WHEN CHRISTIANS LET YOU DOWN

DOUBTING GOD—4

August 6, 2023  Pastor Sam Goins

“The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” —Brennan Manning

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. 28Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.”  Matthew 23:27-28 NLT

“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” Matthew 23:33 NIV

1. Some people who claim they’re Christians ____________________________________.

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. ...  Titus 1:16 NIV

2. Some are Following Jesus, ________________________________.

For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Hebrews 5:13-14 NLT

3. Some are Following Jesus, and maturing, _________________________.

• When we fall short, ______________________________________________.

• When someone else falls short, ___________________________________. 

For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.   Psalm 103:14 NLT

The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.   Acts 13:49-50 NIV

So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:51-52 NIV

If you have lost faith in Jesus because of people,

maybe your faith is in people when it should be in Jesus.

Jesus has zero tolerance for hypocrisy. 

He has unlimited grace for a sinner in need of forgiveness.