Perseverance of the Saints

Big Idea: God will never let go of His people.
1. Perseverance of the Saints (John 6:37, 39, 40, 44; 10:29; 17:11, 15; Rom. 8:30; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 12:2)

2. Our Works & Assurance
(1) God’s preservation is the foundation of us persevering (Matt. 18:18-20; 28:18-20)… this establishes “secondary causes” or the “use of means to the highest degree” (Col. 3:12-17; Phil. 2:12b-13; Eph. 2:10).
(2) Make Your Calling & Election Sure/Prove or Evidence Your Salvation/Justify your Justification (2 Peter 1:10-11; Matt. 7:21-23; Rev. 3:1; 2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Cor. 2:6; Jas. 2:18-26).
(3) Why do we struggle with doubt and lack of assurance? 1689 Second London Baptist Confession Ch. 17, Par. 1.

3. Believers Cannot Lose Their Salvation… Thinking well about “Warning Passages” (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-31; 1 John 2:19; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5)

4. Perseverance in Practice… 8 Applications
(1) Be realistic about Christian suffering (Rom. 8:29-30; 1 Peter 4:12).
(2) Believers still struggle against sin (1 John 1:8, 9; Rom. 7:22-23; 1 Cor. 10:13).
(3) Have “counting the cost” be a normal part of evangelism & discipling (Luke 14:25-33; 1 John’s three tests: i. Truth Test – 1 John 2:18-27; 4:1-6; 5:1-15), ii. Obedience Test – 1 John 1:5-2:6; 2:28-3:10; 5:16-21, & iii. Love Test – 1 John 2:10; 3:17; 4:11).
(4) Be merciful to those who doubt (Jude 1:20-23; Mark 9:24).
(5) Don’t grow weary in doing good/well doing (Galatians 6:9-10; 2 Cor. 13:6-7).
(6) Use your church membership to confirm your and fellow members’ calling and election (2 Peter 1:10-11; Jas. 5:19-20; 2 Cor. 2:7-8).
(7) Trust that God will keep his promise to preserve us (1 Thess. 5:23-24; Phil. 1:6).
(8) Prioritize God’s Word in your life and in the life of the church (John 16:1).