Bible Christian Outreach - Hodges Highlights: When I Was Lost

Hodges Highlights

When I Was Lost

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved);"

The apostle Paul is addressing the saved people at Ephesus, and in this certain passage of scripture, he is reminding them when they were lost in their sins to show that it is faith in Gods grace that saves us and not our works. The book of James teaches us that works justified us outwardly in the eyes of men. But it is faith that justifies us inwardly in the sight of God. When a person accepts the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, he or she is saved but is not perfect. Christians aren't sinless but we are supposed to "sin less." We still have the flesh to deal with and we are not perfect until we get our glorified bodies in heaven. Remember; a Christian is a sinner saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Let me share with you some things about me when I was lost.

1. I was a good person.

You might say, "what is wrong with that." Well, being good doesn't mean being saved. You are either saved orlost, not good or bad, but if you are saved you don't want to sin willfully. If you are lost without Christ, don't try to clean your life up first. You don't clean yourself up before you take a shower or bath, you just jump into it to get cleaned. I pray that you wil "jump into Jesus" so will clean you.

2. I knew about Jesus.

I knew about Jesus in my head, but He was not in my heart. There are people who wear crosses around their necks, but don't have Jesus in their heart.

3. I went to church.

I only went there to leave and could tell others that I went. We all seem to use God as a spare-tire. We only call upon Him when we need Him. When I got saved, I desired to go. But friend, don't go to the nearst steeple you can find. Go to a church that is independent and fundamentally sound in the King James Bible. A church that teaches salvation in the shed Blood of Jesus Christ and not "sacraments" or any other types of "religious footraces" with the Devil, which will lead you into Hell by not trusting in the finished work what Jesus did at Calvary

4. I read a "Bible".

Yes friends, I read a "Bible" but it was notthe Word Of God itself. The "Bible" I read was the lives of professing Christians. It is important to keep our eyes off men and set them on Jesus. Man will fail you and there are a lot of people on their way to Hell because of "carnal Christians." Please trust in Jesus and in Him only.

Take this time now for an Invitation. Make your choice to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Romans 10:9-10

"1 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

IF YOU ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR E-MAIL ME AND LET ME KNOW OR JUST LET ME HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS SERMON

- James S. Hodges

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