Preparing for the Lord's Day
Jesus is Better
In his book Assurance Greg Gilbert lays out an analogy to explain the source of salvation versus the signs of salvation. He writes,
Consider this: In the design of a car, there is a profound difference between the driver of speed and the confirmer of speed, between the accelerator and the speedometer. If we want the car to go faster, we push on the accelerator; we put weight on it, and the car goes. Now of course when we do that, one of the results is that the speedometer on the dashboard indicates, shows, or confirms that the car is going. But the speedometer is a sign of speed, not the source of speed. If we want more speed, we can’t just raise our hand to the dashboard and use our fingers to push the needle up and expect the car to go faster.
Many of us live in continual fear that we are not truly saved. We fear that we have not done enough. We have not believed enough. We have not sacrificed enough. We feel as though our emotions would be different if we were saved. We feel as though our thoughts would be different if we were saved. We believe that God saves, but we are not sure if that applies to us.
In response to these fears often we try to push on the speedometer and not the accelerator. That is to say, we look for feelings that will confirm we are saved instead of looking to the Christ who saves. In our passage for this Sunday, we come to the climax and conclusion of the theological argument begun in chapter seven. The author has shown that the New Covenant is superior to the Old because of the superior work of Christ. In this final section, he highlights once again that those who are in Christ have great assurance of salvation because of the work that he has accomplished. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Hebrews 10:11-18, Genesis 3:15, Psalm 110:1, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 16:20, 1 Timothy 1:15, and this article on Assurance of Salvation.
As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s Day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “All Creatures of Our God and King,” the Acclamation of Praise “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!” and the Hymn of Response “All Glory Be to Christ.” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Sermon Information
Text: Hebrews 10:11-18
Title: Waiting for Assurance
Outline:
- We Must Trust that Christ has Subdued God’s Enemies (vv.12-13)
- We Must Trust that Christ has Sanctified God’s People (vv. 14-16)