GOD KEEPS HIS SAINTS

John 17:6-26

 

Introduction: There are those Christians who are insecure about their Salvation.  Some may wonder if, after being faithful for a period of time, they were to sin and die, would they go to heaven.  Such thinking is the result of a world view.  One who has a world view sees things through the eyes of fate and chance.  A child of God's life is not left to fate and chance but is left in the care of the Lord (John 10:28-29). That is not to say that a child of God cannot fall (Read John 10:26-27). A person can stop hearing and following the Lord.

A.    Jesus anticipated the hostility His followers would receive from the world. (John 17:14-19)

1.     Hostility would come in the form of persecution (John 16:33)

a.     A disciple is not above his master (John 15:18-20)

b.     Ungodliness does not tolerate godliness (2 Tim. 3:12)

2.     Hostility would come in the form of temptation (Luke 8:13-14)

a.     When one lacks self-control (James 1:13-15)

b.     When one loves the world (1 John 2:15-17)

B.    Jesus made provisions for his followers to overcome those hostilities that would come upon them. (John 17:11-12 and 15) 

1.     They would be kept by the power of God (1 Pet. 1:3-5)

a.     God's power is in the Gospel (Rom. 1:16)

b.     God's Power is accessed by our faith (Rom. 1:17; 1 Pet. 1:5)

2.     They would be kept by other means which the Lord has provided

 

I.        God keeps His saints through the Word (Acts 20:32)

A.    The Word can keep a child of God from sinning. (Psa. 119:11)

1.     Jesus relied on the Word when He was tempted  (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10)

2.     One will be kept from the path of the destroyer (Psa. 17:4)

B.    The Word will cleanse the child of God. (Psa. 119:9)

1.     The Word leads to initial cleansing (Eph. 5:26, 1 Pet. 1:22)

2.     Walking in the light of God's word will keep the saint clean (1 John 1:7)

a.     Must be doers of the word - (James 1:22-25)

b.     Must confess sins  (1 John 1:9)

 

II.      God Keeps His saints through the church (Eph. 4:8, 11-16)

A.    Assembling with the saints brings encouragement. (Heb. 10:24-25)

1.     There are mature Christians who will help in providing good examples of faith (Heb. 13:7)

2.     In some churches there are elders who are appointed for the welfare and protection of the souls that make up that congregation over which they shepherd (Heb. 13:17)

B.    The collective worship of the saints provide strength and a basis upon which a saint is kept

1.     The Lord's Supper helps to show or remind the child of God of:

a.     The sacrifice that God made in His son (1 Cor. 11:26)

b.     The common bond that saints share in - (1 Cor. 10:16-17)

2.     Our giving is also a sharing together (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

a.     One is made richer spiritually (2 Cor. 9:6)

b.     One abounds in God's work - (2 Cor. 9:8)

3.     Singing when assembled helps to strengthen and encourage the saint (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16) Teaching also helps to perfect the saint and strengthen his faith (Rom. 10:17, 1 Tim. 4:16)

 

Conclusion: God is able to keep his saints through the provisions He has given; as long as his children will do their part in utilizing them. The ultimate provision is Jesus Christ (John 3:16). He is able to help the saints (Heb. 2:18) He will not forsake the saints (Heb. 13:5-6). He knows how to deliver the saint (2 Pet. 2:9).     God provide his children with His promises (2 Peter 1:4). What God will do for those who remain faithful ought to motivate saints to try to remain faithful (Heb. 6:9-20). Effort is required on the part of every saint (2 Pet. 1:5-7).  In doing God's will the saint will:  “Be neither barren nor unfruitful” (2 Pet. 1:8) and “never fall” (2 Pet. 1:10).