Home Page   Contact Us    Service Times   Sermons   Are You Going To Heaven?

NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE?

INTRODUCTION

Scripture abounds with the word “believe” when it talks about what our response to God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Gospel should be.

John 3:16–“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:36–“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

John 5:24–“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

1 John 5:10-13

If we are to be saved, then we must know what the Bible is speaking of when it says to “believe!” We need to understand that when the Bible says that we are to “believe,” it is speaking of more than just having a head knowledge of some facts.

Biblical belief involves action! It involves a response–a total response on our part to God!

For example–When we get on a jet liner, we can’t just place only one leg on the plane and fly to another city can we. If we are to arrive at our intended destination, then we must respond by placing ourselves wholly on the plane showing that we believe, by our actions, that the plane and the pilot can and will safely get us to where we want to go.

Salvation is similar in that it takes is a total experience of “belief,” “faith,” or “trust” (all that we use interchangeably) if we are to arrive at our intended destination–Heaven!

We must put our complete trust in Jesus Christ, trusting Him to save us and to take us to Heaven.

This involves our intellect, our emotions, and our will!

I.            THE FIRST STEP OF BELIEF INVOLVES USING OUR INTELLECT!

               A.         A Person Must Know God’s Plan Of Salvation Before They Can Believe It!

                            This involves two things–

                                         Knowing their need!

                                         Knowing the Gospel!

We cannot communicate to another person apart from there being a mutual understanding.

Have you ever had trouble getting through to someone because they really weren’t understanding what you were trying to communicate to them? (When we witness we have to guard against using terms that a lost world doesn’t understand!)

Have you ever had trouble getting through to someone because they were living in denial of what was an obvious reality in their life?

                            (They were blinded to reality or the truth!)

God follows the same law–God cannot communicate with us unless we understand His plan of Salvation!

If we either do not understand what God is saying or we are living in denial of what is obviously a reality in our lives, then there is a breakdown of communication!

                            1.       That Is Why A Child Is Not Held Accountable Unto God Until He Or She Is Of Sufficient Age To Understand His Condition And The Gospel!

Because they do not have the capacity to understand God’s plan of Salvation. (2 Samuel 12:19-23)

We often refer to the “age of accountability.”

It is important to note that this age may vary with each child.

                                         When should a child get saved?

When they become aware of their need!

When they have the capacity to understand the Gospel!

As a side note, did you know that the famine in various countries where children are dying of hunger each day is a display of the Grace of God?

We are doing such a poor job of getting the Gospel to these areas, that if these children were to live and grow up they would have a greater chance of dying and going to hell.

However, when they die because of the famine before getting to the “age of accountability,” then they are ushered into the very presence of God.

Am I advocating letting children starve to death?–NO!!! It is a great tragedy that they don’t have food to eat, but it is a greater tragedy that they don’t have the Gospel!

I just want you to see that God’s grace can work even in the midst of great tragedy. And I’m also pointing out the great need for us to do a better job at fulfilling the Great Commission!

2.        The Bible Says It Is Important To Accept Christ When You First Understand The Gospel!

Why is this? Because you are accountable for each opportunity that God gives you and who knows what will happen in your life after that point?

Proverbs 27:1–“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

2 Corinthians 6:2–“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

[Exp–There are many people I have met in nursing homes, hospitals, and psychiatric wards who at one time had clarity of their thought processes. Many of these folks lost their cognitive abilities at some time in their life! It could happen to any of us!]

An automobile accident, an illness, a blow to the head, or any number of other things are in the realm of possibility to damage your intellect!

                            3.          The Bible Says It Is Important To Respond To God At A Young Age!

Ecclesiastes 12:1–“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;”

Old age affects the intellect and affects the windows of the mind. (I’m talking about the eyes and the ears.)

                            4.          Understand That A Person Who Is Born Retarded Or Becomes That Way Before Reaching The Age

                                        Of  Accountability Is Under The Protecting Hand Of God!

A creature without intellect is not held accountable by God! (Example–Animals steal, maim, and kill.)

A Person Must Know God’s Plan Of Salvation Before They Can Believe It!

               B.         Knowledge Involves Awareness And Understanding, But Knowledge Does Not Convert The Soul!

                            1.          Pilate examined Christ and 3 times he said “I find no fault in Him” in Luke 23.

                            2.          Judas–A disciple of Christ yet died in his sins and went to hell!

                            3.          Felix–Acts 24:24-25.

                            4.          King Agrippa–Acts 26:24-28.

You can have God’s plan of Salvation memorized and know “The Sinner’s Prayer” by heart, but that alone will not bring salvation.

You ought to be able to lead someone to the Lord if you are saved, but just because you know the process, doesn’t make you saved!

THE FIRST STEP OF BELIEF INVOLVES THE USING OF OUR INTELLECT!

II.           THE SECOND STEP OF BELIEF INVOLVES THE STIRRING OF OUR EMOTIONS!             

               A.         Man Is An Emotional Being!

He feels deeply about many issues. (Politics, Sports, Religion, etc.)

We cannot neglect the part that emotion plays in conversion, although not everyone will express their emotions openly!

                            1.          Some express their emotions by clapping their hands or singing for joy when they come to an understanding of what God has done for them!

(I had one man in my first pastorate that expressed his emotions with laughing!)

                            2.          Some weep and agonize openly over deep conviction over their sin or at being so overwhelmed with what the Saviour suffered for them on the Cross!

                            3.          Some are converted or moved without any outward display of the emotions!

               B.         We Should Never Judge A Person’s Seriousness By Their Tears At The Altar!

1 Samuel 16:7–“. . .man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

                            1.          Some People Show Their Emotions Openly Without Ever Getting Saved!

                                         (Exp.–Felix and Judas)

We cannot judge the sincerity of a person by the outward display of emotions!

Someone put it this way, “The toot of the car’s horn doesn’t tell you how much gas is in the tank or even if the car will run!”

                            2.          Some People Get Saved Without Ever Showing Their Emotions Openly!

(Exp.–The late Dr. Curtis Hutson’s CPA, Cleo Jenkins was that way.)

Just because a person does not cry or show joy doesn’t mean that they lack sincerity!

Many people keep their emotions to themselves, yet they feel very deeply.

               C.         Just As Knowledge Alone Cannot Save, So Religious Emotionalism Will Not Get A Man To Heaven!

Some who cry crocodile tears will burn in hell because of insufficient knowledge or understanding or because their will was not sufficiently motivated to turn to Christ!

               D.         God Uses Emotions To Motivate People To Seek Relief!

                            What motivated you to get saved?

                            1.          Some are terrified of judgment and seek Salvation. (Worked for me!!!)

                            2.          Some are overwhelmed with love when they hear the Gospel.

                            3.          Some are motivated by guilt.

                            4.          Some are motivated by gratitude.

                            5.          Some are motivated by pressure or uncertainty in their lives.

               E.         Emotions Can Be An Outward Manifestation Of An Inner Work Of God!

After a person is saved, they might experience feelings of relief, joy, or tears of happiness!

We just need to understand that whether or not the emotions are shown, they are an essential part of bringing people to salvation.

A person cannot be saved apart from an inward emotional stirring by God!

               This is a result of the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit!

John 16:8–“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

THE FIRST STEP OF BELIEF INVOLVES THE USING OF OUR INTELLECT!

THE SECOND STEP OF BELIEF INVOLVES THE STIRRING OF OUR EMOTIONS!

III.         THE THIRD STEP OF BELIEF INVOLVES THE RESPONSE OF OUR WILL!

               A.         A Person Must Accept Or Receive The Lord’s Salvation!

There is nothing a person can do to save himself! Jesus Christ has done it all!

But a person must respond with his inner being to the offer of Salvation by Christ!

               B.         Faith Is Believing On The Lord Jesus Christ!

                            Listen to me very carefully!

When we know what the Bible says that Christ did for us on the cross and we accept the fact that we are sinners in need of what Christ did for us, our feelings are stirred by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and we respond by an act of our wills by turning from our sin and self efforts to trust what the Saviour has done as being adequate to save us, then we have expressed Biblical faith.

               C.         When Man’s Will Responds In Belief, It Is An Act Of Obedience To God!

Romans 6:17–“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”

                            The will of a person must say yes to God!

               D.         Repentance Is Necessary For Salvation, But Repentance Alone Does Not Save!

                            Saving faith and Biblical repentance happen simultaneously.

               E.         Conviction Which Stirs The Spirit To Respond To God Begins With The Scriptures!

Hebrews 4:12–“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Romans 10:17–“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

                            1.          The Word Of God lays bare the sin that is hidden in the heart of person.

                            2.          That person becomes aware that he has offended a Holy God and his emotions are affected.

                            3.          His mind knows the facts of the Gospel and his emotions motivate him, but his will must respond!

                            4.          This response is referred to in different ways that all mean the same thing:

                                         a.          Receiving Christ.

                                         b.          Accepting The Lord.

                                         c.          Asking Christ Into Your Heart.

                                         d.          Placing Your Trust In Christ.

                                         e.          Taking Christ Into Your Life By Faith. 

                                         f.          Being Born Again.

Each of these statements refers to a person who has made a volitional act of his will in turning his life over to and placing his eternal destiny in the Lord Jesus Christ.

                            5.          Salvation is not in the “Sinner’s prayer,” it is in Christ! Salvation is applied to the sinner’s heart through faith in Christ!

God is not as interested in the words of your mouth as He is in the attitude of your heart!

CONCLUSION

Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you truly saved?

We’ve seen what it means to believe on Christ!

To be truly saved you must know your need and know the content of the Gospel, you must be stirred in your emotions by Holy Spirit conviction, and you must respond with your will to Christ’s offer of Salvation through the Sacrifice that He provided on the Cross of Calvary!

Home Page   Contact Us    Service Times   Sermons   Are You Going To Heaven?

NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!