Scripture Matters Podcast - Episode 15 (Chapter 13 "Standing On The Promises")

This is the 15th episode of the Scripture Matters Podcast, with hosts Cliff Thompson & Jonathan Sanford. Currently we are reviewing the book published by Focus Press, and written by Jack Wilkie, "You Are Saved - A Christian's Assurance." Please like, share and make sure you've subscribed to the Scripture Matters Podcast, produced and published alongside the Watters Road Church of Christ. Below is a synopsis of this week's episode:

The warning sirens are blaring, the sky goes dark, and you spot a shelter that can save your life, but you pause at the door. That moment captures where many Christians live spiritually: we believe God’s promises exist, yet we struggle to believe those promises are truly for us. Jonathan Sanford and Cliff Thompson wrap up Chapter 13 of Jack Wilkie’s “You Are Saved: A Christian’s Assurance” with one clear aim: stop standing outside the promises of God and start standing on them.

We dig into the “accuser” problem and why lingering doubt often sounds spiritual while quietly stealing peace. From Zechariah 3 to Revelation 12:10, we look at how Satan weaponizes old stains and how God answers with cleansing, justification, and clean garments in Christ. The goal is not hype or denial, but a steady assurance of salvation that trusts God’s Word more than shifting feelings.

Then we get practical. We talk about Jesus’ easy yoke in Matthew 11:28–30 and how Christians can accidentally turn discipleship into an ever-growing checklist of self-justification. We walk through Romans to clarify the difference between sinful boasting and worshipful confidence, and we explain how assurance changes everyday life: receiving the meat of the word without panic, accepting forgiveness after confession through 1 John 1:9, praying with boldness from Hebrews 4:16, and facing eternity with hope instead of dread.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really know I’m saved?” this conversation is for you. Share this episode with a friend who needs peace, and don't forget to "like, share, and subscribe!"

Transcript

The Storm Shelter Test Of Trust

SPEAKER_01 0:09

The warning sirens are going off.

SPEAKER_00 0:13

The sky has turned dark.

SPEAKER_01 0:15

The wind is picking up.

SPEAKER_00 0:18

And everybody around you is rushing toward shelter.

SPEAKER_01 0:21

And somebody points and says, There, that shelter will hold.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

So you run toward it.

SPEAKER_01 0:28

You get to the door. You grab the handle. But then you stop.

SPEAKER_00 0:35

Because now the question changes.

SPEAKER_01 0:38

It is no longer does the shelter exist.

SPEAKER_00 0:42

It becomes, do I trust it enough to step inside?

SPEAKER_01 0:46

And spiritually, that's where many Christians live every single day.

SPEAKER_00 0:52

They believe God's promises are real.

SPEAKER_01 0:55

But they struggle to believe that those promises are really for them.

SPEAKER_00 1:01

They know verses about grace.

SPEAKER_01 1:03

They even know many verses about forgiveness.

SPEAKER_00 1:07

And they know verses about salvation. But instead of resting in those promises, they stand outside in the storm wondering if they are truly safe.

SPEAKER_01 1:20

But hey, what happens when a Christian finally believes what God has actually said?

SPEAKER_00 1:27

What happens when assurance stops being theory?

SPEAKER_01 1:31

And starts becoming confidence.

SPEAKER_00 1:34

And that is what we're discussing today.

Welcome And Why Assurance Matters

SPEAKER_00 1:38

Right here on the Scripture Matters Podcast.

SPEAKER_01 1:44

You've tuned in to the Scripture Matters Podcast, produced and published in cooperation with the Waters Road Church of Christ. Looking for a church home in the Houston area that lovingly stands upon God's Word? Waters Road is the place where you belong. If you need more information about the Waters Road Church of Christ, check out their website at www.wrcopc.org. We'd like to thank each of you who helped make this podcast possible, especially the prayerful support of our wives and families. And now, good folks, let's get back to another episode of the Scripture Matters Podcast. Greeting, good folks, and welcome back once again to the Scripture Matters Podcast. Hey, before we go any further, let me just say we are beyond grateful that you've made the decision to tune in.

SPEAKER_00 2:46

We really are. And whether you're watching us on YouTube or Facebook or listening to us on one of our podcast platforms, we really are thankful you decided to spend a little time with us today.

SPEAKER_01 3:00

And if this is your first time joining the conversation, my name is Jonathan Sanford. I serve uh alongside the wonderful brethren of the Waters Road Church of Christ in Pasadena, Texas.

SPEAKER_00 3:13

And I'm Cliff Thompson. I have been blessed to shepherd the flock as one of the elders of the Waters Road Church of Christ, along with teaching a weekly Bible class. And I'll just have to say it 15 episodes in, and I hope you agree with me. I really do look forward to these conversations every week.

SPEAKER_01 3:34

Yeah, from the bottom of our hearts. We we truly feel that way. And and listen, to the point uh that that really this is what we desired from the very beginning, uh, to have something that feels like a genuine conversation, not something stiff, not something rehearsed, but just an honest conversation, Cliff.

SPEAKER_00 3:56

Yeah, almost like we're all sitting together out on the back porch, our Bibles open, a cup of coffee in our hand, and we're talking through what Jack Wilkie had written in this book.

SPEAKER_01 4:08

That's exactly right. Cliff, Cliff and I, we we're talking with each other here, but folks, we're also talking with you. You are right here with us, thinking with us, asking questions alongside of us. Maybe you're even talking back to your screen a little bit.

SPEAKER_00 4:25

And folks, if you do talk back to your screen, we promise not to judge you.

SPEAKER_01 4:31

Maybe a little. No, I'm just kidding. Hey, um, and the fact is we may even agree with you.

SPEAKER_00 4:37

Yeah. Now, Jonathan, before we jump into chapter 13, how about we recognize a couple of very important folks?

SPEAKER_01 4:45

That sounds like a great idea, Cliff. Folks, early on here with the Scripture Matters podcast, we had some help from a brother in Christ by the name of Richard II, who came aboard early on to help us in producing these broadcasts. But with his responsibilities outside of this endeavor, he uh had to step away, unfortunately.

SPEAKER_00 5:07

Yeah, and I do remember looking at you, Jonathan, one Sunday morning at the church and wondering what in the world are we going to do going forward? Because we both knew, hey, excuse my Florida panhandle and grammar. Well, no way this ship is gonna sail without a captain at the wheel.

SPEAKER_01 5:25

Well, let's just say though, that the Lord provided us with a six foot six, two hundred and seventy-five-pound uh new producer. Yeah, as an answer to our prayer. So uh let us give thanks to our producer, we like to call him our producer extraordinaire, Billy Sanford, who keeps things running behind the scenes each and every episode.

SPEAKER_00 5:48

And folks, if you enjoy how these episodes look as well as how they sound, Billy has a lot to do with that.

SPEAKER_01 5:56

Yeah, you know, folks, you may not realize it, but there is a live element to this production. And honestly, uh that's where Billy keeps things running smoothly because you may not see the efforts that he puts in, but I I I hope you know you would notice the disaster this would be without his help.

SPEAKER_00 6:16

And speaking of Billy, I'd like to take this moment to congratulate Billy, first of all, for graduating from Clearbrook High School of this week, but also for lending a great opportunity with CCISD as a paid intern on their IP staff.

SPEAKER_01 6:34

Yeah, and Cliff, what I love about that is he's gonna be headed down a career path that you you you know a little thing or two about, right? Cyber security.

SPEAKER_00 6:44

Just a little bit, just a little bit. And it's gotta make me smile. And it does, and it tickles me to death. And if he handles that as well as he does our work here, Jonathan, on this podcast, he's got a bright future, man.

SPEAKER_01 6:56

That's right. Speaking of bright futures, no, the Sanfords aren't the only family celebrating this week. You got the Thompson, the Davises, they're celebrating the graduation of your sweet uh granddaughter, Evan, from right up there, right up the street here at LaPorte High School.

SPEAKER_00 7:12

And my buttons popping off. Oh, yes, sir. And it's so cool that this fall she'll be heading to a place we've kind of grown very, very fond of over the years, Harding University.

SPEAKER_01 7:24

Yeah, and I think the fact that she's going there on a scholarship, from what I understand, that makes it even more sweet.

SPEAKER_00 7:31

It does. And amen, amen to that. We're so proud of Billy, we're so proud of Evan. Matter of fact, we're so proud of all of our graduates, and we pray God blesses them as they move into these next chapters of their lives.

SPEAKER_01 7:45

Yeah, well, this past Sunday we had the opportunity at Waters Road to celebrate all of our graduates. It was great to see all of our elders uh on stage with all of our graduates this past Lord's Day. Hey, folks, before we get into today's chapter, let us remind you if these conversations are helpful to you in any way, if they have uh helped you along the way, take a moment to do those three things that we talk about every week: like, share, and subscribe.

SPEAKER_00 8:16

And we really do mean that, folks. It may seem small, but it helps more people find the podcast.

SPEAKER_01 8:24

And that matters to us. Why? Because if these conversations can help someone out there think more deeply about God's word, then hey, we're grateful for this opportunity.

SPEAKER_00 8:37

And we also want to say thank you, folks, to everyone who has been watching, listening, sharing, commenting, and reaching out.

SPEAKER_01 8:47

Yeah, we we've talked about this before, Cliff, but but their encouragement means more than than they'll ever know.

SPEAKER_00 8:54

And Jonathan, that is one of my favorite parts about this. When people stop us and say, Hey, I've been thinking about what y'all said, or hey, I had a question about that episode.

SPEAKER_01 9:06

Yeah, absolutely. Because that means that the conversation didn't end when we said, remember, scripture matters. No, it continued long uh after the episode ends.

SPEAKER_00 9:17

Yeah, that's right. And it kept going.

SPEAKER_01 9:20

And that's what we want. So, hey, uh, if you've got questions, comments, concerns, if you're wrestling with something in your spiritual life that you uh would like to share with us that we can help you through with God's word, uh, listen, please give us that opportunity, uh, especially as we conclude in our series of this review of Jack Wilkie's book, You Are Saved, a Christian's Assurance.

SPEAKER_00 9:46

That really is. We really, really, really feel honored. And that is the reality of the whole subject right there. We love to hear from you.

SPEAKER_01 9:56

That's

Standing On The Promises For Real

SPEAKER_01 9:57

right. Uh, Cliff, as we move into chapter 13 uh today, the title is Standing on the Promises.

SPEAKER_00 10:06

And Jonathan, the moment you hear that phrase, standing on the promises, what comes to your mind?

SPEAKER_01 10:13

Oh, those sweet words. Standing on the promises of Christ my King through eternal ages, let us praises ring, glory in the highest. I will shout and sing, Standing on the Promises of God.

SPEAKER_00 10:28

Oh man, you've sung that more than once, haven't you?

SPEAKER_01 10:31

Uh, at least twice. Um, I I'd say, Cliff, thinking about that song, it's probably up in the top five uh of maybe the songs I remember most from my childhood.

SPEAKER_00 10:44

Yeah, that song has always felt like it has some kind of real strength behind those words, too.

SPEAKER_01 10:50

Uh, yeah, you felt right. And the reality is the the author, uh Russell Kelso Carter, uh, he gave us uh as Christians a phrase here's the thing that I think is easy to sing, but sometimes harder to live.

SPEAKER_00 11:07

What do you mean by that, Jonathan?

SPEAKER_01 11:09

Well, because it's one thing to sing standing on the promises, but it's a whole nother ball game uh to stand on those promises whenever fear or doubts or discouragements come knocking at your door.

SPEAKER_00 11:24

Yeah, Jonathan. But let me ask you a question. Is it possible that from time to time we sing those words, but then we doubt whether God will keep that promise for me?

SPEAKER_01 11:37

Cliff, it's not only possible, but I'm a living example of doing that. There have been times in my life over the years, I'll admit to folks, uh, especially over the last, say, decade of my life, where I've been loudly proclaiming God's promises, but internally in different areas of my life, doubting that those really apply to me. Uh yeah, they'll apply to you, Cliff, and they'll apply to everybody else, but but not me.

SPEAKER_00 12:07

You know, it sounds like Satan had been telling you and I the same lies.

SPEAKER_01 12:13

I I that may be one of his favorite lies, I wonder.

SPEAKER_00 12:16

Yeah, and that takes us right back to the storm shelter illustration, Jonathan, that we just talked about a few moments ago.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

It does, because if you remember, it it's not about the existence of the storm shelter. It's not whether it exists.

SPEAKER_00 12:32

No, no, no. The issue is whether we trust it enough to step inside.

SPEAKER_01 12:38

And in this chapter, good folks, Jack Wilkie is going to help us to think uh through what it means to stop standing outside the promises of God and start standing on them.

SPEAKER_00 12:51

So, folks, let's pull up a chair, open the book, and let's talk it over.

SPEAKER_01 12:56

You know, Cliff, I I think there's a lot of Christians out there who genuinely struggle, even if they may not openly admit it. They know what the Bible says about forgiveness, they know what the Bible says about grace, they even know what the Bible says about salvation in Jesus Christ. But somewhere deep down, they still wrestle with that question. Do the promises really apply to me? And honestly, I think uh many Christians spend far more time replaying their failures uh than they do reflecting upon the promises of God. In other words, they remember uh the sins that God has already forgiven. They revisit mistakes in their life that God has already washed away. And even though they know intellectually what Scripture says, emotionally they're still chained to the guilt and fear. Uh and as we think about this today, I believe that's why Jack Wilkie starts this chapter in such an important place,

Silencing The Accuser With Scripture

SPEAKER_01 14:10

learning to accept what God has already declared to be true. Because if God says that something has been forgiven, listen, folks, who are we to continue to argue with God in those moments? If God says that your sins have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, then we as a Christian have to learn to eventually stop standing outside the shelter and actually step in by faith.

SPEAKER_00 14:43

Jonathan, I think every Christian listening today probably knows exactly what you're talking about. Why? Because there are moments where the accuser starts kind of whispering in your ear again, maybe it's an old failure, maybe it's a season of weakness, maybe it's something you deeply regret from years ago. And even though you have repented, even though you have prayed about it, and even though you have sought God's forgiveness, those thoughts can still come rushing back. And I think that is one reason Satan is called the accuser of the brethren. He wants Christians constantly looking backwards instead of looking forward. He wants us doubting the promises of God, he wants us questioning whether grace could really cover someone like us. But Jonathan, if we're not careful, we can almost be we can almost begin acting like our failures are greater than God's ability to forgive. And that becomes very dangerous because now the focus has shifted away from the power of Christ and back onto ourselves.

SPEAKER_01 16:00

And that is such an important point that you've made there, Cliff, because assurance does not stand on the strength of our perfection, it stands instead on the faithfulness of God. Now, listen, folks, that does not mean that sin is not serious. We've made it clear throughout this review that sin is serious. It does not mean that repentance is unnecessary. And it certainly does not mean that we as Christians should become careless in how we live. But it does mean that when God says he has forgiven the repentant child of God, then we must learn to trust his promises more than we trust our feelings. And honestly, folks, that's where our feelings can be oh so unreliable. Think about it. Our confidence is rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ. And when I look at this chapter, I think that's where Jack is really trying to help us as readers move from constantly staring uh head on to our failures to finally standing on the promises of God.

SPEAKER_00 17:17

Jonathan, when Jack moves into silencing the accuser, he makes a pretty strong point about where that nagging voice of doubt is coming from.

SPEAKER_01 17:28

Oh, he does. And that is something that we here today need to slow down and think about. If someone says that they are in Christ, and yet they constantly have this nagging thought in the back of their mind, asking, Am I really saved? Jack reminds us that thought, that's not coming from God.

SPEAKER_00 17:55

No, that's the work of Satan.

SPEAKER_01 17:58

Exactly. And Jack points out that the name Satan, S-A-T-A-N, is not just a name, it describes what he does. And as you said, he is the accuser.

SPEAKER_00 18:14

And Revelation 12, verse 10 calls him the accuser of our brethren.

SPEAKER_01 18:21

Right. He is the one who accuses them before God both day and night. And that helps us, I think, to understand what Jack is doing here in this chapter. He's not just saying, hey, try to try to feel better about yourselves. No, he's helping us as Christians to recognize that constant accusation is one of Satan's greatest tools.

SPEAKER_00 18:49

And John, Jack uses Zechariah 3 to show that, doesn't he?

SPEAKER_01 18:55

He does. And Satan is standing there to accuse him.

SPEAKER_00 19:14

And Jonathan, I remember Joshua's clothes, they were not clean.

SPEAKER_01 19:18

No, exactly. He had on filthy garments, which represented his iniquity. And Satan is right there trying to use that against him.

SPEAKER_00 19:30

So in that instance, Satan had something to point at.

SPEAKER_01 19:34

Yeah, he did. And that's what makes that passage so powerful. Joshua uh was not standing there clean in and of himself. Satan could could see the stain and point to the stain. He could point to the failure, he could point to the uncleanness.

SPEAKER_00 19:55

But God did not let Satan have the final word, did he?

SPEAKER_01 19:59

No, sir. And that is the beauty of it. The Lord rebuked Satan, removed Joshua's iniquity, and gave him clean garments.

SPEAKER_00 20:10

And Jack says that is what God does for us, too.

SPEAKER_01 20:15

Yeah, that's the whole point here. That when we are in Christ, God is the one who makes us clean. So Satan, hey, he can do all the accusing that he wants, but it's God who justifies.

SPEAKER_00 20:30

And Jonathan, that is very powerful, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01 20:33

It is. And then Jack takes it even further by connecting this to Revelation 12, 10. Through the work of Christ, listen, folks, Satan. He has been thrown down from that accusing role. Remember this. Satan has been thrown down from that accusing role. He no longer gets to stand before God accusing Christians day and night.

SPEAKER_00 21:02

So if he cannot stand before God accusing us the same way, what does he do now, Jonathan?

SPEAKER_01 21:08

Well, Jack makes it clear. All that Satan can do now is try to convince us to accuse ourselves.

SPEAKER_00 21:17

Oh man, that is a serious thought.

SPEAKER_01 21:19

It really is, because many Christians live as though Satan is still standing in God's courtroom with the final word over our soul, but that's not true. He's not. Christ has already answered the accusation.

SPEAKER_00 21:36

So when a Christian keeps saying, I know God says I'm forgiven, but I still feel dirty, what should they do about that, Jonathan?

SPEAKER_01 21:47

Well, hey, what they need to do is bring that feeling under the truth of God's word. If God says that we are clean, if God's word says that we are clean, then we need To believe that we are clean indeed.

SPEAKER_00 22:04

Not because we feel clean.

SPEAKER_01 22:06

Right. It's not about feeling, it's because God has declared us clean in Christ.

SPEAKER_00 22:13

And Jonathan, that connects to John 10 10, too, doesn't it?

SPEAKER_01 22:18

It does. Jesus uh said that he came that we may have life and have it abundantly. I love that. But but Jack makes the point that one thing that keeps us as Christians from enjoying that abundant life is allowing the accuser to convince them that we have no business enjoying it.

SPEAKER_00 22:44

So Satan cannot undo what Christ has already done.

SPEAKER_01 22:48

No, he cannot. But he can and he does rob many Christians of the peace that should come from believing what Christ has already done.

SPEAKER_00 22:59

And Jonathan, that takes us right back to the title.

SPEAKER_01 23:03

It really does, because that's what it means when you think about it. That's what it really means to stand on the promises of God, not just know them, not just be able to quote them or sing them, but hey, actually believe when God says you are forgiven and cleansed and accepted in Christ that He means it.

SPEAKER_00 23:26

So the question for the listener is not just do I know what God promised?

SPEAKER_01 23:33

No, the question is, am I willing to believe God's promises over Satan's accusations?

SPEAKER_00 23:42

And Jonathan, that's a good place for this section to land.

SPEAKER_01 23:46

Oh, it really is. And from here, Jack then moves us to another important idea. If we are standing on God's promises, then we need to understand the kind of yoke, Y-O-K-E, the kind of yoke that Jesus is actually calling all of us to carry.

SPEAKER_00 24:07

And that's where we go next.

SPEAKER_01 24:09

One

Jesus’ Easy Yoke Versus Self-Justifying

SPEAKER_01 24:10

of the strongest points that Jack Wilkie makes in this new section is that Christianity was never meant to become an impossible burden. Think about this with me for just a moment. Before anybody misunderstands uh what we're saying here, Jesus absolutely calls us to discipleship, sacrifice, and obedience. No doubt about it. Luke 9 23 still says that every single one of us must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow him. But at the same time, Jesus also said in Matthew chapter 11, verses 28 through 30. Listen to this. He says, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. And I think many times Christians struggle reconciling those two ideas. They hear the first idea, take up your cross, and they assume that Christianity must just feel just absolutely spiritually crushing all the time. But Jack's point is this Jesus never intended for Christians to live under the impossible pressure of self-justification. See, that's what the Pharisees were trying to do. In Matthew chapter 23 and verse 4, Jesus condemned them because they were binding these heavy burdens on people's backs that they themselves were not willing to lift with one finger. That idea, their religion became this exhausting system of measurements, traditions, expectations, and most of all, the constant fear of failure. And honestly, if we're not careful, folks, Christians a day can slowly drift into that same mentality.

SPEAKER_00 26:21

Jonathan, I think that is where this section becomes incredibly practical because there are Christians who genuinely love the Lord, but spiritually, they are exhausted. And a lot of times it is because they have unknowingly turned Christianity into this ever-evolving list where they never feel like they can finally rest. Jack talks about how under man-made systems, new requirements keeps on adding up. Things that once seemed unimportant suddenly become salvation issues. And people end up constantly wondering, Am I doing enough? And I think most Christians have felt that at some point. You know, instead of asking, how can I grow closer to God, the mindset becomes, will this send me to hell if I get this wrong? And after a while, that kind of thinking really does drain the joy right out of Christianity. What stood out to me is that Jack is not arguing against obedience at all. No, he's arguing against the impossible burden of trying to perfectly justify yourself through your own performance. Those are not the same thing.

SPEAKER_01 27:46

You're exactly right, Cliff. And I think that distinction is one of the most important parts of this chapter. Because true Christianity, think about it, good folks, it produces and absolutely produces obedience. But it is obedience, however, that is flowing from love of the master that we have chosen, not obedience rooted in a constant terror of trying to somehow earn your room and board with God every single day. No. Jack's point is that Jesus offers rest from that kind of religion. Not rest from holiness, don't misunderstand this, not rest from discipleship, not rest from obedience, but rest from the ever-crushing burden of self-justification.

SPEAKER_00 28:44

Jonathan, I think that phrase self-justification is the key to this entire section.

SPEAKER_01 28:52

Oh, 100%. I do too.

SPEAKER_00 28:54

Because there are Christians listening right now that probably would never say, I'm trying to save myself. No. But functionally, that is exactly how they live.

SPEAKER_01 29:06

And what I what I find interesting, it's almost like every single day becomes some sort of spiritual damage control.

SPEAKER_00 29:14

Exactly, Jonathan. Did I fail too badly? Did I repent enough? Did I say the right thing? Did I miss something?

SPEAKER_01 29:24

And eventually, eventually, Christianity stops feeling like good news. That's it. Instead of peace, there's this constant anxiety. Instead of confidence in Christ, there is this obsession with many Christians about their personal performance.

SPEAKER_00 29:48

And that is where Jack's point about the ever-growing checklist really does land, Jonathan.

SPEAKER_01 29:55

Yeah, because think about it. Once salvation becomes tied to constantly maintaining this ever-expanding human checklist, nobody can ever truly find rest.

SPEAKER_00 30:10

There's always another standard.

SPEAKER_01 30:13

There's always even more fear, uh, and always another question coming up, right? And eventually somebody they they spend more time analyzing themselves than just trusting in Christ.

SPEAKER_00 30:29

And Jonathan, I really appreciated that Jack brought this back to the words of Jesus himself.

SPEAKER_01 30:35

Yeah, absolutely. Like we said a few moments ago, Jesus says, My yoke is easy, my burden is light. Uh, that doesn't to me, I don't know about you all, but that doesn't sound to me like the kind of religion where somebody spends every single day terrified that they're just one mistake away from losing all hope.

SPEAKER_00 30:56

And Jonathan, I think a lot of Christians need to hear that. It's okay to have peace.

SPEAKER_01 31:03

I agree. Peace is not rebellion, peace is not compromise. Peace is one of the blessings that comes from truly trusting the promises of God.

SPEAKER_00 31:17

Which really connects us to where Jack goes next in this chapter.

SPEAKER_01 31:21

It does because once again, uh standing on these promises of God, now we start seeing what assurance actually changes in everyday Christian living.

SPEAKER_00 31:36

And that is where we're headed next.

SPEAKER_01 31:39

All

When Confidence Becomes Worship

SPEAKER_01 31:40

right, Cliff. Uh, Jack's next heading in this chapter, I hope everybody's read it, is one of those that almost sounds like something somebody says right before uh they start to brag. Yeah, right.

SPEAKER_00 31:55

Not to brag, but exactly.

SPEAKER_01 31:58

And usually when someone starts a sentence that way, man, you know that a brag is soon to follow.

SPEAKER_00 32:05

But Jonathan, Jack is not really talking about bragging on ourselves here, is he?

SPEAKER_01 32:11

No, he's dealing with why some Christians feel uncomfortable saying, I know I'm saved, or I know I am righteous.

SPEAKER_00 32:22

Because that can sound arrogant.

SPEAKER_01 32:25

Yeah, it it can. And and Jack says that in many cases, saying I am righteous, yeah, it could come across as one of the more conceited statements that a person could ever make.

SPEAKER_00 32:40

But not always.

SPEAKER_01 32:42

Exactly, and that is the distinction.

SPEAKER_00 32:45

So, Jonathan, the question becomes when is it prideful? And when is it faithful?

SPEAKER_01 32:53

Yeah, that's the question. And Jack is going to take us to that oh so familiar book of Romans to help us sort that out.

SPEAKER_00 33:02

And he starts with the wrong kind of boasting first, yeah, right.

SPEAKER_01 33:07

And in Romans 2, verse 23, Paul talks about people who made their boast in the law, and the Jewish people had confidence because they had received the law of Moses. But Paul's point was that having the law was not enough if they violated it.

SPEAKER_00 33:28

In other words, having a law you don't keep is nothing to brag about.

SPEAKER_01 33:33

Exactly. And that really matters because Paul is showing that no one can boast in their own righteousness.

SPEAKER_00 33:42

Not a Jew or not a Gentile, not a preacher, not an elder, nor can anyone sitting here listening to us today.

SPEAKER_01 33:51

Right, Cliff, nobody uh can look at their own record and say, Yep, I'm righteous because of this, brothers and sisters. I was just that good.

SPEAKER_00 34:03

And Jack points out that Paul makes that clear in Romans chapter three and Romans chapter four.

SPEAKER_01 34:10

Yeah, think about it. Romans chapter three has a reminder, a very big reminder. What is it? That all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that the works of the law cannot justify us.

SPEAKER_00 34:25

So righteousness has to come another way, right, Jonathan?

SPEAKER_01 34:30

Yes. Freely through faith and obedience in Jesus Christ.

SPEAKER_00 34:36

And that removes boasting in ourselves. Completely. 100%. Jonathan, I gotta tell you, in reading this chapter, I really like the way Jack brought Abraham into this.

SPEAKER_01 34:49

Yeah, me too, brother. I mean, we just finished up the book of Genesis on Sunday mornings at Waters Road, and and I I think uh anybody that was with us in that Genesis class will agree. Anybody watching this will agree. Um, if anybody out there could boast, uh man, Abraham uh he he realized something though. I cannot boast before God.

SPEAKER_00 35:14

No, and Romans 4, 2 says, if Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God.

SPEAKER_01 35:24

Which means even the great Abraham, the father of the faith, folks, he was not standing before God saying, Hey, uh, Mr. Almighty One, hey, uh, take a look at my record here.

SPEAKER_00 35:37

His confidence was not in himself, was it, Jonathan?

SPEAKER_01 35:41

No, sir. It seriously, folks, it was in God.

SPEAKER_00 35:45

And Jack also mentions Paul's own ministry in Romans 15, chapter uh 15, 17.

SPEAKER_01 35:51

Uh Cliff, think about it. Paul could talk about everything that had been accomplished through his ministry. Yes, but he still understood it was only because of God's grace.

SPEAKER_00 36:04

So even the apostle Paul spoke about good things being done. He was not bragging on Paul.

SPEAKER_01 36:11

No, he was not, but what he was doing was glorifying what Christ had done through him.

SPEAKER_00 36:19

That helps the listener, because sometimes we think any confidence at all must be pride.

SPEAKER_01 36:27

But you and I have learned in this series that's just not true.

SPEAKER_00 36:31

No, there is a sinful kind of boasting. That would be boasting in ourselves, boasting in our own works, boasting in our own goodness, but then there is a right kind of boasting, and obviously that's boasting in Christ. And that's where Romans 5 comes in, too, Jonathan.

SPEAKER_01 36:53

Yeah, because um Jack's gonna point out here in Romans chapter 5 that the words translated, rejoice and glory, in the New King James Version come from the same root idea as boasting.

SPEAKER_00 37:11

So Paul is not saying Christians should never boast in any sense.

SPEAKER_01 37:16

No, he's saying, however, that we should not boast in ourselves, but we can boast in what God has done. Yeah, Romans chapter 5 says that we have peace with God and we can rejoice, or the word boast could be put there, in hope of the glory of God.

SPEAKER_00 37:38

We could even boast in tribulations because God uses them to build up hope.

SPEAKER_01 37:44

And we can boast that we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, Jonathan.

SPEAKER_00 37:53

That is a completely different kind of boasting.

SPEAKER_01 37:57

It is because the the reality is the spotlight is not on us, no, it's on Christ, and that changes everything.

SPEAKER_00 38:08

So let me ask it this way, Jonathan. For the person listening today who still may have questions, if I say I am saved, am I bragging?

SPEAKER_01 38:20

No, not if the meaning is Christ has saved me.

SPEAKER_00 38:26

If I say I am righteous, am I being arrogant?

SPEAKER_01 38:31

No, not if the meaning is Christ is who made me righteous.

SPEAKER_00 38:37

So, Jonathan, the danger is not confidence. No, the danger is misplacing your confidence.

SPEAKER_01 38:44

Yeah, you you nailed it, brother. Uh listen, it goes like this, and everybody out there, please remember this. Confidence in self is arrogance, confidence in Christ is faith.

SPEAKER_00 39:01

Yeah, and as you like to say, Jonathan, there is a grand canyon-sized difference between those two forms of confidence.

SPEAKER_01 39:09

Oh, yeah. And I believe this is simple enough stuff, Cliff, uh, that everybody in our audience can follow this simple biblical logic here.

SPEAKER_00 39:20

Yeah, because as we keep going forward here, Jonathan, Jack even connects this to singing.

SPEAKER_01 39:27

Yeah, and I I really like that point. He he he says singing songs about our salvation is one of the very ways that we boast about our salvation in Christ.

SPEAKER_00 39:41

So when we sing blessed assurance, we're not bragging on ourselves.

SPEAKER_01 39:46

No, we're bragging on what Christ has done.

SPEAKER_00 39:49

When we sing redeem, how I love to proclaim it.

SPEAKER_01 39:53

We are proclaiming redemption through the blood of the Lamb.

SPEAKER_00 39:57

And even when we sing standing on the promises.

SPEAKER_01 40:01

Hey, folks, listen, we are declaring that God's promises are strong enough to stand on. Remember our opening? The shelter, it's a shelter that is safe enough to stay inside, no matter how rough, uh how strong the tornado outside may be.

SPEAKER_00 40:21

So maybe, Jonathan, the problem is not that Christians say too much about saved.

SPEAKER_01 40:27

No, uh let's think about this. Maybe the problem is sometimes we say too little.

SPEAKER_00 40:37

Honestly, because we're afraid it sounds arrogant.

SPEAKER_01 40:41

Right. But here's the thing: if God gets the glory, then that confidence is not arrogance.

SPEAKER_00 40:51

Instead of arrogance, Jonathan, would you say this is worship?

SPEAKER_01 40:56

100%, I would say it's worship because you got to think of it this way. Uh, you got to make sure that you have the right object of worship, right? It's got to be God and God alone. He has to be the object of your worship here. And most importantly, uh Cliff, Jack closes out this thought here by saying that we should never hesitate to brag about what Christ has done.

SPEAKER_00 41:24

Because that tells people we are not the reason for our salvation.

SPEAKER_01 41:30

And what I love most from an evangelism standpoint, it tells them that they can receive what we've received just as freely as we've received it.

SPEAKER_00 41:42

That is a powerful evangelistic point, Jonathan.

SPEAKER_01 41:45

It really is. Think of it this way, because a Christian who can say, I am saved by Christ, is not saying, Hey, everybody, look how great I am.

SPEAKER_00 41:55

No, no, he's saying, look how great Christ is.

SPEAKER_01 41:59

And that, good folks, is the kind of confidence that this chapter is just trying to get us to embrace. Folks, it's not confidence in our own works, but here it is confidence again in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

SPEAKER_00 42:16

And Jonathan, that leads perfectly into the next heading.

SPEAKER_01 42:19

That's right, because Jack Wilkie now moves from the theology of assurance into this practical peace that assurance can bring into everyday Christian

Assurance Helps You Handle The Word

SPEAKER_01 42:31

life. Um, Cliff, as we move now, I want you to think with me for just a moment. We we've spent so much time in this review and Jack's book talking about assurance. But now he turns our attention uh to something very practical. How does that assurance actually affect uh and apply to our lives?

SPEAKER_00 42:57

Jack, uh Jonathan, Jack brings up several ways, but let's start off by looking at how responding to the word brings one assurance.

SPEAKER_01 43:07

Yeah, I can remember when you and I first started teaching the book of Romans together. You surprised me one night. You you brought out a plate, a knife, and a fork, and you told me how you like your steaks to be cooked. And that was, you know, in effect, because I said the night we're looking at the meat of the book of Romans.

SPEAKER_00 43:29

Oh, yeah, I remember. But Jonathan, in all honesty and all seriousness, talking about the meat of the word is no laughing matter, is it?

SPEAKER_01 43:40

No, it really isn't, Cliff. Sadly, and you know this to be true, far too many Christians are perfectly content to remain on the milk of the word.

SPEAKER_00 43:53

Jonathan, in the current condition of the church, do you feel like more meat? Needs to be taught and preached.

SPEAKER_01 44:02

Oh, I really do. Uh, Cliff, I'll say that to a point. And let me explain what I mean by that. Um, Jack brings it out in this section. It's difficult for someone out there to receive the meat of the word when they're not even really assured at the moment where they stand as a Christian.

SPEAKER_00 44:23

That is why it's so important to teach assurance so you can build on that assurance to kind of broaden your understanding so you can handle the meat of the word.

SPEAKER_01 44:33

Oh, it really is, Cliff. When somebody out there is not grounded uh deeply enough in their faith to have confidence in their own salvation, then it's gonna be really difficult for them to understand that they really can stand the promises of God.

SPEAKER_00 44:51

Yeah, I remember hearing several sermons by the gospel preacher, brother VP Black.

SPEAKER_01 44:56

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_00 44:57

Jonathan, I can tell you, brother, when Jack spoke about dangling above the flames, man, that's exactly what it felt like when he finished.

SPEAKER_01 45:06

That's right. And and folks like VP Black and Gus Nichols, speakers like that, it really confirms uh what you just said, uh, what Jack is talking about in this section. Cliff, when you are assured of your salvation, then you should be able to handle and hear a sermon like what Brother VP Black taught. Uh take that warning, right, seriously, and still at the end of the sermon, be able to give a hearty amen.

SPEAKER_00 45:39

And a lot of times, Jonathan, a Christian that is still on the milk of the word will hear a sermon like that, and the words just stop at the emotional level. They really never get down to the heart, do they?

SPEAKER_01 45:53

No, Cliff, they don't. Uh, instead of using the word of God to examine their life and see what needs to change in order to grow closer to God, uh, they just end up kind of treating it uh like just another box to check in order to get themselves to heaven.

SPEAKER_00 46:12

And Jonathan, that really is the difference between assurance makes, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01 46:18

Yeah, it really is the difference between having assurance and not having it. Um, assurance doesn't make a Christian careless with the scripture. It actually helps us as Christians to receive scripture more honestly. When I know that I belong to Christ, then I don't have to run from hard passages. Uh, I don't have to be terrified every time that the word of God corrects me. No, I can listen, I can examine myself, I can grow and say, Lord, I want to become more like you.

SPEAKER_00 46:54

So assurance does not keep us from responding to the word.

SPEAKER_01 46:59

No, not at all. Assurance gives us the peace and stability that we need to respond to the word properly.

SPEAKER_00 47:08

And Jonathan, that leads right into the next practical blessing Jack talks about.

SPEAKER_01 47:14

You're exactly right, because if assurance helps us to properly respond to the word, then it also helps us to accept something that many Christians ask for, but still struggle to truly believe that

Learning To Accept God’s Forgiveness

SPEAKER_01 47:30

they have ever really received. Forgiveness? That's right. And that is where Jack Wilkie takes us to next accepting forgiveness.

SPEAKER_00 47:42

Jonathan, in this section, accepting forgiveness, Jack calls to your attention that it truly is a paradigm shift in the way one thinks about forgiveness, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01 47:55

It really is, Cliff. I I like the way you you you phrase that. Um, because most Christians regularly pray and ask the Lord to forgive them of their sins. Most Christians that I know do that. But if we listen, if we truly believe passages like 1 John 1:9 or Psalm 32.1, if we truly believe those passages, then after we ask God for forgiveness, then we should be able then to thank him for giving it. Okay. We're not just hoping that he might forgive us. We're we're trusting that he is going to keep uh the promise.

SPEAKER_00 48:36

Jonathan, with what you just said, I cannot help but think about our own Kevin Watson at Waters Road that when he prays, he reminds us that God is good at forgiving.

SPEAKER_01 48:48

Amen to that, Cliff. I appreciate Kevin when he prays that prayer and makes that statement because it's such a powerful reminder. Folks, God is not reluctant to forgive his children. Jack reminds us that when we sin, uh heartfelt remorse is proper. That's true. We should take sin seriously. But listen, we're not called to wallow in guilt as though our sorrow somehow makes us more righteous. When we confess our sins to God, folks, we need to learn how to accept the very forgiveness that God has promised.

SPEAKER_00 49:31

We have the promise of God that you brought up concerning 1 John 1:9, and the assurance, Jonathan, that if we confess our sins, he will forgive us our sins.

SPEAKER_01 49:45

That's right, Cliff. And as you said earlier, that is a promise of God that we can truly stand on. If God says he will forgive, then a faithful Christian has to learn to believe him, to take him at his word. Not because we feel worthy, not because you've earned it, but because God is faithful to his word.

SPEAKER_00 50:08

And Jonathan, I think that kind of confidence changes the way we pray too.

SPEAKER_01 50:14

Yeah, that kind of confidence definitely changes the way I pray in my personal life. Because once we understand that we are forgiven children of God, then our prayers are no longer like a stranger begging for attention. Instead, we come before God as a child comes before their father. And that, Cliff, is exactly where Jack moves next when he talks about praying with boldness.

Praying Boldly Without Being Casual

SPEAKER_00 50:47

Jonathan, I don't know about you, brother, but I can remember going to my daddy and asking him for different things. Never one time did I ever go to him boldly.

SPEAKER_01 50:58

Uh, are you saying you would approach him with a uh with your hat in your hand, so to speak?

SPEAKER_00 51:04

Brother Jonathan, that is saying it quite mildly.

SPEAKER_01 51:09

As true as that is, and I know how you felt, um, that is far different than what we are taught about approaching our heavenly father in prayer.

SPEAKER_00 51:21

Yes, very different, Jonathan. You look at verses like Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 16 tells us that we can approach the throne of God boldly, but that doesn't mean that you are not to show the reverence to a holy God that he deserves.

SPEAKER_01 51:38

No, it's very true, Cliff. Boldness does not mean arrogance. Please understand this. Boldness does not mean arrogance. It does not mean that you approach God uh casually or carelessly. Um, we still come before a holy God with reverence and humility. But because of Christ, we don't come before God terrified, constantly wondering whether God is willing to hear us. No, we come before God with confidence that our Father, our Heavenly Father, welcomes us as his children before his throne.

SPEAKER_00 52:16

And we're told in Luke that he is happy to meet our needs, which is a lot different than meeting our wants, isn't it, Jonathan?

SPEAKER_01 52:25

Oh, yes, Cliff. That uh that that's as difference as night and day. We have a heavenly father who loves us deeply. And he's not only willing to hear us, but as you said, he's eager to provide what we truly need. That doesn't mean that, you know, he always gives us what we want. That's true. But he already knows what we need. But it does mean that we can trust him, uh, that his heart, his wisdom, and his care, that it's all for us.

SPEAKER_00 53:00

And Jonathan, when someone really believes that, it really changes more than just how they pray, doesn't it?

SPEAKER_01 53:07

I think it really does, Cliff. Assurance changes how we respond to the word. We've already established that. It changes how we accept forgiveness, it changes how we approach God in prayer. All three of those things is absolutely true. And next, Jack shows us that assurance also changes how we view the future.

SPEAKER_00 53:31

Because if we know we're forgiven, and if we know we can come before God as his children, then we can also think about eternity with confidence instead of with fear.

SPEAKER_01 53:45

That's right, Cliff, as we start to draw this chapter uh to a close and really this entire book to a close. Wow, uh I wonder how do you think our audience would answer this question?

Facing Death With Steady Confidence

SPEAKER_01 54:00

Here it is. If they died tonight, where would they spend their eternity?

SPEAKER_00 54:09

Jonathan, that is a very interesting both statement and question. With all the evidences that we have presented in these lessons and teachings we've learned from Jack, the answer concerning our salvation should be that they would be assured of their salvation.

SPEAKER_01 54:31

It certainly was for the apostle Paul. He told young Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 4, verses 7 and 8, that he had listen to this, fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, and man, he just hoped that he had done enough to get to heaven.

SPEAKER_00 54:53

Say, what? Uh Jonathan, you you better look back at that translation again.

SPEAKER_01 54:58

Well, unfortunately, Cliff, the reality is that's how a lot of Christians actually read that passage.

SPEAKER_00 55:05

Yes, true.

SPEAKER_01 55:06

But that's not what was really said, right?

SPEAKER_00 55:08

No, no.

SPEAKER_01 55:09

Uh they, you know, they look at Paul's confidence and they think, well, that can only be uh confidence that belongs to an apostle or just a really, really strong Christian. They think that only a guy like the apostle Paul could make a statement like that.

SPEAKER_00 55:26

But Jonathan, for those individuals, it's almost like they stop kind of mid-sentence because Jack points out that even though we are not apostles, we can make the same statement with just as much assurance and confidence as Paul did.

SPEAKER_01 55:52

But also for all. With that kind of assurance, you can look death straight in the face and say, like Paul said to the church at Corinth, Oh death, where is your victory? Death, where is your stain? Folks, it's been taken away by the death, burial, and resurrection and the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

SPEAKER_00 57:09

Amen to that, Jonathan.

SPEAKER_01 57:11

Well, Cliff, as we began to tie uh that proverbial bow on this book, an idea dawned on me. And so, brother, I got another little thing I want to ask you to do for me. Uh-oh.

SPEAKER_00 57:25

Is this gonna hurt, Jonathan?

SPEAKER_01 57:27

Um, I don't know. It depends on how how flexible you are. No, it's not gonna hurt. Uh do me this cross cross your arms for me.

SPEAKER_00 57:36

Okay, I cross my arms right here.

SPEAKER_01 57:39

See um now I want you to switch them for me. So, whatever that first arm was over the overarm, let it become now, Cliff, the underarm.

SPEAKER_00 57:54

Okay, Jonathan, but I did it, but it certainly doesn't feel natural to me at all.

SPEAKER_01 58:01

And that's the point here, Cliff. Everything that we've talked about and reviewed through this entire book may feel unnatural for many in our audience. I'll admit that. And as a matter of fact, it may feel so strange at first that you may be tempted to go right back to your old way of thinking. You may close this book and feel the temptation to go right back to your old thought processes. But just like a huge ship does not turn instantly when that rudder moves, listen, folks, it takes time for a person who has struggled most of their Christian life uh to begin to think differently. I'm telling you, it does. If someone out there has spent many, many years feeling unsure about their salvation, standing on the promise of God may not feel natural right away, but that doesn't mean that those promises are not true. What it simply means is that you got to keep on putting into practice everything that we have learned.

SPEAKER_00 59:14

Jonathan, you and I both know how the devil uses guilt, indecision, doubt, accusation, and all of the other arrows the devil launches at us on a daily basis. But that is where prayer and prayer and even more prayer is oh so important. Asking for the Lord's help, asking him to be by your side, asking him to show you how to live a more assured life. We walk in the light and are being constantly cleansed by the saving blood of Jesus.

SPEAKER_01 59:56

And Cliff, that's where this chapter ends so beautifully. The more someone out there keeps returning to the promises of God, the more those promises begin to settle into their heart. And then whenever they hear that song, standing on the promises of Christ my Lord, they can sing it with full confidence. Not because they're perfect, not because they've earned it, but because the Lord, folks, he keeps his promises. And in that promise to Jesus Christ, here it is, you are saved.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:39

Jonathan, that is a very powerful way to bring this chapter and this whole book to a close.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:48

It really is, Cliff. Um, you know, uh, the title, You Are Saved. The entire book has been pressing us toward one simple but life-changing truth. God does not want his children living every day in uncertainty and fear.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:11

No, he wants us standing on his promises.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:15

Exactly. Not standing on our emotion, not trying to stand on some imagined perfection, not standing on our own ability to save ourselves, but standing on what God has said. And if God has promised, and he has, forgiveness, cleansing, mercy, grace, and eternal life to all those who are in Christ, listen, folks, we need to learn to trust him enough to stand there.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:51

That sounds like a good place to close this chapter.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:55

It does. And listen, as we close chapter 13 and our review of Jack Wilkie's book, You Are Saved, a Christian's Assurance. Folks, we want to leave every member of our audience, every viewer, every listener with this thought. Do not just know the promises of God, stand on them.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:21

Jonathan, I have to say this has been a very special episode because we are not just closing chapter 13 today. It is hard to believe, but we are closing our review of Jack Wilkie's book, You're Saved of Christian Assurance. I can't hardly believe it.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:39

Yeah, you know, honestly, it's hard to believe that we have come to the end of this review. I remember our very first the introduction, right? But think about it, Cliff. This book has given us so much to talk about. Some tough things to think through, right? We've we've gone back and forth on

Series Wrap Up And What’s Next

SPEAKER_01 1:03:00

some of these things and uh prayerfully. Um I hope that through all of this, that we have been able through Jack's writing and and our talk through this to give assurance and encouragement uh to any Christian out there who has struggled with this topic.

SPEAKER_00 1:03:21

And Jonathan, I think that is what has made this series so meaningful to me, to you, and hopefully to our audience. This has not just been about reviewing the book, has it?

SPEAKER_01 1:03:34

No, it really hasn't. You know, you and I have talked about it. We we wanted this to be a uh a book review, but you couldn't help sometimes but it feeling like a study because, you know, here we have been. We've been sitting down together, we've been opening scripture, walking through these chapters, and asking some very real questions that a lot of Christians out there carry in their heart.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:00

Yeah, questions like, Am I saved?

SPEAKER_01 1:04:03

Can I know that I'm saved?

SPEAKER_00 1:04:06

And what about my struggles?

SPEAKER_01 1:04:08

What about my doubts?

SPEAKER_00 1:04:10

What about my past?

SPEAKER_01 1:04:13

And through all of that, good folks, Jack Wilkie has continually brought us all back to the promises of God, the blood of Jesus Christ, the grace of God, and the assurance that faithful Christians can have in him.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:30

Jonathan, I also think we really need to say thank you.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:34

Absolutely. First and foremost, to God, to give him the glory for anything good, uh, anything that good that has come out of this series.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:45

Amen. Amen to that, Jonathan.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:48

And listen, we uh we would be missing uh the point if we didn't thank Jack Wilkie for taking the time to write this book and for giving us as Christians such a thoughtful, most importantly, biblical, right? Um, and encouraging resource on assurance.

SPEAKER_00 1:05:07

And we want to thank every person who has watched, who's listened, who's commented, who's shared and asked questions or encouraged us along the way.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:18

Yeah, really. Whether this uh whether you've been with us this entire series, or maybe you've just joined us somewhere along the way, thank you for being part of this conversation.

SPEAKER_00 1:05:31

And that is what we really do hope this has felt like a conversation.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:37

Exactly. Not just you and I uh running out the mouth toward each other, but three of us Cliff Thompson, Jonathan Sanford, and you out there, the audience, thinking through these things together.

SPEAKER_00 1:05:51

And we hope this series has helped you stand a little stronger on the promises of God.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:58

And although we're we're closing. The last pages of this book, we're not quite done with you are saved just yet, are we, Cliff?

SPEAKER_00 1:06:08

That is absolutely correct, Jonathan.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:10

Because on our very next episode, we promise you this at the midway point. Our our final episode of Scripture Matters uh will be with Jack Wilkie here as we bring him on to tie a bow on this entire review.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:26

And folks, you will not want to miss that conversation.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:30

No, you won't. So, folks, please keep an eye out. We'll be revealing here in the next few days. Hopefully, it will be next Friday at 3:30 p.m. Uh, but we'll be sharing that news with you very soon through our usual channels.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:44

And Jonathan, after that, the Scripture Matters podcast will be heading into something completely new.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:50

That's right. And in the days to come, keep your eyes open, your ears listening, because we got some exciting things to share with you.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:58

And that's what we would love to hear from you folks.

SPEAKER_01 1:07:01

That's right, because if you got any recommendations for studies, for books, topics, or questions that you would like Cliff and I to cover here on the Scripture Scripture Matters podcast, just send those on to us, please.

SPEAKER_00 1:07:14

Yeah, and you can reach us through our email addresses that you see right there or the social media channels that you see on your screen.

SPEAKER_01 1:07:21

Yeah, think about it. We genuinely want to hear from you because some of the best conversations come from questions or suggestions from our audience.

SPEAKER_00 1:07:31

And as always, folks, we want to remind you if these episodes or if this series has been helpful to you, even just a little bit, please take a moment to like, to share, to follow, and to subscribe.

SPEAKER_01 1:07:44

Yeah, those simple things really do help to get more eyes and ears on the Scripture Matters podcast. And most importantly, it helps to get more of God's Word into more and more homes.

SPEAKER_00 1:07:58

Jonathan, I am so very thankful for this series.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:02

I am too, brother. I'm thankful for this book. I'm thankful for the conversations, thankful for every single uh member of our audience, thankful for the opportunity to sit here and talk to Cliff Thompson about something as valuable and as important as Christian assurance.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:23

And we look forward to seeing what the future holds, don't we, Jonathan, for the Scripture Matters Podcast.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:29

We certainly do. And Lord willing, we're gonna have many more conversations ahead, many more scriptures to open, and many more opportunities for us to grow together. So, folks, until the next time, this is Jonathan Sanford and Cliff Thompson, reminding you to stay focused.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:50

Stay grounded.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:51

And remember, as always, good folks, Scripture Matters. Goodbye, everybody. Thanks for spending part of your day with us on the Scripture Matters Podcast. We'll be back with a new conversation every Friday at 3.30 p.m. on YouTube, Facebook, and all major podcast platforms. Until then, may the word guide you and your week. And as always, remember Scripture Matters.