1 John 3:19-24 "Confidence Before God"

Growing, Living, and Trusting in the Source of Our Confidence

• Sermon Outline: Confidence Before God

• How do we grow in our confidence before God?

• What do we do with our confidence before God?

• What is the source of our confidence before God?

• Scripture List: • Ephesians 1:13-14 (Call to Worship) • Psalm 16:1-11 (Scripture Reading) • 1 John 3:19-24 (Sermon Passage)  • 1 John 5:13 • 1 John 2:28 • Matthew 7:7-11 • 1 John 5:14 • Romans 8:31-32 • John 15:1-5 • Romans 8:14-16
• Worship Song List: • Oh Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer • It Was Finished Upon That Cross • Trust and Obey • Yet Not I, But Through Christ In Me • Open My Eyes, That I May See

The Path to Bold Assurance

Through this study, we uncover how believers can cultivate a deeper confidence before God. Scripture reveals that assurance comes through abiding in Christ, obeying His commands, and trusting in His promises.

Foundations of Spiritual Confidence

Our passage in 1 John 3:19-24 highlights essential truths that strengthen our confidence before God. A clean conscience, obedience, and God's unwavering love provide the foundation for bold living in faith.

Key Verses & Commentary:

The Bible provides clear assurance that our confidence before God is rooted in His promises and faithfulness. These passages highlight the connection between obedience, abiding in Christ, and God’s unwavering commitment to His people.

1. 1 John 3:19-24: Confidence before God is tied to our obedience and abiding in His love.
    
2. Ephesians 1:13-14: The Holy Spirit guarantees our relationship with God.
    
3. Romans 8:31-32: God's assurance that He is for us.
    
4. John 15:1-5: Remaining in Christ as the source of spiritual vitality.
    
5. Matthew 7:7-11: God answers prayers in His perfect will.

Defining Key Terms

Understanding key words within this passage helps clarify how believers are to live with confidence before God. Each term reveals a crucial aspect of our relationship with Him, from abiding in Christ to the role of prayer in strengthening our faith.

1. Confidence: Bold assurance in God’s promises and our relationship with Him.
    
2. Obedience: Living according to God's commands and His will.
    
3. Conscience: Our inner sense of right and wrong, which affects our relationship with God.
    
4. Abide: To remain connected to Christ for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
    
5. Prayer: The act of communicating with God, seeking His will and aligning with His heart.

Key Figures in This Passage

God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit each play a vital role in establishing our confidence. Their work secures our salvation, assures us of God's presence, and empowers us to live boldly in faith.

1. God: The source of all confidence, promises, and love. Through His actions and the work of Jesus Christ, He assures believers of His constant presence.
    
2. Jesus Christ: The ultimate source of our confidence, whose finished work on the cross secures our relationship with God.
    
3. Holy Spirit: The One who seals us and grants boldness and assurance before God.

Anchored in Truth and Assurance

Understanding the key themes of confidence, obedience, and abiding in Christ leads us to reflect on the individuals through whom God communicated these truths. The Apostle John, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, recorded these words to strengthen believers in their faith, guard them against doubt and deception, and remind them of their secure standing in Christ. By examining the key figures in this passage, we gain deeper insight into its historical context and its ongoing relevance for both the original audience and believers today.

God’s Message to the Original Audience

John wrote to strengthen believers against doubt, encouraging them to examine their hearts and trust in the security found in Christ. He reminded them that prayer, obedience, and abiding in God's love would deepen their confidence before Him.

1. To encourage believers to examine their hearts and grow in confidence before God through obedience and faith.
    
2. To emphasize the importance of prayer and abiding in Christ for a vibrant relationship with God.
    
3. To remind believers of God’s faithful promises, ensuring that they can approach Him with confidence.

Applications for Believers Today

This passage calls believers to place their confidence in God’s promises and Christ’s finished work. Through persistent prayer, seeking His will, and resting in His love, we can boldly approach God and live in obedience, knowing He hears us.

Conclusion: Living Boldly in God's Assurance

A life of confidence before God is rooted in His promises and our obedience to Him. As we abide in Christ and walk in faith, we are strengthened to approach God boldly and live with assurance in His unfailing love.