Acts 24:15 (KJV) And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
This is part one of a two part sermon. Heaven or Hell. I have good news and I have bad news. I have decided to give the bad news today in part one.
The Who, What When Where and Why?
Hell has fallen on hard times. A recent George Barna survey found that 67% of Americans do not believe in hell. That means that only 33% of Americans believe in a literal hell.
-Couple that idea with a rapidly declining biblical knowledge and in just a few short years there will be no hell. . . . At least in the minds of Americans.
-Hell is being “frozen out” by many preachers who downplay damnation in their sermons. According to a lengthy report June 19, 2002 in The Los Angeles Times, the mention of hell from pulpits is at “an all-time low” as a result of the influence of secularism on Christian theology.
Mr. Graham was quoted like this, “If there was more hell in the pulpit there would be less hell in the pew.”
There was a time that preachers talked about the destination of the wicked.
a. Jimmy Allen wrote a book entitled, “What is Hell Like.”
b. Jonathan Edward delivers a classic sermon entitled, “Sinners Falling Into The Hands of A Living God.”
c. Some where along the line – people became more concerned with what came to be called “The practicalities of Christian Living.”
d. There has been a tremendous emphasis on the Goodness and Grace of God --- To be sure --- the reality of Hell has all but disappeared from our pulpits.
2. The Reality of Hell has been undermined in our society.
Rev. 20:15 (KJV) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev. 21:8 (KJV)
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Why was Hell created
Matthew 25:41 (KJV) 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:
Isaiah 14:12 (KJV) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Rev. 20:10 (KJV)
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.
Man has sent himself there by rejecting salvation in Jesus Christ
The Bible teaches that Hell has enlarged itself
Isaiah 5:14 (KJV) Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
What are the torments of Hell
What hell is, we know not; only this we know, that there is such a sure and certain place.
Martin Luther.
Luke 16:19-31 (KJV) 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.
This man was tormented by Flame, by unquenched thirst, by memory, by concern for family
The most dreadful torment of the lost, in fact that which constitutes their state of torment, will be this coming to themselves, when too late for repentance.
When
Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Mark 13:32 (KJV) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
2 Cor. 6:2 (KJV)
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
