Why is it so hard to change for what says in the Bible?
In “religion” wise it is very hard for people to change for what says in the Bible to save their souls!
A. Different responses to the word of the Lord!
1. To Jesus-->
When they heard it, they marveled, and left him, and went away. Matt.22:22
2. To Steven-->
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. Acts 7:54
3. To Peter -->
But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and minded to slay them. Acts 5:33
4. To Peter-->
Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? … Acts 2:37-42
5. To Paul-->
And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:5
B. God has a system set up for human to live their life on this earth!
1. Acts 17:24-28-->
The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwell not in temples made with hands;
neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things;
and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation;
that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us:
for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
2. As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48
3. Romans 8:29-30-->
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
4. He 3:15-19-->
While it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
For who, when they heard, did provoke? nay, did not all they that came out of Egypt by Moses?
And with whom was he displeased forty years? was it not with them that sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient?
And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.
5. Eph 1:11-13-->
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,--
in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
6. Ro 1:18-21-->
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him,but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about
God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--
have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
7. 2 Cor.4:3-4--> And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers,
so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
C. Conclusion: 2 Thes.2:10-12
In every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. they perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful
delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this on September 1, 2013.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3Itxkh8JY