Barriers to knowing God

1. OBSTACLES TO
HAVING A
RELATIONSHIP
WITH THE
FATHER

2. It isn’t Possible to
Have a
Relationship with
God, if…

3. If you don’t know
about Him
Acts 17:22-32;
Hebrews 11:6

4. Acts 17:22-32
Therefore, since we are the offspring of God,
we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is
like gold or silver or stone, something shaped
by art and man's devising. 30 “Truly, these
times of ignorance God overlooked, but now
commands all men everywhere to repent, 31
because He has appointed a day on which He
will judge the world in righteousness by the
Man whom He has ordained. He has given
assurance of this to all by raising Him from
the dead.”

5. Acts 17:32
And when they heard of the
resurrection of the dead, some
mocked, while others said, “We will
hear you again on this matter.”
(Some mocked. Some refuse
to consider and know God!)

6. Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is
impossible to please Him, for he
who comes to God must believe
that He is, and that He is a
rewarder of those who diligently
seek Him.

7. It Isn’t Possible to Have a Relationship with God
If you don’t know about Him
Acts 17:22-32; Hebrews 11:6
If you refuse to Repent
John 16:8-11; Romans 2:5-8

8. John 16:8-11
And when He has come, He will
convict the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of
sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 of righteousness, because I go to My
Father and you see Me no more; 11 of
judgment, because the ruler of this
world is judged.

9. Romans 2:5-8
But in accordance with your
hardness and your impenitent heart you are
treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of
wrath and revelation of the righteous
judgment of God, 6 who "will render to each
one according to his deeds": 7 eternal life to
those who by patient continuance in doing
good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
8 but to those who are self-seeking and do
not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness
-- indignation and wrath.

10. It Isn’t Possible to Have a Relationship with God
If you don’t know about Him
Acts 17:22-31; Hebrews 11:6
If you refuse to Repent
John 16:8-11; Romans 2:5-8
If you neglect Obedience
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John
15:14

11. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Let us hear the conclusion
of the whole matter: Fear God
and keep His commandments,
For this is man's all. 14 For
God will bring every work into
judgment, Including every
secret thing, Whether good or
evil.

12. John 15:14
“You are My friends if you do
whatever I command you.”
Friendship with Christ and God
is conditioned upon obedience.

13. It Isn’t Possible to Have a Relationship with God
If you don’t know about Him
Acts 17:22-31; Hebrews 11:6
If you refuse to Repent
John 16:8-11; Romans 2:5-8
If you neglect Obedience
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 15:14
If you reject Jesus Christ
John 15:23; 3:36; 14:6

14. John 15:23
He who hates Me hates My Father also.
John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has everlasting
life; and he who does not believe the Son
shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides
on him.

15. John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the
way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father
except through Me.”

16. It Isn’t Possible to Have a Relationship with God
If you don’t know about Him
Acts 17:22-31; Hebrews 11:6
If you refuse to Repent
John 16:8-11; Romans 2:5-8
If you neglect Obedience
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 15:14
If you reject Jesus Christ
John 15:23; 3:36; 14:6
If you don’t listen to, or talk to Him
Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:14

17. Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come
boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time
of need.

18. 1 John 5:14
Now this is the
confidence that we have
in Him, that if we ask
anything according to His
will, He hears us.

19. Conclusion
Stated Positively: If you will seek to
learn about God and know Him; if you will
acknowledge your sin and repent; let faith
and love produce obedience; trust in
Christ, listen to God and pray to Him --
You can enjoy a relationship with your
Creator, that begins here on earth and is
consummated in eternity.