Assurance of Salvation

CNG radio for today's culture and timeless truths come together is reasoned, relevant content, apologetics, worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know need to know from Alex McFarlane ministries. This is true for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in 50 states and 50 days speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarlane, can you please on absolutely certain of your relationship with God hi Alex McFarlane, you're welcome to the program on the days you were going to talk about the assurance of salvation. And if you've ever wondered, am I really saved if I died, would I go to heaven. Maybe if you ever worried and you thought you know what if I die what if I leave this world and open my eyes in the Trinity and I'm in hell I'm not with God, if you worry about that. You need to listen to the show because we going to talk about how to have assurance of your salvation and you know that you can overcome doubts about where you stand with God. You can overcome those doubts and many people and how are very interested in what it means to be right with God that the music you heard of the beginning of the program.

It's the end of the world as we know it was a famous band years ago that had this song about the end of the world, and I feel fine just glibly watching the world fall down and not really caring know in a in another sense, let me set this what it may be the end of the world as we know it, but because of Jesus we can feel fine and have comfort and assurance even courage. At this time.

I want to tell you a story about many many years ago I was in a Christian bookstore and there was a person in the store going around trying to tell people about Jehovah's Witnesses and in fact proselytizing for the watch Tower Bible and tract Society in a Christian bookstore and I was talking this Jehovah's Witness and the person asked me do you know that you will go to heaven when you die and I said I do know that and they said nobody can know that I said well I know it and the person looked to me as if I was being very presumptuous and nested listen and believe me I don't know that I'm going to heaven because of any worth or merit I've got in and of myself and and I'm not trying to be arrogant, but I believe God's promises and I believe what the word of God says about salvation while the Jehovah's Witness person said to me, nobody can know that the go to heaven or not. They're only going to be hundred and 44,000.

They said that's one of their teachings. It's not true and it's a complete misunderstanding of the hundred and 44,000 in the book of Revelation, but they said nobody knows they're going to heaven or not until after they die. I said yeah but then it's kinda too late to do anything about it but friend you can know one of the verses that we share a lot is first John 57. Now remember, the Bible is a book shown to be inspired by compelling lines of evidence, we believe the Bible is the divine word of God and Jesus said that Jesus is the only person who rose from the grave in multiple instances affirmed the authenticity of Scripture and in fact Christ's resurrection from the dead is one of the most documentable facts of ancient history. So Christ rose from the dead.

And remember, regardless of the critic or the skeptic or even yourself on on the days that you may have doubts. The only person ever to have risen physically from the grave. Jesus Christ affirmed the authenticity of Scripture and in the Scripture we read over and over the verses that promise. If you've been born again, you will not see condemnation. The book of Romans text that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. One of the verses that we've shared before thousands and thousands of people is first John 513 first John, not the gospel of John, but at the end of the New Testament that the small the first, second and third John. I love those books but first John 513 says of Scripture and of your life in light of Scripture.

Listen.

These things were written to you who believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life K NOW know knowledge certainty is not something so these things were written to you who believe in the name of the son of God, that you may know you have eternal life. Now you can overcome doubts about where you stand with God based on what God's word says not on what you feel or what you assume you can know that you have eternal life. In fact, it says he who has the son has life in first John 512 so. First John 512 and 13 are a great starting point. Do you have the sun the SON Jesus was there a time when you said, Lord, I am sorry for my sins and I had believe Jesus died for me. Yes, Jesus died for the whole wide world, but he died for. For me, and he died for you. Well, first John 512 if you have the son you have life now.

Jesus said, he who hears my word and believes on him that sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life. And remember you are not saved by good works, and you're not kept in a state of salvation through good works, your merit before God is based on Jesus, his perfection, his holiness, his righteousness are credited to each person who believes in him by what by faith. Jesus said in John 637 the one who comes to me I will not reject.

Now this coronavirus situation has got so many people around the world. Frightened, apprehensive, and rightly so, but we need to tell the world that listen where you stand with God is based on Jesus Christ state to going to talk more about assurance of salvation when we come back from. I am a watchman ministries. Here's today's I am a watchman minute new guidelines have prompted many churches to cancel worship services in an attempt to stem the impact of the pandemic. I want to take this opportunity to remind believers that the church is not a building.

It's who we are followers of Christ are the church. When two or more gathering his name.

Christ is there in the midst yes corporate worship is important, but there is much that can be done when that's not possible. You can worship with your family. You could write letters of encouragement to the hurting, you can call or face time family members and friends and share your faith in the truth that the hour of the return of the Lord draws near, that this be a time to shine as a family of faith that this be this generations finest hour people be faithful, be a watchman, I am a watchman.com no need to have a Bible degree from Liberty University to love, Sir Frank, worship and obey God they can make life more vibrantly when you're ready for a religious studies degree find more than 60 ministry degree options – there stood Dr. ministry one little black great forgive any courses.

Liberty University where we train champions for Christ liberty.edu\export to learn more as limiting.edu\explored. To learn more. There's been some confusion between the title of engage magazine and the term engage the listener.

Would you marrying I see now that's what I mean engage magazine is a ministry to millennial's while getting engaged is timolol Alyssa right. The thing is we want to be engaged that sweet but engage magazine is about being engage with your faith in the culture visit engage magazine.net Alex's written many books to help you defend your faith. One of them answers questions from skeptics it's cleverly titled 10 answers for skeptics today. Skeptics are looking for authenticity, integrity, and straightforward truth and in the book Alex McFarland identifies the 10 most common types of skepticism that plagued doubters minds. It offers believers proven strategies for connecting intellectually and spiritually with those who are skeptical about the claims of Christianity. Learn how to answer intimidating questions. Identify the root issue behind those questions and dismantle the spiritual bombshells dropped by atheist plus find encouragement to face hostility by persevering in love. The ultimate apologetic Christians could offer as a witness to our loving God, check out 10 answers for skeptics. When you visit Alex McFarland.com timeless truths in a soundbite culture for a new generation radio will go back to the program, Alex McFarland, you were talking about having assurance of your salvation and you know, let me just say that as the coronavirus situation continues in a March 2020 is going to go down in history as being something almost like World War II, rationing, and stores asking people not to buy so much in hordes so much and you know what it's bringing out the good in people. To that and I want to say this very clearly because more than ever listen to this. Folks we've been averaging 91 people a day emailing us as high as 200 emails in a day as low as maybe 75 in the day people of been reaching out to us here. It Alex McFarland evangelistic ministries truth for a new generation they been saying how do I know that I'm safe or I've been away from God. I need to come back to God. Could God still love me and and I just want to say this. If this situation the physical and and medical implications of this. The financial implications as tens of millions of people are not working right now not getting our sin is quarantine self isolating quarantine were trying to stop the spread of this virus and I thank the Lord for our president. I hope you're praying for the president and his cabinet, and all of these people on both sides of the political aisles valiantly trying to get the situation arrested. That's commendable, but you know what, let me just say if it takes this to bring us to our knees and to humble ourselves before God. Is it takes this coronavirus to liberate us from pro sports and the busyness and all the things that have been a wedge between America and God, and if if it brings us to our knees, such that we humble ourselves bow before God. Repent of our sins national and personal and get a moral and spiritual revival. And finally we stopped our lives long enough for the Holy Spirit of God to get our attention.

If coronavirus is done all that will then so be it.

So be it. And I just want to say. If you're one of the people in your thinking about eternity and the number of the questions we've gotten in recent weeks.

People say Alex you think this is the end of the world doesn't the book of Revelation talk about plagues and sicknesses and is Jesus coming back friend Jesus is coming back soon.

He really is a list of this about eight weeks ago somebody died that you may have heard of Jack Van Impe, Jack Van Impe was a prophecy preacher and for it for decades. He preached about the return of Christ. And there's going to be violence in the Middle East and then there's going to be a peace deal and there's going to be signs and and rumors of wars and, ultimately, Christ is going to come back. Will Jack Van Impe passed away about seven or eight weeks ago and you know I I have to say, if only Jack Van Impe had lived a couple months longer he would be having a time right now in this coronavirus situation. Now the New York Times of all places, ran a faith relatively complementary obituary and they basically said this, they said will give him credit, he was consistent on message he preached Christ was going to return and the world was going to end one day and get right with God through Jesus and a number of the obituaries around the the world and on the web like the New York Times piece they said you have four years ago people might've thought Jack Van Impe was just kind of an evangelical wingnut 20 years ago.

Maybe they thought that 10 years ago, but right now with the rise of Islam, crypto currency, the wiring of the planet talks about abolishing money abolishing government creating martial law for the whole wide world. Let's unify under the UN, the rise of Islam.

So many of the things nowadays the way the world is escalating to where it is a worldwide pandemic viruses disease and where we've not even gotten her mind around the coronavirus. Now they're talking about the hand to virus coming out of China, people said will you know maybe maybe Dr. Jack Van Impe wasn't far off the mark after friend, if ever, if ever you thought about getting your house in order and getting right before God. This is the time and my point being, yes Christ is going to return it.

History is going somewhere and that that somewhere is not so much history going somewhere, but Christ coming back into this world because he is now you can be sure of where you stand with God.

So, whether by your own mortality or by Christ return.

You can be ready. Let's talk for a moment about rededication. Maybe you were a believer and you need to rededicate your life to Christ the news reporter once asked me what is meant by the term quote rededication he had heard me use this term as I spoken rededication is for a believer who desires that their walk with Christ be renewed and deepened, not a Christian can wander from God into stand, or simply lose their closeness to the Lord through the busyness of life, but a born-again believer is forever God's child. Your salvation is a matter of birth, your daily Christian growth is a matter of fellowship they were spiritual birth into God's family is an event that occurs through repentance and faith. You admit your sand. You put your trust in Jesus, you turn to Christ, and you're born again that's John chapter 3, not first John. But John three.

Read the story of Jesus and Nicodemus and Jesus said that you must be born again and the ward is an infant born from above. Now, just like a child is born into human family growing up as a child you may have disappointed your parents or our disobeyed somehow and something you did may have grieved your father but you are still his child because you were born into that family.

That, in the same way a Christian's relationship to Jesus is still intact, even if you commit a sin that may hinder your daily fellowship with God.

Salvation is a one-time instantaneous event, but Christian growth is a lifelong adventure personal fellowship with God is a daily pursuit and it's a lifelong process so consistent daily prayer, Bible study, obedience to the Holy Spirit nurture in the local church fellowship in the church family are all keys growth in Christian maturity. Let's continue talking about having assurance about your state before God searches for new generation will be back after this. Don't go away you know Alex is been writing for many years, and one of his classic books is still great. Today is a basic introduction to the Christian faith. It's called stand courtrooms must know for unshakable faith. This book will help you help your teens get off the roller coaster of doubt onto solid ground will read about the six pillars of biblical Christianity. They are one inspiration of the Bible to the virgin birth. Three. The deity of Christ for atonement. Five. Christ's resurrection and six Christ return. You know Alex mixes it up with humor and stories gleaned from decades of working with youth and encourages things to build a foundation of faith that will stabilize their lives and help them take a stand for Christ. Simple and straightforward stand courtrooms you must know for an unshakable faith available wherever Christian books are so if you're a Christian parent.

You of course want to instill a biblical view of life in the hearts of your children, your pastor, you want to offer ministry that draws young families to your church. This is Alex McFarland encouraging you to check out my new book and video curriculum. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask about Christianity.

I interviewed hundreds of children ages 5 to 12 and we address actual questions from actual children. The spiritual issues that are on the minds of your kids everything the book and video lessons are great for groups of any size and was produced with the goal of equipping kids to stand strong for Christ in any situation.

The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask the book study guide and video series.

You'll find it@afastore.net that AFA store.net in the midst of a culture obsessed with relativism.

Alex McFarland is a voice you can trust to speak the timeless truths of Christianity in a timely way. You're listening to the truth for a new generation radio that the program were talking about assurance of your salvation know where you stand with God, and you can know the word of God promises whoever has the son has life and will not pass into condemnation it.

I love John six verse 40 and I want to get there just a moment, but right now I want to remind you of some things going on the whole coronavirus situation is caused, though I world to have to change gears and churches aren't meeting and so many of our events have been canceled for the next several months. In fact, as many of you know that was broadcast. Our ministry we are ministry of events broadcasting and publishing.

While the events that you can find on our website@alexmcfarland.com so many of them for the next three months are not going to happen. In fact, Dr. James Dobson and I were to do a major event in Orlando Florida in June of this year not going to happen. Most of my vents will pick up in late July.

Like the Cove, the Billy Graham training center July 27-31. I'll be there to teach the book of Daniel and Revelation. If the Lord hasn't come back by then. And I'm not joking a bit. Maybe, maybe we will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord with the air before then.

So we want you to be ready but pray for us as our is that schedule has radically changed, but the publishing goes on and we are distributing books. In fact, we been out hundreds of pieces of literature this week and we have got so many request at least 100 people a day are reaching out to us and we are sending out the little booklet. What does God say about my relationship with him. How you can know that your saved you can be born again, and in fact maybe you want one of these books were sending out so many of these and so we are publishing and we are broadcasting and we're in the process of creating so much new content for the web and so we want you to stay 10 and frankly I asked that you would pray for this ministry because Alex McFarland evangelistic ministries and truth for a new generation potentially where we're going to see a year that we win more people to Christ than any other year ahead and and it's just so ironic.

Only God could do this, less traveling than ever, and yet greater evangelistic impact than ever. But I do want to say that on Tuesday night, March 31 Tuesday night, March 31 we are going to do our webcast of 10 signs that we may be near the end of history and you can go to my Facebook page, which is rev REZ rev.

Alex McFarland on Facebook. You can also watch this on global TV. If you Google global TV.US 7 PM Eastern time Tuesday night, March 31, 2020. I'll be giving this content very important content as serious as I can be 10 signs that we may be near the end of history.

Hence the call for you to be ready and I do want to say to those that maybe you don't have a church hump good Shepherd Church of Greensboro, North Carolina, GRE, EN SBO are of good Shepherd Church of Greensboro were broadcasting on Facebook every Sunday morning at 10:15 AM every Wednesday night at 6:45 PM and I'm speaking in all of the slots and I would love you to avail yourself to that and watch as well, but John 640, the gospel of John chapter 6 verse 40 Jesus said this, whoever sees the sun SON to see the sun and believe in him will have everlasting life. Not maybe, but will Jesus said whoever sees the son and believes in him will have everlasting life, and I will raise you up at the last day so I want to ask you, have you believed in him.

Have you understood. Do you understand that Jesus is the son of God, not just a good man but the God man God incarnate. That's why he was qualified to pay for our sins on the cross so he was able and he was willing and when he went to the cross when the wrath of God that the whole world deserved was put onto Jesus he was doing that for you and we think about people in in terms of how we perceive radiation's of goodness or morality with it. Will Billy Graham was good person.

Mother Teresa was a good person.

God could love them. But let me tell you in the eyes of God were all bad, people were sinners. We've known the writing we've done the wrong Augustine said, even our best deeds are merely splendid sentence and so God loves sinners that God love this sinner, Alex McFarland and I was saved many years ago, God loves you right now and you need to know that and you need to believe that and that's what were talking about assurance that God listen. Please believe this God lovingly receives all who turn to him and all who return to him. He'll cleanse us from our sins to restore our fellowship with him. King David was called quote a man after God's own heart. But his sinful deeds required that he humbly recommitted himself to the Lord and in some 51. David said cast me not away from your presence and restore unto me the joy of my salvation. Some 5111 and 12 doesn't say restore unto me, my salvation, but the joy of my salvation and Christian publications often use of first John 19 in terms of evangelism, but it was really written in terms of Christian fellowship. It says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and really that speaking to Christians to confess your sin and maybe you need to do that right now and turned back to Christ. Hebrews 12 one and two, says that we are to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us or entangles us, and turn to Jesus Christ for assurance of your salvation.

Maybe you need to pray a prayer like this and say Lord Jesus.

I acknowledge my stand I'm sorry I've wandered from you. I confess my sin and I turn from it. I recommit myself to you as Lord, thank you for forgiving me. I trust you to give me the strength to live for you each day forward.

Thank you for being my Savior and my Lord and my friend here at truth for new generation Alex the five and evangelistic ministries. We we care about your personal walk with Christ and you can have that assurance that confidence that rock solid unshakable confidence that you're ready to meet Jesus whenever that comes Jesus said the one who comes to me I will not reject us.

John 637 if you haven't come to him do that today and if we can help you in your walk. Your growth, your church, if we can help you to know, to accept to grow to defend the faith. Reach out to us through our website.

Alex McFarland.com and may God bless you as you journey with Jesus.

TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarland ministry, PO Box 10231 is Pearl, NC 27404. That's PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404 call us at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God, and the number one. Forgive online@alexmcfarland.com while you're there, listen the program archives.

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