The Holy Spirit Bears Witness

Sermon delivered on July 15th, 2018
Sunday Morning Service

By: Pastor Greg Hocson

Scripture Text: Romans 8:9-17

 

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10: And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12: Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13: For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

Introduction

How would you respond if I asked you right now, "Are you saved? Do you know for sure without a shadow of doubt that you pass on from this life you are on your way to heaven?" 

 

The question, "Am I saved?" is one of the most important questions I can ever ask myself. I need to know the answer; I must know the answer. This is not a small thing. This is dead serious. This is life and death.

 

Charles Spurgeon said ...

"If any man is not sure that he is in Christ, he ought not to be easy one moment until he is sure. Dear friend, without the fullest confidence as to your saved condition, you have no right to be at ease, and I pray you may never be so. This is a matter too important to be left undecided."

 

It is not God's plan and intention for the believer to live their Christian life ever doubtful of their salvation. It is God's will that we enjoy our salvation. During His earthly ministry, our Saviour assured with His own lips those who believed in Him. And then, having ascended to Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ has sent us another Comforter. The Holy Spirit has now a very definite work in producing assurance of salvation.

 

This morning consider with me the Holy Spirit's ministry of giving assurance. After He regenerates a person, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in that person and begins His ministry of producing assurance of salvation in the believer. Consider these three headings - the Struggle for Assurance; the Significance of Assurance; and the Source of Assurance.

 

I — The Struggle for Assurance

There is so much confusion regarding this doctrine of assurance of salvation. There are those who have assurance who shouldn't have and there are those who don't have assurance who should have. There so many saved people who struggle with the assurance of salvation. There are those who are not convinced that it is possible to know one's salvation while still living. They have this idea that the only time you can know is when you pass on from this life. They believe that no one can be saved and really know it until they are dead. Then again, there are those who think that to claim salvation is to be proud and conceited. They regard Christians who claim they know they are going to heaven  as boastful and arrogant. 

 

But what does the Bible say about the assurance of salvation? Is it really possible to know for sure that we have eternal life? Is it arrogant for a person to claim that he knows that he going to heaven? Where do we turn for answer? It is wise and safe for us to turn to the Scripture for answer.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 

 

John writes to those who have believed and wants them to know that if they have truly believed on the Son of God, they have eternal life. Arrogant people are strong, confident, and secure; they have lost sight of their need in life. But humble people know their need for deliverance from sin, and they remember what life was like before they met the Saviour. So on the contrary; it is not arrogant but humility to claim to have eternal life because to receive eternal life and salvation requires an honest admission of being dead in sin and trespasses and honest admission of one's desperate need of a Saviour. 

 

I pray that God would use this message to bring the lost into the light and the saved into greater light. 

 

II — The Significance of Assurance

This doctrine is serious and supercritical. It is very important to have a well-grounded assurance of one's salvation. Because a well-grounded assurance is related to joy, comfort and faithful Christian service. You cannot have joy of salvation or comfort of salvation if you do not have the assurance of salvation.

 

2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

The most useful and productive Christian is the man who is accepted before God and knows that he is accepted.

 

I heard about the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, when they first started to build the build, no safety devices were used and 23 men fell to their death. After that they spent $100,000 to put a large net under the construction. It saved the lives of 10 men. But an interesting fact is that 25% more work was accomplished when the men were assured of their safety.

 

Similarly, when you know that you know that you are a child of God and that you are eternally secured in Christ, you will accomplish more for God and His kingdom.

 

We don't need doubting Christians. We need confident Christians who are able  sing ... .

 

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine,

Oh what a foretaste of glory divine;

Heir of salvation, purchased of love,

Born of His spirit, washed in His blood.

 

We need to be like this fellow I heard about...

A businessman was traveling through the country and got lost. So, he stopped at a country store to ask a young boy for directions; "Son, I seem to be lost. Do you know how to get to next town?" The boy replied, "Nope." "Do you know how far it is to the next town?" Again he replied, "Nope." "Do you know the name of the next town?" Again he answered, "Nope." "Do you know where this road goes?" Again the answer was "Nope." Finally the man said, "You don't seem to know much do you?" The boy replied, "I may not know much, but this I know - I know I am not lost."

 

That's what we need to tell the world — I may not know much but this one thing I know, 

 

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

 

What a blessing!

 

III — The Source of Assurance

You and I can know that we are children of God. You and I, while still living, can know for sure that we are on our way to Heaven. And you may say, "How? How can I know that I know for sure?"

 

First of all, we must understand that assurance of salvation is not based on what a person may claim. What a man says is not a reliable sign that he possesses eternal life. 

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 

 

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

 

1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

 

1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

 

1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 

 

1 John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 

 

1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 

 

These texts tell us that a person may say that he is a believer, and be deceived all the while. Therefore, don't base your assurance of salvation only on the fact that you have made a profession of faith in Christ. That is no sure and certain proof at all! 

 

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

So, how can I know that I know for sure that I am a child of God? How can I know that I know for sure that I have eternal life? How can I have assurance of salvation? The answer is found in our text ...

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

 

We have assurance of salvation because of the witness of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

It is the Holy Spirit who gives real assurance. He speaks to the heart of the child of God and ensures him and enables him to say, Abba Father.

 

1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

 

Assurance of salvation is the work of the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that bears witness not the personal worker. Be careful of persuading people that they are saved. That's the work of the Holy Spirit, for He alone searches and knows the heart. It is not our responsibility as witnesses to tell people that they are saved but rather our responsibility is to tell them how they could be saved. 

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Again, it is the work of the Holy Spirit to give us the assurance that we are children of God; no man can give us this witness. That's the role of the Spirit not man.

 

But how does the Spirit bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God?

The Holy Spirit bears witness through the Word of God. The witness of the Spirit does not mean that the Spirit of God gives some direct revelation as though God inwardly speaks to a man, and testifies to him, and tells him that he is a child of God, by a kind of secret voice or impression. No! The Spirit bears witness that we are children of God through His Word. He does not bear witness apart from the Scriptures.

 

1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11: And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12: He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

How do I know I am saved? Because I have it in writing! Someone said that the Bible is the Christian's birth certificate. Assurance or confidence is not based on wishful thinking or feelings or emotions but should be based on solid ground and foundation. The first solid ground is the Word of God. Because the Word of God promises eternal life to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

Assurance of salvation comes from the word of God. It comes from the promises of God.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

This verse underlines the importance of knowing and rightly dividing the Word of God. 

 

"I believe hundreds of Christian people are being deceived by Satan now on this point, that they have not got the assurance of salvation just because they are not willing to take God at His word." - Dwight L. Moody

 

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

 

John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

 

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

The source of assurance is not found by focusing on our hearts and ourselves. It is found by focusing on the promises of God. It comes by focusing on what the word of God declares about the Lord and His finished work of redemption. The Bible says, Jesus Christ has died for you, He has saved you through His bloody death—you belong to Him. You are a child of God! 

 

John R. Rice said, "Don't ever put a question mark where God has put a period. The Basis of knowing you are saved is the Word of God."

 

The Spirit gives His testimony with the Word and through the Word, never against the Word or without the Word.

 

Closing Thoughts 

Are you a child of God? Are you sure that you are a child of God? Do you have the assurance that if you were to die right now, you would go straight to Heaven? If not, my appeal to you is to look away from yourself and look to Jesus! Abandon all trust in your own good works and righteousness and trust in Christ alone to save you from your sin and God's judgment. That is the main source of assurance. The source of assurance is not found by focusing on our hearts and ourselves. It is found by focusing on our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

 

I pray that you are one who believes in Christ. If you are trusting in Christ then be assured that you have been sealed with the Spirit, in-dwelt by the Spirt, and led by the the Spirit. If you are a born again believer today, rejoice and and give God the glory for this salvation.

 

Born of the Spirit with life from above 

Into God's family divine,

Justified fully thru Calvary's love, 

O what a standing is mine!

And the transaction so quickly was made, 

When as a sinner I came,

Took of the offer, of grace He did proffer, 

He saved me, O praise His dear name!

 

AMEN!