Skeptic or Believer?

INTRODUCTION.

A.        Are you a skeptic or a believer?

B.        The answer to this question has a lot to do with the subject under consideration.

1.         Are you talking about history and the facts recorded?

2.         Are you talking about whether or not so-and-so is telling the truth?

3.         Are you talking about aliens from another planet? (I’m a strong skeptic about this one.)

C.        What about the subject of Jesus Christ being the son of God? Are you a believer or a skeptic?

D.        The Bible is filled with examples of both skeptics and believers. Some skeptics became believers, some did not. Let us consider some of these examples.

I.         EXAMPLES OF SKEPTICS AND BELIEVERS.

            A.        Nathanael started out a skeptic, but became a believer. (John 1:43-51)

            B.        Felix was a skeptic, but put off learning more Jesus Christ. (Acts 24:10-21, 22-27)

            C.        Agrippa was likewise a skeptic unwilling to become a believer. (Acts 26:1-32)

            D.        The Bereans turned from skeptics to believers. (Acts 17:10-15)

            E.        Consider the Athenians. While all started our skeptical, some became believers. (Acts 17:16-34)

II.       LESSON FOR THE LOST.

            A.        If you are currently lost in sin, you need to give God’s word a chance.

                        1.         The Gospel is God’s power to salvation. (Romans 1:16)

                        2.         The Word is sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:11-13)

                        3.         If you will look into the perfect law of liberty and obey, then you will be set free. (Cf. James 1:25)

            B.        Hear and believe that word. Do not be like Felix and put off the salvation of your soul. At one time God winked ignorance, but now He commands that you repent. (Acts 17:30)

III.      LESSON FOR THE CHRISTIANS.

            A.        Not every one will be as easy to convert as was Nathanael. Some will take a lot more effort and Bible study as did the Bereans.

            B.        Some will refuse to convert to the Lord. Some will so, “Go away for now . . .” Others will say, “Almost.” You are not responsible for their decision. Your responsibility lies in the teaching and watering of the lost. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9)

            C.        Some will be like the Jews who did no obey. At that point, you should go on to someone else, just as Paul did. (Acts 28:23-28)

CONCLUSION.

A.        At the day of judgment, every person will be a believer. (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:9-11) All skeptics will become believers. However, the time to make the choice will have passed and they will have to answer for their disbelief and lack of obedience.

B.        Choose this day to be like Nathanael, the people of Berea, and the few in Athens who became believers in Jesus Christ and His word.

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Skeptic or Believer? -- August 17, 2003 -- File # - 2047

by John Duvall - Lawton, OK