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2 Thessalonians 1:6-10. Why Don’t More People Obey The Gospel?. Why Don’t More People Obey The Gospel?. Inadequate Information Paul – 1 Timothy 1:13 “did it ignorantly” Crucifiers of Christ – Acts 3:17 “did it in ignorance”
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Why Don’t More People Obey The Gospel? • Inadequate Information • Paul – 1 Timothy 1:13 “did it ignorantly” • Crucifiers of Christ – Acts 3:17 “did it in ignorance” • Matthew 13:15 “ears hard of hearing” “eyes closed” “lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” • What are we doing to teach them?
Why Don’t More People Obey The Gospel? • Unbelief • Paul – an enemy of Christ because of ignorance & unbelief - 1 Timothy 1:13 • Millions do not believe Jesus is the Christ • Millions don’t think they will be eternally lost if they fail to obey the gospel • Some believe only partially in the gospel • Some believe “faith only,” not obedience • Gospel God’s Power to Save – only saves those who believe & obey Romans 1:16; Hebrews 5:8,9
Why Don’t More People Obey The Gospel? • Sin • Moses – saw folly of sin for a season - Hebrews 11:24-27 • Millions love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil John 3:19-21 • Many become Slaves of Evil – 2 Peter 2:14; Hebrews 3:7,8,13 • Millions deceived who pay on the installment plan – Ecclesiastes 8:11
Why Don’t More People Obey The Gospel? • Popularity • Love the praises of men more than the praises of God – John 12:42,43 • They just Will Not Stand Against the Tide! • They have been Immunized Against it! • Believed a lie – 2 Thessalonians 2:11,12 • Obeyed a Substitute for the Gospel
Why Don’t More People Obey The Gospel? • Indifference • Millions refuse to become personally involved in any depth of feeling and thinking themselves • Accept parents religion without any real examination & involvement • Luke 14:26 • Accept Tradition or Custom as Gospel • “An honest man alters his ideas to fit the truth, a prejudiced man alters the truth to fit his ideas.”
Why Don’t More People Obey The Gospel? • Procrastination • Felix – Acts 24:25 “when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” • The time is never right – die in their sins • Do not let these Shallow Excuses cause you not to obey the Gospel • Need to die to sin – Romans 6:1-4 • Brothers of Rich Man would not obey, they were headed for flames of torment – Luke 16:19-31
Why Don’t More People Obey The Gospel? The Call of Christ for you to obey the Gospel is like the loving, pleading call of a mother outside a burning house to her small child inside to come out into her open arms and to love, acceptance and safety. Surely you will hear the sweet voice of Jesus today!