2022.02.20 - Hell!

Hell!

Matthew 3:4-10 • Matthew 23:28-34

Hell used to be a very popular topic in American culture. One of my favorite cartoons of all time has recently started publishing again.

Cartoons

In this classic cartoon from The Far Side, Gary Larson jokes about the leadership of Hell, “not reaching that guy”

Music

AC/DC reached #17 on the charts in 1979 with “Highway to Hell”

One of Black Sabbath’s best-selling albums came in 1980 (Heaven and Hell)

In 1977, The Eagles released the arguably Hell-inspired “Hotel California” which spawned 15 cover-versions including multiple international versions

Hell!

In the classic sense of Hell as a place of eternal torment has really waned in American culture these days. Sure, it’s still around, but it’s usually as a slang curse word … What the_____? Cold day in _____. A snowball’s chance in _______. You can go to ______!

But nearly EVERY major religion in the world has a belief in some version of what we call Hell, so perhaps its something to be taken more seriously.

Hell according to Seinfeld

Elaine: Alright, that is it! I can't live like this. Puddy: Nah. Elaine: C'mon. Puddy: Alright, what did I do? Elaine: David, I'm going to hell! The worst place in the world! With devils and those caves and the ragged clothing! And the heat! My god, the heat! I mean, what do you think about all that? Puddy: Gonna be rough. Elaine: Uh, you should be trying to save me! Puddy: Don't boss me! This is why you're going to hell. Elaine: I am not going to hell and if you think I'm going to hell, you should care that I'm going to hell even though I am not.

This exchange demonstrates a few things about today’s reality:

The world is in denial that Hell is a real destination, and specifically that they could potentially be headed there. “Not ME!!!!”

The world knows that if we believe they are going to Hell, Christians should want to save them!

This next one may feel harsh, but it is reality in a general sense: The Christian world is largely satisfied to let people go the Hell without bothering to save them.

These are fictional characters, but Elaine is right! If David Puddy is a Christian and he believes she’s going to Hell, HE SHOULD CARE ABOUT THAT!

Why should we care?

Matthew 5:22 NIV

22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Matthew 5:29 NASB 2020

29 Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Matthew 5:30 NASB 2020

30 And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

Matthew 10:28 NASB 2020

28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 23:33 NASB 2020

33 You snakes, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?

Hell!

It’s tempting to believe the world is right. It’s uncomfortable to think about Hell as a reality. But the Bible talks a lot about Hell … and it definitely seems like more than mildly unpleasant.

I had a coworker tell me one time he didn’t believe in Hell because Jesus never talked about Hell. After I swallowed hard … I went home that night and made a handwritten list of all of the times Jesus taught about Hell. When I gave it to him the next day, he threw it away. I could engage his ignorance, but I can’t help his denial.

Peter Kreeft, a Catholic theologian from Boston College, wrote: "Of all the doctrines of Christianity, hell is the most difficult to defend, the most burdensome to bear, and the first to be abandoned.“

Hell is mentioned 14 times in the New Testament

Jesus is speaking in 12 of those passages, so He must have taken it seriously. In fact, Jesus taught more often about Hell than He taught about Heaven! [look it up, I dare you!]

Charles Spurgeon said, (2 slides):

"If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. [click] If they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for."

Hell!

But, Pastor Chris, those are all old references. What about the 21st Century?

In a 2002 LA Times article, Mike Anton & William Lobdell quote several pastors and seminary professors about Hell:

Bruce Shelley, a senior professor of church history at the Denver Theological Seminary said that Hell is “just too negative” for churches today.[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jun-19-me-hell19-story.html]

Orange County pastor Bill Faris expressed a firm belief in Hell, but said he never mentions the topic in sermons because, “It isn’t sexy enough anymore.” [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jun-19-me-hell19-story.html]

The article also quotes Harvey Cox, Jr. of Harvard Divinity School: "There has been a shift in religion from focusing on what happens in the next life to asking, 'What is the quality of this life we're leading now?' [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jun-19-me-hell19-story.html]

Call me old fashioned … call me negative … call me not sexy enough … call me focused on the future rather than the present!

I stand with the giants of our faith from Jesus through the Disciples, through Martin Luther, through John Calvin and John Wesley, through Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Tozer, and Charles Stanley. I stand firm in my belief that Hell is real, and that people need to be warned against it else their souls perish. And if Jesus taught about Hell more than He taught about Heaven, I presume there must be a reason, and He knows better than we do!

Charles Spurgeon bears repeating:

"If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for."

Do you remember Elaine’s last statement to Puddy?

She states her defiance, while still calling him to account for not caring.

"I am not going to hell and if you think I'm going to hell, you should care that I'm going to hell even though I am not.”

if you think I'm going to hell, you should care that I'm going to hell

Elaine Benes and David Puddy are fictional characters, but the basis of those characters are real people. Let me ask … Are you Elaine, or Puddy?

Puddy believes in a real Hell. He believes his relationship with Christ frees him from the fear of Hell. He knows Elaine has no relationship with Christ, and is therefore destined for Hell … but he said nothing!

Either he doesn’t really believe in Hell ...

OR he doesn’t CARE that Elaine is going there.

There is no other option. So, if you’re the Puddy in this allegory .. which is your position? Have you stopped believing Hell is real … or do you not care that people are going there?

--------------------------------

Maybe you’re Elaine. Elaine doesn’t believe she could possibly be destined for Hell. “A loving God wouldn’t send anyone to Hell.”

This statement presumes that Heaven is the default, and God is active in SENDING people to Hell.

I would propose Hell is our default destiny. And a loving God is actively SENDING people to Heaven who have surrendered control to the grace of Jesus Christ.

If we believe the Scriptures, Hell is described as being or having...

Weeping and gnashing teeth – Matt. 25

Outer darkness – Matt. 22

A Place of torments – Luke 16

A Place of sorrows – 2 Sam. 22

Everlasting destruction – 2 Thes. 1

Eternal fire and brimstone – Rev. 21

Fire is not quenched – Mark 9

Hopelessness and unsatisfied desires! – Luke 16

Worst of all — Hell is the default - Romans 3:23; 6:23

Hell!

If you’re Puddy … it’s time to get off your backside and warn people we believe they’re in peril!

If you’re Elaine … if you are intent on being damned, you will have to leap to Hell over my body, with my arms around your knees. You will not go to Hell unwarned or unprayed for on my watch!

I believe...

Jesus died to pay for your sins

God raised Him from the dead so His blood is still effective today!

If you do not accept His offer of a Master/servant relationship you will be doomed to an eternity in a very real Hell!

Today, right now, you can escape that condemnation! You can change your default, but it’s challenging. The cost of real discipleship is high.

Surrender my own will, my own desire, for God’s desire.

Surrender control of my own life to an unseen God, by committing to his Son.

I can only encourage you that Hell is real, but so is the promise of God. His son’s death and resurrection make rescue from Hell possible, and that offer is available to you right now, in this place.

Altar call & prayer