The Reality & Nature of Hell
Luke 16:19-31
Introduction:
A. Felix said, “Go away for now. When I have a more convenient time I will call on you.” (Acts 24:25). Such a flippant attitude toward eternity suggests a flawed view of what Hell is really going to be like.
B. There are three things we can be sure of: (1) Death (James 4:14) (2) Judgment (2 Cor. 5:10ff) (3) A place in Heaven or Hell. (Mt. 25:46).
C. Jesus said more about hell than any other preacher in the New Testament. He mentioned it at least 11 times.
D. Many people do not believe in Hell. Only 39 % of the American Population believes that those who do not accept Jesus will go to Hell. Only 31% believe that hell is a real place of torment. 37% believe that hell is not a place but a state of separation from God. When asked, only 17% of the population believes they will go to Hell when they die.
I. Hell is a place of Horrible Torment (Vs. 23) A. Torment- unbearable physical and mental anguish & pain. B. Matt 25:30 weeping and gnashing of teeth. Illustration of a dog run over by a car. C. Rev 14:11 Eternal Torment D. History of the word Hell---Valley of the sons of Hinnom—Mk 9:44. E. Hell is as if one were in such horrible pain that he wished he could die, but ever remained in that state of health. Job as an example.
II. Hell is a Place of Fire (Vs. 24)
A. God has power over fire Ex 3:2, Dan 3:27
B. Hell is a furnace of fire Matt 13:42.
C. The fire is everlasting Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:44-45.
D. It is described as a lake of fire Rev 20:15.
E. How many of us would go home and crank the oven up to about 500 degrees And put our arm in it, or how many of us would hold our finger under a cigarette lighter.
F. Marshall Keeble’s Illustration
III. Hell is a place of Mental Recognition (Vs. 25, 23)
A. For the child of God, this should be the most frightening aspect of Hell.
B. There will be degrees of mental (not physical or spiritual) anguish.
C. Who would you not want to recognize in Hell? Hitler, others
IV. Hell is Real Eternal Separation (Vs. 26)
A. Hell is real:
1. The same word used to describe God, the Holy Spirit and Heaven is used to describe Hell. 2. God (Rom 16:26). 3. Spirit (Heb 9:14). 4. Heaven (Matt 25:46). 5. Hell (Matt 25:46). 6. If there is an eternal God, and Spirit then there is an eternal Heaven & Hell. If one were to say that Hell is not real, in all actuality he would be saying that God, the Holy Spirit and Heaven are not real.
B. Hell is eternal—2 illustrations
C. Hell is a separation from God and good:
1. 2 Peter 2:4—“chains of darkness”; Jude 13—“blackness of darkness”; Mt. 25:30—“outer darkness”. Illus. of kids. Woods, old people. 2. What will it be like to be separated from the Godhead? 3. Jesus the true Light (Jn 8:12) 4. The God of all comfort and love (2 Cor 1:3) 5. Jesus the only sacrifice (Heb 10:12) 6. Jesus the truth and life (Jn 14:6)
V. Hell is the only place you can not evangelize (Vs. 27-28).
A. If you or your kinfolks did go to Hell, don’t you think they wouldn’t want you to go.
B. The time for evangelism is now Matt 28:18ff, Mk 16:15
C. Hell is separation from family members who are Christians.
VI. The Antidote: The all Sufficiency of the Bible (Vs. 29).
A. The Bible is truth (Ps 119:160; Jn 17:17, Jn 8:32)
B. The Bible saves (Rom 1:16, Heb 4:12; James 1:25; Acts 20:32).
C. The Bible makes us complete (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:3)
D. One must obey the gospel to be saved ( 2 Thes 1:7-10; Heb 5:8-9; Jn 2:5; Matt 7:21; Lk 6:46). |