“CLIMBING TO HELL”
TEXT: 2 Peter 3; Rev. 20:10-15 W. Max Alderman
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).
INTRODUCTION: We are living in very wicked and perilous days. Even though wickedness is all about us, it does not take much observation to recognize that the Lord is doing all that is necessary to keep precious souls out of hell. Even with this being true, it is just like Hershel Ford, the writer of “God’s Simple Plan of Salvation” said many years ago, “Men or not only falling into hell, it seems that they are climbing mountains to get there!”
I wish today to show you some mountains that men climb to get to hell or show you some mountains that God has put before you to keep you out of hell!
I. THE MOUNTAIN OF THE CHURCH (Acts 2:47)
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)
A. Consider the Church’s Mission. (Matthew 28:19,20)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19,20)
B. Consider the Church’s Message. (Romans 1:16)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
C. Consider the Church’s Ministry. (Ephesians 3:7-11)
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3:7-11).
II. THE MOUNTAIN OF GOSPEL SERMONS. (Mark 16:15)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)
A. Gospel Sermons that Warn of Hell. (Revelation 20:14)
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Revelation 20:14)
B. Gospel Sermons that Witness of Heaven. (Luke 10:20)
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)
III. THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD’S BOOK. (Romans 10:17)
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
A. Consider the Heart of the Book. (Hebrews 4:12)
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
B. Consider the History of the Book. (Psalms 119:89)
89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (Psalm 119:89)
C. Consider the Hope of the Book. (1 Peter 1:23)
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23)
IV. THE MOUNTAIN OF CONSCIENCE. (Hebrews 10:22)
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)
A. The Conscience Stirs.
Someone said that: “The conscience lashes like a whip and burns like a hot iron”.
B. The Conscience Can be Seared. (1 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:15)
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1 Timothy 4:2)
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. (Titus 1:15)
V. THE MOUNTAIN OF BETTER JUDGEMENT.
A. Better Judgment Says to Look at Salvation Logically. (Proverbs 1:5; 15:24)
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: (Proverbs 1:5)
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. (Proverbs 15:24)
B. Better Judgment Says to Look at Salvation Eternally. (1 John 5:20)
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)
VI. THE MOUNTAIN OF A MOTHER’S LOVE AND PRAYERS.
A. A Mother’s Love and Her Prayers Are Far Reaching. (Isaiah 49:15)
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. (Isaiah 49:15)
B. A Mother’s Love and Her Prayers Are Faith Revealing. (Matthew 15:28)
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (Matthew 15:28)
VII. THE MOUNTAIN OF THE SORROWS AND THE SHADOWS OF LIFE.
A. They Will Help to Show How Fragile We Are. (Job 5:7; Job 14:1-2)
7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. (Job 5:7)
1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. (Job 14:1,2)
B. They Will Help to Show How Temporal We Are.(James 4:14)
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (John 4:14)
VIII. THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT.
A. God Uses the Holy Spirit to Convict Men to Be Saved. (Revelation 22:17)
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)
B. God Uses the Holy Spirit to Comfort Men Once They Are Saved. (Ephesians 1:13)
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)
IX. THE GREATEST MOUNTAIN OF THEM ALL IS MOUNT CALVARY.
A. Mount Calvary Was the Place of Suffering. (Acts 17:3; Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 2:21)
3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (Acts 17:3)
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (Hebrews 13:12)
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)
B. Mount Calvary Was the Place of Sacrifice. (Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:26; 10:12)
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (Ephesians 5:2)
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (Hebrews 10:12)
C. Mount Calvary Was the place of Salvation. (Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:15)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)
CONCLUSION: This study certainly shows that people who end up in hell will climb into hell in spite of all that the Lord has done to keep us from that awful wicked place.
