1 Th. 3:1-10
Perseverance of the Saints
Pastor Martin expounds 1 Thessalonians 3, focusing on the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. He argues that Paul's rejoicing stems from the certainty that all truly united to Christ will be glorified, while his anxiety arises from the knowledge that not all who profess faith are genuinely saved. The sermon emphasizes that continuance in faith is the only proof of true union with Christ, providing both assurance for believers and a strong motivation for holiness and vigilance against apostasy.
Primary Texts
Topics
Outline 10 sections · 48 min
- Paul's Yearning Heart and the Certainty of Affliction 0:03
- The Perseverance of the Saints: An Undergirding Doctrine 3:34
- The Basis of Paul's Rejoicing: All Truly Joined to Christ Will Be Glorified 6:22
- Scriptural Proof for the Certainty of Glorification 9:49
- Jesus' Promise: None Will Be Lost 16:47
- The Basis of Paul's Anxiety: Not All Who Profess Faith Are Truly Saved 20:22
- Illustrations of Apparent vs. True Faith 23:16
- The Focus of Paul's Exhortation: Continuance as Proof of Union 33:06
- Scriptural Affirmation of Continuance as Proof 37:33
- Balancing the Three Principles and Practical Application 42:01
Key Quotes
“Now there is another very basic biblical doctrine in this passage in fact it's so much here that it's possible as the old saying goes to fail to see the woods for the trees for behind and undergirding and surrounding this entire section which I've read to you today is the apostles understanding of the biblical doctrine that has been called historically the perseverance of the saints.”
“All who are savingly joined to Christ now will be glorified then. Not one will be missing.”
“But in the purpose of God it's done. And what's done in the purpose of God will be accomplished in the lives of his people.”
“Paul knew that not all who professed faith and gave some evidences of faith were truly joined to Christ. Surely as he knew that all who were truly joined to Christ would be glorified Paul knew that not all who seemed to be joined to Christ really are joined to Christ.”
“We will never understand the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints if we simply stop with the first principle all who are joined to Christ will be glorified and there some stop so everybody that makes a profession gives a little evidence of life once saved always saved no matter what happens oh wait a minute wait a minute that's not the teaching of scripture teaching of scripture is that people may give many apparent evidences of regeneration who've never truly been joined to Christ and be stony ground hearers who fall away Hebrews”
“Continuance in the ways of God is the only proof of the reality of union with Christ.”
“No past experience will be a substitute for present apostasy do you hear me no past experience no matter how glorious will be a substitute for present apostasy if men turn from the faith in the present Paul says all the past apparent fruits are nothing my labor has been in vain isn't that what he says and yet on every hand dear one the misunderstanding of this doctrine has led to such soul abuse where people who have nothing but the signs of present apostasy are comforting themselves in past apparent evidences”
“If you forfeit the persevering in faith you forfeit the grounds of assurance you want to do that and have darkness come and wonder am I really his do you want to go into darkness then go into sin do you want light and assurance press on in holiness press on in obedience press on in faith pretty practical doctrine isn't it”
Applications
All listeners
- Be conversant with passages teaching the certainty of glorification for your own comfort and consolation, and to instruct others.
- Remember that everything in your life has purpose because God, who has laid hold of you, has purpose.
- If God is for us from eternity into eternity, we can face the world, its hostility, enemies, and opposition with confidence.
- Do not substitute past experiences for present apostasy; no past glory can compensate for turning from the faith now.
- Parents, do not comfort yourselves in past apparent evidences of your children's salvation if they are currently living in apostasy.
- Let free grace be your only confidence.
- If you are tempted to sin, remember that indulging yourself does not cancel past evidences, but forfeiting persevering faith forfeits the grounds of assurance.
- To have light and assurance, press on in holiness, obedience, and faith.
- Do not rest short of anything less than vital union with Christ, as any profession without roots will wither.
A full transcript is available on the tab. 70 paragraphs, roughly 48 minutes.
Paul's Yearning Heart and the Certainty of Affliction
Let us turn this morning to 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 as we continue our studies in this section of Paul's first letter to this infant church in which perhaps as in no other section of this letter and perhaps as in no other place in Holy Scripture we have a glimpse of the throbbing heart of a true servant of Christ yearning over his fruit in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians And I shall read this section in which we have already conducted two studies previous to this morning but to refresh our minds on the basic truths and to prepare us for our further study this morning. I shall begin reading with verse 18 of the second chapter to catch the train of thought. Wherefore we would have come unto you even though you were not yet born even though you were not yet born even I Paul once and again but Satan hindered us for what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming for ye are our glory and our joy. Wherefore when we could no longer forbear we thought it good to be left at Athens alone
and sent Timotheus our brother and co-laborer with us with God in the gospel of Christ to establish you and comfort you concerning your faith that no man should be moved by these afflictions for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto for verily when we were with you we told you before that we should suffer tribulation even as it came to pass and ye know for this cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your faith lest we should be moved by these afflictions by some means the tempter hath tempted you and our labor be in vain. But now when Timotheus came from you unto us and brought us good tidings of your faith and love and that ye have good remembrance of us always desiring greatly to see us as we also to see you therefore brethren we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith for now we live in your love if ye stand fast in the Lord. In our previous studies in this section we have noted that this section is rich in its instruction concerning the biblical doctrine of affliction many references to suffering and affliction and in Paul's writing to this young church
he gives us an insight as to the certainty of affliction in the life of a Christian as to the purpose of affliction. In our study two Lord's Day mornings ago we considered what this passage taught about the subject of faith for five times. In this section you have the little phrase your faith the great focus of Paul's concern was upon the faith of the Thessalonians and we learned at that time something about the biblical doctrine of faith that true faith needs to grow it will grow and that it's never an only child it will always have to grow. It will always have to grow.
The Perseverance of the Saints: An Undergirding Doctrine
It will have brothers and sisters it will have the other fruits of the work of God's grace in the heart and life of a child of God. Now there is another very basic biblical doctrine in this passage in fact it's so much here that it's possible as the old saying goes to fail to see the woods for the trees for behind and undergirding and surrounding this entire section which I've read to you today is the apostles understanding of the biblical doctrine that has been called historically the perseverance of the saints.
What lay behind Paul's burning concern for the Thessalonians? Why does he say twice when we could no longer forbear verse 1 of chapter 3 verse 5 of chapter 3 when we could no longer forbear why is he so anxious to come to them? Why has he made several attempts and when frustrated why does he alter his plans and at great personal cost to himself send Timothy as his representative? Why this anxiety?
Why this planning? Why so fervent in his prayers that he might visit them in the future as he says in verse 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your faith? I submit to you that you'll not be able to answer those questions unless there is some understanding of the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. This is that vital doctrine that brings us face to face with such burning questions as these.
Is it possible that people who are truly saved will ultimately perish? Why does Paul say I'm concerned for you lest by some means the tempter have tempted you and our labor be in vain? Is he inferring that truly saved people at Thessalonica could be turned aside by the devil and perish? That's a pretty important question.
Is it possible for a person to give many apparent evidences of new life and yet fall away and be lost? Why does Paul say for now we live if we stand fast in the Lord? Should a Christian have legitimate fears that he might fail to continue in the grace of God and thereby be rejected? For all who take seriously the salvation of their souls and the clear teaching of Scripture these questions are not academic questions.
They are not merely opening up a debate on whether it's true one saved always saved or can a saved person be lost. I have no interest in academic debate. For you, many of you, are the sheep of God and my responsibility is to feed you. That's my commission from the Lord Jesus.
The Basis of Paul's Rejoicing: All Truly Joined to Christ Will Be Glorified
And if you are a true child of God then this is no academic question with you. Is it possible that I could ultimately fail of the grace of God? And undergirding this entire passage rich in the grace of God rich in its teaching on affliction rich in its teaching on the subject of saving faith is the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints of God and for the next two Lord's Day mornings this morning and the Lord willing next Lord's Day morning I want us to consider what this passage teaches concerning that doctrine and then relate other portions of Scripture which I trust will throw light upon this passage and upon the doctrine it teaches. Now to think our way through the subject we will do so using this passage as our sphere of reference. And so first of all we consider from this passage the basis of Paul's rejoicing. Notice in verse 19 and we spent a whole morning on this text that Paul says that the people at Thessalonica are his hope, his joy, his crown of rejoicing. He says in verse 9 of chapter 3 For what thanks can we render to God again for you for all?
All the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before God. Here's a man who is rejoicing in terms of the grace of God revealed to the people at Thessalonica. We're going to see in a moment that he has tremendous concern but he's full of rejoicing. Now what's the basis of Paul's rejoicing?
Well it's his understanding of this simple principle that he knew that all who are true are truly joined to Christ will ultimately be glorified. All who are joined to Christ now will be found joined to Christ when he comes back again. Notice that his rejoicing is in terms of this future expectation in verse 19 What is our crown of rejoicing are not ye in the presence of the Lord Jesus at his coming. Oh yes you are a source of joy to us now but there would be no joy if after all his labors and if after all the apparent work of grace this would all come to naught and when Paul stood before the Lord there'd be nothing. In fact this would be the cause of the deepest kind of sadness for the scripture says to whom much is given much should be required. He that knew his Lord's will and did it not should be beaten with many stripes whereas he that knew not and did it not should be beaten with few stripes. So if Paul had no confidence that those who were truly saved would be kept by the Lord and would be found in that day he couldn't rejoice he'd go around trembling because most then of all that he communicated all it would do would make the fires of hell all the more intense for these people.
He had been the instrument of giving them light which led to intensified judgment and to increased damnation. But Paul rejoices in this passage. Why? Because of his confidence that all who are savingly joined to Christ will ultimately be glorified and will be found as his treasure in that day.
Scriptural Proof for the Certainty of Glorification
Now this is the clear teaching of many other portions of the Holy Scripture which are specifically given to deal with this question is it possible that one who is truly joined to Christ will somehow fall along the way and be absent in the great company of the redeemed when the Lord Jesus comes back again. And if you and I are to understand the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints as Paul understood it and as it undergirded this concern and this letter we must have this principle indelibly inscribed upon our hearts and minds all who are savingly joined to Christ now will be glorified then. Not one will be missing. Now several passages of Scripture that teach this with absolute clarity. First of all Romans chapter 8 and I'm going over these passages trusting that you will be conversant with every one of them for your own comfort and consolation and then as you seek to communicate to others a reason of the hope that is within you every believer ought to be instructed in these passages.
In these portions and be able to instruct others. In Romans chapter 8 the Apostle Paul has declared in verse 28 that very familiar portion that in the life of the child of God everything is working together there's a plan there's order though there may not seem to be order to you everything may seem to be chaotic. Remember who you are. You're a little worm of the dust and the worm doesn't see very far and very much.
Our children you know how difficult it is when they're small and all the time have to go looking up like this. Too many things to obstruct their view. A worm it's even more difficult. All he needs to do is get behind a little bump in the ground an inch high and the poor fellow can't see anything but the bump in the ground.
And how foolish for that little worm who only sees the bump to the left of him and the right of him to try to make some accurate analysis of the landscape about him. Well it's just as foolish for the child of God standing behind the little bump of time to evaluate what's happening in his life. You can't do it. The only one who can properly evaluate it is the God whose eye spans eternity at a glance and sees all the events and circumstances of your life not only in relationship to each other but in relationship to all the other lives you'll ever touch here in time and all of the purposes of God for eternity.
So whenever you're tempted to begin to try to evaluate God's dealings with you because they don't seem to make sense just remember the folly of the little worm behind his bump I hope the Lord will bring it to remembrance. So Paul is comforting such people that all things are working together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose. For just as surely as God is ordering all the present circumstances he has done something else. For whom he did foreknow that is those whom he loved distinctly and with a particular regard those whom he foreknew he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Now verse 30 is the text. Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them without any exception without losing one them he also called them he also called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified. Here is this unbroken chain of God's saving purpose.
Christian are all things working together for good? Yes. How do you know it? Because I've been saved according to purpose.
Everything in my life has purpose because the God who's laid hold of me has purpose. Purpose which began in eternity when he foreknew me and purpose which began in eternity predestinated me to be made like his son. A God who in purpose called me in time justified me and a God whose purpose will not be frustrated. It's unthinkable that his purpose should be sure in eternity when he foreknew me.
That his purpose should be sure in time in that he called me and that somehow his purpose should be frustrated in accomplishing the end for which he predestinated me and called me and justified me. All of this was to the end that I might be glorified and stand as a brother in the presence of the Lord Jesus. He the Lord Jesus the firstborn amongst many brethren. That's what God had in mind.
God had in mind something out there in eternity. So back there in eternity he foreknew me. In time he called me. He justified me and he will glorify me.
Now Paul says, when that grips your heart what will happen? Will it cause you to sit back and say, oh well, very well, I've settled the academic question. Can a saved person be lost? No, no.
Paul is not interested in theological debate. He's interested in instructing Christians. And so his next word is, what shall we say then to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He's teaching them this doctrine that all who are saving the joined to Christ will be preserved in order to strengthen them to face the battle. If this God be for us all the way from eternity into eternity we can face the world and its hostility and its enemies and its opposition hold our head high and have confidence this God is for us who can be against us. This is a practical doctrine. Very practical.
Paul couches it in the very context of practicality. Has that truth gripped your heart? That all who are savingly joined to Christ will be glorified? Everyone that he called he justified.
All that he justifies he glorifies. And it's so certain that Paul puts a future event in the past tense. Whom he justified he glorified. Well, they aren't glorified yet.
But in the purpose of God it's done. And what's done in the purpose of God will be accomplished in the lives of his people.
I know there aren't any Methodists here but I just don't think the Holy Spirit would be too grieved if somebody said Amen at that.
Jesus' Promise: None Will Be Lost
Now will you turn back to John chapter 6? Not to my preaching but just to what the Bible says about it.
John chapter 6 verse 38. Well, perhaps we ought to back up to verse 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.
Talking about the same thing that Paul talked about. All that were given to the Lord Jesus in the eternal counsels of God shall come. That's calling. Effectual calling.
They shall be brought to repentance and faith. And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me.
That of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me that everyone which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day. Everyone that seeth and believeth every one of them I will raise them up at the last day. We could turn to John 10, 27 to 29.
Time will not permit turning to all of these passages where the Lord Jesus says he gives eternal life to his sheep and they shall never perish. 1 Peter 1, 5 who are kept by the power of God unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. What conclusion can we draw from these texts?
And here's a principle of Bible interpretation. If you're trying to settle this question can a person who's truly joined to Christ ever be lost? You don't go to the historical account of a man like Judas or Saul and say well look he seemed to be saved and he was lost. No, no.
Because you don't know the heart of a man. And the historical account of a man unless God divinely interprets that life is simply a record of the deeds and acts of a man. And we do not know the heart. If I want to answer the question can people who are truly joined to Christ ever be lost?
I go to passages which deal with that issue like John 6. All that truly come to me Christ said they'll never be cast out. Why? Because it'll be contrary to the Father's purpose.
I came down to do His will and His will is that of everyone that He gave to me I will give Him eternal life. I'll raise Him at the last day. Not one will be lost. I go to a passage like Romans 8.
Whom He called He justified. Whom He justified He glorified. Someone says oh but that's just picking and choosing. No it isn't.
Beloved this is a principle of biblical interpretation. If you don't face it you can prove anything from the Bible. Anything you want to. And so going to those portions that answer this question the ringing affirmation of scripture is no.
Can anyone who is truly joined to Christ ever be lost? No. So as Paul thinks of those who are joined to Christ at Thessalonica he says you people are the source of my joy because I know that I'll meet you in that day. The Father's purpose cannot be frustrated.
The Basis of Paul's Anxiety: Not All Who Profess Faith Are Truly Saved
But now there's a second principle and we see it in our first Thessalonians 3 passage. Not only the basis of Paul's rejoicing that conviction that all who are joined to Christ will be glorified but this is a passage not only full of joy but full of anxiety isn't it? Full of anxiety. Full of joy.
Full of anxiety.
These people are not only the source of his rejoicing in verse 19 and in verse 9 of chapter 3 but they are the object of tremendous anxiety. Verse 3 chapter 3 verse 1 when we could no longer forbear. Verse 5 for this cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your faith. And now he's continually anxious verse 10 of chapter 3 continually anxious continually anxious continually praying that he might see their face.
Now what was the basis of his anxiety? If he knows that all who are savingly joined to Christ are going to be kept no matter what the world and the flesh and the devil do why in the world should he be concerned? If God's purpose cannot be frustrated why not just sit back fold your arms and say thank God they're in and they're going to make it and forget them. Now Paul recognized a second principle that's important to us.
A principle that's absolutely vital if we're to understand the Bible doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Follow closely. I know it's warm I know our minds are dull it's hard to think but it's the only message I've prepared so I have to give you this. So I ask you to think now.
Here's the principle. Paul knew that not all who professed faith and gave some evidences of faith were truly joined to Christ. Surely as he knew that all who were truly joined to Christ would be glorified Paul knew that not all who seemed to be joined to Christ really are joined to Christ. He knew this.
He knew this. He knew this from the teaching of Scripture. He knew it from the experience of his own life and his own ministry. That's why he says in verse 5 for this cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your faith lest by some means the tempter had tempted you and I would not our labor be in vain.
Verse 3 that no man should be moved by these afflictions. Verse 8 for now we live if you stand fast in the Lord. Here was the recognition on the part of the Apostle Paul that it was perfectly possible for people to give many glowing apparent evidences of being joined to Christ and yet time would prove that they had never truly been vitally united to the Lord Jesus. And that's why he's concerned.
Illustrations of Apparent vs. True Faith
He says there's the terrible possibility that my labor amongst you would be in vain. Though there were these glowing indications at the beginning when I was with you time would be the great prover of the reality of those indications. And isn't this the very vital teaching of the parable of the sower?
I spent some weeks preaching through that parable back about two years ago Matthew chapter 13 and then Luke chapter 8. Let's look at it for just a moment to refresh our minds because I'm personally convinced if we don't understand the basic teaching of this parable as it relates to this doctrine we'll be involved in a hopeless maze of complexity and unanswerable questions. You remember the parable of the sower? The seed fell upon four different kinds of soil and then the Lord Jesus interprets that parable to them and we read in Matthew 13 and in verse 20 our Lord's inspiring interpretation He that received the seed unto stony places the same as he that heareth the word and anon with joy receiveth it. Now suppose someone were to come from the outside this morning who I did not know whom you did not know and I were preaching what we'd call more a strict gospel message where I was setting forth man's need and Christ's provision for man and his sin and gave a free offer of the gospel inviting people invited men to Christ and pled with them to flee to Christ. What would you think if going out the door a man came and said oh this is what I've been wanting to hear all of my life the word of salvation the word of forgiveness the word of reconciliation oh how that word came home to my heart with power and I was enabled
to believe on the Lord Jesus and we'd all stand back and say isn't that marvelous isn't that tremendous?
Well it could be. It could be tragic. Notice what it says to these people they anon that is immediately with joy they receive it salvation comes and their hearts open up like a flower to the sun and they say ah that's what I want and they lay hold of it just like that seed that fell upon the stony ground a little bit of earth and then a shelf of rock beneath it sprang up almost immediately germinated very quickly and there was a stalk coming up to the ground but now notice the next verse yet hath he no root in himself but endureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by he is offended. Luke says they believe for a while. Now what's the problem? No root.
To take the spiritual analogy there was never any vital union with Christ. The problem with that plant the thing that makes it wither when the sun rises is there is no vital union between the plant and the tree. The plant and the source of life the soil it has no root and a plant with no root dies and so there can be profession that is very flourishing that has much apparent stalk above ground but there is no root no vital union with the source of life has been established there is no relationship to Jesus Christ.
What is stated in Matthew 13 in parable is stated in clear descriptive language in the 6th chapter of Hebrews and I want us to look at that for a moment because again this will help us to understand the basis of Paul's concern and also the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints.
Hebrews chapter 6 he is exhorting these people to go on to spiritual maturity not to go back and lay again old foundations and he describes a certain class of people in Hebrews 6 verses 4 through 6 notice for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened they were enlightened the truth has come and burst upon the mind and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost they have experienced something of the operations of the Spirit and have tasted the good word of God doesn't say anything about digesting it assimilating it but they have tasted it and it is tasted sweet in the mouth anon with joy they receive it they have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come if they shall fall away they can have all of this and yet fall away he says it is impossible to renew them again to repent and seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him into an open shame then he uses a parable here for the earth or a figure which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it and bringeth forth herbs meat for them by whom it is dressed receiveth blessing from God for that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected and is nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned the same influence of the rain
and the earth in one case produces herbs good for food in another case produces thorns to be burned so he says under the influences of the Holy Spirit there are those who seem to be quickened by the power of the word they taste the good word of God the powers of the world to come but ultimately they fall away they prove themselves to be thorns and he says in verse 9 but beloved we are persuaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation you can have all of this without true salvation the mind enlightened tasting the good word of God experiencing something of the powers of the world to come the apostle Paul knew this that's why he's full of anxiety for the people at Thessalonica though he was absolutely confident that not one Thessalonian who had been savingly joined to Christ would ever fall away and perish he says some of you people there are my crown of rejoicing he was equally confident that not all who seem to be joined to Christ truly are absolutely confident of this this is the same teaching of first Peter second Peter chapter 2 verses 20 to 22 where he speaks about those who have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior and again
entangled therein and he says the proverb is fulfilled the dog still a dog though found in the company of the sheep of God will eventually go back to his vomit and the sow though apparently adorning the likeness of the sheep of God will go back to her wall in the mire what is this but people who tasted the good word of God have received it with joy and have many apparent evidences of life the apostle Paul was concerned for the Thessalonians lest many of these would prove to be stony ground here and so you have the clear teaching of Holy Scripture and then you have the clear examples of men like Judas who cast out demons and performed miracles but Jesus said one of you is a devil he knew from the beginning who it was that should betray him Demas a fellow worker of Paul in one epistle he says my fellow laborer Demas and he has to say in another epistle he hath forsaken me having loved this present age and the Bible says if any man loved the world the love of the Father is not in him to go as far as to be a co-laborer with the apostle Paul that's why Paul's concerned for the Thessalonians for he knows that not all who seem to be joined to Christ truly are Bunyan captured this in his immortal work The Pilgrim's Progress
when he described the man in the iron cage you remember in the house of the interpreter he comes and finds this man in this iron cage with his eyes downcast and looked of despair upon him and he asks him who he is and his answer is classic I'll never forget those words I am not now what I once was I once was a fair and flourishing professor not professor in the university we'd say a fair and flourishing Christian I confess Christ but he said I laid the reins upon the neck of my lust and I left off to watch and pray and God hath given me up and denied me repentance that's a frightful thing frightful and yet scripture teaches and human experience confirms we will never understand the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints if we simply stop with the first principle all who are joined to Christ will be glorified and there some stop so everybody that makes a profession gives a little evidence of life once saved always saved no matter what happens oh wait a minute wait a minute that's not the teaching of scripture teaching of scripture is that people may give many apparent evidences of regeneration who've never truly been joined to Christ and be stony ground hearers who fall away Hebrews
The Focus of Paul's Exhortation: Continuance as Proof of Union
six people who have all of these things but fall short of salvation and that brings us to the third principle that's here in 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 the third principle the focus of Paul's inquiry and exhortation we've looked at the basis of his rejoicing all who are joined to Christ will be glorified the basis of his anxiety not all who seem to be joined to Christ really are now what's the focus of his inquiry and his exhortation notice he says I've sent Timothy verse 5 to know whether or not I'm sorry yes when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your faith lest by some means the tempter tempted you and our labor be in vain then he has this word coming back from Timothy and he summarizes his understanding in verse 8 for now we live that is we experience life that is full free from anxious concern if ye stand fast in the Lord and that's the third principle that clusters around this biblical doctrine Paul knew that continuance in the ways of God is the only proof of the reality of union with Christ all who are joined to Christ will be glorified he'll lose none of his sheep not one of them all who are called and justified
will be glorified not all who seem to be joined to Christ really are third principle continuance in the ways of God is the only proof of the reality of union with Christ so he says we live if ye stand fast now in the Lord in his ways in his laws in his promises in his church in his fellowship in the communion of his people if you stand fast if you're not moved away from the hope of the gospel no past experience will be a substitute for present apostasy do you hear me no past experience no matter how glorious will be a substitute for present apostasy if men turn from the faith in the present Paul says all the past apparent fruits are nothing my labor has been in vain isn't that what he says and yet on every hand dear one the misunderstanding of this doctrine has led to such soul abuse where people who have nothing but the signs of present apostasy are comforting themselves in past apparent evidences and what's worse than that I meet parents all over the place who look upon the present apostasy of their children and comfort themselves that back twenty years ago they were not they had some
evidences that maybe they were saved I heard a man just the other night say pray for my son he's twenty three years of age in such and such a place and he's not living for the Lord you see he couldn't bring himself I know the teaching under which he's been instructed he couldn't bring himself to say there's no evidence he ever knew the Lord there's a present tense apostasy and this wrong butchering of the biblical doctrine of perseverance is what has prejudiced some people against it they'd say I never believed that doctrine once saved always saved that leads to license that leads and perhaps some of you have had a prejudice to the glorious biblical doctrine that God will preserve his own because you've seen it abused without this balancing truth that not all who say they are joined to Christ are and the only proof that the reality of union with Christ is continuance in the faith let's look at several passages as we round out our study this morning and I am not totally merciless you'll remember two weeks ago when it was hot we were all out of here by a quarter after I am conscious that you have not only minds and spirits but bodies as well and I want to be thoughtful and considerate of your warm bodies this morning will you turn to Hebrews chapter 4 as we seek to see
Scriptural Affirmation of Continuance as Proof
these clear statements that continuance in the ways of God is the proof of the reality of union with Christ Hebrews chapter 4 and now the exhortation is verse 14 seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession now notice the exhortation let us hold fast our profession well suppose we don't well drop back to verse chapter 3 verses 13 and 14 but exhort one another daily while it is called today lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin for we are made partakers of Christ if if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end we are made partakers of Christ that is of his full salvation if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end continuance in the ways of God is the only proof
of the reality of union with Christ listen to essentially the same words in Colossians chapter 1 the apostle Paul speaking of the reconciling work of Christ bringing men to himself out of the state of sin and alienation he says that we are reconciling in the body verse 22 in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel all of these blessings he says you have grounds to believe will be yours if you continue anyone who's not continuing yet claims to be secure in Christ doesn't have an ounce of strength for his claim he may want to claim it the same way I may claim I'm a millionaire and start writing out checks like I were wouldn't last too long the law would catch up to me and people who claim to be secure in Christ without the scriptural evidence of continuance in Christ are claiming something for which they have no grounds to claim none whatsoever if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled listen to the words of our Lord Jesus in the 8th chapter of John where he gives a criterion by which we may discover whether or not we are true disciples
John chapter 8 verse 31 then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him if ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free if ye continue then this will be this is proof of the reality of your union with me this is proof that there is a root to your profession it is not simply a rootless plant above ground that will wither and die under pressure no no if ye continue this doesn't make you my disciples he doesn't say if ye continue then you will be made my disciple he said if ye continue it is manifest that you are indeed attached to me you see continuance is the proof of the reality of attachment to Christ continuance doesn't earn Christ continuance doesn't buy Christ continuance reveals the grace of God who has united me to Christ one other passage there are so many but in the interest of time I must pass over the very well known words of our Lord in Matthew chapter 24 and then again Matthew 10 in verse 22 he that endures to the end the same shall be saved he that endureth to the end
Balancing the Three Principles and Practical Application
the same shall be saved I've heard people try to deny the wonderful doctrine that all who are joined to Christ will be glorified by saying oh but look it says he that endures to the end I say I have no problem with that none whatsoever for if we are joined to him we shall endure to the end and we shall Lord willing next week develop that thought why we shall endure to the end what secures the person perseverance of the saints of God but I trust that our study this morning has been sufficient to at least bring into focus based upon first Thessalonians 3 these three basic principles and I've cried to God that he would make them clear to us because I find dear ones even talking with many of my dear pastor friends so few understand these three basic principles they may have one of them but one without the other two is heresy it's the three of them held together all who are savingly joined in Christ will be glorified Paul says you Thessalonians will be manifested as my crown of rejoicing in that day I have no question but all of you who've been truly called and truly justified will be glorified that's the Father's purpose it cannot fail the second principle not all who seem to be joined in Christ truly are stony ground hearers people who taste the good
word of God feel the powers of the world to come even escape the pollution of the world by coming into the assembly of the people of God and then eventually go back well how am I to know which I am as I pray for my loved ones without being God I want to pray scripturally as I pray for friends as I pray for people within this church who've been here in the past perhaps how am I to pray third principle the only valid proof of the reality of union with Christ is continuance in the faith now beloved that's not an academic question if you've been enabled to continue and you look back to the time when you first professed Christ you think of those people who've dropped along the way I can think of them some of their names come to my mind right as I stand here this morning did this happen to some of you here can you think of people who've dropped along the way they've made shipwreck concerning the faith can you think of them why wasn't it you did you have a little bit stronger will than they were you a little bit less prone to sin than they would you dare to claim that the reason lies in you no I think you're forced to proclaim if you know anything about your heart Lord the same grace that awakened me and converted me tis grace that brought me safe thus far and grace
will lead me home isn't that the teaching of scripture tis grace grace that taught my heart to fear grace my fears relieved grace has brought me safe thus far grace will lead me home oh beloved this is not an academic doctrine this is a doctrine that focuses upon the immutable grace of God focused upon us in eternity and that will issue in the purpose of God seeing us glorified with him let free grace be your own only confidence that's how practical it is how practical is it when you're tempted to sin and the world begins to allure you and entice you you say well if I do this it doesn't cancel out all these past evidences I have that I belong to the Lord maybe I can indulge myself here and suck comfort from past evidences no no no no past evidences will do for present assurance the only proof you have is that you are is pressing on now in holiness and obedience what a great preservation against sin for if you forfeit the persevering in faith you forfeit the grounds of assurance you want to do that and have darkness come and wonder am I really his do you want to go into darkness then go into sin do you want light
and assurance press on in holiness press on in obedience press on in faith pretty practical doctrine isn't it I don't think that's a theoretical doctrine that's pretty practical that which becomes the motivation for holiness that which becomes the bedrock ground of praise and adoration and magnifying of the Lord and then the third thing I would say by way of closing application it says to every one of you don't rest short of anything less than vital union with Christ that little fair flower of profession if it doesn't have roots in Christ will wither for Jesus said every plant that my heavenly father hath not planted shall be rooted up shall be rooted up generally in time some people make it clean through to the judgment but it will be rooted up then may God grant that we shall know the delight of union with Christ thereby being joined to him and able to persevere to the end next week we'll consider why is it that the saints of God persevere and what means does God use for their persevering let us unite in closing prayer
This transcript was generated by automated speech recognition and may contain errors. It is provided for study and reference only; the audio recording is the authoritative source.
Passages Expounded
This section of Paul's letter is the primary text, revealing his deep concern, anxiety, and joy over the Thessalonians' faith, which undergirds the doctrine of perseverance.
The 'golden chain' of salvation (foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, glorification) is expounded as the foundational theological basis for the certainty of perseverance.
Jesus' words about the Father's will to lose none of those given to Him are expounded as a direct promise of divine preservation.
Texts Expounded
Also Referenced
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