Scriptures: Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 27:41-44, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Romans 10:13, 1 John 5:13, Titus 1:2

You will meet very few Christians who have never doubted their own salvation. Often those who are theologically conservative and adhere to the doctrine of "once saved, always saved" still doubt their security in Christ. The Bible teaches three things about salvation. First of all, you can be saved. Secondly, you can know that you’re saved. Thirdly, you can be sure that you will never lose your salvation. Your joy, as a Christian, will be directly proportional to your assurance that you are a Christian. In this message, Dr. Merritt walks through simple biblical steps to assure the believer that Christ has them firmly in His hand and that salvation is assured.

"I believe the moment the thief on the cross next to our Lord called Him 'Lord', he was saved. For the Scripture says: 'No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.' (1 Corinthians 12:3) If that thief had died, the moment he said 'Lord' he would have gone to heaven. I believe he was saved at the exact moment he confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, for the Bible says: 'Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (Romans 10:13) Jesus never looked less like a king than he did at this moment. His throne was a cross. His diadem was a crown of thorns. His scepter was a bloody spike. His court was a mob of mockers. Yet, this dying thief, seeing through the eyes of faith, recognized this suffering Savior as King of Kings and Lord of Lords." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: assurance, salvation, Jesus, cross, thief, Ben Davis, Dale Murphy, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Dwight L. Moody, flying standby, Billy Graham, assurance, undetermined, sinner, Savior, John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, Steve McQueen