 It's a weighty responsibility 5 00:00:16,573 --> 00:00:19,284 to unpack the Word of God. 6 00:00:19,284 --> 00:00:22,663 And sadly, in this day and age in which we live 7 00:00:22,663 --> 00:00:26,052 there's so many people that are not 8 00:00:26,052 --> 00:00:28,783 students of the Word of God. 9 00:00:28,783 --> 00:00:31,030 They're not diligent in their study. 10 00:00:31,030 --> 00:00:32,405 And some people are looking 11 00:00:32,405 --> 00:00:33,796 for a text to twist 12 00:00:33,796 --> 00:00:35,273 so they can make a point 13 00:00:35,273 --> 00:00:38,155 and promote their own agenda. 14 00:00:38,155 --> 00:00:41,328 But really, every time we come together, 15 00:00:41,328 --> 00:00:43,446 we should never minimize 16 00:00:43,446 --> 00:00:45,299 the importance of the reading 17 00:00:45,299 --> 00:00:47,402 of the Word of God. 18 00:00:47,402 --> 00:00:49,469 And so this morning, if you would, 19 00:00:49,469 --> 00:00:52,453 once again as another part of worship, 20 00:00:52,453 --> 00:00:54,186 would you take your Bibles? 21 00:00:54,186 --> 00:00:58,876 Look with me in Hebrews 10. 22 00:00:58,876 --> 00:01:08,622 Hebrews 10. 23 00:01:08,622 --> 00:01:10,572 Follow with me in the Word of God 24 00:01:10,572 --> 00:01:14,446 verse 1 - I'm reading from the New King James. 25 00:01:14,446 --> 00:01:16,008 "For the law having a shadow of 26 00:01:16,008 --> 00:01:17,581 the good things to come 27 00:01:17,581 --> 00:01:20,427 and not the very image of the things 28 00:01:20,427 --> 00:01:23,379 can never with these same sacrifices, 29 00:01:23,379 --> 00:01:26,087 which they offer continually year by year, 30 00:01:26,087 --> 00:01:29,280 make those who approach perfect. 31 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:33,435 For then would they have ceased to be offered. 32 00:01:33,435 --> 00:01:36,545 For the worshipers, once purified, 33 00:01:36,545 --> 00:01:40,563 would have had no more consciousness of sins. 34 00:01:40,563 --> 00:01:42,189 But in those sacrifices, 35 00:01:42,189 --> 00:01:46,001 there is a reminder of sins every year. 36 00:01:46,001 --> 00:01:47,858 For it is not possible 37 00:01:47,858 --> 00:01:51,013 that that the blood of bulls and goats 38 00:01:51,013 --> 00:01:54,504 could take away sins. 39 00:01:54,504 --> 00:01:56,821 Therefore, when He came into the world, 40 00:01:56,821 --> 00:01:58,308 He said, 41 00:01:58,308 --> 00:02:03,269 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, 42 00:02:03,269 --> 00:02:06,402 but a body You have prepared for Me, 43 00:02:06,402 --> 00:02:09,943 in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, 44 00:02:09,943 --> 00:02:12,506 You had no pleasure.' 45 00:02:12,506 --> 00:02:16,109 Then I said, 'behold, I have come. 46 00:02:16,109 --> 00:02:20,115 In the volume of the book it is written of Me 47 00:02:20,115 --> 00:02:23,166 to do Your will, O God.' 48 00:02:23,166 --> 00:02:26,520 Previously saying, 'Sacrifice and offering, 49 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:30,093 burnt offerings and offerings for sin 50 00:02:30,093 --> 00:02:32,086 You did not desire, 51 00:02:32,086 --> 00:02:34,091 nor had pleasure in them, 52 00:02:34,091 --> 00:02:37,449 which are offered according to the Law.' 53 00:02:37,449 --> 00:02:38,737 Then He said, 'Behold, 54 00:02:38,737 --> 00:02:42,256 I have come to do Your will, O God.' 55 00:02:42,256 --> 00:02:43,948 He takes away the first 56 00:02:43,948 --> 00:02:46,810 that He may establish the second. 57 00:02:46,810 --> 00:02:49,676 By that will, we have been sanctified 58 00:02:49,676 --> 00:02:52,671 through the offering of the blood of Jesus Christ 59 00:02:52,671 --> 00:02:56,161 once for all. 60 00:02:56,161 --> 00:02:59,324 And every priest stands ministering daily 61 00:02:59,324 --> 00:03:03,184 and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, 62 00:03:03,184 --> 00:03:06,623 which can never take away sins. 63 00:03:06,623 --> 00:03:08,541 But this man, 64 00:03:08,541 --> 00:03:11,693 after He had offered one sacrifice 65 00:03:11,693 --> 00:03:13,875 for sins forever, 66 00:03:13,875 --> 00:03:17,633 sat down at the right hand of God. 67 00:03:17,633 --> 00:03:20,281 And from that time waiting 68 00:03:20,281 --> 00:03:23,616 till His enemies are made His footstool. 69 00:03:23,616 --> 00:03:27,125 For by one offering, He has perfected forever 70 00:03:27,125 --> 00:03:31,455 those who are being sanctified. 71 00:03:31,455 --> 00:03:34,989 (v. 15) But the Holy Spirit also 72 00:03:34,989 --> 00:03:37,113 witnesses to us. 73 00:03:37,113 --> 00:03:39,419 For after He had said before, 74 00:03:39,419 --> 00:03:42,069 'This is the covenant that I will make with them 75 00:03:42,069 --> 00:03:45,114 after those days,' says the Lord. 76 00:03:45,114 --> 00:03:47,898 'I will put My laws into their hearts 77 00:03:47,898 --> 00:03:49,046 and in their minds, 78 00:03:49,046 --> 00:03:50,524 and I will write them.' 79 00:03:50,524 --> 00:03:52,132 Then He adds, 80 00:03:52,132 --> 00:03:54,698 'Their sins and their lawless deeds 81 00:03:54,698 --> 00:03:58,561 I will remember no more.' 82 00:03:58,561 --> 00:04:01,642 Now where there is remission of these, 83 00:04:01,642 --> 00:04:06,907 there is no longer an offering for sin. 84 00:04:06,907 --> 00:04:10,052 Therefore, brethren, having boldness 85 00:04:10,052 --> 00:04:13,976 to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 86 00:04:13,976 --> 00:04:16,130 by a new and living way 87 00:04:16,130 --> 00:04:18,507 which He consecrated for us, 88 00:04:18,507 --> 00:04:21,624 through the veil - that is His flesh, 89 00:04:21,624 --> 00:04:24,874 and having a high priest over the house of God, 90 00:04:24,874 --> 00:04:27,969 let us draw near with a pure heart 91 00:04:27,969 --> 00:04:30,702 in full assurance of faith. 92 00:04:30,702 --> 00:04:34,362 Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, 93 00:04:34,362 --> 00:04:37,918 and our bodies washed with pure water. 94 00:04:37,918 --> 00:04:40,641 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope 95 00:04:40,641 --> 00:04:42,022 without wavering, 96 00:04:42,022 --> 00:04:45,193 for He Who promised is faithful. 97 00:04:45,193 --> 00:04:46,899 And let us consider one another 98 00:04:46,899 --> 00:04:51,675 in order to stir up love and good works, 99 00:04:51,675 --> 00:04:54,816 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together 100 00:04:54,816 --> 00:04:57,277 as is the manner of some, 101 00:04:57,277 --> 00:04:58,784 but exhorting one another, 102 00:04:58,784 --> 00:05:00,313 and so much the more 103 00:05:00,313 --> 00:05:04,400 as you see the day approaching." 104 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:06,894 This morning, I'd like to begin 105 00:05:06,894 --> 00:05:09,822 with a lesson. 106 00:05:09,822 --> 00:05:12,691 Really, it is a test. 107 00:05:12,691 --> 00:05:18,437 Listen carefully. 108 00:05:18,437 --> 00:05:21,184 When you look back in church history, 109 00:05:21,184 --> 00:05:23,686 there was a very formidable character 110 00:05:23,686 --> 00:05:26,502 within the context of the Roman Catholic Church 111 00:05:26,502 --> 00:05:30,156 whose name was Robert Bellarmine. 112 00:05:30,156 --> 00:05:31,452 It is interesting. 113 00:05:31,452 --> 00:05:34,661 He was Pope Clement the Eighth's personal theologian, 114 00:05:34,661 --> 00:05:38,354 and one of the most able ministers 115 00:05:38,354 --> 00:05:40,044 in the Roman Catholic Church 116 00:05:40,044 --> 00:05:44,058 to refute the Protestant Reformation. 117 00:05:44,058 --> 00:05:46,929 On one occasion, he wrote this: 118 00:05:46,929 --> 00:05:52,408 "The greatest of all protestant heresies is 119 00:05:52,408 --> 00:05:54,208 (and I'm going to let you put 120 00:05:54,208 --> 00:05:57,522 your answer in the blank.) 121 00:05:57,522 --> 00:06:03,571 The greatest of all protestant heresies is..." 122 00:06:03,571 --> 00:06:05,236 Think about it. 123 00:06:05,236 --> 00:06:07,327 Some may say 124 00:06:07,327 --> 00:06:12,490 they would suggest justification by faith. 125 00:06:12,490 --> 00:06:17,428 Someone else would say Scripture alone. 126 00:06:17,428 --> 00:06:18,963 Or perhaps it would be 127 00:06:18,963 --> 00:06:22,232 the priesthood of the believer. 128 00:06:22,232 --> 00:06:27,792 But none of these answers make logical sense. 129 00:06:27,792 --> 00:06:31,753 None of these really complete Bellarmine's statement. 130 00:06:31,753 --> 00:06:33,810 What he wrote was the greatest of all 131 00:06:33,810 --> 00:06:36,590 protestant heresies 132 00:06:36,590 --> 00:06:39,456 is assurance. 133 00:06:39,456 --> 00:06:43,442 Assurance of salvation. 134 00:06:43,442 --> 00:06:46,694 It is impossible to attain such assurance 135 00:06:46,694 --> 00:06:49,370 independently of the Roman Catholic Church 136 00:06:49,370 --> 00:06:51,318 he taught. 137 00:06:51,318 --> 00:06:53,240 But on the contrary, 138 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:55,611 it's impossible to attain that assurance 139 00:06:55,611 --> 00:06:59,543 through that papal system 140 00:06:59,543 --> 00:07:01,536 of works. 141 00:07:01,536 --> 00:07:03,652 Listen carefully. 142 00:07:03,652 --> 00:07:06,693 A moment's reflection explains why. 143 00:07:06,693 --> 00:07:09,401 If justification is not by faith alone 144 00:07:09,401 --> 00:07:12,941 in Christ alone, by grace alone; 145 00:07:12,941 --> 00:07:15,995 If faith needs to be completed by works; 146 00:07:15,995 --> 00:07:19,582 If Christ's work is somehow repeated; 147 00:07:19,582 --> 00:07:22,963 If grace is not free and sovereign, 148 00:07:22,963 --> 00:07:27,574 then something always needs to be done 149 00:07:27,574 --> 00:07:31,348 and to be added for final justification to be ours. 150 00:07:31,348 --> 00:07:35,217 Listen carefully now. 151 00:07:35,217 --> 00:07:38,996 If justification is dependent on something 152 00:07:38,996 --> 00:07:41,254 we have to complete, 153 00:07:41,254 --> 00:07:44,576 it is impossible to enjoy 154 00:07:44,576 --> 00:07:47,533 assurance of salvation. 155 00:07:47,533 --> 00:07:49,769 For then theologically, 156 00:07:49,769 --> 00:07:53,952 final justification is contingent and uncertain. 157 00:07:53,952 --> 00:07:59,991 It all depends on us. 158 00:07:59,991 --> 00:08:02,007 And Rome believed 159 00:08:02,007 --> 00:08:05,123 that it was impossible to secure 160 00:08:05,123 --> 00:08:09,168 a well grounded assurance 161 00:08:09,168 --> 00:08:13,743 of their system of good works. 162 00:08:13,743 --> 00:08:16,686 So, with this in mind this morning, 163 00:08:16,686 --> 00:08:18,717 we must understand 164 00:08:18,717 --> 00:08:20,875 if Christ has done everything 165 00:08:20,875 --> 00:08:23,305 and justification is by grace 166 00:08:23,305 --> 00:08:25,746 without contributory works; 167 00:08:25,746 --> 00:08:28,631 it is received by faith's empty hands, 168 00:08:28,631 --> 00:08:31,799 then assurance - even full assurance - 169 00:08:31,799 --> 00:08:36,176 is possible for every believer. 170 00:08:36,176 --> 00:08:37,921 Every believer. 171 00:08:37,921 --> 00:08:39,184 Now, I will say this, 172 00:08:39,184 --> 00:08:41,511 to qualify this statement. 173 00:08:41,511 --> 00:08:45,376 There were some great giants in the faith. 174 00:08:45,376 --> 00:08:49,049 Men that you and I, on occasion, will quote. 175 00:08:49,049 --> 00:08:50,961 Or even women who made their mark 176 00:08:50,961 --> 00:08:53,441 with the Gospel upon their generation, 177 00:08:53,441 --> 00:08:55,994 who went to their dying hour, 178 00:08:55,994 --> 00:09:00,303 to their grave not having full assurance of faith. 179 00:09:00,303 --> 00:09:03,004 For some reason or another, 180 00:09:03,004 --> 00:09:06,541 there was a lack, a deficiency of full assurance 181 00:09:06,541 --> 00:09:08,980 in these people's lives. 182 00:09:08,980 --> 00:09:11,821 But when you look at this whole matter of assurance, 183 00:09:11,821 --> 00:09:14,283 from a Gospel perspective, friend, 184 00:09:14,283 --> 00:09:18,638 full assurance is attainable. 185 00:09:18,638 --> 00:09:22,253 Now with that said this morning, 186 00:09:22,253 --> 00:09:27,897 consider with me some things from our text. 187 00:09:27,897 --> 00:09:30,095 Here's a thought. 188 00:09:30,095 --> 00:09:31,841 A good friend of mine who 189 00:09:31,841 --> 00:09:33,526 pastors a church in Atlanta 190 00:09:33,526 --> 00:09:35,451 told me: 191 00:09:35,451 --> 00:09:39,316 every time I preach on assurance, 192 00:09:39,316 --> 00:09:44,119 we get more hits and more downloads 193 00:09:44,119 --> 00:09:45,836 concerning that topic 194 00:09:45,836 --> 00:09:49,852 than anything else that I address from the pulpit 195 00:09:49,852 --> 00:09:52,871 on Sermon Audio. 196 00:09:52,871 --> 00:09:55,289 It's a great need, is it not? 197 00:09:55,289 --> 00:09:56,951 Perhaps you've come these days, 198 00:09:56,951 --> 00:09:58,170 you're full of vigor, 199 00:09:58,170 --> 00:10:00,224 and maybe the Lord has increased that 200 00:10:00,224 --> 00:10:01,290 since you've been here 201 00:10:01,290 --> 00:10:04,471 under the sentence of God's Word. 202 00:10:04,471 --> 00:10:05,767 We're so grateful to God 203 00:10:05,767 --> 00:10:08,341 for what God has done afresh in your life. 204 00:10:08,341 --> 00:10:09,841 But if the truth was known, 205 00:10:09,841 --> 00:10:11,507 perhaps there's some tad, 206 00:10:11,507 --> 00:10:14,787 some measure of a lack of assurance 207 00:10:14,787 --> 00:10:20,182 of salvation in someone's life here this morning. 208 00:10:20,182 --> 00:10:24,612 And so I want to encourage you. 209 00:10:24,612 --> 00:10:27,747 Once again, our text. 210 00:10:27,747 --> 00:10:30,093 Hebrews 10 211 00:10:30,093 --> 00:10:35,096 Mainly v. 11 - 23. 212 00:10:35,096 --> 00:10:38,418 In my study and meditation 213 00:10:38,418 --> 00:10:41,051 over the subject of assurance, 214 00:10:41,051 --> 00:10:42,398 I've discovered, brethren, 215 00:10:42,398 --> 00:10:44,107 that there are two biblical ways 216 00:10:44,107 --> 00:10:46,114 by which a person can attain 217 00:10:46,114 --> 00:10:51,248 this well-grounded assurance of faith. 218 00:10:51,248 --> 00:10:59,685 1. Resting in the finished work of Christ alone. 219 00:10:59,685 --> 00:11:06,098 And 2. Casually observing the marks 220 00:11:06,098 --> 00:11:10,437 of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. 221 00:11:10,437 --> 00:11:12,530 Both are important. 222 00:11:12,530 --> 00:11:15,795 You see, the Son provides a foundation 223 00:11:15,795 --> 00:11:17,674 of saving faith, 224 00:11:17,674 --> 00:11:19,112 while the Spirit produces 225 00:11:19,112 --> 00:11:22,277 the birthmarks of sonship. 226 00:11:22,277 --> 00:11:23,296 And once again, 227 00:11:23,296 --> 00:11:25,656 a well-grounded faith is a product 228 00:11:25,656 --> 00:11:27,758 of a proper understanding, 229 00:11:27,758 --> 00:11:31,272 a proper balance of both. 230 00:11:31,272 --> 00:11:34,045 For example, some never attain 231 00:11:34,045 --> 00:11:35,903 a well-grounded assurance 232 00:11:35,903 --> 00:11:37,458 because they only embrace 233 00:11:37,458 --> 00:11:40,041 the finished work of Christ. 234 00:11:40,041 --> 00:11:41,886 They don't look. 235 00:11:41,886 --> 00:11:45,270 They don't observe the marks 236 00:11:45,270 --> 00:11:48,875 of the work of regeneration. 237 00:11:48,875 --> 00:11:50,530 Oswald Chambers said 238 00:11:50,530 --> 00:11:53,030 that the great miracle of conversion 239 00:11:53,030 --> 00:11:55,000 is not the changes that other people 240 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:56,191 see in you, 241 00:11:56,191 --> 00:12:00,398 but the changes that you witness in yourself. 242 00:12:00,398 --> 00:12:03,405 I look back at my life, friend. 243 00:12:03,405 --> 00:12:05,516 And I see certain things 244 00:12:05,516 --> 00:12:08,051 that are attributed to the transforming work 245 00:12:08,051 --> 00:12:09,134 of the Spirit, 246 00:12:09,134 --> 00:12:12,324 and I stand in awe and marvel 247 00:12:12,324 --> 00:12:16,913 that only God could have produced that. 248 00:12:16,913 --> 00:12:19,485 Any religious energy 249 00:12:19,485 --> 00:12:21,685 that I would have sought to employ 250 00:12:21,685 --> 00:12:23,330 to produce that mark 251 00:12:23,330 --> 00:12:26,284 was impossible. 252 00:12:26,284 --> 00:12:29,305 To forgive my enemies was impossible 253 00:12:29,305 --> 00:12:33,580 without the aid of the indwelling Spirit. 254 00:12:33,580 --> 00:12:35,365 So I ask you this morning, 255 00:12:35,365 --> 00:12:39,053 not fixating your mind continuously upon yourself, 256 00:12:39,053 --> 00:12:40,822 just glancing at yourself, 257 00:12:40,822 --> 00:12:42,986 can you see things in your life 258 00:12:42,986 --> 00:12:45,544 that can only be explained in terms 259 00:12:45,544 --> 00:12:54,889 of the supernatural activity of God? 260 00:12:54,889 --> 00:12:56,561 We look this morning at 261 00:12:56,561 --> 00:12:59,057 the subject of assurance. 262 00:12:59,057 --> 00:13:01,137 It's interesting as you read this text 263 00:13:01,137 --> 00:13:03,368 in Hebrews 10. 264 00:13:03,368 --> 00:13:06,559 You find that the writer does two things: 265 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:08,979 First, he shows how much greater 266 00:13:08,979 --> 00:13:12,155 the person of Jesus Christ is 267 00:13:12,155 --> 00:13:18,328 compared to the Hebrew levitical priests. 268 00:13:18,328 --> 00:13:20,948 I believe that assurance oftentimes 269 00:13:20,948 --> 00:13:25,055 is attained through a proper aprehension 270 00:13:25,055 --> 00:13:28,672 and appropriation of the atoning work 271 00:13:28,672 --> 00:13:32,671 of Jesus Christ alone. 272 00:13:32,671 --> 00:13:34,080 As you read the text, 273 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:37,530 you find that the writer does two things: 274 00:13:37,530 --> 00:13:40,607 First, he shows how much greater the person 275 00:13:40,607 --> 00:13:42,253 of Jesus Christ is 276 00:13:42,253 --> 00:13:45,907 compared to these other priests 277 00:13:45,907 --> 00:13:48,649 of the Hebrews - the levitical priests. 278 00:13:48,649 --> 00:13:51,513 And you see this for example - 279 00:13:51,513 --> 00:13:54,280 look at the contrast now in our text. 280 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:56,997 First of all in Hebews 10:11, 281 00:13:56,997 --> 00:13:59,984 you find the Jewish priests - the human priests 282 00:13:59,984 --> 00:14:02,723 were human and sinful. 283 00:14:02,723 --> 00:14:05,652 In contrast, God's Great High Priest 284 00:14:05,652 --> 00:14:07,273 the Lord Jesus Christ 285 00:14:07,273 --> 00:14:13,550 was divine and without sin in Hebrews 4:15. 286 00:14:13,550 --> 00:14:15,799 The priests stood daily 287 00:14:15,799 --> 00:14:17,479 offering the sacrifices 288 00:14:17,479 --> 00:14:20,931 in Hebrews 10:11 again. 289 00:14:20,931 --> 00:14:22,375 But in contrast, 290 00:14:22,375 --> 00:14:28,135 Christ sat down at the right hand of God 291 00:14:28,135 --> 00:14:32,034 to acknowledge that His work was finished 292 00:14:32,034 --> 00:14:37,873 and fulfilling before the Father. 293 00:14:37,873 --> 00:14:39,956 Furthermore, you find the Hebrew priests 294 00:14:39,956 --> 00:14:44,190 offered the same sacrifices continually. 295 00:14:44,190 --> 00:14:46,567 Hebrews 10:11 again. 296 00:14:46,567 --> 00:14:53,249 While Christ offered one sacrifice forever (v. 12). 297 00:14:53,249 --> 00:14:54,758 Secondly though, 298 00:14:54,758 --> 00:14:57,504 there's something else to notice about the text. 299 00:14:57,504 --> 00:15:00,678 And that is he expounds three glorious aspects 300 00:15:00,678 --> 00:15:03,170 of the Gospel. 301 00:15:03,170 --> 00:15:06,502 By the way, I've entitled the message this morning, 302 00:15:06,502 --> 00:15:11,084 "Gospel Driven Assurance" 303 00:15:11,084 --> 00:15:14,768 This makes all the difference, brethren. 304 00:15:14,768 --> 00:15:17,894 This is cutting edge. 305 00:15:17,894 --> 00:15:23,354 This explodes before our very minds. 306 00:15:23,354 --> 00:15:28,910 It has such a transforming effect upon the soul 307 00:15:28,910 --> 00:15:32,144 as a divine catalyst that God has ordained 308 00:15:32,144 --> 00:15:34,403 in the Person of His Son 309 00:15:34,403 --> 00:15:36,378 and Him crucified. 310 00:15:36,378 --> 00:15:37,967 Listen carefully. 311 00:15:37,967 --> 00:15:42,014 The writer here mentions in Hebrews 10:19 312 00:15:42,014 --> 00:15:45,455 the blood of Christ. 313 00:15:45,455 --> 00:15:47,420 We'll look back at that in a moment 314 00:15:47,420 --> 00:15:49,200 and what that means. 315 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:53,941 In v. 20, he speaks of a new 316 00:15:53,941 --> 00:15:57,744 and a living way. 317 00:15:57,744 --> 00:16:02,384 There is a gold mine of implication in that 318 00:16:02,384 --> 00:16:05,127 which we'll see also in a moment. 319 00:16:05,127 --> 00:16:07,345 But then thirdly, 320 00:16:07,345 --> 00:16:10,247 is the Person of our Great High Priest. 321 00:16:10,247 --> 00:16:13,347 Hebrews 10:21 322 00:16:13,347 --> 00:16:15,927 Brothers and sisters, listen carefully. 323 00:16:15,927 --> 00:16:18,324 When we read the book of Hebrews 324 00:16:18,324 --> 00:16:20,109 to reap Gospel benefit, 325 00:16:20,109 --> 00:16:23,104 we should always remember 326 00:16:23,104 --> 00:16:25,083 that over and over again, 327 00:16:25,083 --> 00:16:27,826 the author keeps bringing you back 328 00:16:27,826 --> 00:16:29,745 to a Person, 329 00:16:29,745 --> 00:16:31,805 a propitiation, 330 00:16:31,805 --> 00:16:34,075 and a promise. 331 00:16:34,075 --> 00:16:38,966 The Person is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. 332 00:16:38,966 --> 00:16:42,762 The propitiation, emboldened I might add 333 00:16:42,762 --> 00:16:44,340 in my own mind, 334 00:16:44,340 --> 00:16:48,452 represents that God's wrath against sinners 335 00:16:48,452 --> 00:16:52,820 has been fully satisfied in His Son. 336 00:16:52,820 --> 00:16:55,709 And thirdly is a promise. 337 00:16:55,709 --> 00:16:58,665 And you find this from text to text. 338 00:16:58,665 --> 00:17:01,467 It's administered on a personal level 339 00:17:01,467 --> 00:17:04,869 in the way of practical implication. 340 00:17:04,869 --> 00:17:06,503 So with that said this morning, 341 00:17:06,503 --> 00:17:09,670 let's look at these three things. 342 00:17:09,670 --> 00:17:11,010 First of all 343 00:17:11,010 --> 00:17:14,830 is the blood if Jesus in v. 19. 344 00:17:14,830 --> 00:17:16,602 Notice that if you would. 345 00:17:16,602 --> 00:17:18,721 Hebrews 10:19 346 00:17:18,721 --> 00:17:21,328 "Therefore brethren, having boldness 347 00:17:21,328 --> 00:17:25,342 to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus." 348 00:17:25,342 --> 00:17:28,074 By the blood of Jesus. 349 00:17:28,074 --> 00:17:31,979 Now, this phrase "by the blood of Christ," 350 00:17:31,979 --> 00:17:36,223 represents the shedding of blood 351 00:17:36,223 --> 00:17:39,613 and the death of Jesus Christ 352 00:17:39,613 --> 00:17:43,735 that satisfied the righteous demands 353 00:17:43,735 --> 00:17:46,375 of God's Law. 354 00:17:46,375 --> 00:17:50,889 The soul that sins must die. 355 00:17:50,889 --> 00:17:54,734 But Christ fulfilled the Law, 356 00:17:54,734 --> 00:17:57,492 endured the curse, 357 00:17:57,492 --> 00:17:59,739 endured the wrath of God, 358 00:17:59,739 --> 00:18:01,285 that you and I might be 359 00:18:01,285 --> 00:18:05,176 made the righteousness of God in Him. 360 00:18:05,176 --> 00:18:07,105 Listen carefully. 361 00:18:07,105 --> 00:18:09,575 I heard the story of a Syrian boy 362 00:18:09,575 --> 00:18:13,331 who escaped a terrorist holocaust. 363 00:18:13,331 --> 00:18:17,222 His family was massacred. 364 00:18:17,222 --> 00:18:19,651 But he survived. 365 00:18:19,651 --> 00:18:21,675 You want to know why? 366 00:18:21,675 --> 00:18:24,252 Because he soaked himself 367 00:18:24,252 --> 00:18:28,906 in the blood of his brother. 368 00:18:28,906 --> 00:18:30,473 It's interesting, friend, 369 00:18:30,473 --> 00:18:33,552 if I could draw an analogy from that picture. 370 00:18:33,552 --> 00:18:35,913 That's the only way that you will escape 371 00:18:35,913 --> 00:18:38,028 the wrath of God and ever attain 372 00:18:38,028 --> 00:18:40,214 a full assurance of faith 373 00:18:40,214 --> 00:18:45,801 is you must be soaked in the blood of another. 374 00:18:45,801 --> 00:18:50,274 Notice, I said, soaked. 375 00:18:50,274 --> 00:18:54,019 Without any help of saving yourself. 376 00:18:54,019 --> 00:18:56,371 Without any moral uprightness 377 00:18:56,371 --> 00:18:59,020 or good deeds. 378 00:18:59,020 --> 00:19:01,073 You must be soaked - 379 00:19:01,073 --> 00:19:03,398 so thoroughly soaked 380 00:19:03,398 --> 00:19:07,837 in the blood of Jesus Christ. 381 00:19:07,837 --> 00:19:10,675 Which means that you look to Him 382 00:19:10,675 --> 00:19:15,313 and Him alone for salvation. 383 00:19:15,313 --> 00:19:18,103 It is the blood and only the blood of Christ 384 00:19:18,103 --> 00:19:20,773 that is acceptable to God. 385 00:19:20,773 --> 00:19:22,093 Listen to this. 386 00:19:22,093 --> 00:19:23,594 During the passover, 387 00:19:23,594 --> 00:19:25,213 when the death angel hovered 388 00:19:25,213 --> 00:19:27,526 over the dwellings of the Israelites, 389 00:19:27,526 --> 00:19:30,192 he did not take into account - 390 00:19:30,192 --> 00:19:31,612 listen now - 391 00:19:31,612 --> 00:19:33,837 he did not take into account 392 00:19:33,837 --> 00:19:38,136 of the sincerity of their confession, 393 00:19:38,136 --> 00:19:39,993 nor their performance 394 00:19:39,993 --> 00:19:44,672 in maintaining the ceremonial law, 395 00:19:44,672 --> 00:19:47,954 or how they felt about God. 396 00:19:47,954 --> 00:19:50,599 All the angel was looking for 397 00:19:50,599 --> 00:19:55,476 was the appropriation of the blood. 398 00:19:55,476 --> 00:19:59,238 That's tremendously encouraging to me. 399 00:19:59,238 --> 00:20:02,827 I don't have to tweak anything. 400 00:20:02,827 --> 00:20:05,619 I don't have to improve on anything. 401 00:20:05,619 --> 00:20:08,221 I don't have to look at my performance every day 402 00:20:08,221 --> 00:20:10,922 to secure such assurance. 403 00:20:10,922 --> 00:20:16,508 I look to Christ and Christ alone. 404 00:20:16,508 --> 00:20:20,001 It is surely sufficient for me. 405 00:20:20,001 --> 00:20:22,918 It is surely sufficient for me, 406 00:20:22,918 --> 00:20:26,408 if the blood of Christ is sufficient for God, 407 00:20:26,408 --> 00:20:30,193 it is surely sufficient for me. 408 00:20:30,193 --> 00:20:33,313 That's good news. 409 00:20:33,313 --> 00:20:38,805 That ought to have you dancing in the aisles. 410 00:20:38,805 --> 00:20:42,516 And I wouldn't be bothered by that. 411 00:20:42,516 --> 00:20:44,089 Secondly, 412 00:20:44,089 --> 00:20:46,530 it is by a new and a living way 413 00:20:46,530 --> 00:20:49,040 though the veil of His flesh. 414 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:51,136 V. 20 415 00:20:51,136 --> 00:20:53,778 What does it mean, first of all, 416 00:20:53,778 --> 00:20:56,093 a new way? 417 00:20:56,093 --> 00:20:59,553 New refers to newly killed. 418 00:20:59,553 --> 00:21:01,255 Just dead. 419 00:21:01,255 --> 00:21:03,346 And then fresh. 420 00:21:03,346 --> 00:21:06,616 Something recent. 421 00:21:06,616 --> 00:21:08,136 Listen carefully. 422 00:21:08,136 --> 00:21:09,908 It does not so much convey 423 00:21:09,908 --> 00:21:12,367 the idea that it's new in the sense 424 00:21:12,367 --> 00:21:16,567 that it has never existed before. 425 00:21:16,567 --> 00:21:19,640 It is a way that was recently disclosed 426 00:21:19,640 --> 00:21:21,349 is the idea. 427 00:21:21,349 --> 00:21:27,133 And which has all the freshness of novelty. 428 00:21:27,133 --> 00:21:28,964 It's like before the mind, 429 00:21:28,964 --> 00:21:30,395 the eyes of God, 430 00:21:30,395 --> 00:21:33,080 it was just shed. 431 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:37,772 It's infinite in it's power. 432 00:21:37,772 --> 00:21:39,058 And I remind you that 433 00:21:39,058 --> 00:21:42,600 it will never lose its power. 434 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:44,060 It speaks on our behalf 435 00:21:44,060 --> 00:21:48,464 before the throne of God continuously. 436 00:21:48,464 --> 00:21:52,964 Secondly, the writer refers to this way as living. 437 00:21:52,964 --> 00:21:56,816 It is called a living way. 438 00:21:56,816 --> 00:22:00,152 Because it is a method that imparts life 439 00:22:00,152 --> 00:22:03,927 and because it leads to life and happiness. 440 00:22:03,927 --> 00:22:05,539 The blood was to be offered 441 00:22:05,539 --> 00:22:08,031 as soon as it was shed. 442 00:22:08,031 --> 00:22:10,120 And that it could not be offered 443 00:22:10,120 --> 00:22:13,764 when it was cold or dried up. 444 00:22:13,764 --> 00:22:16,691 The idea here was that the way through Christ 445 00:22:16,691 --> 00:22:18,549 was always open. 446 00:22:18,549 --> 00:22:21,140 His blood was always fresh 447 00:22:21,140 --> 00:22:24,663 and as if it had been recently shed. 448 00:22:24,663 --> 00:22:26,490 The word here "living" 449 00:22:26,490 --> 00:22:31,600 also has the sense of a fountain always running, 450 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:35,555 in opposition to a pool that dries up. 451 00:22:35,555 --> 00:22:36,808 Listen, brethren. 452 00:22:36,808 --> 00:22:39,616 It is constant. 453 00:22:39,616 --> 00:22:42,573 Like a fountain that always flows. 454 00:22:42,573 --> 00:22:44,386 For it is by a sacrifice 455 00:22:44,386 --> 00:22:46,877 whose power is perpetual 456 00:22:46,877 --> 00:22:49,359 and unchanging. 457 00:22:49,359 --> 00:22:52,095 That's the Lord Jesus Christ. 458 00:22:52,095 --> 00:22:54,312 Good news. 459 00:22:54,312 --> 00:22:56,668 Good news. 460 00:22:56,668 --> 00:22:59,536 Infinite good news. 461 00:22:59,536 --> 00:23:02,726 But then another thing to point out in this verse 462 00:23:02,726 --> 00:23:04,461 is the veil. 463 00:23:04,461 --> 00:23:05,915 The veil. 464 00:23:05,915 --> 00:23:09,245 The veil of His flesh. 465 00:23:09,245 --> 00:23:11,817 The simple idea here in reference to the veil 466 00:23:11,817 --> 00:23:13,931 is it seems to have been in the mind 467 00:23:13,931 --> 00:23:17,594 of the apostle that the veil of the temple 468 00:23:17,594 --> 00:23:20,558 and the body of Jesus 469 00:23:20,558 --> 00:23:23,799 were alike in this respect: 470 00:23:23,799 --> 00:23:31,073 that they were the medium of access to God. 471 00:23:31,073 --> 00:23:35,433 The curtain was rent from top to bottom. 472 00:23:35,433 --> 00:23:37,920 The Son was pierced. 473 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:42,108 The Hebrew word is "perforated." 474 00:23:42,108 --> 00:23:44,508 Rent in two. 475 00:23:44,508 --> 00:23:46,179 Under the wrath of God 476 00:23:46,179 --> 00:23:51,041 to give you and I access to the Father. 477 00:23:51,041 --> 00:23:53,704 What an infinite price was paid. 478 00:23:53,704 --> 00:23:55,161 But then in v. 21, 479 00:23:55,161 --> 00:23:56,614 notice something else here, 480 00:23:56,614 --> 00:23:59,851 and that is the Great High Priest. 481 00:23:59,851 --> 00:24:01,799 The idea here 482 00:24:01,799 --> 00:24:04,710 is that as under the former dispensation 483 00:24:04,710 --> 00:24:06,857 it was regarded as a privilege 484 00:24:06,857 --> 00:24:08,411 that the people of God 485 00:24:08,411 --> 00:24:10,822 might have access to the mercy seat 486 00:24:10,822 --> 00:24:12,940 by means of the high priest, 487 00:24:12,940 --> 00:24:15,935 so it is true in a much higher sense now, 488 00:24:15,935 --> 00:24:16,954 listen to this, 489 00:24:16,954 --> 00:24:18,240 a much higher sense 490 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:22,180 that we may now have access to God 491 00:24:22,180 --> 00:24:24,992 through our greater and more glorious High Priest. 492 00:24:24,992 --> 00:24:26,455 The truth of the matter is 493 00:24:26,455 --> 00:24:28,665 with all the human priests, 494 00:24:28,665 --> 00:24:30,144 the levitical priests, 495 00:24:30,144 --> 00:24:36,683 no one ever gave his life for the people. 496 00:24:36,683 --> 00:24:41,125 Only Christ as God's High Priest 497 00:24:41,125 --> 00:24:44,009 laid down His life 498 00:24:44,009 --> 00:24:49,443 to bring many sons to glory. 499 00:24:49,443 --> 00:24:54,336 So, here's the conclusion. 500 00:24:54,336 --> 00:24:57,627 And please, I really encourage you to listen. 501 00:24:57,627 --> 00:25:00,422 I pray the Holy Spirit would take 502 00:25:00,422 --> 00:25:01,789 what I'm about to share 503 00:25:01,789 --> 00:25:04,193 that I really sought to make firmly grounded 504 00:25:04,193 --> 00:25:06,249 upon the Word of God 505 00:25:06,249 --> 00:25:07,483 to encourage and help 506 00:25:07,483 --> 00:25:10,636 and perhaps even in this moment 507 00:25:10,636 --> 00:25:13,426 His eye may diffuse a quickening ray 508 00:25:13,426 --> 00:25:16,644 of hope and assurance in your own hearts. 509 00:25:16,644 --> 00:25:18,637 Listen carefully. 510 00:25:18,637 --> 00:25:21,069 Assurance of salvation 511 00:25:21,069 --> 00:25:26,528 is resting in Christ's finished work. 512 00:25:26,528 --> 00:25:29,660 If we look to ourselves, 513 00:25:29,660 --> 00:25:33,497 we will never possess a well-grounded hope 514 00:25:33,497 --> 00:25:36,491 of eternal life. 515 00:25:36,491 --> 00:25:37,817 If you look to yourself. 516 00:25:37,817 --> 00:25:39,030 Now watch. 517 00:25:39,030 --> 00:25:41,932 There are three things 518 00:25:41,932 --> 00:25:44,001 that believers do 519 00:25:44,001 --> 00:25:47,097 that keep them from assurance. 520 00:25:47,097 --> 00:25:48,371 First of all, 521 00:25:48,371 --> 00:25:53,734 they dwell too much on their performance; 522 00:25:53,734 --> 00:25:57,857 how well they conduct themselves spiritually. 523 00:25:57,857 --> 00:26:00,498 What they say, what they do, 524 00:26:00,498 --> 00:26:01,928 where they traffic, 525 00:26:01,928 --> 00:26:03,307 it's all self-focused. 526 00:26:03,307 --> 00:26:06,531 They dwell too much on their performance. 527 00:26:06,531 --> 00:26:10,037 Secondly, they overly analyze 528 00:26:10,037 --> 00:26:13,737 the worthiness of their intentions - 529 00:26:13,737 --> 00:26:17,454 their motivation in coming to Christ 530 00:26:17,454 --> 00:26:19,425 or walking with Christ. 531 00:26:19,425 --> 00:26:22,213 And we'll talk about that in must a moment. 532 00:26:22,213 --> 00:26:25,136 And thirdly, oftentimes, 533 00:26:25,136 --> 00:26:29,382 assurance doesn't come because 534 00:26:29,382 --> 00:26:31,318 they spend too much time 535 00:26:31,318 --> 00:26:36,684 testing the sincerity of their feelings. 536 00:26:36,684 --> 00:26:39,701 Now let me explain those three things. 537 00:26:39,701 --> 00:26:42,794 The first problem is that some believers 538 00:26:42,794 --> 00:26:44,513 are kept from assurance 539 00:26:44,513 --> 00:26:47,329 because they focus 540 00:26:47,329 --> 00:26:50,362 exceedingly upon what they do - 541 00:26:50,362 --> 00:26:52,158 their performance. 542 00:26:52,158 --> 00:26:55,133 Some measure God's approval of them 543 00:26:55,133 --> 00:26:58,178 by their obedience. 544 00:26:58,178 --> 00:27:02,074 Good days are determined from bad days 545 00:27:02,074 --> 00:27:06,346 by how well they perform spiritually. 546 00:27:06,346 --> 00:27:09,545 Consequently, their lives are characterized 547 00:27:09,545 --> 00:27:11,673 by a sense of never feeling 548 00:27:11,673 --> 00:27:16,987 that they measure up before God. 549 00:27:16,987 --> 00:27:20,341 Let me be transparent. 550 00:27:20,341 --> 00:27:23,969 I get up relatively early in the morning. 551 00:27:23,969 --> 00:27:26,431 I go out to my office. 552 00:27:26,431 --> 00:27:29,182 I battle. 553 00:27:29,182 --> 00:27:31,109 But I go and I open my Bible 554 00:27:31,109 --> 00:27:35,760 and I begin to read the Scriptures. 555 00:27:35,760 --> 00:27:38,612 And as I read, there are mornings 556 00:27:38,612 --> 00:27:40,857 that certain things seem to be 557 00:27:40,857 --> 00:27:43,712 illumined to my mind. 558 00:27:43,712 --> 00:27:47,129 Indeed, it is nothing short of something divine. 559 00:27:47,129 --> 00:27:48,252 God is speaking. 560 00:27:48,252 --> 00:27:50,245 God is showing me some things. 561 00:27:50,245 --> 00:27:53,186 My spirit is invigorated. 562 00:27:53,186 --> 00:27:54,714 The spinoff of that is 563 00:27:54,714 --> 00:27:55,920 as I begin to pray, 564 00:27:55,920 --> 00:27:58,705 there is a sense of God. 565 00:27:58,705 --> 00:28:01,246 As I offer up my petitions 566 00:28:01,246 --> 00:28:02,722 or confessions or whatever, 567 00:28:02,722 --> 00:28:05,715 I sense that the Lord has drawn near. 568 00:28:05,715 --> 00:28:07,178 That He hears. 569 00:28:07,178 --> 00:28:08,946 He forgives. 570 00:28:08,946 --> 00:28:11,459 He's ready to answer. 571 00:28:11,459 --> 00:28:14,316 There's a sense of excitement and vitality 572 00:28:14,316 --> 00:28:17,230 and spiritual reality in it all. 573 00:28:17,230 --> 00:28:18,600 And then, in a little while, 574 00:28:18,600 --> 00:28:20,861 my wife - she's up and she's in the kitchen. 575 00:28:20,861 --> 00:28:22,147 She's prepared breakfast. 576 00:28:22,147 --> 00:28:24,280 She calls me on the intercom. 577 00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:27,165 And I go over, we sit down at the table. 578 00:28:27,165 --> 00:28:28,334 We pray together. 579 00:28:28,334 --> 00:28:29,984 We have this wonderful breakfast. 580 00:28:29,984 --> 00:28:31,965 We start talking about different things. 581 00:28:31,965 --> 00:28:34,258 And then we have our devotional time 582 00:28:34,258 --> 00:28:37,115 as a couple. 583 00:28:37,115 --> 00:28:38,742 And right now, I might add 584 00:28:38,742 --> 00:28:40,590 we're just reading a couple of pages 585 00:28:40,590 --> 00:28:43,875 from Thomas Brooks. 586 00:28:43,875 --> 00:28:46,275 The little book is what inspired Spurgeon. 587 00:28:46,275 --> 00:28:50,491 He compiled it for he and his own future wife Susannah. 588 00:28:50,491 --> 00:28:54,106 It's called, "Smooth Stones from Ancient Brooks." 589 00:28:54,106 --> 00:28:55,599 And so we read those things. 590 00:28:55,599 --> 00:28:56,903 We talk about those quotes 591 00:28:56,903 --> 00:28:59,466 and those paragraphs that he writes. 592 00:28:59,466 --> 00:29:01,886 And bring it into more of a biblical focus. 593 00:29:01,886 --> 00:29:03,923 To understand what Brooks was conveying. 594 00:29:03,923 --> 00:29:06,318 And then we have prayer together. 595 00:29:06,318 --> 00:29:08,194 And this particular morning, friend, 596 00:29:08,194 --> 00:29:09,609 as we pray together, 597 00:29:09,609 --> 00:29:11,942 there's such sweetness and love between us, 598 00:29:11,942 --> 00:29:13,289 and it's like corporately, 599 00:29:13,289 --> 00:29:15,308 we're really drawing near to God, 600 00:29:15,308 --> 00:29:19,688 and I sense God is pleased. 601 00:29:19,688 --> 00:29:22,099 Then I'm ready to go to town. 602 00:29:22,099 --> 00:29:23,507 I go to town that morning, 603 00:29:23,507 --> 00:29:26,416 and somebody cuts me off on the highway. 604 00:29:26,416 --> 00:29:28,572 Hey, no problem. 605 00:29:28,572 --> 00:29:30,485 I just rejoice in the fact. 606 00:29:30,485 --> 00:29:32,520 It's OK. 607 00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:34,066 They've got an agenda. 608 00:29:34,066 --> 00:29:36,823 And I just need to defer. 609 00:29:36,823 --> 00:29:37,999 So I go to town, 610 00:29:37,999 --> 00:29:39,876 and while I'm going around 611 00:29:39,876 --> 00:29:41,484 fulfilling my errands, 612 00:29:41,484 --> 00:29:42,940 I go into a particular place 613 00:29:42,940 --> 00:29:46,107 and I just sense the prompting of the Holy Spirit 614 00:29:46,107 --> 00:29:48,066 and I share Christ with the person 615 00:29:48,066 --> 00:29:50,351 that I'm doing business with. 616 00:29:50,351 --> 00:29:51,722 And I'll tell you, friend, 617 00:29:51,722 --> 00:29:52,951 there's such liberty 618 00:29:52,951 --> 00:29:56,507 and such boldness and love that exudes, 619 00:29:56,507 --> 00:29:59,852 and I say, man, this is great! 620 00:29:59,852 --> 00:30:03,252 Then I come back home in the afternoon. 621 00:30:03,252 --> 00:30:05,787 I go out to my office and start to study 622 00:30:05,787 --> 00:30:06,894 or write emails, 623 00:30:06,894 --> 00:30:09,211 and I say, man, this is wonderful. 624 00:30:09,211 --> 00:30:10,347 I come to the evening 625 00:30:10,347 --> 00:30:12,603 and I think to myself, 626 00:30:12,603 --> 00:30:15,215 Good day. 627 00:30:15,215 --> 00:30:17,590 This has been wonderful. 628 00:30:17,590 --> 00:30:19,609 Thank You, Father. 629 00:30:19,609 --> 00:30:21,728 Next morning, I get up. 630 00:30:21,728 --> 00:30:25,045 I get up later than I wanted to. 631 00:30:25,045 --> 00:30:26,605 I know how much I've got to do 632 00:30:26,605 --> 00:30:28,061 during the course of the day, 633 00:30:28,061 --> 00:30:29,622 so I rush out to the office. 634 00:30:29,622 --> 00:30:30,941 I pick up my Bible. 635 00:30:30,941 --> 00:30:32,304 I begin to read. 636 00:30:32,304 --> 00:30:34,004 I read rather quickly. 637 00:30:34,004 --> 00:30:35,799 There is no sense of God. 638 00:30:35,799 --> 00:30:37,683 Then I have to reread some things. 639 00:30:37,683 --> 00:30:39,864 Lord, I really want something here 640 00:30:39,864 --> 00:30:42,068 and I want it quickly. 641 00:30:42,068 --> 00:30:43,812 And so I get to the Bible reading, 642 00:30:43,812 --> 00:30:45,740 but there's no sense of God. 643 00:30:45,740 --> 00:30:47,800 There's nothing that opens up to me. 644 00:30:47,800 --> 00:30:51,119 It's like the Bible's a closed book. 645 00:30:51,119 --> 00:30:52,485 And then I try to pray 646 00:30:52,485 --> 00:30:54,727 and it's more mechanical and superficial. 647 00:30:54,727 --> 00:30:58,580 I'm just not getting through. 648 00:30:58,580 --> 00:31:01,043 And then I come to the breakfast table. 649 00:31:01,043 --> 00:31:02,604 My wife and I, we begin to talk 650 00:31:02,604 --> 00:31:04,663 and suddenly an issue comes up 651 00:31:04,663 --> 00:31:09,697 and we have a disagreement about it. 652 00:31:09,697 --> 00:31:11,492 And I say some unkind things. 653 00:31:11,492 --> 00:31:12,444 And the way I say it 654 00:31:12,444 --> 00:31:16,762 is very unbecoming to Christ. 655 00:31:16,762 --> 00:31:18,530 And I leave without reconciling 656 00:31:18,530 --> 00:31:21,577 with my wife at the table. 657 00:31:21,577 --> 00:31:23,894 I don't want to have devotions. 658 00:31:23,894 --> 00:31:25,584 I don't want to be a hypocrite. 659 00:31:25,584 --> 00:31:26,856 So I go out to my office 660 00:31:26,856 --> 00:31:28,923 and I pout for awhile, 661 00:31:28,923 --> 00:31:32,164 and then I have to get ready to go to town 662 00:31:32,164 --> 00:31:33,784 still not having resolved things 663 00:31:33,784 --> 00:31:36,553 with my wife. 664 00:31:36,553 --> 00:31:37,705 I go to town that day 665 00:31:37,705 --> 00:31:39,677 and somebody cuts me off on the highway, 666 00:31:39,677 --> 00:31:40,458 and this time, 667 00:31:40,458 --> 00:31:42,880 I'm muttering under my mouth, 668 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:47,780 my lips some very un-Christlike things. 669 00:31:47,780 --> 00:31:50,271 I'm frustrated. 670 00:31:50,271 --> 00:31:54,319 I'm angry. 671 00:31:54,319 --> 00:31:56,126 I have no sense of God. 672 00:31:56,126 --> 00:31:58,936 There's no confidence in my witness. 673 00:31:58,936 --> 00:32:00,940 Even though I see the need before me 674 00:32:00,940 --> 00:32:02,617 as I go to a certain place, 675 00:32:02,617 --> 00:32:05,745 a certain establishment to do business, 676 00:32:05,745 --> 00:32:06,953 I don't want to witness 677 00:32:06,953 --> 00:32:10,706 because I don't want to feel like a hypocrite. 678 00:32:10,706 --> 00:32:12,717 So I go back out, get in my car, 679 00:32:12,717 --> 00:32:13,697 I go home. 680 00:32:13,697 --> 00:32:14,812 I'm frustrated. 681 00:32:14,812 --> 00:32:16,370 I'm burdened down. 682 00:32:16,370 --> 00:32:18,530 There's no sense of God. 683 00:32:18,530 --> 00:32:20,498 I come to the end of my day. 684 00:32:20,498 --> 00:32:24,085 And even though I reconcile with my precious wife, 685 00:32:24,085 --> 00:32:25,941 I think to myself, 686 00:32:25,941 --> 00:32:29,696 bad day. 687 00:32:29,696 --> 00:32:31,826 Guess what, friend? 688 00:32:31,826 --> 00:32:33,823 When you see your days 689 00:32:33,823 --> 00:32:36,496 from a Gospel vantage point, 690 00:32:36,496 --> 00:32:39,472 from a biblical perspective, 691 00:32:39,472 --> 00:32:41,397 from the precious, magnificent 692 00:32:41,397 --> 00:32:43,280 atoning work of Christ, 693 00:32:43,280 --> 00:32:46,432 every day is a good day. 694 00:32:46,432 --> 00:32:49,625 It is the best of days! 695 00:32:49,625 --> 00:32:51,750 You think about that Puritan 696 00:32:51,750 --> 00:32:54,972 who sat there with just a cup of water 697 00:32:54,972 --> 00:32:57,286 and a piece of stale bread 698 00:32:57,286 --> 00:33:01,435 and said "All of this and heaven too?" 699 00:33:01,435 --> 00:33:04,129 You have no idea, friend. 700 00:33:04,129 --> 00:33:06,457 Every day is a great day 701 00:33:06,457 --> 00:33:10,271 when you look at it through the lens of Calvary. 702 00:33:10,271 --> 00:33:13,773 Secondly, here's a thought just in passing. 703 00:33:13,773 --> 00:33:16,477 Remember this. This is so important. 704 00:33:16,477 --> 00:33:18,849 It is not our performance, 705 00:33:18,849 --> 00:33:21,276 but Christ's propitiation 706 00:33:21,276 --> 00:33:23,171 that the Spirit delights 707 00:33:23,171 --> 00:33:26,749 in giving a well-grounded assurance. 708 00:33:26,749 --> 00:33:29,202 It is not your performance, 709 00:33:29,202 --> 00:33:31,710 but Christ's propitiation 710 00:33:31,710 --> 00:33:33,963 that the Spirit delights in 711 00:33:33,963 --> 00:33:37,012 in affording His people 712 00:33:37,012 --> 00:33:39,802 a well-grounded assurance. 713 00:33:39,802 --> 00:33:41,847 So, secondly, here's another thing 714 00:33:41,847 --> 00:33:44,469 that deprives us of assurance. 715 00:33:44,469 --> 00:33:47,693 Some believers keep themselves from assurance 716 00:33:47,693 --> 00:33:51,266 by overanalyzing their intentions. 717 00:33:51,266 --> 00:33:53,023 They wear themselves out 718 00:33:53,023 --> 00:33:55,779 scrutinizing their motives 719 00:33:55,779 --> 00:33:58,485 for coming to Christ. 720 00:33:58,485 --> 00:34:00,393 Some imagine that their faith 721 00:34:00,393 --> 00:34:03,080 has fallen short of salvation 722 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:05,316 because they only wanted a fire escape 723 00:34:05,316 --> 00:34:06,573 out of hell. 724 00:34:06,573 --> 00:34:08,515 How selfish of me. 725 00:34:08,515 --> 00:34:10,733 How self-centered. 726 00:34:10,733 --> 00:34:12,819 The only reason I pray and ask Christ 727 00:34:12,819 --> 00:34:14,740 to forgive me is because 728 00:34:14,740 --> 00:34:17,702 I want a fire escape out of hell. 729 00:34:17,702 --> 00:34:19,203 But I say to you, friend, 730 00:34:19,203 --> 00:34:22,300 what's wrong with that? 731 00:34:22,300 --> 00:34:23,745 You're praying to the Savior - 732 00:34:23,745 --> 00:34:25,766 the only One that can deliver you 733 00:34:25,766 --> 00:34:27,846 from the bondage of sin 734 00:34:27,846 --> 00:34:31,243 and give you eternal life. 735 00:34:31,243 --> 00:34:34,039 Some people just simply think through 736 00:34:34,039 --> 00:34:36,557 the comforting promises of Calvary 737 00:34:36,557 --> 00:34:38,144 and they are born again 738 00:34:38,144 --> 00:34:39,904 as they look to that Christ. 739 00:34:39,904 --> 00:34:41,891 And some people are terrorized 740 00:34:41,891 --> 00:34:44,743 by the law and by the promise of wrath 741 00:34:44,743 --> 00:34:46,571 upon all those who don't believe. 742 00:34:46,571 --> 00:34:48,680 But yet, it drives them to the Savior 743 00:34:48,680 --> 00:34:51,910 and God delights in saving them. 744 00:34:51,910 --> 00:34:55,251 Listen... 745 00:34:55,251 --> 00:34:58,850 Others worry over whether they were sincere enough 746 00:34:58,850 --> 00:35:01,403 when they called on the Lord. 747 00:35:01,403 --> 00:35:03,836 Once again, now listen, 748 00:35:03,836 --> 00:35:06,120 doubt will be replaced with confidence 749 00:35:06,120 --> 00:35:09,797 when the believer who lacks assurance, 750 00:35:09,797 --> 00:35:14,414 understands that it is Christ's sacrifice, 751 00:35:14,414 --> 00:35:17,074 not their sincerity, 752 00:35:17,074 --> 00:35:23,151 that God is pleased to honor in assurance. 753 00:35:23,151 --> 00:35:25,862 I hear people say, at times, to me 754 00:35:25,862 --> 00:35:30,069 brother, I just don't think that I was sincere enough 755 00:35:30,069 --> 00:35:34,521 or my motivation was genuine enough. 756 00:35:34,521 --> 00:35:36,247 What difference does it make? 757 00:35:36,247 --> 00:35:39,718 Look to Christ. 758 00:35:39,718 --> 00:35:41,052 I'll tell you, at times, 759 00:35:41,052 --> 00:35:45,676 I get a little concerned about Charles Spurgeon. 760 00:35:45,676 --> 00:35:50,334 He threw the gate to heaven wide open. 761 00:35:50,334 --> 00:35:54,368 Is this guy an advocate of easy believism? 762 00:35:54,368 --> 00:35:57,360 Is he a proponent of decisionism? 763 00:35:57,360 --> 00:36:00,534 Well, he makes it so simple! 764 00:36:00,534 --> 00:36:03,024 Let me ask you something. 765 00:36:03,024 --> 00:36:05,951 What more can we do? 766 00:36:05,951 --> 00:36:07,331 The Scripture tells us 767 00:36:07,331 --> 00:36:09,141 believe on the Lord Jesus Christ 768 00:36:09,141 --> 00:36:12,249 and thou shalt be saved. 769 00:36:12,249 --> 00:36:14,951 While we are opposed to the false doctrine 770 00:36:14,951 --> 00:36:16,671 of easy believism, 771 00:36:16,671 --> 00:36:17,798 listen, brethren, 772 00:36:17,798 --> 00:36:20,913 it is easy to believe. 773 00:36:20,913 --> 00:36:23,001 It is easy to believe. 774 00:36:23,001 --> 00:36:24,071 So then, thirdly, 775 00:36:24,071 --> 00:36:27,729 here's a third impediment to assurance. 776 00:36:27,729 --> 00:36:30,422 And that is subjective feeling. 777 00:36:30,422 --> 00:36:32,161 Subjective feeling. 778 00:36:32,161 --> 00:36:33,533 Listen carefully. 779 00:36:33,533 --> 00:36:37,074 While God has made us emotional beings, 780 00:36:37,074 --> 00:36:41,114 how we feel about conversion experience 781 00:36:41,114 --> 00:36:42,873 is of little consequence 782 00:36:42,873 --> 00:36:46,161 in our standing before God. 783 00:36:46,161 --> 00:36:48,287 To allow our relationship with God 784 00:36:48,287 --> 00:36:50,316 to be governed by feelings 785 00:36:50,316 --> 00:36:52,777 will bring ongoing frustration 786 00:36:52,777 --> 00:36:55,261 and continual doubts. 787 00:36:55,261 --> 00:36:56,843 John Wesley said, 788 00:36:56,843 --> 00:36:59,541 feelings come and feelings go, 789 00:36:59,541 --> 00:37:02,526 and feelings are deceiving. 790 00:37:02,526 --> 00:37:04,988 And they are. 791 00:37:04,988 --> 00:37:09,938 Subjective impression is an untrustworthy guide 792 00:37:09,938 --> 00:37:13,045 and should be avoided at all costs. 793 00:37:13,045 --> 00:37:15,403 Here it is, friends, simply. 794 00:37:15,403 --> 00:37:19,384 It is only faith's gaze 795 00:37:19,384 --> 00:37:22,294 in the dying Lamb 796 00:37:22,294 --> 00:37:24,803 that is sufficient 797 00:37:24,803 --> 00:37:28,332 to lift a soul out of spiritual death 798 00:37:28,332 --> 00:37:31,607 and impart to it eternal life 799 00:37:31,607 --> 00:37:35,389 and subsequent assurance of salvation. 800 00:37:35,389 --> 00:37:38,838 Looking to Christ. 801 00:37:38,838 --> 00:37:42,081 As I wrap things up, 802 00:37:42,081 --> 00:37:44,036 this is rich. 803 00:37:44,036 --> 00:37:49,234 The weakest faith can yield the strongest assurance 804 00:37:49,234 --> 00:37:57,696 if Jesus and Him crucified is our object in believing. 805 00:37:57,696 --> 00:38:00,051 Robert Murray McCheyne said, 806 00:38:00,051 --> 00:38:05,616 "A weak faith lays hold of a strong Christ." 807 00:38:05,616 --> 00:38:07,589 That's great news. 808 00:38:07,589 --> 00:38:11,448 Therefore, it is an understanding of Christ 809 00:38:11,448 --> 00:38:15,078 and Him crucified that is the best means 810 00:38:15,078 --> 00:38:19,207 for acquiring this well-grounded assurance. 811 00:38:19,207 --> 00:38:20,949 So I close with this. 812 00:38:20,949 --> 00:38:23,278 Listen to these words as a benediction 813 00:38:23,278 --> 00:38:25,540 from A.W. Tozer: 814 00:38:25,540 --> 00:38:27,385 Rich. 815 00:38:27,385 --> 00:38:30,208 He says, "That man who has struggled 816 00:38:30,208 --> 00:38:31,919 to purify himself 817 00:38:31,919 --> 00:38:35,029 and has had nothing but repeated failures 818 00:38:35,029 --> 00:38:37,806 will experience real relief 819 00:38:37,806 --> 00:38:40,609 when he stops tinkering with his soul 820 00:38:40,609 --> 00:38:44,172 and looks away to the Perfect One. 821 00:38:44,172 --> 00:38:46,170 While he looks at Christ, 822 00:38:46,170 --> 00:38:49,983 the very things he has so long been trying to do 823 00:38:49,983 --> 00:38:55,823 will be getting done in him." 824 00:38:55,823 --> 00:38:58,835 So what's my responsibility? 825 00:38:58,835 --> 00:39:03,141 I'm going to look at the mighty Christ. 826 00:39:03,141 --> 00:39:06,528 God's High Priest. 827 00:39:06,528 --> 00:39:10,514 Friend, if you're constantly looking at yourself, 828 00:39:10,514 --> 00:39:13,140 tweaking this and proving this, 829 00:39:13,140 --> 00:39:15,470 thinking subconsciously, 830 00:39:15,470 --> 00:39:16,902 this has something to do with 831 00:39:16,902 --> 00:39:19,064 my acceptance before God, 832 00:39:19,064 --> 00:39:23,474 assurance is impossible. 833 00:39:23,474 --> 00:39:27,233 But if you will look to Christ and Christ alone, 834 00:39:27,233 --> 00:39:30,234 and bathe yourself in this Gospel 835 00:39:30,234 --> 00:39:33,398 that is full of eternal promise, 836 00:39:33,398 --> 00:39:38,527 God will give you a well-grounded assurance. 837 00:39:38,527 --> 00:39:41,581 Let's pray together. 838 00:39:41,581 --> 00:39:43,903 Our Father, we want to thank You for Your Son, 839 00:39:43,903 --> 00:39:46,682 the Lord Jesus Christ. 840 00:39:46,682 --> 00:39:49,291 What a precious Savior! 841 00:39:49,291 --> 00:39:51,177 Thank You that You took pleasure 842 00:39:51,177 --> 00:39:54,348 in smiting Your Darling, 843 00:39:54,348 --> 00:40:00,443 that we might have Your imputed righteousness 844 00:40:00,443 --> 00:40:04,782 and full acceptance before You. 845 00:40:04,782 --> 00:40:06,460 We bless You 846 00:40:06,460 --> 00:40:09,863 that He - Christ - Who knew no sin, 847 00:40:09,863 --> 00:40:12,428 was made sin for us 848 00:40:12,428 --> 00:40:13,723 that we might be made 849 00:40:13,723 --> 00:40:17,098 the righteousness of God in Him. 850 00:40:17,098 --> 00:40:19,521 And there is one God 851 00:40:19,521 --> 00:40:24,039 and one Mediator between God and man, 852 00:40:24,039 --> 00:40:26,093 and it is not us. 853 00:40:26,093 --> 00:40:29,522 It is the man Christ Jesus. 854 00:40:29,522 --> 00:40:31,020 Lord, bless Your people with 855 00:40:31,020 --> 00:40:32,654 peace and assurance. 856 00:40:32,654 --> 00:40:34,262 We ask in Jesus' name, 857 00:40:34,262 --> 00:40:36,226 Amen.