Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

This is the manuscript of the fourth sermon in the "Recognizing and Responding to God's Gift of the Holy Spirit" series.

‬The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” (‭Acts‬ ‭8:29‬ ‭NIV)

Many of us never respond to the Holy Spirit because we do not recognize that he is within us and that he is seeking to do the work of God in us, to us, and through us. He gives us gifts and fruit that enable us to do that work. Philip responded to the Holy Spirit because he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Many Christians believe that being baptized by and being filled with the Holy Spirit are the same thing. They’re not.

While the baptism and indwelling of the Holy Spirit happen only once at conversion, the filling of the Spirit can happen multiple times after conversion. The idea of being filled by the Spirit is more about an ongoing sense of God's Spirit working in a person's life, not a one-time experience.

Scripture Reading: 

‭Acts‬ ‭8:26‭-‬40 ‭NIV‬ [26] Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” [27] So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, [28] and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. [29] The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” [30] Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. [31] “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. [33] In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” [34] The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” [35] Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. [36] As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [38] And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. [39] When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. [40] Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Introduction 

The title of this series of sermons is “Recognizing and Responding to the Gift of the Holy Spirit.  We have said that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God given at the second of a person’s salvation and conversion.  Also at that second, they become a member of God’s family.  The Holy Spirit is a living gift that lives inside every believer and who gives every believer gifts that enable them to fulfill the function God has for him or her in the Body of Christ, the church.

The Holy Spirit leads us, the servants of Christ, in service.  So, it is incumbent on us as those that have received this wonderful gift that leads and guides us to respond to that leading and guidance.

Let’s start by reading Jesus’ Great Commission.  

‭Matthew‬ ‭28:17‭-‬20‬ ‭NIV [17] When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. [18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Some people believe they are obeying the Great Commission when they attend worship services. Some believe they are obeying the Great Commission when they give a tithe of their income plus offerings or when they pray for missionaries. 

All of these are but partial responses to the Great Commission of our Lord but Philip provides us with a dramatic demonstration of how we are to obey the Great Commission on a one-to-one basis in our personal lives. 

So our text today is 

 Text: 

‭Acts‬ ‭8:29‬ ‭NIV‬ [29] The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

Philip was sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. 

Many of us never respond to the Holy Spirit because we don't recognize that he is within us and that he is seeking to do the work of God in us, to us, and through us. He even gives us gifts and fruit that enable us to do that work.  

‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NIV‬ [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22‭-‬23‬ ‭NIV‬ [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Philip responded to the Holy Spirit because he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

‭Acts‬ ‭8:29‭-‬30‬ ‭NIV‬ [29] The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” [30] Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

The result of Philip being filled with the Holy Spirit  was salvation of this eunuch.

‭Acts‬ ‭8:35‭-‬36‬ ‭NIV‬ [35] Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. [36] As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [38] And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. [39] When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 

So what does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

Many Christians believe that being baptized by and being filled with the Holy Spirit are the same thing. They’re not.

I know that I have talked about this before but since we are talking about recognizing and responding to the gift of the Holy Spirit I feel it is important to talk about this again. Like Peter wrote in  2 Peter‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭NIV‬ [12] So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 

The Holy Spirit has a purpose and specific work that He wants to do in our lives.

Before we became Christians, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and draws us to Christ. And once we believed in Christ, the Holy Spirit sealed us. From that point on the Holy Spirit leads us, empowers us, and fills 

First let's talk about Baptism By The Holy Spirit

At the moment of conversion and salvation the believer in Jesus Christ is said to be baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit.   The baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are related and happen at the same time.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the event where Jesus becomes our Lord and we are joined with other believers in the body of Christ.  

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV)13  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Galatians 3:27 (NKJV)27  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

When you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation you  were indwelt by the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is permanently in you. 

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT)16  Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)19  Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,20  for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT)14  Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

When you are indwelt you are also sealed.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV)13  In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Filled With The Holy Spirit

While the baptism and indwelling of the Holy Spirit happen only once at conversion, the filling of the Spirit can happen multiple times after conversion.  The idea of being filled by the Spirit is more about an ongoing sense of God's Spirit working in a person's life, not a one-time experience.

There is never any commandment in the Bible to be baptized by the Spirit, or to be sealed by the Spirit, or to be indwelt by the Spirit, or to be anointed by the Spirit, that happens at Salvation and conversion and God does that. However, there is an imperative command and mandate that we be filled by the Spirit.  A command is something that you decide to obey or not obey.

Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT)15  So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.16  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.17  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.18  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,19  singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.20  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

To be filled is to be controlled completely by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s filling has nothing to do with our emotions.  People often confuse the gifts and work of the Holy Spirit with being filled with or by Him.  We talked about the gifts last week.  We said that they  are not like decorative ornaments to be worn or boxes of candy to be enjoyed. Rather, they enable believers to minister as the body of Christ and are intended to produce harmony and effectiveness in service.

When we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, it simply means the Spirit controls us. When we ask God to fill us with His Spirit, we are asking Him to control our lives. The word the apostle Paul used in Ephesians 5:18, which we just read, to describe the filling of the Holy Spirit also means “to permeate”, or spread throughout, penetrate, percolate through, extend throughout.

Let's read it again.

Ephesians 5:18 NKJV And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, (emphasis mine).

In other words, the Holy Spirit wants to be part of every aspect of our lives. He wants to permeate our careers and our ministries. He wants to be a part of everything.

So let the Holy Spirit permeate every area of your life. Let the Holy Spirit fill you and control you. It isn’t about trying harder; it’s about realizing there is power available to help us live the Christian life.

Conclusion 

Stay Filled with the Spirit

It’s not enough to be baptized in the Holy Spirit one time. You must stay filled with the Spirit. 

We know that the Holy Spirit came and filled the 120 disciples on the day on Pentecost

Acts 2:1‭-‬4 (NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

but that filling wasn't a one time thing.  

When Peter and John were arrested for healing a bigger by using the name of Jesus and they were released the next day they went and told the other believers what happened. 

Here's the prayer of those believers. 

Acts 4:27‭-‬31 (NKJV) “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

If these people—who were witnesses of Christ’s ministry on earth, death, and resurrection—had to be filled with the Spirit over and over again, don’t you think that we need this constantly filling too?  Because little dab just won't do.

When the enemy comes against us we have to remind ourselves that the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells on the inside of us.  When the enemy comes to frustrate God’s purposes in our lives, we need to remember the Holy Spirit is in us and we need to ask Him to fill us again with his power. 

Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending us Your Holy Spirit who comforts us and guides us into all truths. It is the Holy Spirit who reminds us of Your Words, Your commands and Your goodness and He empowers us to walk in love and in obedience. Thank You for sealing us with Your Spirit as an assurance that we are Your children and that You will never leave us or forsake us. It is Your Holy Spirit who fills us with the Father’s love that we may grow in wisdom and in knowledge of God’s love as well as to become love and be a blessing to the world. We are thankful and blessed that Your Spirit dwells inside us and our utmost desire is to always be in fellowship with You and experience Your wonderful presence God, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sermon Audio

Using the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Click below for the manuscript of the third sermon in the series "Recognizing and Responding to God's Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NIV)

‬

God is the great giver. He has given us his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior, Teacher, Friend, Lord, and Helper. God has also given us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and enable us to do God’s work.

The Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost to accomplish a number of significant purposes. He came to identify Jesus Christ as the risen, living Lord and Messiah. He was given to unite the followers of Christ into a living body in which Christ could dwell and continue his work of redemption in the world.

Scripture 

1 Peter‬ ‭4:1‭-‬11‬ ‭NIV‬ [1] Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. [5] But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. [6] For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. [7] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Introduction 

We all like to receive gifts. But God is the greatest giver of gifts.

James 1:16‭-‬18 NIV Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

God has given us his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior, Teacher, Friend, Lord, and Helper. God has also given us, as we talked about last week, a living gift, the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.  That living gift enables us to do His work. 

Text: 

‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NIV‬ [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

The Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost to accomplish a number of significant purposes. He came to identify Jesus Christ as the risen, living Lord and Messiah. He was given to unite the followers of Christ into a living body in which Christ could dwell and continue his work of redemption in the world. 

‭Acts‬ ‭1:4‭-‬8‬ ‭NIV‬ [4] On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” [6] Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Holy Spirit was given to identify the church to the Jewish people as the new Israel through whom God would carry forward his eternal redemptive purpose. He was given to enable and to empower the church to succeed in preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth. 

He was given to impart and to plant the confession “Jesus Christ is Lord” at the very center of every person’s being. 

‭Acts‬ ‭2:37‭-‬38‬ ‭NIV‬ [37] When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

I. The gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit was given to produce within each believer the nature and character and personality of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures also teach us that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to every member of the church so that each person might fulfill the function God has for him or her. 

We have talked about spiritual gifts before but we all, including me, need reminders from time to time.

‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭NIV‬ [12] So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 

References to the variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministering in the church and through the church to the world are listed in several different books of the New Testament.

 A. Paul listed some of the gifts of the Spirit in his letter to the church in Rome.

‭Romans‬ ‭12:6‭-‬8‬ ‭NIV [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

B. One of the major sections on the gifts of the Spirit in chapter 12 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.   

1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:4‭-‬11‬ ‭NIV‬ [4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

C. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul listed more gifts of the Spirit.

 ‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:11‭-‬13‬ ‭NIV‬ [11] So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

A. The gifts of the Spirit are all “grace gifts.”  

They are given to all believers.  They are given by the Holy Spirit. They are not earned for outstanding service. They are gifts from the Holy Spirit. 

B. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are his sovereign gifts. 

He makes the decision of who gets what gift or gifts.

‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭NIV‬ [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

C. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are functional gifts. 

The gifts of the Spirit are not like decorative ornaments to be worn or boxes of candy to be enjoyed. Rather, they enable believers to minister as the body of Christ and are intended to produce harmony and effectiveness in service.

‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14:1‭-‬5‬ ‭NIV‬ [1] Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. [2] For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. [3] But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. [4] Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. [5] I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

D. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for the good of the church. 

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given by God to encourage the church. This is not to imply that the individual is not edified or built up by receiving a gift from the Holy Spirit, but the main reason for the gift is to build up edify, and enable the church to accomplish it's mission which is to succeed in preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth. They are reflections of God's grace expressed through individuals by the power of the Holy Spirit. Every gift is given, not for individual good, but for the common good of the whole church. 

‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7‬ ‭NIV‬ [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

E. Every single believer is given at least one gift from the Holy Spirit. 

The Scriptures teach that each believer has received at least one gift from the Holy Spirit. 

‭Romans‬ ‭12:6‬ ‭NIV‬ [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 

‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7‬ ‭NIV‬ [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‭-‬11‬ ‭NIV‬ [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

III. Discovering and using your spiritual gift. 

Because each one of us has received a spiritual gift and it is to be used for the common good it is incumbent on each of us to identify and use our gift.  So how do we do that?  

A. We should study the scriptural lists of the gifts of the Spirit and then examine ourselves sincerely and honestly to see if we have some talent, gift, or inclination that would indicate that God has placed upon us the blessing and the burden of a particular gift. 

B. We should experiment with acts of faith as we feel led, trusting the Spirit for guidance. We can do this by identifying needs that we believe we can meet and then do what we can to meet those needs. We may discover that we have the gift after we have met a particular need. 

C. If we get a particular joy out of doing a certain type of Christian service, it could be that we are working in the area in which the Holy Spirit has given us a gift. 

D. We should evaluate our effectiveness in service. Certainly, it would follow that if we cannot carry a tune, we do not have the gift of singing solos or being a part of a singing group. The gifts of the Spirit are for the building up of the church. If what we attempt to do does not build up the church, then it probably follows that it is not an area in which we have a gift. 

E. We should recognize the affirmations of other believers. Many times, others who are more mature in the faith will recognize your gifts before you do. When others commend you for a service that is rendered, they may be giving you a clue concerning what your gift is. 

Conclusion 

God gave the gift of his Son to the world.

‭John‬ ‭3:16‭-‬17‬ ‭NKJV‬ [16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  [17] For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved

If you have received his Son, Jesus Christ, as your Savior, you have also received the gift of his Holy Spirit. When we become the children of God, God sends the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.

‭Galatians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NIV‬ [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 

If you have received God’s Son and Spirit, then there is a gift or gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to you in order that you might be a living, vital, functioning part of the body of Christ. God wilk bless you and use you greatly as you recognize and respond to the gift or gifts the Holy Spirit has given you for ministering in the world.

As Christians, we must resist the temptation to think of ourselves as “better than.” Instead, we should remember that we are all part of one body, and no part is more important than another. 

If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, you can’t receive this gift.  But God loves you and His love never wears out. God’s love is patient, persistent, and persevering.

God never gives up on you. No matter what you have done, his love never gives up. It’s wide enough to include everybody, and it’s long enough to last forever.  

God’s love will last forever—but you do have to choose to accept it by trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior. 

The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

Are you ready to accept God’s love and offer of salvation today? 

Do what it says in 

‭Romans‬ ‭10:9‭-‬10‬ ‭NIV‬ [9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

Here’s a way to do that you can pray something like this prayer.  

“Dear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

"I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. I believe that your love for me and your faithfulness will continue forever. Please guide my life, and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen."

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, let us know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

Sermon Audio