Series: Surprising Things About Hell Dr. Elmer Towns
Lesson 2 May 27, 2012
A. WHY PEOPLE ARE LOST (EVEN THOSE WHO NEVER HEARD THE NAME JESUS CHRIST)
God has shown His anger by sending all unsaved people to hell, who have pushed away God’s truth which was born in them inwardly. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. They can look at the created earth and stars to recognize there is a Creator with great power and personality. So they have no excuses for rejecting God (Rom. 1:18-20, ELT). “God will punish sin wherever it is found, because people have God’s law written in their conscience and it accuses them whenever they do wrong. They know what is right but don’t do it. The day will come when Jesus Christ will judge everyone by their inner thoughts and motives” (Rom. 2:12-16, ELT).
1. Every person is accountable to God.
2. Every person can see the existence of a Creator from God’s creation.
3. They know God has great power from the greatness of creation, and they know that God has knowledge and choice from what He created.
4. Every person is born with a consciousness of right and wrong.
5. They will be judged because they do wrong.
6. Every person is guilty for rejecting God.
7. They will be judged because they do not do right.
B. WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT HELL – LUKE 19-31
“Jesus said, ‘A rich man was splendidly clothed and lived in luxury and pleasure. Lazarus, a diseased beggar lived next door who only wanted the scraps of food from his table. Lazarus died and was carried to heaven, the rich man died and was buried and his soul went to hell. He saw Abraham in heaven and shouted, ‘I am tormented in this place. Have Lazarus dip his finger in water to come cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ Abraham said, ‘Remember, in your life-time you had everything . . . but here you are tormented. There is a great uncrossable chasm separating you from heaven. You cannot come here and those in heaven cannot go there.’ The rich man said, ‘Please send someone to warn my five brothers about this place of torment, I don’t want them to come here.’ Abraham answered, ‘They have the Scriptures that warn them of hell.’ The rich man replied, ‘They won’t read the Scriptures, but if someone comes back from the dead to warn them, they will repent’” (Luke 16:19-31).
1. In hell they can see the righteous enjoying the blessings of eternal life and fellowship with God. “He lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off” (16:23).
2. They can remember the lost opportunities in life. “Remember that in your lifetime you received good things, and now you are tormented” (16:25).
3. They have an eternal desire to be released from torment. “Father Abraham, have mercy on me . . . cool my tongue, for I am in torment” (16:24).
4. They regret life lived without God. “Remember . . . you received good things. Now, you are in torment” (16:25).
5. They have eternal consciousness of the past, present, and future. “Lest they also come to this place” (16:28).
6. Hell is a place of punishment, not an attitude, or condition, or state. “The rich man also died and was buried . . . in hell he lifted up his eyes” (16:22-23). “This place of torment” (16:28).
7. They have regret over bad examples. “Send him (Lazarus) to . . . my five brothers” (16:27-28).
8. They have complete hopelessness. “There is a great gulf . . . nor can those come from there to us” (16:26).
9. They are eternally separated from loved ones. “Those who want to pass from here to there cannot” (16:26).
10. They have remorse over lost opportunities. “If one comes to them from the dead, they will repent” (16:30).
11.They have no relief. “I am tormented in this flame.”
12.There is no return from death or hell, even for a good purpose. “There is a great chasm” (16:25). “No one can come back from the dead” (16:31, ELT).
13. There is no second chance after death.
14. Jesus will not come to give them a second chance of salvation. “They will not be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (16:31).
15. The final answer to hell. “They (the lost) have Moses and the prophets (Scriptures) let them (the lost) hear them (God’s Word).
C. GOD DOESN’T WANT ANYONE TO GO TO HELL
1. God loves everyone equally. “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16).
2. God gives everyone an opportunity. “The Lord . . . is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
3. All sins are forgiven. “Repent . . . for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
4. We are given eternal life. “He who hears My words and believes, has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
