Assurance Of The Holy Spirit

MARCH 10, 2021 STUDY NOTES I JOHN 3:23-24 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES ASSURANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT In the previous verses John shared with us the assurance of salvation as we walk in God’s presence John now shares with us another source of assurance, the assurance of the Holy Spirit Apart from the presence of the Holy Spirit we would not be able to fulfill all that John tells us to do John is going to summarize his instructions to Christians in 1 John 3:23 In verse 24 John gives us the assurance that comes from being obedient to the commands of Christ HIS COMMANDMENT 1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. John speaks of a single commandment which sums up obeying God and pleasing God One command with two parts which cannot be separated, believe in Jesus and love one another You are not fully trusting Christ unless you are loving one-another You cannot love one another as Christ commands unless you fully trust in Christ, John says--That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, It is interesting that this is the first time in this letter that John uses the word “believe” And his use of the word “believe” is not limited to our initial faith and trust in Jesus for salvation His point is that to “believe” is to be a once and for all commitment A once for all decision that does not change even though the circumstances of life change He means to believe and continue to believe without doubt and without any reservation at all times To “believe” is to be a total life-long trust and no question about it To “believe” is to daily put our faith and trust in Him and to rely upon Him in all things Not just trust on certain days or for certain things and not just a trust for the eternal future He means trusting Jesus now as Savior and Lord, trusting our life to him for today and tomorrow The story of the Christian life should be “believing in Jesus” hour by hour, day by day “Believe” is one word that should sum up the daily life of every Christian As Christians we must believe in all that the “name” of Jesus stands for To believe on His “name” is to accept totally who He is and to believe in all that He has done Believe why He did what He has done for us and what He is now doing for us To “believe on the name of Jesus” is to trust in all of His promises for today and for eternity John could have just said “Jesus,” but he gives us a full description of the truth of Jesus His “name” describes His character, portrays His attributes, and defines His power His “name” does not just refer to that which He is called, but the full revelation of who He is Revealing His whole nature, total person, complete character, and fullness of being John presents Jesus as the “Son of God” when he identifies Him as “His Son”--JESUS IS THE “SON OF GOD” The title that expresses the “Deity” of Jesus Christ, it means that the man Jesus is the God-man When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary he said, Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. When Jesus was baptized, Mar 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Jesus walked on the water toward his disciples who were in a ship and they said, Mat 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Page 1 of 6 Unclean spirits cried out when they saw Jesus, Mar 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. Nathanael said to Jesus, Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. The centurion who witnessed the death of Jesus and the things that were done said, Mat 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. His resurrection declared Jesus to be the Son of God, Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: It will be the voice of the Son of God that will resurrect the dead when He returns, Joh 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Paul preached that Jesus was the “Son of God,” Act 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. That was Paul’s message to Corinth, 2Co 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. In 1 John 4 there will be four verses referring to Jesus as the “Son of God” In 1 John 5 there will be 7 more references found in 5 verses referring to the “Son of God” HIS NAME IS JESUS “Jesus” is His earthly name which identifies His earthly ministry and tells why He came to earth “Jesus” is His human name which means “the Lord is salvation,” Gabriel told Mary, Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said unto him, Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. He was called “Jesus” because He was the “Promised Messiah,” Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Paul spoke to the men of Israel concerning the seed of David, Act 13:23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: God identified who Jesus was, Act 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: God revealed who this Jesus of Nazareth really was, Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Peter said that the impotent man was healed in the “name of Jesus,” Act 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Then Peter proclaimed that salvation is only in Jesus’ name, Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The Ethiopian eunuch wanted to know who the prophet Isaiah was speaking of, Act 8:34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Philip explained to him that it was Jesus, Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. The Ethiopian wanted to be baptized and Philip explained to him when he could be baptized, Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I Page 2 of 6 believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. “Jesus” is the one who is going to return to the earth, Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Christians are looking for Him to return, Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: And when He returns every knee will bow because His name is Jesus, Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; “Jesus” is God who came to live like man, “Jesus” is man that came to live like God “Jesus” is God who came to die for man so that man could live with God HIS TITLE IS CHRIST “Christ” is His official title, His Divine title, Christ is “Who He Is” The Greek word “Christ” and the Hebrew word “Messiah” both mean “the Anointed One” “The Anointed One” is qualified to carry out all of the prophecies concerning the OT Messiah The question that must be answered by Jews and all of us is this, “IS JESUS THE CHRIST?” Is Jesus “the Anointed One?” Is Jesus the promised “Messiah?” The New Testament reveals that “Christ” is the official title of Jesus the Savior It had been revealed to the just and devout Simeon, Luk 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the temple, Simeon took him up in his arms, saying, Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: Luk 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Simeon knew that he had seen and was holding the “Christ” Andrew found his brother Simon, and said unto him, Joh 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. A woman of Samaria said to Jesus, Joh 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus said to her, Joh 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (“I Am” the “Christ”) Martha said, Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. (The Messiah) The demons recognized him as “the Holy One of God,” Mar 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. (The anointed One, the Promised Messiah, the “Christ”) Peter spoke for the Apostles, Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter confessed Jesus as “the Christ,” Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Prior to the crucifixion Jesus avoided being called “Messiah” in public Following Peter’s confession, “Thou art the Christ,” Jesus charged the disciples, Mar 8:30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. (Read Mark 8:27-38) He was the Messiah, but He did not want it known publicly--Why? Because of the thinking of the Jews concerning the Messiah, they were looking for a political king The thought of a suffering Messiah and a crucified Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews Paul said, 1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; To the Jews the cross was a sign of Jesus’ weakness, powerlessness, and failure Paul said the cross was the power and wisdom of God, 1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Page 3 of 6 Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. The Jews rejected the concept of a crucified Messiah because they wanted a King to reign over them Jesus was condemned to die because of His claim to be the Christ, Mat 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. But after His death and resurrection He was proclaimed as Messiah, as God’s Anointed King Jesus was presented as the Resurrected, Exalted, Glorified, Returning King of Kings and Lord of Lords The message of the early church was “Jesus is Christ,” Act 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Literally, that Jesus is the “Christ”) The heart of Paul’s preaching was to prove that Jesus was the Christ, Act 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. Paul preached to the Jews in the synagogue, Act 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, His message was that Jesus who was crucified was the Christ, Act 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. Paul testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ, Act 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. Peter preached the same message to the Jews, Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. John is telling us in 1 John 3:23 that Christians must believe “on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ” The title “Christian” identifies those who belong to and follow Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. John said that the title “antichrist” identifies those who reject Christ, 1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. John presented Jesus the Christ to us so that we may know Him, believe on His name, and trust Him John presented Jesus the Christ to us so that we will love Him and obey Him When we love and obey Jesus because of who He is and all that He has done and is doing for us The second part of John’s command is made easy, and love one another, John has already taught us “why” we should love one another, 1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. John has already taught us “how’ to love one another, 1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Love for one another is when we give of our self in such a way that it meets the needs of others Believing in Jesus and love for others are inseparable, one cannot truly exist without the other Actually, there is but one commandment, you cannot separate faith in Jesus and love for others And Jesus gave us the commandment, as he gave us commandment. Jesus gave us a new commandment, Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John will come back to this subject in the next chapter, 1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. John tells us that love is the commandment, 2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (Read 2 John 1:4-6) A lawyer tempted Jesus with a question, Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus gave him an answer, Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Page 4 of 6 heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Jesus identified that as the great commandment, Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment. But then Jesus said, Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. And then Jesus explained that you cannot separate the two, Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Paul taught the same commandment and taught it the same way that Jesus did, Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Loving God and loving one another will fulfill the law, Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The law is fulfilled in one word, Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. You can condense all of the commands of the law into two things, love God and love one another The two are actually one, and if you obey, you will have no problem with the other commandments If the heart is filled with God’s love for one another no one will break the commandments of God No one will commit adultery; No one will murder; No one will steal, read again Romans 13:9 Love God and the love of God will be in control of your life, Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. That love will be experienced in our heart through the presence of the Holy Spirit The assurance of love comes through the assurance of the Holy Spirit ASSURANCE OF THE SPIRIT--1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. According to John, who will keep the commandments of God? Those who love God How can we keep the commandments of God? By loving God Love is obedience to the commandments of God, Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Jesus promised that love would have a “Helper,” Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; “Comforter” means one called alongside to help The “Comforter” is the Holy Spirit who will abide with you for ever So, John assures us that the one who is keeping God’s commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him. “Dwelleth” means an abiding relationship, constantly living in a right relationship with Christ Loving one another reveals that we are in Christ and Christ is in us Loving one another is impossible unless you constantly abide in Him Love is the evidence of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, And hereby we know that he abideth in us, (We have the assurance of His presence within, “we know” is the inward evidence) “He abideth” means that He is at home within us, He lives within us, Christ is at home within us--by the Spirit which he hath given us. Paul prays for us to experience the power of the Holy Spirit, Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; When Christ is at home in our life, love is at home in our life, Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Exactly what John is teaching us) As we witness God’s love working in all saints, we begin to comprehend the love of God, Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; God’s will is to extend His love to all people through “His people” all of the time Page 5 of 6 God’s love extends to the lowest depths of need and to the highest height of the heavens God’s love can only be fully known by personal experience and personal practice, Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. John and Paul agree, the fullness of God within us comes from the experience of loving God And through the experience of fully loving God, we will love one another, 1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. There is no greater assurance of salvation, 1Jn 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. No greater assurance than the Holy Spirit filling our hearts with love for one another Watch the screen and give attention to the song Page 6 of 6