Mockers And Scoffers

Mockers and Scoffers

We frequently run into mockers and scoffers while we are out witnessing. Last week, there was a guy dancing around inappropriately while I was open-air preaching. Others mocked as they walked by. We tried to hand a Gospel tract to one guy and he refused and said, “I’m trying to give that up.” Yes some people think they are funny and others are down-right rude or get fighting mad over hearing about Jesus Christ in public.

But for those that get upset, why do they get so mad? What is it about the precious name of Jesus Christ that gets under their skin so bad? I bet those same people don’t get upset when they hear the name Muhammed or Joseph Smith. The reason they get so upset is because Jesus Christ has a name above every other name. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords and unrepentant sinners do not want to bow to King Jesus. Oh, but one day they will. All mockers and scoffers will bow to Jesus on Judgment Day.

God Will Not Be Mocked

Whether they were fighting made about the precious name of Jesus in this life or if they flippantly go through life barely thinking about or caring about Jesus, they will bow the knee all the same. God will not be mocked. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting (Galatians 6:7-8).

So what are you out here sowing tonight? Are you sowing to your flesh or sowing to the Spirit? What is sowing to the flesh? It is pursuing your fleshly desires? What are you seeking tonight? Are you out here looking for sex outside of biblical relations between a married man and woman? Are you looking to get high or get drunk? Are you out here to please your own fleshly desires? Remember, the Bible says that if you are sowing to the flesh you will reap corruption.

Temporary Pleasure

In other words, when you chase fleshly desires all you are achieving is some sort of temporary pleasure (at least what you think is pleasure). It does not last. It is corruptible. The pleasure is here today and gone tomorrow. So if you are getting drunk tonight, getting drunk will only please you for tonight. Tomorrow, you will seek the same pleasure again. Satan has you bound up in sin and you may not even realize it. You may even deceive yourself tonight believing that you really aren’t an alcoholic, that you can quit at any moment, but you really can’t. Satan has you deceived.

The devil is the great deceiver. He is the father of lies. If Satan is whispering to you, he’s telling you half-truths at best and most likely he’s flat out lying to. One more drink won’t hurt you. No one will know. But don’t continue being deceived. Don’t continue mocking God. You only take your next breath because of God’s mercy. One day His mercy will run out and you will take your last breath. Don’t foolishly die in your sins.

Turn To Christ And Live

Instead, turn to Christ and live. Folks, we’ve all sinned against God. The Bible says that we go away from God from the womb. This makes sense. You do not have to teach a child how to be bad. As soon as a baby can crawl or a toddler walks, they will disobey you. You tell a baby or toddler not to do something, more times than not, they will smile at you and then they will crawl or walk right over and do exactly what you told them not to do.

We are born with a sinful nature. Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden and we’ve all sinned since then. That’s why we need a Savior. Left to our own devices, we only sow sin and corruption, we sow for fleshly desires. If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, then all you are working for tonight is death. Physical death and the second death and the second death is everlasting punishment. We don’t want you to die in your sins and go to Hell.

No Better Than Anyone Else

My friends and I have been gloriously saved. We are no better than anyone else. We’ve also sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But God has revealed our sinfulness to us and He has revealed His Holiness to us. My friends and I have cried out for God to save us. We have repented of our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. Does that mean we are sinless? Absolutely not. But we no longer dive head first into the cesspool of sin that we once did.

We’ve been washed, we’ve been cleansed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus (from the Hymn by Robert Lowry – Nothing But The Blood of Jesus).

Please listen to the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Such Were Some Of You

Folks, this is not an exhaustive list or an all-inclusive list of sins. But  it is a list of very prevalent sins. Are you on this list tonight? Are you an unrepentant sinner? Remember, Paul says do not be deceived. The unrighteous shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived tonight. What are you out here sowing? Are you still mocking God by your thoughts, words, and actions?

Or have you truly repented of your sins and surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus? My favorite part of 1 Corinthians 6:-9-11 is verse 11 – and such WERE some of you. But you are washed, you are sanctified, you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. Is this you tonight? Are you truly a Heaven bound follower of Jesus or are you still a Hell bound sinner that is spiritually dead (corrupt) in your trespasses and sins?

Again I plead with you, don’t foolishly die in your sins and go to Hell. Jesus said, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find It (Matthew 7:13-14).

What Does It Take To Go To Hell?

What does it take for you to split Hell wide open? Absolutely nothing. Just continue barreling down that broad road to destruction. Yes, just eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die. Just continue mocking God (either silently or out and out vocally mocking Him). Just continue on the path that you are on and you will die in your sins. You will stand before God on Judgement Day and you will bow your knee and confess with your tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord. Then Jesus will have His servants cast you into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew 13:47-50).

Folks, we don’t hate you and we are not mad at you. In fact, we don’t want to see anyone die in their sins and go to Hell.  But that is where all unbelievers are headed and those who foolishly die in their sins will split Hell wide open. Leonard Ravenhill used to say “If there are a million roads into hell, there’s not one road out.” There is no parole and no second chances once you go to Hell. Those who die in their sins will spend eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Where the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Where unrepentant sinners have no rest, day or night.

Repent And Surrender Your Life To Jesus

Don’t die and go to Hell. Turn to Christ Jesus and live. Recognize that you are a sinner. That you have offended the great God of Heaven and earth. Realize that there is nothing that you can do to save yourself. Cry out for God to have mercy upon you. Repent of your sins and surrender your life to Jesus.

All we bring to the cross of Jesus is our sins. You bring your sins to Him or the guilt of your sins remains upon you. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36). Are you truly saved tonight or are you still mocking and scoffing your way to Hell?

(This message was lifted up in downtown Springfield, MO on February 3, 2023)