Three perspectives for today’s message:
1. You’re exploring the things of God but don’t accept that Jesus died for all.
2. You’ve trusted Jesus and have conversations with people who don’t buy it.
3. You are a Christian, but there are places in your life where you live as if you don’t believe.

Scripture Passage: Romans 1 and 2

Paul’s letter to the Romans indicts everyone for “all have sinned.” People reject the Gospel for different reasons.

Rejection Reason Number One: “I don’t believe in God.” (Romans 1:18-20)

1. Atheism is Nonsense. It doesn’t make logical sense.

2. “If God does not exist, everything is permitted.” (Fyodor Dostoyevsky) The fact that we all have an innate sense of right and wrong is an indicator of a God who instilled morality in us.

3. Notice the pattern: a slow turning away from God, manufacturing a god that works for you, and then destruction. That’s what Hell is—pushing God away and He grants your wish—eternal separation.

Rejection Reason Number Two: “Everyone can have their own truth.” (Romans 2:1-11)

1. Relativism is Nonsense.

2. Even those who push for pluralism are against it because they want everyone to forsake their own beliefs and believe like they do.

3. The grace of Jesus is profoundly inclusive—not exclusive. It’s not that people choose a different religion; it’s that they set religion aside and choose Jesus.

Rejection Reason Number Three: “I’m good enough myself. I don’t need a savior.” (Romans 2:17-24)

1.    Moralism is Nonsense.

2.    “If all we do is seek to make our neighbors more moral, we’ll just populate hell with nicer people.” (Larry Osborne) The goal is to introduce people to Jesus.

So what’s the solution: If rejecting God is nonsense and rejecting truth is nonsense and rejecting the acknowledgement of our failures is nonsense, then the solution is grace. When Jesus went to the cross, He took our sins and was willingly cut off from the Father on our behalf. True fulfillment is found only in Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions

• Have you ever questioned the Gospel? Why?
• How would you respond to a neighbor who rejects God for one of these reasons? Practice your response.
• What is the difference between believing God exists and living as if He exists? (Practical atheism—those who claim to believe in God but live as if He doesn’t exist.)