(Clip) Do You have Assurance？
Zac Poonen teaches that assurance of salvation comes from a deep, personal relationship with Christ and holding fast to faith until the end.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a deep personal relationship with Christ to have the assurance of salvation. The speaker shares his own experience of struggling with doubts before finding assurance in his relationship with the Lord. He highlights the need to hold fast to faith until the end, referencing verses from Hebrews and Revelation that speak about perseverance and overcoming. The message stresses the personal nature of salvation and the certainty one can have in their own relationship with Christ, even if unsure about others.
Full Transcript
So one of the great blessings in my life through I've been a believer now for more than 60 years I Came to the assurance of my salvation in July 1959 60 years and three months ago And I'll tell you something For before that for many years. I struggled to know whether I was saved but in the last 60 years and Three months not even for a single day Did I doubt? That I was born again So People ask me brother Zach. Are you a Calvinist who believes that once you're saved you're always safe.
No I'm not I believe what it says in Hebrews chapter 3 verse 14 that If we hold fast the beginning of our confidence until the end we shall be made partakers of Christ and I believe what it says in Revelation 3 5 He who overcomes I will not remove his name from the book of life So I believe people's names can be removed from the book of life I believe that he who endures to the end will be saved not others And I also believe that if we hold fast then we are made partakers of Christ Then you say how can you be so sure that you'll meet the Lord I Said that's because I have such a personal relationship with the Lord now What about the other believers? I don't know about them. They may be lost. I don't know about all the others I don't know you know about all of you here You may go to hell.
I don't know. I know I will not How can you say that for the sack? It's like asking me Will you ever divorce your wife? And say I'm not sure you think I'll say that never I'm absolutely sure And I'm absolutely sure the Lord will not divorce me and Then you ask will your wife divorce you? I'm absolutely sure she'll never divorce me. I'm absolutely sure I will not divorce the Lord our relationship is the same But if you ask me see that couple that just got married the other day Do you think they will divorce each other? I don't know I can speak for myself But I can't speak for that couple of that couple of the other couple same way with salvation.
I can speak for myself I am absolutely certain. I shall spend eternity with Christ But I'm not sure of many many believers around me You can have that assurance if you have a deep personal relationship with Christ More intimate than any earthly relationship That's what's given me a security in my life that's enabled me to speak God's Word
Sermon Outline
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I. The Struggle for Assurance
- Speaker's personal struggle before assurance
- Importance of knowing one's salvation status
- Common doubts among believers
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II. Biblical Basis for Assurance and Perseverance
- Hebrews 3:14 - Holding fast to confidence
- Revelation 3:5 - Names in the book of life
- The necessity of enduring to the end
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III. Personal Relationship as the Foundation
- Intimacy with Christ compared to earthly relationships
- Certainty based on personal experience
- Limits of knowing others' salvation
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IV. Practical Assurance
- Assurance is possible and real
- Not everyone may have it
- Encouragement to cultivate intimacy with Christ
Key Quotes
“For before that for many years. I struggled to know whether I was saved but in the last 60 years and Three months not even for a single day Did I doubt? That I was born again.” — Zac Poonen
“If we hold fast the beginning of our confidence until the end we shall be made partakers of Christ.” — Zac Poonen
“You can have that assurance if you have a deep personal relationship with Christ More intimate than any earthly relationship.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Christ to gain assurance of salvation.
- Hold fast to your faith consistently to remain partakers of Christ.
- Recognize that assurance is personal and cannot be assumed for others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Zac Poonen believe in 'once saved, always saved'?
No, he believes salvation requires holding fast to faith until the end and that names can be removed from the book of life.
How can one be sure of their salvation according to Zac Poonen?
By having a deep, personal relationship with Christ and holding fast to their faith.
Can Zac Poonen be sure about other believers' salvation?
No, he only speaks confidently about his own salvation, not others'.
What biblical passages support assurance of salvation?
Hebrews 3:14 and Revelation 3:5 are key scriptures cited.
What analogy does Zac use to explain assurance?
He compares assurance of salvation to being sure one will not divorce their spouse.