Introduction
God desires all to be saved and to know the truth (1 Timothy 2:3–4).
Yet many will be lost because they refuse His gracious call. This
lesson explains why some reject salvation and how we must respond.
God’s Desire
and Patient Call
Scripture declares God’s will for universal salvation and His
patience toward sinners. He is longsuffering, giving time for
repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He calls through the gospel to share
Christ’s glory (2 Thessalonians 2:13–14). The gospel is His power to
save those who believe (Romans 1:16). Christ invites the weary to
come to Him for rest, to learn from Him, and to find peace for the
soul (Matthew 11:28–30).
Those Who Do
Not Want to Be Saved
Some simply will not come. Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast shows
invited guests who “were not willing to come.” Others made light of
the invitation and chose fields and business over the king’s banquet
(Matthew 22:1–14). The opportunity stood open, servants went out
with a sincere invitation, and the hall was filled with new guests;
still, refusal led to outer darkness. Indifference and hostility
toward God’s call remain a path to ruin.
Those Who
Trust Their Own Goodness
Many plan to stand before the Lord counting works and religious
activity as a shield: “Lord, Lord, have we not…?” Jesus will say, “I
never knew you” to those who practice lawlessness (Matthew 7:21–23).
Human wisdom cannot chart a saving course (Jeremiah 10:23). Human
righteousness cannot cleanse sin (Isaiah 64:6–7). Salvation rests in
Christ’s blood: God demonstrated His love at the cross; we are
justified by His blood and saved by His life (Romans 5:8–10). In
Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins
(Ephesians 1:7).
Those Who
Refuse to Turn from Sin
Sin separates from God (Isaiah 59:1–2). Grace is never a permission
slip to continue in sin (Romans 6:1). Jesus’ warning is plain:
“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
Turning to God requires turning from sin. Refusal to repent leaves a
person at the brink of spiritual death.
The Open
Invitation and Our Choice
God opens the door by grace, calls through the gospel, and waits in
mercy. He does not force the will. Each soul must respond with
faith, repentance, confession of Christ, and baptism for the
forgiveness of sins, then continue in faithful living. The way of
life stands before us; the choice rests with us.
[Why Some
People Won’t Be Saved Sermon Outline:]
Lesson
Text and Aim
Aim: Show biblically why many remain lost and
urge a wholehearted response to God’s call.
Primary text: 1 Timothy 2:3–4; supporting: 2
Peter 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; Romans 1:16; Matthew
11:28–30; Matthew 22:1–14; Matthew 7:21–23; Jeremiah 10:23;
Isaiah 64:6–7; Romans 5:8–10; Ephesians 1:7; Isaiah 59:1–2;
Romans 6:1; Luke 13:3.
I.
God’s Will and God’s Way
God desires all to be saved (1 Timothy
2:3–4).
God is patient, calling to repentance (2
Peter 3:9).
God calls by the gospel unto glory in Christ
(2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; Romans 1:16).
Christ invites all who labor to come and
learn (Matthew 11:28–30).
II.
Reason One: They Do Not Want to Come
The wedding feast: invited guests refuse,
others make light, and judgment follows (Matthew 22:1–14).
Obstacles:
Worldly preoccupations (business, farm).
Contempt for God’s messengers.
Careless entry without the garment God
provides (lack of true submission).
Outcome: exclusion and darkness for
persistent refusal.
III.
Reason Two: They Trust in Their Own Goodness
Empty appeals to religious activity (Matthew
7:21–23).
Human wisdom cannot guide to life (Jeremiah
10:23).
Human righteousness cannot cleanse guilt
(Isaiah 64:6–7).
God’s provision:
Justified by Christ’s blood (Romans
5:8–10).
Redemption and forgiveness in Christ
(Ephesians 1:7).
Emphasis: salvation rests on Christ’s
atonement received by obedient faith.
IV.
Reason Three: They Refuse to Repent
Sin creates separation, not divine inability
(Isaiah 59:1–2).
Grace never endorses continued sin (Romans
6:1).
Without repentance, perishing remains certain
(Luke 13:3).
True response: confessing Christ, turning
from sin, entering into Christ in baptism, and living
faithfully.
V.
Exhortations for Today
Examine desire: do I truly want to come to
Christ?
Examine foundation: am I trusting Christ’s
blood or my record?
Examine direction: have I repented and
continued in faithful obedience?
Call to
Action
God’s heart is open and His invitation stands. Hear the gospel,
believe in Jesus, repent of sin, confess His name, and be baptized
for the forgiveness of sins. Walk in newness of life, holding fast
to the hope He gives. Choose the path of life today while His
patience grants another moment of mercy.
Key
Takeaways
God desires all to be saved and calls by the
gospel (1 Timothy 2:3–4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; Romans 1:16).
Christ invites every weary soul to come and learn
from Him (Matthew 11:28–30).
Indifference to God’s invitation leads to
judgment (Matthew 22:1–14).
The
Sermons, Sermon Outlines, Bulletin Articles and Bible Studies published
in this website are from sound members of the church of Christ and are
free to everyone. We feel the price was paid when Jesus died on
the cross. Please feel free to use any of the content found within
this website for the spreading of the Gospel to all.
Matt 11:28-29 "Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take
my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly
in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
The church of Christ in Granby Missouri 516 East Pine St. P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
The
church of Christ
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