Why People Aren't Christians? Pt 1

Why People Aren’t Christians?

Part 1

Matthew 19:16-22

“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

Why aren’t people turning to Jesus anymore?

This question has plagued me ever since I first met the Lord, and found new life with Him.

When I say Christian, I mean a “full-fledged” blood bought, born again, saved from Hell, sin hating Christian, and not the man who associates himself with our faith – just because he believes in God.

Let’s look at the rich young man in this passage. Here is a man who talked with the Savior, and wanted to walk with the Savior, but he was not willing to turn his life over to Him. He wanted a big return with little investment. But Jesus said that he was going to have to invest all that he had to have eternal life.

The rich man was looking for the trophy but did not want to run the race.

This same syndrome is in the hearts of people all across America! They want the trophy, but they don’t want the race. They want the goods without paying the price. We want the brand new car while paying the old car price.

We say that salvation if free, in it is, but sometimes we mislead people in thinking that it will not cost them something.

Every disciple that followed Jesus had to pay a price. Some left businesses, some left friends and families, some had to leave the comfort zones of life. Peter even exclaimed to Jesus, " Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Matthew 19:27

Being Christian costs you something, but are we willing to give it?

For you to be like Christ, you too will have to lay down your life. Lay down your possessions, lay down your future and give it to God.

So we are back to the question again…

Why aren’t people turning their lives over to Christ today?

People aren’t Christians today, because just like the rich man, we think:

1. The Christian life requires all of you

2. The Christian life requires work

3. The Christian life is not trendy

1. The Christian life requires all of you

A. Another reason the Rich man walked away from Jesus was because following the Lord requires all that you own physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

B. Jesus knew what was in this man’s heart, and Jesus tested him.

C. If Jesus tested you, would you pass the possession test? Or would you fail like this rich man

D. Jesus later said in reference to this rich man, that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven.

E. Why? Because Jesus knew that for a rich man to give it all up is hard for him to do.

F. It is scriptures like that makes you proud to be poor.

G. You want to know why people aren’t turning their lives to Jesus, because the Christian life requires all that you have.

H. When you understand this, you understand why it is so hard to convince someone that they need Jesus

I. You understand why it is so hard to invite people to know the Lord, because they have the “rich man” syndrome, and they won’t let go.

J. Jesus took it a step farther in verse 21 and said, “Take all that you have, sell it and give it to the poor.”

K. That brings me to the second reason people don’t want to become Christians

2. The Christian life requires work

A. The rich man knew that very day, that what he wanted and what Jesus wanted were not compatible.

B. All the rich man wanted was to have the promise of heaven after he died

C. He wasn’t ready for life-time commitment

D. You may say to me, “Bro. Doug, the bible says that it is not by works that you are saved, but by grace.”