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Assurance of SalvationPart 10

Knowing the time of your

"conversion experience"

It's time for

MISSION

MOMENT!

Eva K. (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.

Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that

Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

(2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Assurance of Salvation

(Make sure while you can!)

Things that prove

nothing.

Their ABSENCE is a good indicator that you do not know God…

But their PRESENCE does not guarantee salvation, for an

UNSAVED person can do it!

maix¿? (CC BY-SA 2.5) + P.D. smiley

TODAY'S TOPIC:

Knowing the

TIME of your

"conversion

experience"

Public Domain

- - - - - - - - - -

ALSO:"Anything else"we haven't mentioned,

but which fits

in the category.

There are lots of "events" you can remember or keep record of.

• Baptism

• Confirmation

• "Walking down the aisle"

• Praying "the prayer"

• A sudden "feeling of enlightenment"

• Something your parents did (while you were a baby)

• Etc.

But is there any guaranteed relationship between these and your salvation?

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You can have a special certificate to "prove" it.

(Or you can write it in the front of your

Bible.)

But what does a piece of

paper really prove?

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Consider what the Bible says about this issue.

• In both Old and New Testaments, the

Jews tended to think they were in God's favor. They had rites and rituals they could

point to as "proof" – and they could tell you the time and day these things happened.

• Yet over and over again, we read about God's judgment on them, because they

weren't genuine followers of God!

Consider also the very things we see in a typical church.

• We see people who give testimonies about

what they claim is a "life-changing" experience. They can tell you the time and place where it

happened.

• The next thing we know, they are gone. And

they're wallowing deeper in sin than

they ever were before.eric molina (CC BY 2.0)

What about those who DON'T know

the time and day it happened?

• Does this prove

they are lost? [No]

• Does not knowing

it matter?

[Hint: Read the clock!]

[God often begins to work in

a person's life BEFORE the person is aware of it.]

Ben Hinks

ON THE OTHER HAND…

Besides, anyonecan have

a "born again experience"!

And they can often tell you the day and time they had it.

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Cackie777 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Knowing the time: Conclusion?

Do you know the date and time of your "conversion experience"?

• If YES – It doesn't guarantee

that you're saved.

• If NO – By itself, it doesn't mean there is a reason to

worry!

Dennis Hinks

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"ANYTHING ELSE"

that might be in the "no proof" category

• Other things that prove nothing may exist…

• If you keep your focus on the Bible,

– you will recognize them,

– and you won't be sidetracked by them.

FINALLY!!Just one example: The ability to do miracles

Matthew 7:22-23 (NIV)

Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

2 Thes. 2:9-10a (NIV)

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.

MIRACLE-WORKING IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PERSON IS SAVED!

Consider also this passage:

One day Jesus called together his twelve apostles

and gave them power and authority to cast out demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the coming of

the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ( Luke 9:1-2 NLT)

Do you realize…

One of the "twelve" who was given this power

to just happened to be … Judas Iscariot.

Don't cling to any of these "no proof" things

as evidence of salvation!

• Not proof for yourself.

• Not proof for others.

CONCLUSION(to this entire section)

maix¿? (CC BY-SA 2.5) + P.D. smiley

TWO WRONG RESPONSES

TO ALL THIS

• Wanting to “make-believe” that people are saved (when no evidence exists).

• Not wanting to hear the truth.

• People desperately want to believe that their family and friends are saved.

• When no GENUINE evidence of salvation is present, they tend to grasp at any

"hope" they can find – including things that prove nothing.

A Wrong Response (#1):

4

"I know he was saved, because he died with a

smile on his face!"Public Domain

Sometimes taking it to Sometimes taking it to

an extreme!an extreme!

• People don't want to know. When they are shown Scripture, they get offended and

say things like, "Don't judge me!"

• Yet what good will it be …

– If we don't point out the truth

– If we choose to remain silent

– If we refuse to obey God in this matter…

A Wrong Response (#2):

…when they are cast

into

the lake of fire?

(Pu

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in)

• What excuse will you make then?

• Are you going to say,"At least I didn't hurt their feelings!"

What good will it be …

YOUR MISSION…

• We have completed this part of our "journey" to assurance of salvation!

• Remember the nature of these things, and you won't be sidetracked by them.

• Even when they are a necessary part of living for

Jesus, they are not the proof that we actually areliving for him!

YOUR MISSION…

• Pray for us as a group,

- that God will prepare us for what will come next, in:

"Part 3 - Actions that prove we are saved."

If these lessons have left you

concerned about your salvation…

• Start reading the Bible (or learning it in some other way), to find out what God says about your situation. & Accept what it says.

• Pray that God will work in you, to accomplish anything that is necessary.

• Commit the final results into God's hands; for he is faithful and can be trusted.

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SCRIPTURE

• 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Scripture quotation from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (www.gnpcb.org)

• Matthew 7:22-23 & 2 Thes. 2:9-10a - Scripture quoted from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. (www.zondervanbibles.com)

• Luke 9:1-2 - Scripture quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. (www.newlivingtranslation.com)

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• YELLOW LIGHT - By maix¿? (Image:Ampel.svg) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Traffic_lights_dark_yellow.svg

• GREEN LIGHT - By maix¿? (Image:Ampel.svg) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Traffic_lights_dark_green.svg

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PICTURES

• Calendar - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Template:AprilCalendar (Latest revision as of 08:16, 14 February 2012)

• Hourglass - By User:S Sepp (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wooden_hourglass4.jpg

• Confirmation certificate - By Photo: Andreas Praefcke (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Konfirmationsschein_Charlottenburg_1918.jpg (slightly modified)

• Pig in mud - By eric molina [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Let%27s_not_forget_how_well_mud_will_exfoliate_and_moisturize_your_skin.jpg (cropped)

• Clock with "who cares" – Ben Hinks © 2013; used with permission. (cropped)

• Person behind the mask - By Cackie777 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brian_Corsetti.png (not implying anything about the person in the picture)

• The mask - By Rursus (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emblem-evil-devil.svg (modified)

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PICTURES

• Calendar - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Template:AprilCalendar (Latest revision as of 08:16, 14 February 2012)

• Hourglass - By User:S Sepp (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wooden_hourglass4.jpg

• Confirmation certificate - By Photo: Andreas Praefcke (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Konfirmationsschein_Charlottenburg_1918.jpg (slightly modified)

• Pig in mud - By eric molina [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Let%27s_not_forget_how_well_mud_will_exfoliate_and_moisturize_your_skin.jpg (cropped)

• Clock with "who cares" – Ben Hinks © 2013; used with permission. (cropped)

• Person behind the mask - By Cackie777 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brian_Corsetti.png (not implying anything about the person in the picture)

• The mask - By Rursus (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emblem-evil-devil.svg (modified)

• Atheist badge – Author unknown [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Born-again_atheist_badge,_c.1987.jpg

• Tiny alarm clock - By Agilight (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%22%D0%A2%D1%8B%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%BF_%D1%87%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B6%D1%8B%D1%8B%D0%BB%D1%8B%D2%A3%D0%B0%D1%80%22._%D0%A7%D1%83%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BA_15.jpg

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PICTURES

• Sundial – Dennis Hinks © 2006

• Casket - By Fennimore - Photographer (Leslie's monthly magazine) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Justice_at_last.jpg (cropped, modified)

• Angel smiley - By The people from the Tango! project (The Tango! Desktop Project) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Face-angel.svg (modified)

• "Hell" - James Tissot [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commonshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Bad_Rich_Man_in_Hell_%28Le_mauvais_riche_dans_l%27Enfer%29_-_James_Tissot_-_overall.jpg (modified)

• Presentation and any textured backgrounds (i.e., not a solid shade) – Dennis Hinks © 2013

• DISCLAIMER: The use of a picture does not imply that the author of that picture agrees with the views of this presentation. Some might agree; some might not.