Hell

Mt. 22:13; 25:41

Hell

Jesse Howard

TEXT: Mat. 22:13

THESIS: To inform of the reality and the severity of hell.

INTRODUCTION:

You are waiting in what seems to be an unending line of people, some of those people around you are weeping some appear nervous others angry. Eventually this line moves forward until you are standing at the front, it is your turn.

When you commit a crime, punishment will follow.

The degree of punishment depends on what the offense was.

If you are pulled over for speeding the punishment could be as little as the nervousness you feel waiting for the officer to approach your window and hand you the warning, or at the most a small fine.

Or maybe you are angry hearing the words of a man you disagree with politically, and decide to shoot and kill him during a college event; the punishment for which will be your life being taken.

There is a punishment for every crime.

God, The judge of all the earth tells us through his word that sin a transgression of His law will result in punishment. (Rom. 6:23)

God takes sin very seriously. (Acts 5:1-11; Jos. 7:15-26)

This punishment for sin is an eternity in hell. (Mat. 10:28; Rev. 20:10)

What is hell?

How Is It Described?

Who Is It For?

How Do We Escape It?

DISCUSSION:

How Is Hell Described?

At the end of Jesus parable of the wedding feast we read of an individual who showed up unprepared.

It is here we are given a brief description of hell (Mat. 22:13).

The unprepared guest’s freedom would be taken from him (Bind him hand and foot).

He would be separated from everyone else (Take him away).

His senses would be impaired (Cast him into outer darkness).

Hell will be a place of unending sorrow.

The sorrow in hell comes not only from the things just mentioned, nor from the pain that will be endured. 

The sorrow of hell comes from the fact that there is no hope of escape (1 The. 4:13; 2 The. 1:9).

Hell is a place of immense pain (Mat. 13:42; Rev. 20:10) 

Weeping and gnashing/grinding teeth together (Mat. 13:42).

Lake of fire and brimstone/sulphur (Rev. 20:10).

If you have ever touched a hot stove you know that even a small burn on your skin can keep you awake at night.

In 2015 ISIS released a 22 minute long video where they took a Jordanian pilot who had crashed in Syria, placed him in a cage, and burned him alive.

They watched him as he suffered.

He died in one of the most painful ways possible.

Even the most brutal, inhumane methods of execution eventually ended.

Hell will be a place where the fire does not go out, a place where you do not eventually die, but a place where suffering takes place for eternity.

WHO IS HELL FOR?

Hell is a place specifically prepared for the devil and his angels (Mat. 25:41).

It is a place created by God (Col. 1:16).

The man who is disobedient to Gods commands will also suffer the same fate as the devil and his angels, being thrown into the lake of fire (Rev.20:10-15). 

The devil is not the ruler over hell as many believe, rather he will be suffering in torment along with all others who are disobedient to God.

God never intended for his creation to suffer in hell.

Hell is a necessary result of having free will.

Law is useless without punishment.

At the end of time all of mankind will stand before The Almighty judge to give account of their life.

HOW DO WE ESCAPE HELL

2 Cor. 1:9 and Mat. 25:41 both tell us the reason why hell is as bad as it is, it is a place where God is not.

We need to be where God is.

The way to escape hell/to be where God is, is to accept Christ’ invitation to be part of His body.

Just as in many secular organizations, to reap the benefits of the organization you must be part of it, and follow its rules and regulations.

Jesus invites every man on earth to follow him, but you must take up his cross.

To take up the cross of Christ we must deny ourselves - put away our fleshly wants and desires (Mat. 16:24)

Taking up the cross is a burden we must bear following Christ, it involves a daily decision to put the man of sin to death (16:24).

To escape hell we must be actively working in the kingdom of God (Lk. 10:2).

If we are not actively working in the kingdom of God we are not a part of the kingdom of God, thus not receiving his benefits (Jn. 14:15).

Actively working in the kingdom and being a disciple of Christ means bringing more disciples to Christ (Mat. 28:19).

To escape hell we must be constantly preparing for the judgment to come (2 Cor. 5:9-10).

CONCLUSION:

The day of judgement has come, and you are now at the front of the line.

You know that every misspoken word, every lie, every single thing you have ever done is going to be made public for all to hear and know.

You stand and wait for the announcing of all your sinful actions, and as The Lord begins to speak you hear, not the bad, but all the good things you have done.

Finally at the end of the list you hear, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…”

That is the reality for the faithful Christian.

Your sins will not be remembered (Heb 8:12).

You will be welcomed into the kingdom of God.

This can be the reality for you if you…

Hear the word (Rom. 10:17)

Believe the things you have heard (Acts 8:13)

Repent of your sins 180 degree turn (Acts 2:38)

Confess that Jesus is The Christ (Rom 10:9-10)

Be baptized (1 Pet. 3:21)

Remain Faithful (Rev. 2:10)