Who Cares If a Sinner Goes to Hell?

The fearful and forgotten message

Luke 16:19–31 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. “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.’ “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.’ ”

A Fearful and Often Forgotten Text

Fearful because of the subject: hell

Fearful because of the speaker: Jesus

Forgotten because most have chosen more pleasant texts

The aim now to make people feel better; successful

Few sermons have to do with saving souls from hell

Who Cares If a Sinner Goes to Hell?

God the Father Cares

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The Father cares and sent His Son ()

Bethlehem’s stable cries: “THE FATHER CARES”

Calvary’s cross cries: “THE FATHER CARES”

Long wait for Christ’s return cries: “THE FATHER CARES”

The One who cares for the falling sparrow cares about keeping souls out of hell

Jesus the Son Cares

Luke 19:10 NKJV

for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

“To seek and to save that which was lost” ()

See Jesus reaching out to sinners and you know He cares

Mingling among sinners, ministering to them (endured such contradiction of sinners…)

“This man receiveth sinners” ()

Reaching one more sinner on the cross (23:39–43)

even to the last breath - He cares!

Hear Him sending His disciples into the world ()

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The Holy Spirit Cares

The Holy Spirit coming on the Day of Pentecost ()

Empowering believers to witness

A witness to people who were going to hell

Three thousand saved in a day

Still speaks through Christians to reach lost ones

The Holy Spirit is the Lord of the Harvest

Bringing conviction to sinners

Revealing Christ to the repentant heart

Regenerating those who trust in Christ ()

Heaven Cares

Luke 15:10 NKJV

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Joy in heaven over one sinner who repents ()

Every convert brings songs of praise in heaven

We make heaven glad when we lead people to Christ

Hell Cares

Compare the rich man and Lazarus in life (vv. 19–21)

Compare them in death (v. 22)

The cry of the rich man in hell: “Send Lazarus”

Five minutes in hell would make us all concerned for souls

Conclusion

Do You Care?

Those Who Care Are Quick to Share the Gospel

Those Who Care, Pray and Witness to Bring Sinners to Christ