A Sermon For You
A Ministry of Huckaby’s Evangelism
The Awful Reality of Hell
By- Evangelist Gary Huckaby
(Preached at Stateline Christian Church, Alabama)
Our text today is from the book of Luke 16:19-31.
Today the subject of hell is one that is seldom preached. It is believed to be a real place by only a few today, But, it is a subject which calls for our full attention.
Luke 16:19-31, "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day, And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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; And in hell he lift up his eyes being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom, 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. 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, 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. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house; For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent, And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
(Prayer)
Heavenly Father, I ask you today to speak through this sermon to all people, to the lost that they may come to you for salvation from this awful place, and to your children, that they may have a fresh burden for the lost, to win them to Jesus Christ before it is eternally too late. Fill this sermon with Thy power and use it as you will. In Jesus Christ name I ask it. Amen!
Today the subject of Hell is one that is seldom preached. It is believed to be a real place by only a few today. But, it is a subject which calls for our full attention.
(1)
Hell Is A Real Place
Many call this portion of scripture a parable, and therefore say that the story is figurative. This portion of scripture is not a parable, for in this illustration given by the Lord Jesus Christ, He uses a personal name, something never done in a parable.
Secondly, Jesus did not say that this illustration was a parable, and He always made it clear when his illustrations were by parables.
(2)
The Rich Man
In Luke 12:16-27, the Bible gives the story of a rich man in verse 19, "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day."
First notice that this rich man "thought to himself." He left God completely out of his life, he only saw, pleasure, wealth, and power. Eat, drink, and be merry, were his slogans, and this is the attitude of the world today, all for pleasure, and for self. But God said; "Thou fool! This night thy soul shall be required of thee, and who’s shall these things be?"
(3)
A Beggar"
Next we see another character in this story, a beggar. Not only was this man a beggar, but a very sick one. He is said to be, "Full of sores." Then it says of him, "The dogs came and licked his sores."
Though he was a beggar in his earthly life, he was a saint in spiritual life. He might have been desiring the crumbs from the rich man’s table in his earthly life, but in the next life, he would be taken care of by the Lord. He would then have no lack, nor need.
Jesus tells us; "That in this world ye shall have tribulation." John 16:33, "but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Showing us His position in life to others.
(4)
The Beggar Died, And The rich man Died
A picture of the death of a believer in the Lord is seen in Lazarus. "The beggar died and was carried by angels (note the plural form Angels) to Abraham’s bosom, or heaven.
Next the rich man died, and was buried and forgotten by those on earth. But, in hell, he lifted up his eyes being in torment. A soul has feelings, pain beyond our comprehension. He then sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Verse 21)
This lost man in Hell can see! He can see what he could have had if he had only believed. Not only the torment of feelings, but also the torment of being able to see what he could have had will be the worst torment of all. In verse 24, He cried, "Have mercy on me;" But his cry is in vain, for there is no mercy in hell. "Send Lazarus," The lost soul desires the company of another soul, therefore he is all alone in hell. No other souls are seen there or told of here.
"That he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;" This lost rich man asks for just a touch of relief from the flame. Not a cup full of water, not a drop, but only the tip of a finger dipped in water. "Cool my tongue" for I am tormented in this flame." If a finger tip dipped in water can cool a tongue in hell there must be a total absence of relief from the flame there.
"But Abraham said; Remember;’ Another part of the torment of hell is that the lost soul has a memory. Every thought of remembrance we have here will also go with us on to the other side.
"Thou in thy lifetime;’ But now things are reversed. What takes place on earth during ones earthly life will one day be totally opposite in the next for the lost unbeliever in hell.
We as believers suffer here, but enjoy eternal bliss there. What is bliss and pleasure for the unbeliever here, will one day be suffering and torment in hell.
"And beside all this; between us and you, is a great gulf fixed;" The gulf is a separation between the lost world and the eternal abode of the saved. There is no passing across this gulf. No escape from hell for the lost after death. The only escape from hell is in this life, by accepting Christ as Saviour.
Next the rich man said; "I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my fathers house," Praying in hell? Yes! But there is never an answer to their cries or prayers in hell.
The use of the word "father Abraham" here is the rich man attempting to appeal to his race, to Abraham the father of the Jews. But it is to no avail in hell.
"For I have five brethren;" Now with all other hope for ever lost, he now has concern for those of his family who were also headed to hell after death. But Abraham replied; "They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them." The Word of God is all that mankind has to show them the way of escape from this place called Hell, but the lost still don’t listen.
Hell is a real place my friend, and full of godless, unbelieving people. Only those who have come to Jesus Christ for salvation will escape this place of awful torment. There is only one escape, and that is Christ who took our hell upon Him on the cross of Calvary. Do you know Him as your Lord and Saviour today? Have you been BORN AGAIN?
If not, bow to Him, and receive Him into your heart and life right now.
Pray; Come into my heart and life Lord Jesus, I believe that you died for me, and rose from the dead to save me from my sins. I repent of my sins and trust wholly in you for my salvation. In Jesus Christ name I ask this. Amen!
If you have received Christ as your Saviour after reading this message, please write and let us rejoice with you in this decision. We will send you some materials to help you get started in this new life in Christ.
Huckaby’s Evangelism
P.O.Box 1011
Pine Mountain, GA 31822
email - glhuck@earthlink.net
