02/01/2026
Due to the weather again our service have been cancelled for today. If you would like to study scripture today here is an outline.
A Call Beyond Asking: The Deeper Invitation to Christ
When many of us first came to the Lord, we were likely told to simply “ask Jesus into your heart.” It was presented as a moment—a prayer, a phrase, a decision. And while that moment may have been sincere, for countless others it was merely a ritual, a formula repeated without transformation.
Oh, how many have asked—but have not received. How many have spoken words, yet never encountered the refreshing presence of the Lord. This is not to diminish the sincerity of those who truly sought Him, but to highlight a troubling pattern: the church, in its zeal to make salvation accessible, has sometimes reduced the gospel to a transaction rather than a transformation.
We know the answer is Jesus. But we must also know that Jesus is not merely an answer to a question—He is the Lord of all life. And to receive Him is not just to ask, but to surrender, to believe, to confess, and to be filled.
Beyond the ABCs: A Scriptural Path to True Discipleship
In times past, we’ve simplified the journey to Christ as the ABCs:
* Accept
* Believe
* Confess
While helpful as a starting point, Scripture calls us deeper. It’s not just about a moment of decision—it’s about a life of devotion.
Jesus used the example of those that will say to him Lord did we not prophecy in your name etc.
The quote "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name" is from Matthew 7:22, where Jesus is quoted as saying that some people will claim to have performed religious acts in his name, but he will reject them because they did not do the will of his Father. It also emphasizes that salvation comes from obedience and a relationship with God, not just from performative acts of faith.
* Context: This verse is part of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, where he is warning against false prophets and those who rely on outward religious deeds rather than true faith and obedience. �
* The people's claim: The people in the passage list their actions: prophesying, casting out demons, and performing many miracles, all in Jesus's name. �
* Jesus's response: Jesus famously declares, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!". �
* Underlying message: We need to realize that merely performing religious acts or asking only, or calling Jesus "Lord" is not enough for salvation. True discipleship requires doing the will of God and living a life of obedience and love.
The following is the way to salvation; and the way in which we lead others to salvation.
We must first:
Believe — Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Belief is not passive. It is active trust. It is the foundation of relationship. To believe is to stake your life on the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done.
Secondly, we must:
Confess — Romans 10:9
“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.”
Confession is not just admission—it is allegiance. It is the public declaration that Jesus is not just Savior, but Lord. It is the surrender of control, the yielding of self.
Lastly, we must:
Ask — But Ask to Be Filled
The Bible does not teach a formulaic “ask Jesus into your heart” prayer. Instead, it speaks of faith, repentance, and being filled with the Spirit. After confession, there must be a filling. A life emptied of sin must be filled with Christ—or it remains vulnerable.
The Warning of Emptiness — Matthew 12:43–45; Luke 11:24–26
Jesus warns of the danger of spiritual emptiness. A person delivered from darkness who remains empty is a target for deeper bo***ge. The unclean spirit returns and finds the house “swept and in order”—but empty. So it brings seven more spirits, more wicked than itself.
This is not just a parable—it is a spiritual principle.
Deliverance without discipleship leads to vulnerability.
Salvation without sanctification leads to stagnation.
And emptiness without entrance of the Holy Spirit leads to desolation.
* Deliverance without discipleship → vulnerability
* Deliverance (freedom from bo***ge, sin, or oppression) is only the beginning. Without discipleship — the ongoing process of learning, growing, and being formed in Christ — a person remains spiritually fragile, easily swayed or attacked.
* Salvation without sanctification → stagnation
* Salvation is the doorway, but sanctification (the lifelong process of becoming holy and Christlike) is the journey. Without sanctification, faith becomes static, lacking transformation and fruit.
* Emptiness without entrance of the Holy Spirit → desolation
* Emptiness left unfilled is dangerous. If the Holy Spirit doesn’t dwell within, that void can lead to despair, confusion, or even destructive influences. The Spirit’s presence is what brings life, guidance, and renewal.
The Common Thread
Each phrase highlights the danger of incompleteness:
* Deliverance without discipleship equals freedom without direction.
* Salvation without sanctification equals rescue without growth.
* Emptiness without the Spirit equals space without life.
Together, they emphasize that spiritual beginnings must be followed by spiritual continuance. It’s not enough to start; one must grow, be filled, and be transformed.
The Call to Fullness
To truly follow Christ is to be filled with His Spirit, to walk in His Word, and to live in His presence. It is not merely asking—it is abiding. It is not just confessing—it is conforming to His image.
Let us not settle for a shallow gospel. Let us call people not just to ask, but to believe, confess, and be filled—lest they remain empty and exposed.
