## I was an Alien!

## Ephesians 2:12

Eph. 2:1-5, 12-15, 19-20; 4:17-20; Col. 1:20-23

My title this morning sounds like a 'B' grade science fiction movie from the early 50's. For most of us the term 'alien' has taken on a new meaning. We have the idea that all aliens are green and arrive in space ships. Yet the term actually means:

1. Belonging or relating to another person or place.

2. Different in nature or character.

3. A foreign-born citizen

With a clear understanding of what the word actually means, it is not difficult to understand how the Apostle Paul used it in reference to those who had never placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

It is true, I was an alien! There was a time when I belonged to another person and another place. I was of a different nature and character. I was a foreign-born citizen of this world.

But, thanks to Calvary…that isn't true anymore! I have been born again. I have a new nature and a new character…the character of Christ. I am no longer of this world, I am a citizen of heaven. I belong to the Lord. He has purchased me with His shed blood. I am an alien, no more! I am a child of the King!

But there are still many people today who are lost. They are aliens to the things of God. They may not realize they are lost, but they are without God. What an awful condition to be in. Christian, do you remember what it was like when you realized that you were lost and without hope? Then do you remember the overflowing joy that came when you accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and was born into God's family?

"Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound, That Saved A Wretch Like Me. I Once Was Lost, But Now Am Found, 'Twas Blind, But Now I See." This morning I want us to consider the 'Lost'.

I. The Cause of People Being Lost

A. People are lost by birth.

1. We are born sinners.

2. The Bible teaches us that we inherit our sinful nature.

(Psa 51:5) "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

(Rom 5:12) "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"

B. People are lost by choice.

1. Not only are we sinners by birth, we are sinners by choice.

2. When faced with the choice of obedience or disobedience toward God we tend toward disobedience.

3. This is referred to as our sin nature.

(Rom 3:10) "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"

(Isa 53:6) "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

(Rom 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

C. People are lost by neglect.

1. We are born sinners, and we are sinners by choice, and we are sinners simply by neglect.

2. There is nothing that we must do to be 'lost', but so often, we neglect to do anything about our condition.

3. Many continue on down the path that will lead to a God-less eternity, without giving it a thought.

(Mat 7:13) "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"

(Heb 2:3) "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"

II. The Consequences for People Who are Lost

A. Hell is real and the Lake of Fire is eternal.

1. I know that isn't popular, and it is often scoffed at as being old-fashioned.

2. But it is the truth!

3. It is the eternal destiny for all who neglect or reject salvation.

(Mat 10:28) "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

(2 Th 1:7b-9) "…When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, {8} In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: {9} Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"

(Rev 20:15) "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

B. The soul is eternal and will exist consciously for eternity.

1. There is a false teaching known as 'annihilation' that says those who are not saved will just cease to exist.

2. That just isn't true, according to the Word of God.

3. The soul of man is eternal…although this body of flesh may be destroyed, the soul is the part of man that will live forever.

(Luke 16:22b-24) "…The rich man also died, and was buried; {23} And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. {24} And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame."

C. This is not what might happen, this will happen to all that are lost.

(Mat 16:26) "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

III. The Compassion of Jesus Christ for People Who are Lost

A. Saved is the opposite of lost.

(Luke 19:10) "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

1. Jesus came for this purpose.

2. To provide a way for us to escape the awful consequences of our sin.

3. God sent Him to this world with a mission, and that mission was to redeem mankind.

4. This was accomplished and now is made available to all who will believe & receive.

B. Salvation in Jesus Christ is the only hope of not perishing in Hell.

1. Jesus is not just an option…He is the only Way.

2. There is no salvation in any other.

3. To reject Jesus Christ is to reject all hope of escaping God's judgment.

(John 3:36) "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

(John 14:6) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

C. God's desire is that we all would be saved.

1. It is His will for us.

(2 Pet 3:9b) "The Lord is not … willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

2. It is provided in His Son.

(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

(John 10:28) "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

3. It is available for us all.

4. Note Paul's instructions to Timothy in 1 Tim. 2:1-5 (read)

For those here this morning who have never accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, the invitation is for you to come. As God is dealing with your heart today, why not accept the finished work of Christ as payment for your sin, and be saved today? It will mean the difference between heaven and hell, eternal life and eternal death. Will you come?

Christians, what is our attitude toward the lost? Do we care? Jesus looked upon the multitudes and was moved with compassion. What do we see? We need to see this world as Jesus sees it. One person at a time…who needs to know that God loves them…and has provided a way for them to be reconciled to Himself and be saved.

(Lam 3:51a) "Mine eye affecteth mine heart…"