Life Ministries

“The Way We Were”
Ephesians 2:1-13 and 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

    I want to begin by asking a rather bold and thought provoking question; Is there anyone in your community who is not good enough to be a part of your church?…If someone popped into your mind - for whatever reason - I want you to jot their name down. Is there someone out there that you just don’t like or can’t get along with for some reason?...Jot their name down. Is there someone you would never think of witnessing to because of their occupation or their lifestyle or their background?…Just jot their name down. Is there a friend or neighbor or co-worker or maybe even a family member that you would like to see come to know the Lord and join a church? Then, jot their name down.

    Now, let me tell you why I have planted these little seed thoughts in your mind; Several studies have pointed to the importance of prayer as the key spiritual factor in the growth of churches. In the forward to “Partners in Prayer” by John Maxwell, Max Lucado says; “When we work, we work, but when we pray God works!” God’s Word says that “there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous who do not need to repent”. It also says in Jeremiah 33:3 “Call unto me and I will show you great and mighty things of which thou knowest not!” The Apostle Paul said the “gospel is the power of God unto the salvation of EVERYONE who believes!” It also says; “Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  We are not called to witness to only those people who meet “our” standards We need a fresh wind of the Spirit of God to blow through our midst and clean the chaff out of our minds and our hearts! We need God to restore our compassion for people who are just like we were - before coming to know Jesus.
    First of all they are “LOST.” In Luke chapter 15, Jesus tells three parables about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. In the first he says there is rejoicing in heaven when one is found; in the second he says there is rejoicing in the presence of angels; and in the third, there is rejoicing in the house…Do you remember being lost?
    Second, they are “spiritually dead” according to Ephesians 2. When some-one is spiritually dead, they don’t respond to anything spritual. “The things of the Spirit are foolishness to those who are without the Spirit”…The Spirit of God gives “LIFE”…NEW LIFE…to those who are spiritually dead. God’s Word tells us that they are “dead in their trespasses and sin” and they can only be made alive in Christ! Do you remember being “spiritually” dead? A time when the Bible made no sense? A time when the things of God were foolishness?
    Third, they are “blinded.” Not blind…but “blinded” there is a difference. If you had on a blindfold and could not see, what would your need be? (For someone to take the blindfold off.) Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that “the god of this age has blinded the (minds) of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ.” Notice that it is their “minds” that are blinded. The gospel isn’t real to them; they don’t believe that it is true; and even if it is, they don’t think they need it. Satan has them believing they can fill their spiritual vacuum with material and physical pleasures. Paul goes on to say that “we all lived among them at one time.” Was there a time when your mind was blinded to the gospel?
    Fourth, they are deceived.  They are socially and emotionally disillusioned. Captured by Satan’s deceptive lies, they have been touched by divorce, abuse, and plagued with emotional and physical problems. Few have any real friendships. Many are addicted to alcohol or drugs because they have been duped into thinking they are having a good time. Some are financially strapped and yet others think their money will buy them happiness. Most are depressed and lonely and would never admit they have a need to anyone!  I can remember well the time in my life when I thought I had it all in control; when I thought I was enjoying life; when I thought I was having fun and Satan had me believing that I would have to give up anything that was “fun” in my life if I became one of those “Christians!” I don’t listen to Satan’s lies anymore…I spend my time listening to God as He fills my life with true joy and simple pleasures that only a real true understanding of life can bring.