IGNORANCE

!“For My people are foolish, They have not known Me. They are silly children, And they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge” (Jer. 4:22)

Isaiah 1:3, “The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.”

Ignorance17 This I say, therefore, and testify in

the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because

of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Ephesians 4:17-19

Unbelief

Ignorance

Works In

Unbelief13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” 19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” 20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

John 8:13-20

Romans 10:3“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God”

Ignorance Seeking Own Disobedience

Romans 10:3

“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God”

Ignorance Seeking Own Disobedience

Lack of Bible Study

Affirm What Is

Not Known

Remain Lost

1 Timothy 1:7

Romans 10:3

Ignorance Seeking Own Disobedience

Lack of Bible Study

Affirm Somethin

g

Remain Lost

I have no need of “organized religion.” I have a “personal” relationship with God!

“Start the week out right, attend the church of your choice.”

“Any church is just as good as another.”

“Since God is a God of love, He could never send anyone to hell.”

“Just believe and you will be saved.”

Unbelief

Ignorance PersecutionProps Up

Works In

“although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Tim. 1:13)

Persecution

Unbelief

Ignorance

Works In

• Blasphemer (Acts 26:11)

“I punished”“compelled to blaspheme”“exceedingly enraged against them”

Props Up

• A Persecutor (Acts 26:10, 11)

“I shut up in prison”“put to death, I cast my vote against them”“I persecuted them even to foreign cities”

Ignorance Persecution

UnbeliefWorks In

Props Up

• An Insolent Man (Gal. 1:13)

“I persecuted the church of God beyond measure”

Persecution

UnbeliefWorks In

Props Up

Ignorance

What Made Paul Go From a Violent Unbeliever To An Obedient Servant?

Persecution of the righteous often has its roots in not knowing God (Jn. 16:1-3)

Paul’s ignorance was the basis of his unbelief and violence When he saw the light, his hostility ended, he obeyed

(Acts 26:14-19) Was commissioned to preach the gospel which is

sufficient to turn people from darkness to light (Acts 26:18)

The gospel has transforming power if only people will open their ears to learn (Rom. 1:16; 12:2) From unbelieving to believing (Rom. 10:17)