2. 2  Great commission is our duty even today (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16).  Fervency on our part is needed! Matt. 16:26  Methods (Jn. 12:48; Lk. 8:4-15; Jas. 1:21; Rom. 1:16-17).  Unfortunately despite our greatest efforts to sow God’s word—some, if not most, will not obey! Matt. 7:13-14; 22:14

4.  Millions have not obeyed God and that’s OK!  Babies/children have not reached “age of accountability.”  They are not guilty of sin:  They are not guilty of sin: 1 Jn. 3:4; Ezek. 18:20; Jas. 1:12-15; Matt. 18:1-3  They don’t understand about God and their responsibilities to Him:  They don’t understand about God and their responsibilities to Him: Mk. 16:16; Heb. 8:10; Jn. 6:44-45; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 18:8; 8:12  They are not ready to make the commitment necessary to be a true disciple:  They are not ready to make the commitment necessary to be a true disciple: Lk. 9:23-24 4

5.  Not an excuse!  Not an excuse! Rom. 1:18-20, 32  Two kinds of ignorance:  Arrogant ignorance:  Arrogant ignorance: Acts 17:16-32  Honest ignorance:  Honest ignorance: Acts 8:26-31  We are “seed sowers”:  We are “seed sowers”: 1 Cor. 3:5-11; Lk. 8:4-15; Jn. 4:35; 1 Pet. 3:15  An “honestly mistaken” person, when taught the truth, will cease being “mistaken” or cease being “honest.”  Regardless of “visible” results, God’s word always accomplishes its intended purpose:  Regardless of “visible” results, God’s word always accomplishes its intended purpose: Isa. 55:11 5

6.  God created man with an “innate spiritual need” only He can satisfy:  God created man with an “innate spiritual need” only He can satisfy: Eccl. 3:11; Matt. 11:28  Felix was a classic example:  Felix was a classic example: Acts 24  Gained the correct knowledge:  Gained the correct knowledge: Acts 24:22  But heart not ready:  But heart not ready: Acts 24:25  We must impress upon those we teach that obeying God is the most important issue of life!  We must impress upon those we teach that obeying God is the most important issue of life! Matt. 16:26; 2 Cor. 5:10-11 6

7.  May understand importance, but fail to appreciate the urgency:  May understand importance, but fail to appreciate the urgency: Jas. 4:14; Rom. 13:11-12; Eph. 5:14-16; 2 Cor. 6:2  Jesus stressed “preparedness” in  Jesus stressed “preparedness” in Matthew 25  Saul learned about urgency in Acts 22:16!  We must stress the urgency to those we teach:  We must stress the urgency to those we teach: Jas. 4:14; Heb. 9:27; 10:31 7

8.  None of us are worthy!  None of us are worthy! Rom. 3:23  Jesus’ mission to save the unworthy!  Jesus’ mission to save the unworthy! Matt. 9:10-13; Lk. 19:10  We will all forever be unworthy, that’s the point of grace!  John the Baptist realized it!  John the Baptist realized it! Jn. 1:27  The centurion realized it!  The centurion realized it! Matt. 8:8  Paul realized it!  Paul realized it! Rom. 7:24 8

9.  Classic example:  Classic example: Acts 26:27-28  There are many like Agrippa!  There are many like Agrippa! Lk. 8:18-27; 14:25-33  Must discover the value of the “pearl of great price”!  Must discover the value of the “pearl of great price”! Matt. 13:45-46; 16:26  Must come to appreciate eternity!  Must come to appreciate eternity! Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10 9

10.  Issue: not of knowledge, but of will!  Issue: not of knowledge, but of will! Lk. 8:12  They are like the “wayside” soil in Luke 8:  Kingdom has no appeal:  Kingdom has no appeal: Matt. 5:2-10; Psa. 14:1; Prov. 14:16  Practice “lawless” religion:  Practice “lawless” religion: Matt. 7:21-23; Col. 2:23  Regardless of “sincerity” they just don’t love God or the truth!  Regardless of “sincerity” they just don’t love God or the truth! 1 Cor. 2:9; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Thess. 2:10- 11  Two frightening passages:  Two frightening passages: 1 Jn. 2:3-5; 2 Thess. 1:7-9 10

11.  Not ready?  Ignorant?  Don’t see the importance?  Don’t see the urgency?  Feel your not worthy?  Afraid to commit?  Don’t want to obey? 11