A Warning about hell sermon on Sand (2)

introduce

PRAY

A Warning About Hell

Spoiler—This is not an easy,feel good message

INTRO

JOKE---

I always get nervous up here---my old speech teacher told me to picture my crowd in underwear but im not doing that today.

it would not be a pretty picture with this crowd

Reference Time article

nobody likes thinking of death

do our best to ignore or laugh it off

yet 72% Americans believe in heaven and 58% believe in hell.

Author then spends article explaining how Jesus or OT never taught about Hell.

This is a boldface lie

yet how many people read this and were comforted by this lie?

Today we get a reminder

of what God is saving us from

Open your bible to Luke 16 starting in verse 19

recap- Luke

Jesus was accused of evil for eating with sinners

string of parables exposing heart.

you think your going to heaven

but your headed for hell.

think about your eternal destiny

Luke 16:19–23 NKJV

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

TEACH-

Rich man---

royal clothed in purple----no faith

Lazarus—poor, begging full of sores——had faith

Both die-

lazarus goes to Abrahams bosom----what people call heaven

2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Believer go until final judgment day

paradise. - thief on cross

The rich man------Hades----translated the grave

His spirit goes to a place of torment.

until final judgment day,

all receive resurrected bodies

believers inherit new heaven and new earth

(revelation 21&22)

Goal---

unbelievers - like the rich man - cast into the lake of fire

Revelation 20:13–15 NKJV

The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

judged according to works----

this is why we need forgiveness

. jesus perfect work or your work.

magnifies Gods grace.

This is the reality for each person.

Heaven or Hell?

now lets pull back the curtain on heaven and hell

Hell is way worse and heaven way better than you can imagine

Luke 16:24–26 NKJV

“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

Teach

rich man pleads for relief.

Q. What are some things we notice about hell.

hot, thirsty, great chasm, torment,

you can see what you rejected

weeping and gnashing of teeth

This is why Jesus warns us

!!Dont let your money and the things of this world BLIND you from the everlasting God. !!

Q. Is the world blinding you from a relationship with God?

I plead with you to give him your whole heart and not just a piece.

for you only get one life on earth

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Some say this is mean—

judgmental God.

provided the way of reconciliation?

He is freely giving you an open invitation?

Acts 16:31 NKJV

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Not mean---Love

Illistration-

tornado is coming---

He says come into my bomb shelter and you will be safe.

I dont like your rules Id rather take my chances

no, its ok you dont have to follow them right now, just come in and when you see how good it is in here you will start to change your mind.

is this mean to eventually close the cellar door.

the rich man knows its too late for him.

the door has been closed

Luke 16:27–31 NKJV

“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

Rich man concern is for his loved ones.

WARN THEM!!!

Abrahams response is, they have the scripture.

Rich man says thats not enough.

We need a miracle to convince them.

If you visit them from the dead they will have no choice but to believe.

Q. How many people do you know whos heart is hard to the gospel.

Why is it so hard to the good news?

John 3:19 NKJV

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Illistration---

Whats something you love to do.......fishing

what if I told you you need to stop doing that.

or I will send you to prison

this is the way some people feel about coming to christ----

A. they dont think their sin is a crime. as harmless as fishing.

b. they dont think they need a savior.

This is what seperates the rich man and lazarus

Dont let your luxurious life keep you from chasing after God!---like the rich family members

vs 31 Abrahams response is priceless.

Luke 16:31 NKJV

But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

This is exactly what Jesus did.

Q. What is our best evidence for Jesus being who he said he was

His ressurection.

Outro

so reality is---- two trains

one is headed to comfort in paradise

the other is headed for torment

But What really separated the Rich man and Lazarus?

rich man trusted in his riches

lazarus trusted in God

God is not concerned with the earthly success and external things.

He cares about your heart.

come to Jesus like Lazarus

poor and needy

This is how to receive the Gospel

The Gospel is not God hatefully saying turn to me or Ill send you to Hell. The Gospel is Gods mercy and grace saying your already headed for Hell,, turn to me and I will save you.

lets pray.

i admit im a sinner

I believe you sent son Jesus

who lived a perfect life for me

and died in my place for the forgivness of my sin

and rose from the dead three days later

Today I put my faith in JEsus for the forgivness of my sin.