I John 3:21-22 (Part 1)

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21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

THE STUDY:

Yesterday we looked at having this sureness found, not in our works but in our faith in God. In his love and Mercy is where we find assurance. This is found in an all-knowing God. Thus, the love of the all-knowing God enables the people of God to have “confidence before God.” In Greek, parrēsian conveys the meanings “courage, confidence, boldness, fearlessness.” Strengthened by the Judge before whom all will someday stand, we can come, not fearfully, but with assurance. God calls us to be holy and enables us to become what he requires. Thus the confidence we enjoy is both now (specifically related to prayer) and preparation for the future.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning knowing that we are not hanging on by a thread while God sits there with a pair of clippers ready to snip us into hell. God is doing everything possible to allow us the opportunity to have a relationship with Him. Once we enter into this relationship with Him, we now are equipped to live out this relationship through his strength, power, love, and grace that dwells inside us.

CONCLUSION:

           We’ve often wondered how waitresses could remember the various orders for different meals that they receive day in and day out. And now we know, because while we were getting impatient at our table the other day, we called to the girl: “Waitress, have you forgotten me?”

 And, to the amusement of everyone around, she answered pertly, “Oh, no, sir! Indeed not. You’re the stuffed tomato!”

          Let us remember today that God doesn’t forget us. In this faith we can find confidence in God. A god who is not out to trip us up but catch us when we do fall.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (127). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.