Why Are You Waiting?

Why Are You Waiting?

(Acts 22:16)

2006018

Topic # 534 - salvation

Introduction:

A. Exodus 3:10-22; 4:1-13 – Moses makes excuses concerning the call of God to lead His people out of Egypt.

1. Yet God answered every objection, declaring them invalid.

2. 3:11 – Who am I that I should go out to Pharaoh? God answers 3:12.

3. 3:13 – What shall I say to Israel? God answers 3:14-22

4. 4:1 – What if they don’t believe me? God answers 4:2-9

5. 4:10 – I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and slow of tongue. God answers 4:11-13

B. Excuses. Many make them. Many who are not Christians make them as justification for delay in obeying the gospel.

1. If you have not yet obeyed the gospel...

a) It may be you think you have a valid reason.

b) But just as God answered every objection raised by Moses, so His Word answers any reason you may give for not obeying today!

2. May we ask you as Ananias did Paul…Acts 22:16?

C. For a few moments, let’s discuss some of the objections used for not obeying the gospel…

I. I will it later…let me wait awhile.

A. Procrastination Is One of Satan's Greatest Weapons...

1. He delights in using it on us at every stage of life; e.g., he gets the:

a) 12 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too young to think about God.”

b) 18 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too smart to think about God.”

c) 22 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too happy to think about God.”

d) 25 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too busy to think about God.”

e) 30 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too smug to think about God.”

f) 40 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too tired to think about God.”

g) 50 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too worried to think about God.”

h) 60 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too old to think about God.”

2. Much too often, death comes unexpectedly, and then it is too late to think about God!

B. That Delay Is Folly Should Be Evident...

1. Would you delay in taking appropriate action if you knew...

a) There was a bomb in your house that could explode at any moment?

b) You had a terminal disease if left untreated?

2. Why then have this concern for the body, but not for the soul?

a) Mt. 10:28 - The soul is much more important than the body.

b) If you know what to do, don't delay; your soul is at stake!

II. I Don’t Know Enough Yet

A. A Desire to Learn More Is Commendable...

1. There is a lot more that I would like to know!

2. But being a Christian involves a growth process...

a) A lot of the teaching takes place AFTER we become disciples. Mt. 28:19…then 20.

b) In fact, one can become a Christian with very little knowledge.

B. How Much Does One Need to Know?

1. Consider the examples of conversions in the Book of Acts...

a) Most conversions resulted after just one lesson; how many lessons or sermons have you heard?

b) e.g., when the Ethiopian eunuch wanted to be baptized after just one lesson, it was "faith" that was necessary, not "extensive knowledge" per se.

c) Acts 8:35-37

2. If you understand, and are convicted in your heart...

a) That you are lost in your sins.

b) That Christ offered Himself on the cross for your sins.

c) Then respond by B, R, C, and B.

3. Now you know enough to receive salvation and begin the Christian life!

4. If you’re in need of rescue, all you are concerned with is being rescued – the matter is urgent. Respond and take advantage of opportunity to learn AFTER you’ve been rescued!

III. I want to wait until I’m sure I can live the Christian life or I’m not good enough yet, I want to improve my life.

A. This Implies a Misunderstanding of the Christian Life...

1. Some mistakenly believe they are expected to act like mature Christians right away.

a) They look at those who have been Christians for years.

b) Assume they must change themselves completely before becoming Christians.

2. Again, they forget that being a Christian is a growth process.

a) We start out as "babes in Christ", often still carnal in behavior.

b) 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

c) But we are to grow, gradually putting off the "old man" and putting on the "new man."

d) 2 Pet. 3:18; Col. 3:8-10

B. In Fact, One Cannot Live the Christian Life Without Christ!

1. If you wait until you can live the Christian life to become a Christian, you will be waiting forever!

2. It is only in Christ that we receive the strength to overcome the struggles of the flesh.

a) Romans 6:17-18; 8:12-13

3. To delay obeying Christ until one's life is in order...

a) Is to "put the cart before the horse."

b) We need Christ and His strength in order to truly reform our lives!

IV. There are hypocrites in the church

A. True, but There Are Hypocrites Everywhere...

1. The sin of hypocrisy is no excuse for you to continue in YOUR sins (remember, two wrongs don't make a right!)

2. Which is worse...?

a) To spend A FEW YEARS in a church with a FEW hypocrites?

b) Or to spend ETERNITY in hell with ALL the hypocrites?

B. Some Other Things to Remember...

1. Jesus did not refuse to worship in the synagogues though the religious leaders were hypocrites.

2. Peter, James, John and the rest of the apostles did not leave Jesus because Judas was a hypocrite!

3. If you let the hypocrite come in between you and God...

a) You let the hypocrite become bigger than God!

b) You can't see God for the hypocrite! How tragic!

V. I want to wait on my spouse or parents…

A. Your Concern Is Commendable, But...

1. Will you help them by waiting?

a) They may be waiting for you to obey first.

b) Your delay can only hinder their own obedience.

2. 1 Pet. 3:1-2 - Your example of obedience can be a powerful influence for good.

B. When you stand Before the Lord, it will be as an Individual...

1. It will not be in family groups, you will have to answer for yourself!

a) Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10

2. As much as you may love them, don't let them lose your soul for you!

Conclusion

A. Remember Moses? God answered every objection. There was no reason for his not following through on God’s expectations.

1. There is no reason we should not follow through on God’s expectations.

2. Are you holding back?

B. What we have talked about today should suffice to illustrate that there is really no justifiable reason to put off your obedience to the gospel.

C. There is really no justification for not accepting the grace God offers you through Jesus Christ!

D.So if you know what you need to do, why put it off any longer?

1. Together with Ananias, the disciple the Lord sent to tell Saul of Tarsus what he needed to do, we ask:

2. Acts 22:16

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Why Are You Waiting? (Acts 22:16) 2006018 Topic # 534 - salvation Introduction: A. Exodus 3:10-22; 4:1-13 – Moses makes excuses concerning the call of God to lead His people out of Egypt. 1. Yet God answered every objection, declaring them invalid. 2. 3:11 – Who am I that I should go out to Pharaoh? God answers 3:12. 3. 3:13 – What shall I say to Israel? God answers 3:14-22 4. 4:1 – What if they don’t believe me? God answers 4:2-9 5. 4:10 – I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and slow of tongue. God answers 4:11-13 B. Excuses. Many make them. Many who are not Christians make them as justification for delay in obeying the gospel. 1. If you have not yet obeyed the gospel... a) It may be you think you have a valid reason. b) But just as God answered every objection raised by Moses, so His Word answers any reason you may give for not obeying today! 2. May we ask you as Ananias did Paul…Acts 22:16? C. For a few moments, let’s discuss some of the objections used for not obeying the gospel… I. I will it later…let me wait awhile. A. Procrastination Is One of Satan's Greatest Weapons... 1. He delights in using it on us at every stage of life; e.g., he gets the: a) 12 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too young to think about God.” b) 18 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too smart to think about God.” c) 22 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too happy to think about God.” d) 25 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too busy to think about God.” e) 30 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too smug to think about God.” f) 40 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too tired to think about God.” g) 50 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too worried to think about God.” h) 60 year old to delay by saying, "I'm much too old to think about God.” 2. Much too often, death comes unexpectedly, and then it is too late to think about God! B. That Delay Is Folly Should Be Evident... 1. Would you delay in taking appropriate action if you knew... a) There was a bomb in your house that could explode at any moment? b) You had a terminal disease if left untreated? 2. Why then have this concern for the body, but not for the soul? a) Mt. 10:28 - The soul is much more important than the body. b) If you know what to do, don't delay; your soul is at stake! II. I Don’t Know Enough Yet A. A Desire to Learn More Is Commendable... 1. There is a lot more that I would like to know! 2. But being a Christian involves a growth process... a) A lot of the teaching takes place AFTER we become disciples. Mt. 28:19…then 20. b) In fact, one can become a Christian with very little knowledge. B. How Much Does One Need to Know? 1. Consider the examples of conversions in the Book of Acts... a) Most conversions resulted after just one lesson; how many lessons or sermons have you heard? b) e.g., when the Ethiopian eunuch wanted to be baptized after just one lesson, it was "faith" that was necessary, not "extensive knowledge" per se. c) Acts 8:35-37 2. If you understand, and are convicted in your heart... a) That you are lost in your sins. b) That Christ offered Himself on the cross for your sins. c) Then respond by B, R, C, and B. 3. Now you know enough to receive salvation and begin the Christian life! 4. If you’re in need of rescue, all you are concerned with is being rescued – the matter is urgent. Respond and take advantage of opportunity to learn AFTER you’ve been rescued! III. I want to wait until I’m sure I can live the Christian life or I’m not good enough yet, I want to improve my life. A. This Implies a Misunderstanding of the Christian Life... 1. Some mistakenly believe they are expected to act like mature Christians right away. a) They look at those who have been Christians for years. b) Assume they must change themselves completely before becoming Christians. 2. Again, they forget that being a Christian is a growth process. a) We start out as "babes in Christ", often still carnal in behavior. b) 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 c) But we are to grow, gradually putting off the "old man" and putting on the "new man." d) 2 Pet. 3:18; Col. 3:8-10 B. In Fact, One Cannot Live the Christian Life Without Christ! 1. If you wait until you can live the Christian life to become a Christian, you will be waiting forever! 2. It is only in Christ that we receive the strength to overcome the struggles of the flesh. a) Romans 6:17-18; 8:12-13 3. To delay obeying Christ until one's life is in order... a) Is to "put the cart before the horse." b) We need Christ and His strength in order to truly reform our lives! IV. There are hypocrites in the church A. True, but There Are Hypocrites Everywhere... 1. The sin of hypocrisy is no excuse for you to continue in YOUR sins (remember, two wrongs don't make a right!) 2. Which is worse...? a) To spend A FEW YEARS in a church with a FEW hypocrites? b) Or to spend ETERNITY in hell with ALL the hypocrites? B. Some Other Things to Remember... 1. Jesus did not refuse to worship in the synagogues though the religious leaders were hypocrites. 2. Peter, James, John and the rest of the apostles did not leave Jesus because Judas was a hypocrite! 3. If you let the hypocrite come in between you and God... a) You let the hypocrite become bigger than God! b) You can't see God for the hypocrite! How tragic! V. I want to wait on my spouse or parents… A. Your Concern Is Commendable, But... 1. Will you help them by waiting? a) They may be waiting for you to obey first. b) Your delay can only hinder their own obedience. 2. 1 Pet. 3:1-2 - Your example of obedience can be a powerful influence for good. B. When you stand Before the Lord, it will be as an Individual... 1. It will not be in family groups, you will have to answer for yourself! a) Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10 2. As much as you may love them, don't let them lose your soul for you! Conclusion A. Remember Moses? God answered every objection. There was no reason for his not following through on God’s expectations. 1. There is no reason we should not follow through on God’s expectations. 2. Are you holding back? B. What we have talked about today should suffice to illustrate that there is really no justifiable reason to put off your obedience to the gospel. C. There is really no justification for not accepting the grace God offers you through Jesus Christ! D.So if you know what you need to do, why put it off any longer? 1. Together with Ananias, the disciple the Lord sent to tell Saul of Tarsus what he needed to do, we ask: 2. Acts 22:16 E. I N V I T A T I O N