Sermon Central
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Hell Has A Big Mouth
Contributed by Brian Buriff on May 2, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Hell has enlarged itself. Poor original planning or simply overwelming volume of sin? However the wider Hell opens its mouth, the more wider Victory opens its mouth. Eventually death, the grave and hell will be swallowed up in Victory.
I. THIS IS AN INTRIGUING VERSE
A. Other Versions:
Isa 5:14 “Therefore the grave enlarges its appetite and opens its mouth without limit” -NIV
Isa 5:14 “So the place of the dead wants more and more people, and it opens wide its mouth”. – New Century Version
B. Sheol = she’owl (sheh-ole’); or sheol (sheh-ole’); from OT:7592; Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates: KJV - grave, hell, pit.
1. Points to hell itself
2. Points to the grave & death
3. Points to the internal nature of hell or the grave
4. Points to those captive in hell
II. POSSIBLE MEANINGS OF “ENLARGE ITSELF
A. Poor Planning To Hold Capacity Of Souls (like our roads)
1. By God?
2. By Devil?
B. Poor Planning To Hold Capacity Of Sins Today (sins greater than ever anticipated)
C. Maybe Not Poor Planning But Hell Simply Adaptive (sort of like “wineskins”) To
1. The volume of people or
2. The volume of sin
3. Maybe greater intensity itself internally of punishment?
3. Hell is a dynamic thing
a. Prov 27:20 “Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
b. Isa 14:9 "Hell from beneath is excited about you, To meet you at your coming;”
c. Hab 2:5 "Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man, and he does not stay at home. Because he enlarges his desire as hell, and he is like death, and cannot be satisfied”
III. HELL HAS A BIG MOUTH
Matt 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”
Num 16:30 “But if the LORD creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the LORD."
Prov 1:12 “Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;”
A. Hell “Swallows”
1. When something is swallowed – generally – its gone
2. Out of sight – never the same
B. Hell Swallows & Gulps It Quickly
1. Dog steals a sandwich or treat & gulps it down quickly
2. Before one can even notice – it’s gone
C. Hell Swallows & Gulps It Down Whole
1. Our dog Jasmine – Cinnebon Cinnemon Roll
2. Take all of you – will gulp down everything else around you
D. (1 Peter 5:8) the devil, "like a lion . . . , seeks whom he can devour"
“Devour” – Greek Word = . katapino (kat-ap-ee’-no); to drink down, gulp entire (literally or figuratively): - devour, drown, swallow (up).
E. But This Sermon Doesn’t End On Bad News, But On Good News
IV. GOOD NEWS – VICTORY HAS A BIGGER MOUTH
A. (1 Cor 15:54) “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal hasput on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
Isa 25:8 “He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces;”
B. That Which Had Enlarge Itself & Opened Its Mouth Beyond Measure Will Itself Be Swallowed Up – Uses Same Word As Used In 1 Peter 5:8 Of Devil
(katapino - to drink down, gulp entire (literally or figuratively): - devour, drown, swallow)
V. CONCLUSION & PRAY
