Hindrances to Salvation Acts 26 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
More and more of us are witnessing to people as a result of Fishers of Men, Teen Connection and spiritual growth. And as you witness, you find many people who are not receptive to salvation for one reason or another. We’re going to examine those reasons today. And in so doing, we’ll help you understand those hindrances to salvation and reply to them. Furthermore, you may be here today without salvation and this sermon may help you receive Jesus Christ.
These are the major hindrances to salvation:
Pride – Acts 26:28 – this was probably the reason that Agrippa was “almost persuaded” to become a Christian – however, he refused to humble himself to receive Christ and to be counted among his followers who were bearing reproach – Matt 23:12, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Sin – Jn 5:14 – many people like the pleasures of sin and they don’t want to give these up – they know that Jesus died for their sins and that to continue in the pleasures of those sins would be hypocrisy – so they refuse to get saved.
Religion – Mk 7:6-9 – they are confident that their religion has them “covered” – Kenneth, a Roman Catholic, believes he is already saved because he is faithful to his religion.
Self-righteousness – Rom 10:2-4 – in their own righteousness they have convinced themselves that they are “not guilty” – Job had this problem and didn’t change his mind until he saw himself from God’s perspective and then he understood – Rom 3:19 “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
Unbelief – Matt 28:17-18; Jn 16:9 – they don’t see what good it would do to get saved and doubt whether it would do anything for them – they don’t believe that there is anything to it – Dylan said, “I don’t see what good it would do” – Holly said, “It’s just made up by men.”
Neglect – Heb 2:3 – they just busy themselves with other things and never get around to doing anything about it – Mr. Heath, a truck driver in Pensacola, who kept putting salvation off because he was just “not ready.”
Self-will – Rom 6:19-22 – many people like to be “free from righteousness” so that they can do their own thing – they see righteousness as a strait jacket and so they become accustomed to a false liberty – 2 Pet 2:19 “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”
Conclusion: You may have encountered one or several of these or you may be dealing with one or several of these yourself – you will never have peace with God or true happiness until you receive Jesus Christ – please receive him today