1 Timothy

1:18-20

Unbelief an Ever Present DangerHebrews 3:12 NKJV 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

Eternal ConsequencesMark 16:16 NKJV 16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.Revelation 21:8 NKJV 8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Causes of Unbelief

Definition of Definition of Terms:Terms:Unbelief-Unbelief-Unbelief = Disobedience John 3:36Unbelief = Disobedience John 3:36To refuse to be persuaded, to refuse belief, To refuse to be persuaded, to refuse belief, disobedient (Vine)disobedient (Vine)

Not to allow oneself to be persuaded, not to Not to allow oneself to be persuaded, not to comply with, to refuse or withhold belief comply with, to refuse or withhold belief (Thayer)(Thayer)

John 20:31John 20:31Romans 1:20Romans 1:20

Definition of Definition of Terms:Terms:Unbelief-Unbelief-John 20:27John 20:27Faithless- without faith or trustFaithless- without faith or trustThe condition of one who cannot The condition of one who cannot allow themselves to trust Godallow themselves to trust GodUnbelief is lacking Confidence in Unbelief is lacking Confidence in God.God.

Cause #1: RELIGIOUS DIVISION1.Jesus prayed for unity among

His immediate followers & those who they would convert John 17:20,21

2.Paul condemns religious division 1 Corinthians 1:10

3.Bible predicts religious division coming Acts 20:30; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Cause #1: RELIGIOUS DIVISION1.Divided Religious World Not the

Will of God2.Religious division in the world

Confirms Truthfulness of the Bible3.The world of “Unbelief” is jus as

divided!Skeptics, atheists, agnostics, evolutionists, etc. Are divided & in disagreement

Cause #2: Faith in others Shattered, Trust BetrayedWe tend to blame God when people We tend to blame God when people

hurt ushurt us““When God did not intervene to When God did not intervene to

stop the abuser, He lost any right stop the abuser, He lost any right to require me to do anything.”to require me to do anything.”

““..if you only understood how much ..if you only understood how much I’ve been hurt…you would know I’ve been hurt…you would know that God requires little or next to that God requires little or next to nothing from me.”nothing from me.”

Cause #2: Faith in others Shattered, Trust BetrayedWe Want It Both Ways:We Want It Both Ways:Want off the hook for our own Want off the hook for our own sinssinsWe demand everyone else to We demand everyone else to be held accountable!be held accountable!How often have we played this How often have we played this part – Matthew 18:23-35part – Matthew 18:23-35Colossians 3:13Colossians 3:13

Cause #3: Life is So Unfair!““Why does God allow bad things Why does God allow bad things to happen to ‘good people’?”to happen to ‘good people’?”““Why does God Allow ME?Why does God Allow ME?Romans 3:9; 1 Peter 2:24; Titus Romans 3:9; 1 Peter 2:24; Titus 3:33:3Each one of us has contributed to Each one of us has contributed to the ‘unfairness’ of this life… we the ‘unfairness’ of this life… we all have sinned!all have sinned!Jesus suffered the punishment Jesus suffered the punishment due for our sins!due for our sins!

Cause #4: Freedom from Moral Responsibility2 Timothy 3:2-42 Timothy 3:2-4““God Cannot Be Trusted God Cannot Be Trusted To Bring Happiness!”To Bring Happiness!”Luke 8:14Luke 8:14Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:33Hebrews 11:25Hebrews 11:25

Cause #5: Cause #5: Human PrideHuman PrideGod is God & I AM NOT!God is God & I AM NOT!I’m Fired From Being I’m Fired From Being The Boss of My Own The Boss of My Own Life!Life!Psalm 119:21Psalm 119:21Proverbs 6:16,17; 15:25Proverbs 6:16,17; 15:25James 4:6James 4:6Isaiah 2:11Isaiah 2:11

Cause #5: Cause #5: Human PrideHuman Pride““No deity will save us; we No deity will save us; we must save ourselves.” must save ourselves.” (Humanist Manifesto)(Humanist Manifesto)Pride Manifests Itself:Pride Manifests Itself:““It sounds like some is It sounds like some is telling me what to do…”telling me what to do…”Faith systems devised by Faith systems devised by man Romans 1:21-23man Romans 1:21-23

Cause #5: Cause #5: Human PrideHuman PridePride Desires the ‘Line Pride Desires the ‘Line Item Veto’ In Your LifeItem Veto’ In Your LifePride says that God is Pride says that God is WRONG!WRONG!Psalm 81:15 “haters of the Psalm 81:15 “haters of the Lord would pretend Lord would pretend submission to Him…”submission to Him…”Romans 1:30 “…haters of Romans 1:30 “…haters of God…”God…”

Causes of Unbelief Causes of Unbelief are Problems are Problems Within ManWithin ManWhat is there about God that What is there about God that

should cause anyone to distrust should cause anyone to distrust Him? Him?

We are willing to admit we are We are willing to admit we are the inners – Luke 5:8the inners – Luke 5:8

Trust / Faith begins when I realize Trust / Faith begins when I realize the magnitude of my sins and the the magnitude of my sins and the greatness of God’s Mercygreatness of God’s Mercy

Let Yourself Be Silenced By God’s Let Yourself Be Silenced By God’s MercyMercy