DISOBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL

Romans 10:13-16

  1. Intro.
    1. these verses tell us what is needed for the spread of Christianity
      1. believing
      2. hearing
      3. preaching
      4. sending
    2. of those who have heard the gospel, "not all have believed" – 16
      1. this is proof of the depravity of the human nature
      2. it would seem logical, that when someone hears the good news they would immediately accept it
        1. we are the ones who have offended God
        2. we have brought ourselves into a state of condemnation
        3. one would think that when forgiveness is made available, one would seek it and accept it
      3. the human heart is shown to be desperately wicked when rejecting the mercy of God
  2. a command has went forth, "but they have not all obeyed" – 16
    1. We are commanded to repent – Acts 17:30
      1. we do not have the option to accept or reject the gospel
      2. if we reject it we become guilty of disobedience
      3. we may reject it, but not without a frightful peril
      4. to reject the gospel is to commit the greatest sin, because all other are already forgiven
    2. the command to believe the gospel has the death penalty attached to it for disobedience – John 3:18
      1. belief is more than head knowledge of the facts
      2. this belief has to do with the heart, "for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness"
    3. the command is given to encourage sinners
      1. the question is not "may we come" or "are we good enough to come"
      2. the command is to come – Matthew 11:28
      3. if we are commanded to come, then we can be sure that we may come
    4. it is a command to secure the honor of God
      1. the gospel is not an offer from an equal to an equal
      2. this command comes from God the Creator, and the soon to be revealed Judge
      3. God has the authority to command, and none can nullify
      4. as a kind and compassionate God, His commands are not spoken harshly – Isaiah 1:18
  3. what does it mean to disobey the gospel
    1. a rejection of Gods authority
      1. to reject the words of man is a small matter
      2. to reject the testimony and command of God is to make God a liar
    2. it is an insult to the wonderful love of God
      1. the wonderful love of God is displayed in the gospel
        1. love made Him give His Son to bleed and die
        2. love allowed the Lord Jesus to be nailed to the cross
        3. love caused Christ to suffer in our place
        4. love has made God willing to forgive all our sins
        5. love has caused God to seek man
      2. God has done all this, yet proud man has thrown it all away (an insult to God’s love)
    3. an insult to the Lord Jesus Christ
      1. to disobey the gospel is to say that Jesus died for no cause
      2. if anything could cause the holy angels to shiver in horror, it would be when…
        1. man thinks he is good enough
        2. man has no care for his sins
        3. man will run the risk of divine anger
    4. it is the height of rebellion and hatred against God
      1. to violate the laws of a king shows hatred and rebellion
      2. the if a king offers to pay a great debt, and ask if we would accept it
        1. would we respond by saying, "no, I would rather go to prison and die there"
        2. what kind of hatred and rebellion is in that persons heart
      3. this is the hatred and rebellion that is in man’s heart that rejects the gospel
  4. how can we obey the gospel
    1. we must hear it – Romans 10:14, 17
      1. with an earnest desire to know the truth
      2. many people are offended at the truth – Mark 6:2-3
      3. do not seek to be flattered by falsehood
    2. hearing is not enough
      1. we must be saved – Acts 4:12
      2. we must believe – Acts 16:30-31
      3. we must receive – John 1:12
      4. we must ask – Romans 10:13