Introduction Last Sunday evening: What’s So Great About Being a Christian? Christians are the recipients of God’s love. Christ died to save us. Jesus is our great High Priest. Christians find the true purpose and meaning of life. Christians have fellowship with other Christians. Christians find true peace in this life and in the life to come. Christians alone have the assurance of heaven.

Introduction Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the “equal time rule.” Designed to maintain fair playing field in politics. Specifies radio and TV stations give equal time to opposing political parties and candidates. In last week’s lesson we considered reasons why a person should be a Christian. Let’s apply the “equal time rule”:

Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian www.westsidecoc.org Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian 1 Corinthians 4:10-13

A lot of Christians are hypocrites True! Many Christians are hypocrites. There are bad apples in every barrel. Jesus didn’t like hypocrites. He excoriated them! Matt. 23 To hide behind something requires you to be smaller than what you hide behind; thus, to use hypocrites as an excuse means you’re smaller than a hypocrite! Would you rather spend a few years putting up with a few hypocrites, or spend eternity with ALL of them! Matt. 13:24-43 Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian I am not good enough When one becomes a Christian it is not because he is “good.” We can’t feel “good” about ourselves unless we first feel “bad” about ourselves: Matt. 5:3-4 We are all sinners; salvation is based on God’s grace, not on our righteousness: Rom. 3:21-28 If salvation was based on our own righteousness no one would be saved: Rom. 3:23; Jas. 2:10-11; Isa. 64:6 “I’m not good enough” is a poor excuse. No one will ever be “good enough.” That’s the whole point! Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian I don’t know enough Do you believe in God? Heb. 11:6 Do you believe Jesus is God’s Son? Jn. 8:24 Do you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior? Acts 8:35, 37 His commands are simple: hear, believe, repent, confess, baptism: Rom. 10:8-18; Acts 2:38, 47; Gal. 3:26-27 The rest will come with time and diligence: 2 Pet. 1:5-11; Heb. 5:12-14 Spiritual growth is a life-long process. Trust Him: Matt. 11:28-30 Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian It’s too hard No doubt being a Christian involves work: Phil. 2:12 Jesus warns us to “count the cost” before committing to Him; because it requires a total commitment! Lk. 14:25- 33 But, the rewards far outweigh the costs! Rom. 6:23 Choosing not to become a Christian is even harder: Matt. 11:28-30; Eph. 6:10-18 A life without Christ is a life full of misery and, eventually, ruin: Matt. 7:13-14 Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian I’m too wicked What have you done? Persecuted Christians? Forced them through torture to blaspheme Christ? Persecuted them to the point of death? 1 Tim. 1:13-16; Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-22; Lk. 23:33-34; Acts 2:36-47; Lk. 15:1-32; Mk. 2:17; Lk. 19:10 Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, including yours: 1 Jn. 2:2; 1 Tim. 2:5-6 Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

It means my family is going to hell Those outside Christ are lost: Jn. 14:6; 8:24; Acts 4:12 Denying the truth, or not obeying the truth, will not change one’s true state before God: 2 Cor. 5:10 You should obey the gospel and then reach out to them: 2 Thess. 1:7-9 Ignoring judgment does not make it go away: Rom. 14:12 Turning a blind eye only makes condemnation inevitable: Rom. 11:7-10 One day everyone will confess Jesus as Lord: Phil. 2:9-11 Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

God loves me, He won’t condemn me Without doubt, God is merciful and doesn’t want anyone to be lost: 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; Jn. 3:16 But, He is also just and will return one day unexpectedly to judge the world: 1 Thess. 5:1-3; Acts 17:31 The door of opportunity will then be closed and only those prepared will be saved: Matt. 25:1-13 God will take vengeance on “those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”: 2 Thess. 1:7-8 This is God’s promise and warning; God keeps His promises! Titus 1:2 Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

I’m a good moral person, God won’t condemn me Many will be shocked, surprised and disappointed on Judgment Day; even “good and moral” people. Some will be lost who even acknowledged the Lord, were baptized, did many works in His name, were members of the Lord’s church: Matt. 7:21-23 There were several “good moral” people in the book of Acts that were lost and needed to obey the gospel to be saved: Ethiopian eunuch: Acts 8:35; Rom. 10:17; Jn. 8:24 Cornelius the Roman centurion: Acts 11:14 Are you obeying the Lord’s commands? Matt. 28:19-20 Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

I’m not ready, maybe tomorrow Many know they should obey the gospel, but put it off for a variety of reasons: e.g., Felix in Acts 24:25 Some want to “sow their wild oats” first, then obey. Such people underestimate God, He will not be tricked or mocked! Gal. 6:7-8 One’s heart can be hardened by sin long before death; unable to respond to God’s Word: Heb. 3:13; Rom. 1:24, 26, 28 Procrastination is “playing chicken” with one’s soul and is a poor bargain! Matt. 16:26 Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian Me, myself and I Few will admit this is the real reason delaying their conversion. They don’t want someone telling them how to live their life. They are too self-centered to let God in their life. At some point, all nine previous reasons cease to be a barrier and become excuses, masking our own selfish, stubborn rebellion as the true reason: Rom. 1:18-32 Such people will ultimately be in the eternal realm where all selfish beings go: Matt. 25:31-46 If you procrastinate you will eternally regret it! Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian CONCLUSION If you are delaying becoming a Christian: Why? How do you know you will have more chances to obey? If you have questions, please ask them! There is nothing worth losing your eternal soul: Mk. 8:36-37 Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian