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weekly sermon
8-2-09
Come In The Water Is Warm
A couple of weeks ago we started talking about the Holy Spirit and how it affects our lives, how it brings all of us individuals into the body of Christ as one body and how it floods our souls and makes us one with God.
Last week we talked about the first Pentecost and the affect it had on the disciples and all the folks in Jerusalem. The Pentecost was a day when all mankind, no matter their background, were brought together in one accord and could understand each other's different languages, so they could bring the Gospel to more folks.
This week I want us to take a look at the steps of becoming a true Christian. We will look at several passages of scripture to fully understand what steps are necessary to become one with Christ. What I am really wanting us to talk about is going from an unbeliever to a total believer.
From the beginning you are born and you do not know Christ or even what it means to be a Christian. Once you have heard the word of God and decide you want to be a Christian, there are several steps you must follow. First you will receive Christ as your personal Saviour. Most folks know this information, but are really not sure what happens next. Well, this is where our message comes into play.
Once you have received Christ into your heart as your personal Saviour, you need to let the world know that you are a Christian. The way you proclaim you faith in Christ is to be baptized. Being baptized does not make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car. What I mean is that everyone that is baptized does not have to be a believer.
Philip just happened to be in Samaria preaching the Gospel and baptizing those that said they believed. It did not matter if it was men or women, as long as they believed in Christ, Philip would baptize them. Acts 8:12, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." This shows us that you should believe in Christ and the kingdom of God to be baptized. It also shows us the next step in becoming a Christian. Once we become a believer we should be baptized, just as Philip baptized those believers with water.
Just because you get in the water and become baptized does not mean you are a Christian or even a believer. There were several that were baptized that were not true believers. One person among the crowd that was baptized was a man named Simon the magician. Simon influenced many in the area with his magic. Many folks in the area seen the magic and really believed Simon was performing miracles. Simon's heart had truly not been enlightened with the Holy Spirit. This was a sure sign that Simon was not a true believer. Acts 8:21, "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God." The magic performed by Simon was proof that the Samarian had not truly accepted the Holy Spirit.
Now the folks in Samaria had received Christ and been baptized with water, but had not yet received the Holy Spirit. We have two questions here. What did the disciples do about it and why was it so important?
For the answer to the first question we will turn to Acts 8:14, "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:" Peter and John received word that Samaria had not yet truly turned over their hearts and received the Holy Spirit. Once they heard this, they left Jerusalem to show them the true way and lay their hands on them. Acts 8:17, "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." As we can see, Peter and John, laid hands on the folks and they received the Holy Spirit.
Now, why was it so important? The Holy Spirit is the part that ties all the steps to salvation together. Ephesians 1:13-14, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14)Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." This shows us that the Holy Spirit is the promise by which our salvation was sealed, after we heard the word that was the Gospel of our salvation and trusted in it.
Now Simon the magician had seen what miracles the Holy Spirit had performed. He saw that the miracles were greater than his magic. Now Simon wanted this Holy Spirit miracle and thought he could buy it. Acts 8:18-19, "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, (19)Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."
Why is it that I bring up this part of this story? I want us too see and understand that one can ONLY receive the Holy Spirit by acceptance and a true heart with God. Simon thought he could buy the Holy Spirit with money. The disciples said he could not buy it and that he needed to repent for he was not truly in the right mind with God. What we need to understand here is that only a Christian with a true heart can receive the Holy Spirit. Plus it shows us one other thing. Since we know that Simon had not received the Holy Spirit, we know that he was not a true believer, showing us that even unbeleivers can be baptized in water.
First we see that we must hear the truth, the Gospel of our salvation, then we must profess our glorious news through water baptism, and finally show our true belief in Christ through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
As we can see by this message, the Holy Spirit is the third part that ties all of the steps together and joins us into the one body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
How many of us claim to be Christians? How many of us have professed our faith and been baptized in water? Claiming to be a Christian is just one part of our salvation. Water baptism, not only is a profession of our faith, but also repentance for our sins. The final step to our true salvation is the acceptance of the Holy Spirit. This is the step that shows we are in true sight of God. Accepting Christ as your saviour is an easy part, water baptism is even easier, but making your heart be the heart that God truly wants, so you can receive the Holy Spirit, is the hard part. This is only hard because it takes a complete change in our ways of life to be like that of God.
Are you an unbeliever? Have you accepted Christ as your Saviour? Have you even been baptized in water, through repentance? If you are an unbeliever or want to believe in Christ all you have to do is say a simple prayer with me. Once you have said this prayer you must be baptized with water and then change your life so that you are right with God, to be able to receive the Holy Ghost.
Say this simple prayer with me, Dear Lord, I want you to be the Lord over my life, forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.
If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
With Love in Christ,
Pastor Stone
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