Is the Gospel Worth It
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Is the Gospel Worth It?
Is the Gospel Worth It?
We are going to look at in just a few minutes if you want to turn there.
The next few weeks, we are going to challenge each of you.
I’m going to challenge each of you to find that one.
That one that you will pray for each day.
That one that you will invite to lunch.
That one that you will lovingly share the gospel with.
The next few weeks, I will challenge you to not focus on the many, but just that simply one.
Today we are going to talk about hell. A subject many stray away from.
But there has to be times that we preach on it, because it is vital for everyone to hear, and understand.
, deals with those that do unto the least of these.
If you look at the beginning of that passage it says, there’s coming a great judgment, where God will separate the sheep from the goats. Some will go into everlasting life, and others will go to everlasting torture.
After Jesus shares this, scripture tells us those who knew Him went out and did.
19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”
There is good theology in hell.
But Abraham said to him, if they do not hear Moses, and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rise from the dead.
If you had a family member die, and they were to go to hell, and Jesus released them from hell and sent them back here to warn you. The Bible says, there’s no more likelihoood that you would repent, then if you heard me tell you.
Now, most of you are likely not going to hell. You were, but something happened on the way and you were saved. But most of us have forgotten where you were headed and no longer tell others where they are headed.
We live in a generation that does not want to hear about hell. Or believe that there really is a hell.
My prayer is that you will have such a burden, that you will do whatever it takes for your one to receive the Gospel.
If Jesus is not going to allow those in hell to come back and warn, then who will warn them?
I was on my way to hell and someone shared the gospel with me. The wrath of God was what I deserved. But Jesus took that upon Himself so that my sin went upon Christ, so that my relationship would be restored.
The question I hear the most is “How can a good and loving God send someone to hell?”
First, God does not send anyone to hell, we go because we refuse the gift being offered.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The Lord desires all to be saved. Not a few, not sum, not many, but all!
If you were to ask someone, “Are you saved”? and their response was “I hope so, I think so. What would you say to them?
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
The gospel makes it very clear how to have eternal life, the gospel makes it known how to know you have eternal life with Jesus.
When I ask myself this question, I know without a doubt that I have eternal life. God has changed me. I’m not all I ought to be, Jennifer will tell you I have many faults. But I’m not what I use to be, I’m continually changing more like Jesus daily.
Couple things I want us to see about hell.
Hell is real.
26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
2. Everyone is still alive
says It’s the place where the worm does not die.
says that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
3. It is a place of sadness and torment
23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
Luke 16:
4. It is a place of separation
Those in hell are able to look up and see those in heaven, yet can never communicate or love on family that are in heaven.
5. Hell is full of people that never intended to go there.
They had good intentions, they are good people. Done great things.
But all the good in the world will not give you salvation.
6. Hell was not for man
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 25:41
Hell was meant for the devil and his angels. It was never tended for man. Man was to dwell with the Lord forever.
The Lord desires for all to know Him, and receive the free gift of salvation. Yet many do not.
Knowing this today, I pray first and foremost that you know that you know that you have received salvation.
Second, knowing this today, I pray your heart burns to proclaim the gospel to those that need to hear.
But it starts with just ONE.
This week, be in prayer and ask the Lord the one He desires to be the light for.