Why So Many Will Be Lost

By M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

98028

Subject:  salvation

Preached Originally:  invitation 06/03/98 - Rapid City, SD

 

I.  Introduction.

A.    There is a passage in the NT that has always intrigued me which I would like to help you think about for a while tonight.

B.    It is found in: Matthew 7:13-14

C. Jesus Himself has told us that many will be lost and few will be saved.

1.  This should serve as a real wake up call to us.  Let us not think that our ticket is punched, but understand that being lost is a real possibility.

2.    Have you ever wondered why this is so?  Why will so many people be lost?

 

II. The reason so many will be lost is NOT...

A. Because God desires they be lost.

1.    1 Timothy 2:3-4

2.    2 Peter 3:9

3.    God desires for all men to be saved, wishing that all would come to the knowledge of the truth.

4.    The Lord has no pleasure in the death, even of the wicked!

5.    Ezekiel 18:32 - "For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"

B.    Because the provision has been made for only a few to be saved.

1.    Titus 2:11  - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

2.    As well, Jesus charged his Apostles to teach the gospel to everyone.

3.    All men have equal opportunity to be saved.

C. Because they are predestined.

1.    This means "predetermined."

2.    Some teach that God foreordained those who would be saved and there is nothing we can do about it.

3.    If you were not chosen, then "tough."

4.    Acts 10:34-35 - Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

5.    So this also is not why many will be lost.

D. Because they desire to be lost.

1.    If people understand what it means to be lost, by no means  would they desire for this to happen.

2.    Rev. 20:14-15

3.    Revelation 21:8

4.    With such a terrible description of being lost, no one would want this to happen.

 

III. Some reasons so many will be lost.

A.    Many people are indifferent about spiritual matters.

1.    Present day life is characterized by giving great weight to unimportant matters and ignoring things spiritual.

a.    Remember the soil filled with thorns?

b.    Materialism

1. 2 Timothy 2:4

2.    If our focus in on earthly treasures, our reward is not in heaven.

3.    Matthew 6:21

c.     pleasure.

1.  2 Timothy 3:2-5

2.    Thus, hearts have become calloused to the gospel, and it has been likened unto a nagging person.

3.    We CANNOT have a passive attitude about the Lord and expect to be saved.

a.    Casual religion is not pleasing to God

b.    Matthew 5:6

c.     Colossians 3:1-2

d.    Philippians 3:7-11

e.    It does not sound like Paul had a casual interest in religious matters!

4.    Indifference will cause man to be lost.

B.    Some people may think that being morally "good" people will save them from being lost.

1.    Being a Christian certainly involves such, but talking about something different.

2.    "I haven't been guilty of great sins." = "I am not really a sinner."

3.    So we do not see a pressing need for a savior!

4.    But it is not necessary to be given to a "reprobate mind," as Romans 1 to be lost.

5.    Remember that all sin, and the Bible makes not distinction between sin that will condemn and sin that will not.

6.    2 Corinthians 5:14

7.    Cornelius, in Acts 10, was a devout man, but he was lost!

8.    There will be many seemingly "good people" who will lose their souls.

C.   Some people will be lost due to their own insubordination.

1.    Some will simply refuse to accept the word of God.

2.    Exodus 5:2

3.    Our hearts can be hardened like Pharaoh's when we substitute what we want or think for what God says.

4.    "I will never believe that."

5.    Today, the religious world is guided by feelings.

6.    Would we trust our account balance to feelings?  Such does not make a thing so.

7.    God demands exact following.

8.    Remember 1 Samuel 15, Saul and the Amelekites.  This caused the Lord to regret that Saul was made king.

9.    So we see that feelings amount to refusal of God's word.

10. Galatians 2:20

11. Truly, this is the example of full submission.

D. Some people simply procrastinate in obedience.

1.    We know that putting things off can have terrible ends in life (missed deadlines at work, not changing the oil in the car, etc.)

2.    But salvation is not a thing to put off.

3.    If you believe and are willing to repent and confess His name, you should not "put off" baptism.

4.    Acts 24:25

5.    Hebrews 3:7-8

6.    "There's a line that is drawn by rejecting our Lord, when the call of His spirit is lost."

7.    This is what had happened to Israel, as we have been studying.

8.    Recall the unwise virgins in Matthew 25.  They knew better, but put off!

9.    Will the door shut before you get around to salvation?

 

IV.  Conclusion.

A.    What if Jesus comes tonight?  What will he say to you and me?

B.    Will he inquire why we were indifferent about spiritual matters?

C.   Will he ask we trusted in man's definition of goodness?

D.   Will he ask why we refused to believe him?

E.    Will he ask why we put off what we should have done many times before?