Thesis: Death is no respecter of persons.

Introduction:
how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, (Hebrews 2:3)
1. How did our loved ones die un-prepared?
2. Should it be our fault that they neglected salvation?
3. What causes this neglect?

Body:
I. First, there is the danger of being hardened by sin (Hebrews 3:12, 13).
1. One’s heart can become so hard that he cannot be renewed unto repentance (Hebrews 6:4).
2. This is not because God does not desire his repentance (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9), but because he has allowed himself to become so hardened that he refuses to do so.
3. The Apostle Paul wrote of the Gentiles who were “past feeling” (Ephesians 4:19).
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)
4. What a tragic condition that would be!
5. He also mentioned that the conscience can be seared “as with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2).

II. There is the danger of the coming judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
1. There is much in the New Testament concerning the judgment: Paul reasoned with Felix about coming judgment – (Acts 24:25).
2. God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world – (Acts 17:30, 31).
3. Jesus shall be the judge on that day – (John 12:48; 2 Cor 5:10).
4. Men shall be given one of two destinies – (Matthew 25:46).
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:46)

III. There is the danger of being subjected to the wrath of God (Hebrews 10:26-31).
1. Paul wrote of God’s goodness, longsuffering, forbearance, and wrath (Romans 2:1-11).
2. The deceitful nature of sin, and the pleasure of sin blinds the mind to the consequences (Hebrews 3:12).
3. There is no doubt that sin is pleasurable (Hebrews 11: 24, 25).
4. However, as we know, the pleasure associated with sin is short-lived, and the consequences are tragic (Hebrews 10:26-31).

IV. There are those who are with “cares” (responsibilities: professions, recreation, community affairs, etc.), and they do not believe they have time for concern about their salvation (Luke 14:16-20).
1. Some reason that God will make an exception in their case, but that is simply not true (Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34, 35).
2. Neglect is sin! (James 4: 17).
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)

Conclusion:
1. Life is nothing but a short “summer”; It has been pictured as a flower wilting in the summer heat. (1 Peter 1:24, 25).
2. Today is the “day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
3. Yesterday is gone forever.
4. Tomorrow is, at most, only a possibility.
5. Now is the time!
6. Do not neglect salvation.

Invitation:
1. Mark 16:16 and 1 John 1:9
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mar 16:16)
2. Erring Christians
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jn 1:9)

By Gary Murphy