WHY WILL YE DIE?

Ezek 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Intro: One of the most perplexing questions ever posed; Why will man refuse the gift of eternal life in Christ?
1. Many excuses, but not one sane reason for rejecting Christ.
A. While the character of some people might repel us, it surely cannot be said of Christ!
1. Is He a bully? See Him reach out in compassion to the fallen and the poor!
2. A Smart Alec? Read the fifth and sixth chapters of Matthew.
3. Cruel? Jesus Wept!
4. A coward? See Him cleanse the Temple!
5. Withdrawn and distant? Se Him gather the crowd or lift the little child.
6. Arrogant? Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
7. A weakling? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!

B. Man's excuses are not rational.
1. The discipline is too strict - Consider the strictness of many secret orders; some false religions and religious orders. They do not lack for adherents and they don't have the help of the Holy Spirit!
2. It requires too much humility. Look at the degrading effect of sin and compare that with the victorious proclamation of God's people; "Beloved, Now are we the Sons of God!"
3. I had it forced on me as a child and now I don't want it anymore.
a. Why don't idol worshiper's children feel this way? Or; Why do those taught against God, atheists and idol worshipers, not feel this way?
Jer 2:11 Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.Jer 2:12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
b. Why not reject ALL your childhood training? Quit drinking milk, brushing your teeth, looking both ways before crossing the street, etc.? These are for the welfare of the body, the other is for the welfare of your eternal soul!
4. I had an unpleasant experience once with a; church, preacher, christian, etc.
a. Why doesn't the boy thrown out of the ball-park, hate baseball?
b. Will one let his teeth rot out because he once met an incompetent dentist?
c. If one patient dies on the operating table, shall we close down the hospitals?

C. Why will YOU die?
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
1. No man will ever perish because God wills it! 2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2. None will perish because the blood was insufficient to save. 2 Cor 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2 Cor 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
3. No one will suffer in hell because of the lack of power in the Gospel.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
4. No one will suffer in hell because of the Adamic sin
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the SIN of the world.
Ezek 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
5. Satan offers irrational excuses. God offers eternal life!