WHY DO MEN REJECT GOD?

Introduction

In continuing our theme of “Reality is, There is a God”, today we’ll examine several reasons why men still reject God.

They reject is reality and his sovereignty.

Objective

The Great Suppression

The Inconvenient Truth

Many Colored Shades of Lies

The Great Suppression

Romans 1:18–20 ESV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Rom 1:18-20

God provides enough light to all man to guide them to him

Paul here reveals why God’s wrath is revealed

Because man stifles God’s revealed truth

Because man is ungrateful and foolish

Romans 1:21–22 ESV

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

Romans 1:21 ESV

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

What is the end result

Romans 1:24 ESV

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

The Inconvenient Truth

Romans 1:28 ESV

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Romans 1:

Romans 1:28–32 ESV

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Acts 24:25 ESV

And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

Romans 1:29–32 ESV

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Romans 1:28-

Many Colored Shades of Lies

Why do we wear shades? To shield our eyes from the light

How you see God and think of God will determine how you live your life

There is No God Shades

Psalm 10:4 ESV

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

2 Thessalonians 2:9–11 ESV

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

Thoughts determine actions

2 Thes

Actions determine habits

Habits determine character

character determines a life-style

Your life-style will determine your destiny

Not Taking God Serious Shades

We don’t think we need to. According to this view of the Scriptures, diligence and devotion to God are non-issues; human effort is not necessary for spiritual maturity.

We don’t think we have to. We may be bound by the tradition of “nominal” Christianity. Interested only in the bare minimum required by the law.

We’re fearful and discouraged. Dragged down by past struggles, we’re doubtful that it’ll do any good to try again. We’ve broken so many commitments to God, we’re afraid to make any more. Our spiritual growth is smothered under a blanket of pessimism.

We’re lazy. Like the lukewarm Laodiceans

Revelation 3:15–18 ESV

“ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Hyphenated Shades

Luke 9:23 ESV

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

God’s Plan For Your Salvation