Why Do People Not Respond to The Invitation?

Matthew 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17

Introduction:

1. The Lord invites all men to share in the blessings of Christianity

2. Yet, many refuse to obey the gospel’s call.

3. Some people attend every worship services week after week, year after year. But they never respond to the Lord’s invitation.

4. I want to consider with you for just a moment “why people don’t respond to the invitation?”

1. Some People Think God Will Not Forgive Them

a. Sometimes we can really messup our lives, and the guilt of sin can be overwhelming,.

b. We may think, “God could never forgive me for the terrible things I have done.”

c. That’s not true!!

d. Examples:

The Day of Pentecost

1. Many of those present on the day of Pentecost had crucified Jesus

2. 36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit….41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:26-39,41)

Paul

prior to his conversion, Paul persecuted the Church

1 Timothy 1:15 ESV

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

The Church at Corinth

the members had been guilty of the vilest of sins - 1 Cor. 6:9-11

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 ESV

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

John the Baptist described Jesus as “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29).

Romans 5:6 says, “. . .Christ died for the ungodly.”

The Lord said, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matt. 9:13).

The Lord wants all men to be saved! Peter said, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

John said, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9).

The only unforgivable sin is the one you refuse to repent of!

2. Some People Fail To Respond Because of Pride

Some people robe themselves in the cloak of Christianity to gain the respect of others. They give an appearance of being religious, but their character is corrupt.

Such individuals refuse to deal honestly with their sinfulness. Pride keeps them from coming forward and confessing that they have not lived as they should.

Their ego is too big for them to admit they have sinned. The writer of Proverbs said, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord . . . There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness” (Prov. 16:6; 30:12).

Humility is an essential characteristic if we are to be pleasing unto Him.

3. Some people fail to respond because of procrastination

Felix procrastinated - Acts 24:25

Procrastination is one of Satan’s most effective tools. He tells us, “You have plenty of time. . . Don’t rush into anything”

If we delay long enough, we may reach the point of no return.

Peter spoke of those who “cannot cease from sin” (2 Pet. 2:14).

If we say “no” to the gospel too many times, our heart will become hardened. - Heb. 3:13

we must realize tomorrow is uncertain

Job said, “Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey” (Job 9:25-26).

James asked the question, “What is your life?” He answered, “It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (Jas. 4:14).

Obey God today, while you have the opportunity! In 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Conclusion:

Why Do People Not Respond?

Don’t Let Anything Stand In Your Way of Responding