Jerome, Ken and I went out to do our visits and turns out we didnt have to go far. We went to 2nd street park to review somethings and 3 guys showed up to play basketball. I felt the need to drop our planned visits and try to build some new relationships. After we got beat in 3 on 3 another 4 or 5 guys showed up. Turns out all of these guys are related and they have just moved to C-Burg from South Carolina. God is good and His plans are so much bigger than mine. We built some relationship, shared the Gospel with Tim, and got to invite the group to Church. Pray that God will work in the hearts of our new friends.
More thoughts from Ephesians 2. “1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience..” (ESV)
Did you know that before you came to know Christ (If you have) you were dead in your sins? The wages of sin is Death. You once walked in your sins, following the course of this world. The Bible says this is who you use to be, living and walking in sin. I dont believe this means that you no longer sin, but this used to be the desire of your heart because “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit” used to control your life. Think about that. You used to be controlled by your sinful desires.
WHY IS IT THAT WE who are now controlled by Christ expect those who are STILL CONTROLLED BY THE Prince of the power of the AIR to live like us? It just doesnt make sense. We look at people who live for sin and self and wonder why they dont live for God? Hello!!! Verse three says “we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath.” Dont be suprised that those who are dead in their sins still live for sin.
SO DO WE LET THEM CONTINUE TO LIVE IN SIN? NO!! We need to let them no that it is 8 “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”. You need to let people know that God has a gift that He wants them to accept. NEWS FLASH- Most people know that they are sinners BUT why should they care? They live for SIN and SELF!! THEY are controlled by SIN and SELF.
We need to unwrap the gift for people. I dont care what gift you got for me, if you treat me like garbage I dont want whatever you have to give me. SHOW God’s love. Love the sinner hate the sin. If all you show is hate for this sin, I guaranttee you that the sinner will not feel loved. Check out this article and leave me som comments about your thoughts. Study says Christianity No Longer Looks Like Jesus
Filed under: Drinking Deep, Flow, God's Glory | Tagged: Bible, Chambersburg, Christianity, Dead, Ephesians 2, Gift, Gods Plan, Gospel, Jesus, Relationships, Self, sin, Witness, Youth Ministry
Good stuff Jeremy.
Yeah Christianity probably now looks like a loud mouthed, huge car drivin, big house livin, money lovin hippocrite in a suit, scared of helping the poor and gettin his hands dirty and condemns every sinner he meets. I think Bono of U2 acts more like the way Jesus would prefer (philanthropy wise ie. Debt forgiveness for poorer countries, helping the poor and starving in AIDS- ridden Africa). see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dingVac1W1g I think some “Christians” would be appalled at the way Jesus would do ministry if He were to be here among us now. Where’s the love of Christ anymore? How about the fruits of the Spirit? Gal 5:22 -Love, peace, patience,kindness,goodness, gentleness, sef-control. Non Christians are seeing more fruits of the flesh from high profile (and low profile) lukewarm Christians these days- Gal. 5:19- immorality, impurity, idolatry, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions. No wonder we get the looks we do when we share our faith with someone!
I think we as Christians like to put “degrees” on sins. Gossiping isn’t as bad as murder, for example. We get so caught up in looking at someone else’s sin that we fail to see our own sins. How easy it is to forget sometimes that we are STILL sinners-we’re just forgiven sinners!
How different would our walk be if we’d just start praying for people instead of judging them? God has really been stressing prayer in my life. Literally in every area, study, struggle and high point I’m reminded that prayer is HUGE!!!
Our job is really to get on our knees and leave the rest to God!