DON'T BE A GOSPEL HATER

GOSPEL HATERS RESIST GOD’S GRACE

The only difference between us and Stephen’s accusers is the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

Acts 6:8–12 (NASB95)

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council.

(35m)

Stop trying to earn God’s love

Ephesians 1:1–9 (NASB95)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

Stop trying to impress God

1 Corinthians 1:18–24 NASB95

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

How do I know if I am resisting God’s grace?

If you think that God only accepts you based on your obedience to Him.

If you think that you can lose your salvation.

If you can’t accept that God has already done everything He requires you to do through Jesus.

(25m)

GOSPEL HATERS RESIST GOD’S TRUTH

Acts 7:54–57 NASB95

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse.

You Cannot Study Your Way to Salvation

Romans 8:6–8 NASB95

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

(15m)

You Cannot Understand God’s Word Without God’s Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:12–14 NASB95

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

How Do I Know If I Am Resisting God’s Truth?

If you never hear something in church or read something in the Bible that makes you uncomfortable.

If you know facts about the Bible, but it doesn’t change your life.

If you want information more than you want holiness.

(5m)

CONCLUSION

I realize I am a Gospel hater. What should I do?

Admit that you can’t earn God’s love.

Admit that you can’t impress God.

Admit that your Bible knowledge won’t save you.

Admit that you need the Holy Spirit’s help.

Believe that God gives you His love freely.