WEBVTT 00:00:01.760 --> 00:00:03.680 What is up, everybody? 00:00:03.839 --> 00:00:07.599 Welcome back to another episode of Ask a Pastor. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:09.919 So good to be back with you uh this week. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:19.920 If I seem a little tired, uh Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, we we were with at our uh annual uh Assemblies of God conference called Lead Conference. 00:00:20.079 --> 00:00:26.160 And we we had some business meetings, and so uh I'm coming to you after a pretty busy week so far. 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:31.760 It's only Wednesday for me as you're listening to this, and and I've already seen feel like I've worked a full week. 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:34.240 So if I seem tired today, that's why. 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:37.520 But it was so good seeing all my pastor friends, all my friends. 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:45.840 Uh, there were several people that encouraged me about the podcast, and and so I'm so so excited uh for the episode that we have for you today. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:50.880 I think it's uh it is honestly the most important question. 00:00:50.960 --> 00:01:01.679 And it's a it's a question that I think a lot of us wrestle with, and I think it's an important one, uh, and actually the most important question as far as our eternity goes. 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:07.519 But as a pastor, I get asked this a lot, uh, and and I think it's it's worth answering. 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:11.120 And and that question is, what does it really mean to be saved? 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:13.120 And how can I be sure that I'm saved? 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:14.959 You know, what does it really mean to be saved? 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:19.760 And and and how can I be sure that I actually am saved? 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:23.760 And maybe you've asked that question after a tough week. 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:28.719 Maybe you've wondered if you're really a Christian because you still struggle with sin. 00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:35.040 Um, and maybe you've thought, well, I I prayed the prayer years ago, but was it really real? 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:52.560 And you know, guys, I think one of the biggest struggles that uh one of the biggest things that the church has done to our culture is made them think that if they pray a magical prayer uh to God, that suddenly they are saved. 00:01:52.640 --> 00:02:02.480 When the Bible teaches that a lifetime of serving the Lord, uh seeking the Lord, trying to become more like Him is what actual salvation looks like. 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:08.159 And so I hope today to kind of unpack for you what the Bible says as a whole uh about the Bible. 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:15.439 But the good news is that God doesn't want his children living in constant fear and uncertainty about their salvation. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:27.919 In fact, the Bible says in 1 John 5 13, I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:33.759 Notice that word, no, not hope, not guess, not wonder, no. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:40.159 So let's let's answer this very big, broad question uh in two parts. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:43.520 So, first, let's tackle what does it mean to be saved? 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:46.560 What is it, what does it really mean to be saved? 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:53.919 When most people hear the word saved, they think uh of a moment, you know, walking the aisle, praying a prayer, getting baptized. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:03:01.280 Those things can be important milestones, but salvation is a much bigger, uh, much bigger than a single moment. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:10.240 So at the core, salvation means being rescued from sin and brought into a relationship, a right relationship with God. 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:14.800 The Bible teaches us that all of us is sin and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:17.520 We've rebelled against God, we've fallen short of his standards. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:25.039 Sin separates us and carries consequences both now and in eternity. 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:30.240 But God loved us so much that he would not let us stay that way. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:34.400 And we see in John 3:16, if you've been in church long enough, you know this one. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:43.599 It says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:46.800 Jesus lived the perfect life that we couldn't live. 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:50.479 He died the death that you and me both deserved. 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:52.719 And he rose again three days later. 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:59.360 Through his death and resurrection, he made a way for us to be forgiven and reconciled with God. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:11.520 Salvation means that your sins are forgiven, your guilt is removed, you were adopted into God's family, you were you have received the Holy Spirit and you have eternal life. 00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:15.919 Salvation is more than just an escaping of hell. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:22.879 And I I think a lot of times we we think that we want to be saved because we don't want to go to hell. 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:26.000 But I want you to hear something this today in this podcast. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:31.839 I always say this morning because I'm a pastor and most of the time I'm talking in the morning, but I want you to hear something today. 00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:41.120 Being scared of going to not going to hell, or being scared of going to hell is not what gets you into heaven. 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:45.839 Being scared of going to hell is not what gets you into heaven. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:50.720 What gets you into heaven is a right relationship with Jesus. 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:56.079 Because salvation is not merely getting out of something, it's being brought into something. 00:04:56.240 --> 00:05:00.079 And that something is a relationship with Jesus. 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:10.720 And let me tell you guys, the reason we we and we as Christians push you towards salvation is because that is an actual relationship with the one who created you? 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:14.399 What if I told you that you could have the greatest relationship in all the world? 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:17.360 You know, I love my wife, I love being married to my wife. 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:20.240 Uh, I feel like my wife and I have a great relationship. 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:21.839 Is our relationship perfect? 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:23.120 Absolutely not. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:27.279 But it's one of the greatest life-giving relationships that I have. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:30.639 But what if I told you there's even something better? 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:44.399 What if I told you that God has the greatest relationship uh ever in a in an offering, in a free gift just for you? 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:49.920 And the apostle Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 2, 8 through 9. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:06:02.399 He says, For grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing, it is a gift of God, not a result of your works, so that no man may boast. 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:05.199 Notice, salvation is a gift. 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:11.759 You didn't deserve it, you received it by faith in Jesus Christ. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:15.519 That's why Christianity is different from every other religion. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:20.560 Every other religion says, do enough and maybe you'll be accepted. 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:27.759 The gospel says Jesus has already done enough, and all you have to do is accept him. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:32.720 So the second part of this question is how does someone receive salvation? 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:34.639 How does someone receive salvation? 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:47.360 Romans 10 9 says it very cleanly, plainly, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:51.519 Salvation begins when a person, number one, repents from their sins. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:55.439 Number two, places their faith in Jesus Christ. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:07:05.600 And number three, surrenders uh to him as their Lord and Savior, meaning gives control of their life over to him. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:14.319 It's not simply believing facts about Jesus, it's not, it's it's basically trusting Jesus with your whole life. 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:28.800 You can believe airplanes exist and never get on one, but saving faith gets on a plane, it places weight in Jesus as the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:34.800 Saving faith isn't knowing about Jesus, it's trusting yourself to Jesus. 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:37.519 So, what's the second part of that question? 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:42.480 So, how can I know, how can I be sure that I am safe? 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:44.720 This is where many Christians struggle. 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:49.920 And I think if we're being honest with ourselves, most Christians struggle with, hey, I hope that I'm saved. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:57.680 You know, we we all hope that we've done the right thing, uh, and that one day when we we face our maker, he's going to be pleased with us. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:00.959 Um, they think that assurance is based on feelings. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:03.199 The problem is feelings change. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:08.399 Uh, the problem is that some days you feel close to God and some days you don't. 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:12.160 Some days you feel victorious, some days you feel like a failure. 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:18.319 If assurance is based on feelings, you'll constantly ride a spiritual roller coaster. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:22.399 But the foundation of assurance is not your feelings. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:27.040 The foundation of assurance is God's promises for our life. 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:35.759 John 5 24 says, Whoever heal or whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. 00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:40.080 He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:41.600 Notice that certainty. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:44.159 Not might have, not hopefully has. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:49.279 It's Jesus says they have eternal life. 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:52.799 Your salvation rests on the promise. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:56.879 Rest on God's promises, not your emotion. 00:08:57.120 --> 00:09:01.519 Your salvation rests on God's promises, not your emotions. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:03.600 So, what are three signs? 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:12.720 I always try to give you practical things towards the end of the podcast to really kind of drive home uh the message that I have for you today. 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:14.720 What are three signs of genuine salvation? 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:22.559 You know, what what are three signs that you know uh that you know that you know that you know that you know that you are saved? 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:28.960 Number one, do you do you trust in Jesus alone? 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:31.919 This first question is very simple. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.159 What are you trusting to save you? 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:39.679 Your church attendance, your morality, your baptism, your generosity, or Jesus? 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:46.799 A saved person recognizes that their only hope is in Jesus Christ. 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:52.320 Number two, is there evidence of a spiritual life? 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:57.600 No Christian is perfect, but genuine Christians change. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:01.759 Not instantly, not completely, not, but progressively. 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:03.679 We progressively get better. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:10.399 The Holy Spirit brings producing, the Holy Spirit begins to produce new desires, new convictions, and new growth. 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:17.840 You start loving things that once you ignored and grieving things that you once celebrated. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:27.840 You may still struggle with sin, but you know that the struggle is against it, that you have to struggle against it, that you have to move away. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:33.759 Perfection isn't the evidence of salvation, it's the direction that it is. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:42.320 We're not going to be perfect, but we have to push towards perfection because we find perfection in Jesus Christ. 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:49.120 It's something we will never attain this side of heaven, but we push towards being more like Christ every day. 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:53.440 And number three, does the Holy Spirit confirm your relationship with God? 00:10:53.600 --> 00:11:00.399 Romans 8:16 says the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:06.559 That is what many Christians describe as inner confidence that they belong to Jesus. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:08.080 It's a voice from heaven. 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:23.120 It's not an emotional high, it's where the spirit's producing confidence that you are a child of God, that you hear the voice of God, that God speaks to you, that you know that you know that you know that you are God's child. 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:26.879 So what if, what if you still have doubts? 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:28.720 Let me encourage you this. 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:32.080 Having doubts doesn't necessarily mean that you're lost. 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.639 Sometimes it's because of poor teaching. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:37.919 Sometimes it's because of guilt over ongoing sin. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:42.799 Sometimes it's because of anxiety, depression, or maybe spiritual attacks. 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:50.000 One of Satan's favorite strategies is to make believers question what God has already settled. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.600 I love that. 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:58.399 One of Satan's greatest strategies is to make us question what God has already established in our life. 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:04.559 Because if we spend so much time questioning our salvation, we're not sharing the good news of Jesus with others. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:09.200 He wants Christians focused on fear instead of God's faithfulness. 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:13.759 So when doubts come, don't look inward first, look upward. 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.840 Look towards Jesus. 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:18.639 Remember what he has accomplished on the cross for you. 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:20.159 Remember his promises. 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:27.919 Remember that he that that security rests on his grip, on you, not on your grip on him. 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:29.200 Listen to that again. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:29.919 I'm gonna say it again. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:30.559 It's great. 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:37.360 Remember that his security, your security, rests in his grip, not on your grip with him. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:47.279 Philippians 1 6 says, He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus. 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:53.759 Your salvation is secure because God's finished, God finishes what he started. 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:58.159 Your salvation is secure because God always finished what he started. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:00.080 So why does this matter? 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.759 Why does all this matter? 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:05.039 So when you're confident in your salvation, everything changes. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:10.639 You don't obey God because you're trying to earn his love, you obey God because you've already received it. 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:13.039 You don't live in fear, you live in freedom. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:16.240 You don't have to wonder every day whether God has accepted you. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:20.320 You can rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:38.720 Assurance gives courage and suffering, strength in temptation, hope and uncertainty, peace in difficult times, and perhaps most importantly, assurance allows you to enjoy your relationship with God instead of constantly questioning it. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.600 So, what are my final thoughts today? 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:47.919 If you're listening today and wondering if you're saved, don't by start by asking, Am I good enough? 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:51.120 Ask, have I trusted Jesus? 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:54.000 Because here's the thing: none of us are good enough. 00:13:54.240 --> 00:14:00.559 None of us are good enough to accept, uh, none of us are good enough to earn what Jesus has already done. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:04.000 Just ask yourself, have I repented of my sins? 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:07.759 Have I placed my faith in Christ alone? 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:11.039 If so, do I stand on his promises? 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:16.240 The Bible says that those who believe in Christ have eternal life. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:19.360 And if you're still wrestling with doubts, remember this. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:28.720 The strongest evidence of salvation isn't that you never struggle with doubt, it's that you keep running back to Jesus when you do. 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:33.600 So thank you guys for being with me today. 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:35.519 Uh, I want to end with this. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:51.440 You know, if you're out there and and God has brought you to uh this uh message, and I've kind of noticed that some of these, you know, very simple topics bring the most views, and they're they're bringing the most views from outside of the geographic area of the church. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:57.600 And so I think a lot of people are searching this uh to find information from a reliable source. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:15:03.919 And I want you to know I'm a I'm a pastor, I've been a senior pastor for 14 years, uh, been in full-time ministry for over 20 years. 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:06.799 Uh, I want to tell you that that I'm a I'm a reliable source. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:08.720 I have a master's degree in theology. 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.639 Um, you know, hey, reach out to me. 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:12.639 Uh, private message me on social media. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:14.159 I'd love, I'd love to chat with you. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:19.279 But um, I want to end this with a prayer of salvation. 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:25.600 Now, listen, this prayer doesn't save you, it's a lifetime of living for Jesus. 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:29.679 But this is this prayer is the first step in the rest of your life. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:33.919 So if you're listening, maybe you're listening, maybe you're watching, I don't know where you are. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:36.559 I just want you to bow your head and close your eyes. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:43.679 And I just want you to sit there and and just take a moment and just think. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:46.879 And I want you to pray this prayer with me. 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:48.480 And you could repeat after me. 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:53.120 And I want you to, I want you to say this out loud wherever you are, just with me with your phone. 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:54.240 Just say it out loud. 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:57.840 Just say, Dear Jesus, I'm a sinner. 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:00.639 I need your love in my life. 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:03.279 Forgive me where I failed you. 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:06.000 I give my heart to you today. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:11.200 Take my life, use it for your purpose. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:13.039 In Jesus' name. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.000 Amen. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.039 Amen. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:20.879 Hey, if you prayed that prayer today, listen, there are no lone rager Christians. 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:33.440 So you need to find a church, get into an awesome Bible-based church that can walk you through this new relationship with Jesus because that is the lifeblood that will keep you on track. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:40.240 Uh, if you're geographically near us here in South Fort Worth in Cleaver, Texas, uh, we would love to have you at Hope Church. 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:44.480 Uh, we've got we've got services at 9:30 and 11 this week. 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:47.360 Uh, we're opening up a new location in Meridian, Texas. 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:52.080 So if you're you're close to Boski County and Meridian, Texas, they have service at 10:30. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:55.679 We'd love to have you at either location. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.000 Uh, and and we'd love to have you as a part. 00:16:58.080 --> 00:17:01.600 But if you're not near any of us, go find you a Bible-based church. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:05.759 You can watch us online, uh, but but find you a church and get a part of it. 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:10.240 Hey, so good to be with you today on Ask a Pastor. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:12.400 Uh, shoot me some questions, drop them in the comments. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.400 I'd love to answer more of your questions. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.839 I'm having so much fun doing this. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.839 But hey, that's all I got for you today. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:21.519 So we'll see you next time on Ask a Pastor.