As the work of the kingdom of God advances, Christ sends out his apostles. Here we see their commission from Christ, the instruction he issues, the action they took, and the confusion among the people.

Why God's chosen people should not fear.

Noah reacted to God's preservation of him with patience and praise.

Taking up the themes of judgement and mercy in Genesis ch 7

This sermon involves spiritual mathematics. The apostle Paul expects us to calculate the totals of two columns - the sufferings of this present time and the glory which is to be revealed in us - and them to compare the two. The only conclusion- the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory so much outweighs our present sufferings that the latter is not worthy to be compared with the former.

As we move into the positive and definite indications of salvation - spiritual realities that exist only in the hearts of those who possess eternal life in Christ - we begin with repentance and faith as the right response to the divine diagnosis of our problem and the divine provision of a solution. Here we look at the acknowledgement of our disease and its cure.

Here we consider some further inconclusive indications of salvation. When someone asks the question, -Are you a Christian-- these answers do not provide a final and conclusive answer.----Eminent gifts, conviction of sin, strong assurance, and some kind of 'conversion experience' are not, in themselves, suffiicent proofs of eternal life obtained through faith in Jesus Christ.----If we look for these or rest on these, unbelievers might find themselves coming to the day of judgment with false confidence, and true saints might find themselves entering the day of trial with shaking hearts.----We need to ask the right questions in order to obtain the right answers, that we can build on a right foundation with the right structure and materials.

We must build assurance on the foundation of faith using the right structure and with the right materials. There are certain things upon which we might rely which are not, in themselves, conclusive indications that we have everlasting life in Christ. The first three we must consider are visible morality, speculative or 'head' knowledge, and outward religion.

Assurance can be defined and is desirable, but needs to be pursued. It does not always come easily, for various reasons- the antagonism of Satan- ignorance and confusion, even false teaching- particular experiences of grace- varying constitutions- indulgence in sin- failing to examine oneself on the right basis- judging by feelings alone- and, obsessing over assurance.----We need to seek the Spirit's validation of the Spirit's operation in bringing light and life to the soul.

John writes so that believers might know that they have eternal life. If that is John's desire, then it should be our desire too, in accordance with God's revelation. This is a proper and legitimate desire for every believer. The New Testament assumes that true believers can and should know that they have eternal life, and that asking the right questions will help to obtain the right answers.--This is important because the assured believer is typically a comforted, confident, courageous, active and advancing Christian.