The Quickening

Ephesians 2:1 – “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

The following notice was posted on the bulletin board in a business office: "The management regrets that it has come to their attention that workers dying on the job are failing to fall down. This practice must stop, as it becomes impossible to distinguish between death and the natural movement of the staff. Any employee found dead in an upright position will be dropped from the payroll."  God is telling all mankind the same thing.  “You are dead – you have no life within you – you must be raised up – you must be given life.” 

In our verse, He says the child of God has been quickened, which means to be made alive.  And this is what God has done for each of us at salvation.  He takes an old dead sinner – dead in trespasses and sins – dead in the flesh – dead in the Adamic sinful nature, and makes him alive in Him.  In fact, God specializes in taking lost sinners and making them alive. 

You see, when God created man, He created Him innocent – perfect – sinless.  He was sinless because there was not yet sin in the world.  And He created him with three distinct persons – tri-partate – just as God is three distinct persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  In man, He made three distinct persons – body, soul, and spirit – all three vibrant and alive.  But He also gave man a free will.  He allowed man the freedom to choose sin over God – and when he did, his spirit – his God-breathed spirit – died within him.  So because of the sin of Adam, all men are born spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.  But God’s desire is that all men be saved and that spirit be awakened within him.  So He gave the plan of salvation to quicken the sinner.

The Quickening of a dead sinner – What are the causes?  How does this quickening take place?  What means does God employ?  What agents does He use?  He gives us the tools and the desire and the wherewithal to bring others into the fold of God.  What are some of the tools we can use to bring sinners to God?

1. The Preaching of the Word of God is the main tool God uses.  Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

2. Prayer is an important part.  Psalm 126:6, “He that goeth forth and weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

3. Witnessing – Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.”

4. Gospel Tracts – Psalm 26:7, “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” There is no more convenient method of spreading the gospel.

5. Sunday School – In the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19, we are commanded, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”  Teaching is the commission of the Sunday School.

6. Radio – A bit out of context, but 1 Corinthians 14:9 says, “… for ye shall speak into the air.”  Broadcasting across the air waves of radio and television is an excellent method.

7. Missionaries – Acts 1:8, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me … unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  Our churches send out missionaries throughout the world spreading the gospel.

Quote – “God didn’t ask for a “walkie,” He asked for a “walkie-talkie.” – Dr. Tom Williams

"Lord, Thank you for the life we have through salvation. But Lord, help us to be alive in our salvation.  It's through working that we we demonstrate life.  Help us to go into the highways and hedges and spread the Gospel of Christ. Amen."