## A Question God Cannot Answer?

## Heb. 12:3

The very fact that God is who He says He is means that there are certain things that God simply cannot do. For example: Since God is Holy that means that He cannot sin. Since He is the same yesterday, today and forever; that means that He cannot change. Since the Word of God says that God is truth that means He cannot lie. Since the Bible says that 'whosoever will may come' that means that God cannot save a man against his own will. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;" Hebrews 2:3

From our text we see something else that God cannot do; answer that question. There are some eternal truths found within this text.

I. A Great Salvation Has Been Provided

A. It was provided because there was a great need.

1. There is no hope for unregenerate man.

2. Eph. 2:12, 'at that time ye were without Christ... having no hope, and without God in the world.'

3. Many folks think that this world is getting better and better.

4. But the truth is that we are not getting better; instead we have reached an all time low.

5. The greatest need for America today is not a balance budget or a new economic recovery program: the greatest need is for America to turn to God.

B. It was provided by a great God.

1. God is great in His longsuffering 'not willing that any should perish'.

2. God is great in His love toward us. 'God so loved'

3. When we consider the greatness of God we must ask along with the psalmist, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" Ps. 8:3

C. It was provided at a great cost.

1. Salvation is free to all men, but it cost God His only begotten son.

2. We live in a free country, but everything isn't free is it?

3. We think of cost in terms of monetary expenditures.

4. Our salvation was purchased by the 'precious blood of Christ'.

II. This Great Salvation Can Be Neglected

A. It can be neglected by doing nothing.

(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. The Bible says that we are condemned already!

2. There is nothing that we must do to be condemned.

3. It is much the same as a man who awakes to find his house on fire, all he has to do in order to perish is just to stay in bed and do nothing.

4. You say that would be foolish and yet there are people today who are already condemned to a Christ-less eternity and yet they do nothing.

5. The Bible tells us that the apostle Paul was on the road to Damascus when Christ saved him, but not only was he on the road to Damascus, he was on the road to hell!

6. Every one of us here today was on that road at one time in our lives and some may still be on it, only God knows.

7. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Pr. 14:12

B. It can be neglected by substitution.

1. Many would substitute religion for their salvation but it won't work.

2. Some may wish to substitute tradition for their salvation, but it won't work either.

3. There are those who substitute "education" for their salvation, but they too will find themselves in hell one day.

C. It can be neglected by procrastination.

1. Paul before Felix. cf. Acts 24:24-25 'when I have a convenient season'

2. How many will neglect salvation by saying to themselves, 'one day I will become a Christian but not today'?

3. Satan would have us believe that we have plenty of' time but the truth is that time is fleeting.

4. "The harvest is passed, summer is ended, and we are not saved." Jer. 8:20

5. One day men will cry out to God, but it will be too late

III. Neglect Will Bring Judgment

A. There is no escape from God's judgment if we neglect.

1. Paul writes that 'every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.'

2. God provided a means of escape to the pre- flood world but they neglected the message of Noah and were destroyed.

3. God provided a means of escape from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but Lot's family and friends mocked him and laughed at his message.

4. Men today do not heed the message of God and their neglect shall be punished.

B. We have a Biblical account of a neglector in Luke 16:19-31

1. He had so much of what life had to offer that he neglected to consider what death might bring,

2. He was not prepared for the reality of hell, but that did not alter the fact that he will be there for all eternity!

3. There is no second chance after death; as death finds us so does the judgment.

God cannot and will not save a man against his own will. Have you been neglecting the great salvation that God has provided for you? If so there is no way for you to escape if you continue. Perhaps you are here this morning and are saved but you have neglected to follow your Lord's commands. Perhaps there have been opportunities for you to serve the Saviour but you have neglected them. Don't let today pass by without turning your life over to Christ totally.