Four Reasons Why Some Will Not Come to Christ

The point: If you are one who has refused to come to Christ, pray, 'O God, show me where I sit in the picture and give me eyes to behold reality.'

A Christian picks up a hitchhiker and points out a rock painted 'Christ is the answer.' The hitchhiker responds, 'What's the question?' This illustrates ignorance of one's desperate need for Christ, as the answer means nothing without understanding the problem of sin.

Savior of sinners, the only refuge from the burning ashes of the world, the only refuge from the anger of God now and in the day of judgment, when Christ is presented before you in his gracious command and in his gracious entreaty that you would repent and believe upon him, that you would in the language of this passage come to him, he entreats, he invites, he reasons, he pleads, but all apparently in vain. Why will you not come to Christ? Why will you not come to him that you might have life? Well, in some of your cases it is because there is ignorance of your desperate need of Christ. It's s...

14:55 - 16:15 Read in full sermon

The point: Meditate upon the Ten Commandments and reflect upon your life in the light of God's law.

The Bible is compared to an honest physician who, despite empathy, must tell a patient the truth about a deadly, terminal illness. This highlights that God's Word truthfully reveals humanity's sinful and dying state, which is inexcusable to ignore.

Your Bible is like an honest physician of great integrity. He is unconcerned about your feelings ultimately. While he may seek to develop a gracious way of conveying the news of deadly and terminal illness. And while he may.

22:30 - 22:51 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second reason is impenitence, a refusal to forsake sin and self-centeredness as Christ demands. Martin illustrates this with the example of seeking the praise of men more than…

Martin describes the pressure of peer conformity, especially among young people, regarding fashion and lifestyle choices. This illustrates how seeking the praise of men (John 5:44) can prevent someone from coming to Christ, who demands self-denial and being 'weirdo for Jesus' sake'.

Yes! You see the relevance of this to you kids? Oh, how important it is to have peer acceptance. I don't want to be thought weird.

34:03 - 34:15 Read in full sermon

Driving home: You want to get saved? You've got to be willing to be a weirdo for Jesus' sake.

The story of the rich young ruler is recounted, where Jesus' demand to sell possessions and follow him revealed the man's unwillingness to part with his 'darling sin' (wealth). This illustrates impenitence before Christ's demands, showing that some refuse Christ because they will not give up what is most important to them.

Keeping some of you from Christ just as it was these. How can you people believe Jesus said? Because you're more concerned about the praise and honor of your peers than the praise and honor of God. Remember the rich young man?

36:28 - 36:44 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not refuse to come to Christ because of impenitence before his demands; cast away your transgressions.

Christ's command to forsake sin is likened to a father commanding a child to drop a bomb, ignorant of its destructive power. This metaphor emphasizes that Christ's demands are not vicious but gracious, aimed at saving people from self-destruction.

He is telling you to forsake that which will only destroy you. He is commanding you as a man would command a child, ignorant that the thing he holds is a bomb that will blow him to pieces and says, Son!

39:01 - 39:16 Read in full sermon

The point: Venture wholly on the Lord Jesus Christ, believing his promises, for he that believes not shall be damned.

The blessings Christ purchased for sinners are described as a 'gospel table' spread with forgiveness, peace, and adoption. This metaphor illustrates that while the feast is ready, Christ will not 'force feed' anyone; they must come by faith to partake.

It is all there at the table. But the Lord Jesus will not force feed you. You must come to the gospel feast. The feast is spread.

49:09 - 49:20 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The fourth reason is a subtle, unwarranted expectation of some additional revelation beyond the gospel, often stemming from a misunderstanding of election and human inability…

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is used to demonstrate that God's revealed Word (Moses and the prophets) is sufficient for salvation, and that demanding additional, extraordinary revelation (like someone rising from the dead) is unwarranted and will not lead to repentance.

And this is affirmed by our Lord. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In Luke 16. You remember the discussion that is going on.

55:45 - 55:55 Read in full sermon

The point: Get up the courage to ask older Christians if they regret coming to Christ as early as they did.

Martin encourages young people to ask older Christians if they regret coming to Christ early. He notes that no one regrets coming too soon, but many who have a solid hope of heaven grieve that they waited so long, illustrating the folly of delaying conversion.

Get up the courage to go ask some of the gray haired people among us. And some of us with receding hairlines. In the marks of age. Just ask.

62:19 - 62:29 Read in full sermon