1 John 3:19–24 — Am I Right with God?

Jon Beck

Our current series through 1 John is Life in the Light: Knowing Christ. Walking in Truth. Loving One Another.

These sermon notes are not a full manuscript but a listening guide designed to help our Tabernacle Church family follow along. I encourage you to add your own notes as you listen each week. The service will be available on YouTube by Sunday afternoon. You can also find sermon notes, family devotional guides, our prayer list, and other resources on our church website.

Intro

  • John has just shown us what genuine love looks like in verses 11–18. Now he turns to assurance.
  • The question is simple: How can I know that I am right with God?
  • John answers by showing us that believers can have confidence:
    • that we belong to God
    • that God hears us
    • that God abides in us

Confidence That We Belong to God — vv. 19–20

  • “By this we shall know…”
  • We are “of the truth.”
  • “Whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater…”

Our confidence is not in our perfection or our feelings, but in the truth of the gospel and the evidence of God’s grace at work in our lives.

Confidence That God Hears Us — vv. 21–22

  • “We have confidence before God…”
  • “Whatever we ask we receive from him…”
  • “Because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him…”

We pray with confidence because we belong to God, He hears His children, and we can trust His wisdom and His will.

Confidence That God Abides in Us — vv. 23–24

  • Believe in Jesus Christ.
  • Love one another.
  • Keep His commandments.
  • “By this we know…by the Spirit…”

Receiving the Spirit

  • The Holy Spirit is given to every believer at salvation (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
  • Receiving the Spirit is part of being born again and brought into union with Christ.
  • The Spirit indwells us permanently as God’s presence and seal of belonging to Him (Ephesians 1:13–14).

Being Filled with the Spirit

  • Being filled is not receiving more of the Spirit, but living under His control and influence (Ephesians 5:18).
  • The filling of the Spirit shows itself in obedience, worship, gratitude, love, and Christlike character.
  • We are filled as we yield to God, walk by the Spirit, and let His Word shape our lives (Galatians 5:16; Colossians 3:16).

We are confident that God abides in us because we trust Christ, love His people, walk in obedience, and see the ongoing work of His Spirit in our lives.

The What Now?

  • Am I trusting God’s truth more than my feelings?
  • Is there evidence of gospel fruit in my life?
  • Am I drawing near to God in prayer with confidence?
  • Is the Spirit producing faith, love, and obedience in me?

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