INTRODUCTION / BACKGROUND

  • Context: 1 John 3:16-18
  • Last week, by this we know love.  This week, by this we know truth.
  • THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD AND THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT bring assurance, comfort, and confidence to God’s children.
  • Main Focus: 1 John 3:23

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1. God wants you to have A CONFIDENT HEART!

1 John 3:19-22

To my fellow men a heart of love; to my friends a heart of loyalty; to my God a heart of flame; to myself a heart of steel. – Augustine of Hippo
A confident heart:
  • is an EXAMINED heart!
  • is an EXALTING heart! (Exalting Christ) (v20)

“God knows me” is different from “God is omniscient”; the latter is a mere theological statement; the former is a child of God’s most precious possession. -Oswald Chambers

See Ezekiel 11:18-20; Psalm 139:23-24

A confident heart affects our prayer life! 1 John 3:21-22; John 14:12-14

NOTE: PRAYING IN JESUS NAME

To pray in Jesus’ name is not a magical phrase that suddenly grabs Heaven’s attention! It means that the heart, the request, and the posture of waiting are in line with His character, His authority, His mission, and His glory!
We will pray Kingdom-Prayers that advance His agenda when we pray in Jesus’ name. We will pray Kingdom prayers with confident hearts!

See Hebrews 4:16; 10:19; James 2:26

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2. God has given us A CLEAR COMMAND!

1 John 3:23 – Believe in Jesus Christ and love one another!

See Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:9-11; John 13:34

Love requires service!

We need help!

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3. God has sent us A CONSTANT HELPER!  The Holy Spirit

1 John 3:24

“Love is not the way to God, God is the way to love.” -Adrian Rogers
See Romans 8:26-28; Ephesian 5:15-21
CONCLUSION:
  • God longs for you to have a confident heart…
    • examine it TODAY in light of what we KNOW of God’s love and truth.
    • exalt JESUS as you ask Him to forgive and cleanse
  • God gave us a CONSTANT HELPER – the Holy Spirit – to enable us to fulfill
  • HIS CLEAR COMMAND: BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Let’s know, love, and obey Jesus together, so we can make disciple-making disciples for God’s glory!

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