We had an evangelist in our church for a 3 day revival and on the 1st night he set the tone of his messages by asking those in attendance "What in Hell do you want?" Then he proceeded to show them why they should do everything possible to avoid going there. I agreed totally then and still do! But one day while reading in Luke I saw that there were some things that the church needed to do that the rich man in hell was now trying to get accomplished. This message was the result. I have shared it with others and everyone that has preached it has in turn shared it with others. It seems to be one of those sermons that just gets better with usage.
SEVEN THINGS IN HELL, WE NEED IN THE CHURCH
Text: Luke 16:19-31
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
I. v23) - Vision - Pr. 29:18; Hab. 2:2
II. v24) - Tears - Ps. 126:5,6; Jer. 9:1
III. v24) - Fire (fired up) - Rom. 1:16
IV. v26) - Separated - James 4:4 ; I Jn. 2:15-17
V. v27) - Prayer - I Thess. 5:17; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Rev. 8:3
VI. v27b) -Witnessing/Missions - Pr. 11:30; Matt. 28:19,20; Mk. 16:15.
VII. v28,29) - Preaching of God’s Word - 2 Tim. 4:2
VIII. CONCLUSION - 2 Tim 4:2-5
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
