OceanSide church of Christ




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Blessed Assurance
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.              Introduction

A.   Christians should be the most confident people on earth

                                          i.    Yet Satan works hard to instill doubt within us

                                        ii.    The Hebrew writer says we can have “boldness” and “full assurance”  through Christ Jesus (Heb 10:19-23)

B.   Is it really a big deal when we doubt from time to time?

                                          i.    Doubt turns to worry (Luke 12:29)

1.    Doubting we will have our necessities causes us to worry

2.    A confident Christian wouldn’t worry about God providing the necessities of life

                                        ii.    Doubt means a lack of trust

1.    Gideon didn’t trust the angel or God when they told him he would deliver Israel from the Midianites (Judg 6:12ff)

2.    Gideon needed signs to gain his trust because he doubted

                                       iii.    Doubt leads to fear

1.    The spies sent to view Canaan’s Land doubted they could defeat the giants of the land (Num 13:30-14:1)

2.    They feared them and wept cowardly

                                       iv.    Doubt can make something pure become evil (Rom 14:1-13)

1.    Not being sure of the truth can cause us to sin

2.    Something might be acceptable but if we do it without knowing for certain, using God’s word, we sin (14:23)

                                        v.    Lastly, doubt hinders prayer (Jam 1:5-8)

1.    Requesting things of God but not being confident He will and can take care of it hinders our requests

2.    We won’t receive anything from God if we waver in our assurance

II.            A Bible Example of Confidence (2 Kings 6:8-23)

A.   The king of Syria was constantly trying to conquer Israel’s king

                                          i.    Somehow Israel kept avoiding Syria’s attacks

                                        ii.    Syria’s king thought there was a spy reporting to Israel

1.    He soon learned the source of information was Israel’s prophet, Elisha

2.    He decided to attack Elisha in Dothan and surrounded him with armies

B.   This is where our application begins with Elisha’s response to the armies surrounding Dothan

                                          i.    Elisha says that their numbers are greater than Syria’s (v16)

                                        ii.    What a confident statement considering they were outnumbered as far as man count was concerned

1.    We should always be confident as well since no one can stand against us with God on our team (Rom 3:31, 37)

2.    Notice without doubt there is no worry or fear in Elisha’s heart

C.   Also note that Elisha had not seen the armies yet when he made that statement

                                          i.    Faith is believing even though one does not see (Heb 11:1)

                                        ii.    We need to be like Elisha and not like Thomas

1.    Remember Thomas would not believe unless he saw and felt the Lord himself (John 20:24-31)

2.    Jesus said we are blessed who believe in Him without seeing

D.   Elisha prayed to God to blind the people and God did just that

                                          i.    His prayer wasn’t hindered because he didn’t doubt

                                        ii.    He lead the people blindly to Samaria to the king of Israel

E.   Elisha did not kill them but instead showed them kindness

                                          i.    The result was the Syrians no longer fought with Israel (v23)

                                        ii.    What a powerful example of kindness over vengeance

1.    It takes confidence to be kind to our enemies

2.    David did the same thing with Saul (1 Sam 24:16-19)

F.    Lastly, Elisha was faithful until death

                                          i.    We must keep our confidence until death (Heb 3:14)

                                        ii.    Only then can we be found faithful in that day

III.           Conclusion

A.   We know that God cannot lie (Tit 1:2)

                                          i.    We know God desires we be assured of our salvation (1 John 3:18-24, cf. 4:17-19)

                                        ii.    We can know without doubt we are saved

                                       iii.    Notice the condition is that we are keeping His commands

B.   Are you without doubt that you are saved this moment?