Receive the Holy Spirit
Text: Romans 8:7–18
Hallelujah! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the peace of God our Father be abundantly upon each of you.
Dearly beloved, every one of us must one day leave this world.
Death is an unavoidable reality, and Hebrews 9:27 declares plainly:
“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
Whether one is a believer or not, we must all face the sobering question:
“What comes after death?”
Science and human reasoning cannot give us a clear answer, but the Bible does.
After death, there is the righteous judgment of God, and every soul will stand before His throne.
This leads us to a most critical question:
“Am I ready to stand before the judgment seat of God?”
“Do I have the assurance of salvation today?”
“Am I abiding in the life of God?”
These are not questions meant to instill fear alone; they are divine invitations—doors opened to lead us into true life.
Why? Because God has not left us to perish in judgment.
Through the Holy Spirit, He gives us assurance of salvation and the gift of new life.
Today, let us turn to the Word of God to consider the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit and why it is absolutely essential that we receive Him.
I pray that through this message, each one of you will begin to earnestly desire the Holy Spirit and make a firm decision to walk in the newness of life He brings.
1. Why We Must Receive the Holy Spirit
Scripture declares clearly: “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.” (Romans 8:9)
If the Holy Spirit does not dwell within us, we do not belong to Jesus Christ. Therefore, receiving the Holy Spirit is not optional—it is an essential part of salvation and the very foundation of assurance for eternal life.
Many people attend church, worship, and think they are living a life of faith. Yet, if the Holy Spirit does not dwell in their hearts, their faith is no more than outward religious activity.
Jesus described such people in Matthew 25 as “the five foolish virgins.” They had lamps but no oil. The lamp represents the outward form of religion, while the oil signifies the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
They may appear to honor God externally, but in reality, their hearts are far from Him. The Apostle Paul warned in 2 Timothy 3:5 about those who “have the appearance of godliness but deny its power.”
A true Christian is someone who lives in a real and vibrant relationship with God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not merely a mystical experience—He is the very essence of a genuine walk with God.
2. Why So Many Live Without the Holy Spirit Today
Today, many Christians misunderstand the ultimate purpose of the Christian life.
They attend worship, pray, and participate in church activities, but often the center of their faith revolves more around earthly success—solutions to personal problems, health, prosperity—than the kingdom of God.
Yes, God knows our needs and helps us. But according to Scripture, the true essence of faith is that our souls are saved through a right relationship with God and that we live for His glory.
Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, assurance of salvation remains vague and uncertain.
People merely hope they will be saved after death. But who can truly stake their entire life on a vague hope?
That is why many focus more on visible, present realities than on the unseen eternal realm.
The physical world feels more real to the flesh, and as a result, the true nature of faith is pushed aside.
Jesus spoke of such people in John 12:43, saying,
“They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
The Holy Spirit works in us to long for God’s glory—the unseen, eternal values.
But the fleshly person pursues human praise and recognition.
Romans 8:7 warns:
“For the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God.”
The flesh does not submit to God’s will but resists and opposes it.
If we leave this state unchecked, we are in danger of being deceived by false spirits that come from Satan.
Without the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, even when we hear sermons, we fail to grasp the truth; we may read the Bible, but it leaves us unmoved.
Why? Because although our physical eyes and ears are open, our spiritual senses remain closed.
The Holy Spirit is the One who opens our hearts to understand the Word, confirms our faith, and enables us to discern God’s will in our daily lives.
3. Deeply Engrave the Grace of Atonement in Your Heart
We are all recipients of God’s great grace, having received forgiveness for our sins.
Yet many people, though they may have heard the word “atonement,” do not fully grasp the depth of its meaning.
Only when we rightly understand the grace of atonement can we recover a heart full of deep gratitude and awe toward the mercy we have received.
Romans 5:8 declares:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This verse means that Jesus Christ bore, on our behalf, the just judgment and curse of God that we rightly deserved because of our sin.
Through His suffering and death on the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the punishment that should have fallen on us.
Atonement is not merely about the forgiveness of sins. It is a perfect expression of God’s love that saves us from eternal destruction and adopts us as His children.
In this world, the love of parents is often considered the greatest and most precious form of love. But God’s love is far greater—perfect, eternal, and incomparable.
In Isaiah 41:10, God gives us this promise:
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
This is a personal declaration of God’s love to each one of us. If we truly believe in this love, we can entrust our whole lives to Him.
God’s purpose in giving us the grace of atonement is not merely the forgiveness of sins.
He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us into a life that fulfills His will.
To receive the Holy Spirit is to accept God’s promise that He will take responsibility for our lives and entrust us with the mission of leading others to salvation through us.
However, many today believe in the grace of atonement, yet try to live the life of faith without the Holy Spirit.
As a result, they live without the joy or wonder of faith, compromise easily with the world, and remain trapped in mere religious formalism.
4. The Blessings We Receive When We Receive the Holy Spirit
When we receive the Holy Spirit, our lives are radically transformed.
First and foremost, we gain the assurance that we are children of God and are granted the privilege of calling Him “Father.”
Romans 8:15 testifies:
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (ESV)
This verse declares that we are no longer bound by fear but are now God’s beloved children, able to call on Him with intimacy and confidence.
Those who have received the Holy Spirit no longer view God merely as a distant Judge, but as a loving Father.
Because of this, we are set free from anxiety and worry, and we rest in His love.
The Holy Spirit not only gives us inner peace—He clarifies our identity as God’s children.
The Holy Spirit also helps us set our eyes on the eternal inheritance.
Even as we endure pain and suffering in this present world, He gives us hope in the glory that is to come, helping us to realize that our present afflictions are temporary.
As a result, those who are filled with the Holy Spirit can endure hardship with patience and find joy and thanksgiving in every circumstance.
This is the living evidence that the Holy Spirit truly dwells in us and that we are walking as God’s children.
5. Our Response in Receiving the Holy Spirit
Now we must seriously ask ourselves what kind of decision we need to make in order to receive the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a gift of grace freely given by God—not something we can earn by our own effort or merit.
But there is one thing we must lay down in order to receive Him: our old ways of thinking and the values shaped by this world.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says:
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (ESV)
This is a command to cast aside worldly standards and prideful thoughts, and to surrender to God’s will with humility.
When we come before God with childlike faith and a humble heart, the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in us.
God gives grace to the humble and delights to dwell in those who lower themselves before Him.
And today is that day. 2 Corinthians 6:2 declares:
“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
The Holy Spirit is not for tomorrow—He is the gift we are to long for and receive now.
The Holy Spirit is not merely a feeling or religious enthusiasm.
He is the very presence of God—God Himself working powerfully in our lives at this very moment.
Therefore, let us draw near to God with humble hearts, longing for the Spirit with genuine faith.
When we make this decision, God—who is always faithful—will pour out His Spirit upon us as He has promised.
6. Practical Steps Toward Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
If you truly desire to receive the Holy Spirit, you must reorder your life’s priorities.
Instead of spending most of your time on physical fatigue or worldly affairs, devote more of your time and energy to nourishing your soul.
Set aside a life focused on entertainment and smartphones, and move toward a life of prayer, praise, meditating on God’s Word, and sharing the Gospel.
This is not just a change in activity—it is a sincere expression of faith that longs for the presence of God.
Just as we respond immediately to the notifications on our smartphones,
we must learn to respond just as sensitively to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
As you practice such a life of faith, the Holy Spirit will fill your heart abundantly,
and your life will begin to overflow with the fruit of the Spirit:
“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV).
This week, set aside just one minute each morning to spend time in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
Listen for His voice, and begin your day with Him.
Conclusion: The Holy Spirit Is Not Optional—He Is Essential
Receiving the Holy Spirit is not a matter of preference.
It is a matter of life or death, salvation or destruction.
Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot experience the true life that is in Christ, nor can we live according to the will of God.
So, dear brothers and sisters, let this be the moment when you make a firm decision of faith before the Lord—
with a heart that longs for the Holy Spirit.
Lay down the old ways of thinking and living, and step into a new life transformed by the Holy Spirit.
And confess daily:
“Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Lead me today by Your Spirit.”
This decision will lead you into a life of power and enable you to fulfill the mission God has entrusted to you.
Amen.