From Death to Life (Ephesians 6:19-20)

This is by far one of the most exciting times of the year! Christmas which really began before thanksgiving. Stores play Christmas music, school is out for more than two weeks, we are able to give gifts away, and most importantly receive gifts from friends and family. There’s something about this time that most people are just a little bit more energetic, happier. Often overlooked, this is also one of the hardest times for people. Older people feel neglected, people without family often suffer from isolation. These things plague their life and they are often left without hope.

It is for this reason that I believe as Christians, we should look to these two verses this year as our theme verse for this Christmas. It is here that Paul is calling for prayer that he might be a bold witness for Christ. Let’s take a look at that a little closer.

Praying

Paul is closing his book and in doing so he is asking for prayer for himself so that he may be a witness for Christ.

Paul knew that it was by God’s grace that he has been given the understanding of the Gospel

That he knew who Christ was

That he had experienced the love, hope, joy that only comes with knowing Christ

The same hope, love, joy that the world is searching for but never finds in other things.

He had a responsibility to those he interacted with to be a witness

But he could not do this apart from prayer

Paul made it clear that if he was going to be the witness he needed to be it would have to be first done prayerfully.

My prayer for many of you so often is that you’d be a witness for Christ to those that you see on a daily basis

That you would be willing to identify with Christ publically outside this church

It would be nice if each of you were being witnesses to the point where you were sitting down and having spiritual conversations.

But that is not my prayer. My prayer is that you would simply invite people to youth group, to activities, to events, to things where you know that they will have an opportunity to hear the Gospel yet have fun.

The problem is that we get in this habit of only inviting other Christians and while that is not bad, that is not being a witness. That is fellowship.

Paul is not calling for fellowship but rather calling for witnesses.

But if you are going to do this, especially this Christmas season

A time in which people are more receptive, more willing to listen to these things

You must first pray that God would use you and that you would be a bold witness.

Preaching

He desired to preach boldly

In Acts 4:29-31, we see the apostles pray for boldness in preaching as well

Acts 4:29–31 KJV 1900

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

God gave them boldness and as a result, the church began to live as the church should.

It is nerve wracking to preach boldly when you know that what you are going to say is unpopular

We live in a day and age when the preaching of God’s Word is not popular

Paul desires to preach boldly so he asks the Ephesians to pray for him

He desired to preach the gospel

This is crucial.

When we preach and teach how Jesus came to earth, how he lived a sinless life, and how he died on the cross for our sins, and rose again on the third day.

It is how we persuade unbelievers to believe in Jesus for everlasting life.

Every time a person believes, it is reminder to Satan that he has lost the battle and that God has won!

Up to this point the apostle has said little about himself.

Now he gives them a reason for their prayers and reminds them of his condition

He is an ambassador in chains that needs utterance to be given unto him.

Paul was familiar with those that served as ambassadors for the emperor

Just as they were filled with dignity and importance, he realized his position as a representative of the King of Kings was a tremendous opportunity.

As we look at this Christmas season and we think about how God has given us so much even just our salvation, a new life in Christ, how he has brought us from death to life, we should seek Him in prayer to become better witnesses and be bolder for the Lord. Let’s inform those around us that the greatest gift that they’ve always wanted is simply waiting for them to reach out and receive it.