Why Don’t Men Love God?
Imagine you are living in Jerusalem around 32 A.D. and you have seen Jesus walking in your streets. You’ve personally seen Him and the crowds that follow Him.
Imagine you have heard Jesus speaking to the common people, the religious people, the government people… You are amazed at how He speaks! He KNOWS what He’s talking about!
When He speaks of God healing us, He ACTUALLY heals ALL that ask Him!!
-He casts out devils, cures blindness… Cripples walk and leap rejoicing!
-He is HUMBLE about these things and often says “Tell no one, but go have the doctors CONFIRM that you are healed, THEN come follow me.”
Imagine that you have seen Him treat EVERYONE fairly: Helping the wealthy, the poor, the powerful and the outcast.
-Offering Salvation, healing and guidance to everyone.
-ANYONE that comes to Him can receive what they need without charge or fear. Compassionately, lovingly and powerfully!
YET…
MANY turned away from Jesus to live lives full of suffering, darkness, fear and DEATH!
John 6:66
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
MANY became the enemies of Christ and spoke lies against Him!
Luke 23 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
In our world today, because Jesus is not physically here, many slander and lie about His followers (Christians).
Saying:
-Preachers are in it for the money.
-Christians are morally as bad as (or worse than) non-Christians.
-Religion “is a crutch”.
-God doesn’t exist.
-All of the world’s ills (sickness, war, poverty, etc…) are the result of Christianity.
Of course any serious or honest person can’t say these things without a sense of shame and despair:
Shame because;
-75% of Southern Baptist congregations are less than 100 people. 50% of Southern Baptist pastors are bi-vocational. What non-Christian works day and night in a job that costs them money every day?
-All offerings and involvement are voluntary.
-How can people deciding to live their lives doing only what they honestly believe is good cause wars and poverty? How can loving and forgiving your enemies, helping the poor and underprivileged with your time and money cause harm?
SHAME!!
Despair because;
-If God “doesn’t exist”, your life is pointless, random and will end soon.
-Without God, there is no “goodness” or “justice” in the world. The wicked and powerful will cause unjust suffering and misery without fear or consequence.
-Without God, your illness, depression, failure and mistakes are all fatal; no pardons, no healings and no “new beginnings” or “second chances” are possible.
Isn’t it amazing that MOST people will never be saved?
Most people will listen to the words of people that they KNOW are wicked, immoral and perverse rather than accept the counsel of their only possible Savior!
Why, why, why??
There are several answers:
-The wealthy feel they deserve (and want) to keep their wealth.
Matthew 19:20-23 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
-Some “put off” (delay) surrendering to God. They want to eat their cake and give away the crumbs afterward…
Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
-Many enjoy sinning and the benefits that come with sin; parties, sex, drunkenness, money, fame. Why give all that up to be laughed at by your former “friends”?
Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
-Sin is cheap. Some think a lie might get them “off the hook” (they won’t have to pay the price for something they did). Some think that by stealing or cheating they can get things they didn’t have to work for…
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
-Sin is easy for the poor: envy, greed and resentment for those who have more.
Luke 12:13-15 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
These things are universal for each of us. Add to these things the consequences of the Roman control of the people, the religious control that the priests and scribes had over the people and the lack of access to the scriptures by the common people…
And yet, with all these excuses, the people KNEW they were doing WRONG!
When the disciple Peter spoke to them, many wanted to “change their minds”!
Acts 2:36-37 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
The answer he gave is the SAME ANSWER for you! If you have CHANGED YOUR MIND about Jesus, listen to the wonderful news that the scriptures give you:
Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
What did the people DO when they heard this?
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
What will YOU do now that you know?
2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Isn’t it TIME to be saved??
Imagine you are living in Jerusalem around 32 A.D. and you have seen Jesus walking in your streets. You’ve personally seen Him and the crowds that follow Him.
Imagine you have heard Jesus speaking to the common people, the religious people, the government people… You are amazed at how He speaks! He KNOWS what He’s talking about!
When He speaks of God healing us, He ACTUALLY heals ALL that ask Him!!
-He casts out devils, cures blindness… Cripples walk and leap rejoicing!
-He is HUMBLE about these things and often says “Tell no one, but go have the doctors CONFIRM that you are healed, THEN come follow me.”
Imagine that you have seen Him treat EVERYONE fairly: Helping the wealthy, the poor, the powerful and the outcast.
-Offering Salvation, healing and guidance to everyone.
-ANYONE that comes to Him can receive what they need without charge or fear. Compassionately, lovingly and powerfully!
YET…
MANY turned away from Jesus to live lives full of suffering, darkness, fear and DEATH!
John 6:66
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
MANY became the enemies of Christ and spoke lies against Him!
Luke 23 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
In our world today, because Jesus is not physically here, many slander and lie about His followers (Christians).
Saying:
-Preachers are in it for the money.
-Christians are morally as bad as (or worse than) non-Christians.
-Religion “is a crutch”.
-God doesn’t exist.
-All of the world’s ills (sickness, war, poverty, etc…) are the result of Christianity.
Of course any serious or honest person can’t say these things without a sense of shame and despair:
Shame because;
-75% of Southern Baptist congregations are less than 100 people. 50% of Southern Baptist pastors are bi-vocational. What non-Christian works day and night in a job that costs them money every day?
-All offerings and involvement are voluntary.
-How can people deciding to live their lives doing only what they honestly believe is good cause wars and poverty? How can loving and forgiving your enemies, helping the poor and underprivileged with your time and money cause harm?
SHAME!!
Despair because;
-If God “doesn’t exist”, your life is pointless, random and will end soon.
-Without God, there is no “goodness” or “justice” in the world. The wicked and powerful will cause unjust suffering and misery without fear or consequence.
-Without God, your illness, depression, failure and mistakes are all fatal; no pardons, no healings and no “new beginnings” or “second chances” are possible.
Isn’t it amazing that MOST people will never be saved?
Most people will listen to the words of people that they KNOW are wicked, immoral and perverse rather than accept the counsel of their only possible Savior!
Why, why, why??
There are several answers:
-The wealthy feel they deserve (and want) to keep their wealth.
Matthew 19:20-23 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
-Some “put off” (delay) surrendering to God. They want to eat their cake and give away the crumbs afterward…
Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
-Many enjoy sinning and the benefits that come with sin; parties, sex, drunkenness, money, fame. Why give all that up to be laughed at by your former “friends”?
Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
-Sin is cheap. Some think a lie might get them “off the hook” (they won’t have to pay the price for something they did). Some think that by stealing or cheating they can get things they didn’t have to work for…
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
-Sin is easy for the poor: envy, greed and resentment for those who have more.
Luke 12:13-15 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
These things are universal for each of us. Add to these things the consequences of the Roman control of the people, the religious control that the priests and scribes had over the people and the lack of access to the scriptures by the common people…
And yet, with all these excuses, the people KNEW they were doing WRONG!
When the disciple Peter spoke to them, many wanted to “change their minds”!
Acts 2:36-37 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
The answer he gave is the SAME ANSWER for you! If you have CHANGED YOUR MIND about Jesus, listen to the wonderful news that the scriptures give you:
Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
What did the people DO when they heard this?
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
What will YOU do now that you know?
2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Isn’t it TIME to be saved??
