The NonChristians Response to the Gospel

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The Non-Christians Response to the Gospel

• Spectrum of Response

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(No Transcript)
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The Spectrum of Response
Hostile Rejection
Wholehearted Acceptance
Uncertainty
Polite Rejection
Shallow Acceptance
No, Thanks
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How They Responded to Jesus

• Questioned authority
• Blasphemy
• Unlawful
• Immoral
• Demon Possessed

• Threatened their religious system
• Threatened their authority
• Exposed their sin

Hostile Rejection
The Pharisees
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How They Responded to Jesus
I am the bread of lifeunless you eat the flesh
of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have
no life in you.
Miracle
Excitement
Teaching
Exit
Polite Rejection
Feeding of 5000
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How They Responded to Jesus
Reaction 1 Belief based upon eyewitness
evidence Reaction 2 Confusion based upon
eyewitness evidence Reaction 3 Militancy of
Pharisees
Raising of Lazarus
Uncertainty
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How They Responded to Jesus

• Apparent Belief
• Made decision to follow Jesus
• Involved in ministry
• Lived with Jesus

• Actual Heart
• Inner character liar, thief
• Betrayed Jesus
• Allowed Satan to enter
• Result hanging

Shallow Acceptance
Judas
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How They Responded to Jesus

• Confronted with her sin
• Attracted by Jesus person and teaching
• Exhibits faith
• Townsfolk believe

Woman at the Well
Wholehearted Acceptance
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How They Responded to Jesus

• People rejected Jesus despite his deity and
  miracles
• Mixed reactions with emphasis on rejection and
  persecution
• Jesus expects their rejection
• The lowly respond, but not the ones we would
  expect
• Responses involve an awareness of sin and
  subsequent repentance

Hostile Rejection
Polite Rejection
Shallow Acceptance
Wholehearted Acceptance
Uncertainty
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How They Responded in Acts

• React like Pharisees did to Jesus
• Do not respond well to having their sin exposed
• They thought they were being godly

Hostile Rejection
Stoning of Stephen
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How They Responded in Acts
Only interested as it relates to his job, but not
to his heart
Polite Rejection
Paul before Agrippa
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How They Responded in Acts

• Some scoffed
• Others were curious
• Some believed

Paul in Athens
Uncertainty
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How They Responded in Acts

• Acceptance based upon wrong motives
• Motives become clear as being very shallow
• Unable to respond properly with repentance

Shallow Acceptance
Simon Magus
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How They Responded in Acts

• Cut to the heart, relating to guilt and
  repentance
• Sought out proper way to salvation
• Large numbers saved and baptized with emphasis on
  repentance

Wholehearted Acceptance
Pentecost
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How They Responded in Acts

• Majority response was rejection and persecution
• Pentecost was the exception rather than the rule
• Responses involve an awareness of sin and
  repentance
• Motivation and issues of the heart are primary
  factors

Hostile Rejection
Polite Rejection
Shallow Acceptance
Wholehearted Acceptance
Uncertainty
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Responses Today

• Rare today except in regions closed to the gospel
• Usually occurs with extremely pious people of
  other religions
• Mostly occurs in hearts and attitudes rather than
  in outward actions

Hostile Rejection
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Responses Today

• Most common form of rejection today
• Postmodern tolerance open to various
  perspectives/truths

Polite Rejection
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Responses Today

• Common in pluralistic societies due to numerous
  options
• Can refer to seekers and some agnostics

Uncertainty
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Responses Today

• People who come for a sign or selfish gain
• Pray the prayer belief
• Includes syncretism adding Christianity to
  already established beliefs and religions

Shallow Acceptance
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Responses Today

• May or may not involve an emotional response
• Some produce fruit quickly, others take more time
• All come by hearing the gospel and by the work of
  the Holy Spirit
• This kind of acceptance proves itself over time

Wholehearted Acceptance
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Theological Principles
Parable of the Soils
Soil 3 Among Thorns
Soil 1 The Path
Soil 2 Rocky Ground
Soil 4 Prime Soil
Hostile Rejection
Polite Rejection
Shallow Acceptance
Wholehearted Acceptance
Uncertainty
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Theological Principles
Accounting for the Variety
1. Effects of Depravity
dead in sins
suppress the truth
none righteous, not even one
The natural man does not accept
The cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing
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Theological Principles
Accounting for the Variety
2. Effects of Satan
Deception Temptation
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Theological Principles
Wholehearted Belief
1. The need for Gods initiative
Christ came (Rom 58)
Father draws (Jn 644)
GRACE
God chose (Eph 14)
Spirit convicts (Jn 168)
2. The need for human response
Comes by hearing the Word
Comes by faith
2. The need for genuine belief
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Our Response

• Truly listen to others
• Have boldness to preach the gospel
• Dont force conversions
• Dont give up on people
• Be dependent upon God

Hostile Rejection
Polite Rejection
Shallow Acceptance
Wholehearted Acceptance
Uncertainty