Message From Hell
Luke 16:19-31
Introduction:
A few years ago there was a TV show called Early Edition. The main character in this program would receive a paper every day that showed what was going to happen the next day. He would then set out to correct the bad things before they happened. Through a series of events in which he often put himself in harms way he would accomplish his destiny.
If we as Christians new something bad was going to happen to someone we would try to prevent it – wouldn’t we?
Before we go further let me give you some statistics I have found:
Experts say that 3 people die every second.
If this fact is true, then 180 people die every minute, 259,200 people die every day, 94,608,000 people die every year
Of the six billion people on earth today, experts also say that 2/3 of them have never heard the Gospel one time. If these percentages hold true, then 63,103,536 people die every year without ever hearing the Gospel one time! ** Some of these people are within our reach!!! **
Death is not only for the old. In “2001” 1529 children fewer than 17 died in North Carolina.
**This morning I want us to pull back the roof of hell and look at one persons plight in hell.**
I. In This Life
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.
A. Two Men
a. Rich man (unnamed in the bible)
b. Lazarus
B. Two Different Life Styles
a. The Rich Man
• He was rich.
• He wore the fanciest clothes.
• He had plenty of food and any thing else he wanted.
• He had the best of the best.
b. The Beggar (Lazarus)
• Poor
• Sick (full of sores)
• Dogs were his best friend (they licked his sores.)
• He would have been happy with just the crumbs that fell from the rich mans table
II. Two Different Burials
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.
A. The beggar died and was carried into Abraham’s bosom.
a. Abraham’s bosom was considered the place where saints went at time of death (a place of paradise, a place of rest and comfort.)
b. His undertakers were Angels
B. The rich man died and was buried.
a. The funeral was probably the best that could be bought in those days.
b. Possibilities:
• Paid mourners
• Fancy casket
• Big Feast
III. Desperation
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.
A. The rich man was not used to asking for anything – He was used to giving orders – He was used to having things his way.
B. The rich man had all his senses.
Feel (v. 23 a tormented in the flames) Taste (v24 wanted cool water)
Hear (v.25 Hear Abraham)
IV. No Help – No Hope – To Late
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.
A. The tables are turned – Now instead of Lazarus begging the rich man is begging for relief.
V. Sudden Humanity
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.
A. We see the rich man finally has concern for others.
B. Too little to late.
VI. The End Is Only The Beginning
A. Today hell is not a popular topic. Many say that if God is such a loving God then he could never create such a horrible place of punishment. He would never make you suffer without end.
• What we for get is that hell was not created for mankind. Hell was created for Satan and his Angels.
• Matthew 25:41 tells us “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
B. Many do not even believe in a literal Heaven or Hell.
In December 1998 Life Magazine wrote that 80% of Americans believe in an afterlife, but only 72% believe in heaven, and even fewer, 56%, believe in hell.
C. I am here to tell you that there is a real burning hell and people are dying and going there every day.
Revelation 14:11 tells us “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever:”
Revelation 20:10-15
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Conclusion:
Forget the fire, and the flame and the Torment. One of the worst agonies of hell will be the ability of people in hell to see those who are in heaven. Can you imagine lost husbands seeing their wives in heaven? Lost parents seeing their children in heaven? I don’t want any part of a place like that. Do you?
1) Hell is a place of remorse and despair when they see the bliss of God
2) Hell is a place of hatred of the very evil that they had loved.
3) Hell is a place of eternal desire for freedom.
4) Hell is a place of memory of lost opportunities.
5) Hell is a place of regret over deeds committed.
6) Hell is a place of absolute hopelessness.
7) Hell is a place of eternal separation from loved ones.
8) Hell is a place of fire.
9) Hell is a place of remorse for not listening to the Word of God.
10) Hell is a place without opportunity
11) Hell is not the end!! It is only the beginning.
**It is our responsibility as Christians to warn people about hell and heaven. We can’t teach one without teaching the other.
**If we don’t warn our friend and loved ones no one will.
Scenario I
Imagine a scenario where you go through life daily and never mention God to those around you. They see your life, they know you are a Christian, or do they? Besides you know about God and how to be saved. They have the same opportunities you do, right.
You get to the end of your life. It is time to meet Jesus face to face. Will you stand before Him ready to meet Him or stand before Him with the blood of others dripping from your hands. The blood of the one’s God brought before you but you never witnessed to or shared the love of God with.
If you don’t reach your loved ones chances are that no one will.
