This Wednesday marks the final week of our fall Exploring Christianity series. God has been so faithful to bring non-Christians, to help us clearly proclaim and demonstrate the gospel, and I believe He has allowed much seed to fall on good soil. Thank you for praying for us, for our presentation of the gospel, and for God to change the hearts of those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ.
Last Wednesday
Last week the topic was, “What must I do to be saved?” and we spoke about the necessity of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. I had many encouraging comments about the clarity of last week’s talk and an anticipation for this week’s topic.
This Wednesday
This week is, “How can I be sure I am saved?” We find this to be a very critical talk for everyone, but especially for new Christians or Christians struggling with personal assurance.
For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ there are three reasons for assurance of salvation. (1) The finished work of Christ gives us assurance. (2) The promises of the word of God give us assurance. (3) The witness of the Holy Spirit gives us assurance.
The Assurance Scale
At the beginning of the outline for this week’s talk is an assurance scale. We ask everyone to rate their level of assurance on a scale of 1 to 10; 1 being a recognition they are not saved and 10 having no doubt that they are saved. How everyone marks the assurance scale is very revealing about where they stand spiritually with Christ. The results of this scale always become the center piece of the discussion that evening. It leads to questions like, “Why are you an eight?” or “What would it take to move you from a 6 to a 10?” or “What is the biggest factor that keeps you at a 7?”
Prayer for THIS Wednesday
- Pray that everyone who has participated in the course would come for this final evening and that they would all hear the gospel.
- Pray that God would use the teaching this week to give personal assurance of salvation where assurance is warranted.
- Pray for those who have not yet repented and believed in Jesus Christ. Pray that after hearing the biblical basis for assurance that they would walk through the narrow gate of salvation.
- Pray for those who have repented and believed, that they would take the next step in getting connected to our life as a church. Pray that the gospel seed fell on good soil.
- Pray for the discussion group leaders, that they would help those who lack assurance to trust in the work of Christ, the word of God, and the witness of the Holy Spirit.
- Continue to pray for the EC workers and children; that God would provided everything we need to care for the children and it would be done with great joy.
- Pray for everyone serving, that through their service non-Christians would experience the love of Jesus and see the truth of the gospel.
- Pray on this last evening the class would be able to encourage and express their gratitude to everyone who served in this Exploring Christianity.
