Why Don't People Repsond?

1. People Think God Will Not Forgive Them?

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

That’s not true!!

Examples:

The Day of Pentecost - 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 2:36-39, 41)

Paul (1 Tim. 1:15)

The Church at Corinth (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

The Lord Came To Save Sinners (Matt. 9:13; John 1:29)

The Lord wants all men to be saved! (2 Peter 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 John 1:9).

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

2. Friends and Family

Fears of what others might think

Often Times People Are Afraid to Obey the Gospel For Fear of What Others May Think of Them.

We Should Learn That What Others Think Does Not Matter In Terms of How We Live (Galatians 1:10).

Afraid of not “fitting in”

The Christian Life Is Not About Fitting In, But About Being Different (1 Peter 1:13-16; Hebrews 12:14).

Refuse to accept that they have friends or family members who are lost

It is Often Stated when studying with religious friends, “Well if I accept that, that means *Insert Some Family member* is lost and they were/are a good person.”

Whether You Accept the truth or not, they are lost

There is but one way to heaven (John 14:6), and even if you chose not the follow “the way,” it is still the way

Don’t want to divide family

Some people are afraid of how family will respond when they hear this person had obeyed the gospel.

Some families have even been divided over someone obeying the gospel.

Jesus came Not to bring peace but a sword (Matthew 10:34-36).

We must leave family for the sake of Christ (Matthew 19:29).

Even hate them (Luke 14:26).

3. Think you need to be perfect

Think you must become “perfect” or “Good” before worthy to become a Christian

Reason you need to become a Christian is far from perfect

All have sinned – Rom. 3:23; Matthew 9:13

Baptism is for the remission of sins- Acts 2:38; 22:17

Some of the 3,000 were murderers (Acts 2:23)

Some of the Corinthians were murderers (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

If one could become “perfect” or “right” before baptism then there is no need for baptism or repentance!

4. Lack of Knowledge

There are many who do not obey the gospel because they do not “Know everything.”

These people must overcome this obstacle because they will not know everything.

The Christian life is a life of growth (2 peter 1:5-11).

Moreover, there were many who obeyed after hearing one sermon (Acts 2,8, 16).

All You need to know Is that Jesus died for you and what you must do to be saved.

5. Not wanting to put away sin

Some are hindered from obeying because they do not want to give up sin.

They are in love with the world (2 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 2:15-16).

The world is passing away but those who do the will of the lord abide forever (1 John 2:17).

The end of these sins is death (Romans 6:17-23).

6. Waiting for a better time

Some are hindered from obeying because they do not want to give up sin.

They are in love with the world (2 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 2:15-16).

The world is passing away but those who do the will of the lord abide forever (1 John 2:17).

The end of these sins is death (Romans 6:17-23).