THREE THINGS IN HELL THAT THE CHURCH NEED
LUKE 16:19 - 31
Come tonight let us examine the story of Lazarus and the rich man as this story expose three things in hell that the church need
FIRST THERE IS FIRE
FIRE can represent a lot of things – but tonight let us take a look at the spiritual side of fire
In verse 24 Diadees testify that while Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham – He was burning in the flames...
I’ve learned that it’s better to let the Spirit burn you on this side — than to burn for eternity on the other side.
FIRE (PUR) the Holiness of God / Divine Judgement testing the deeds of the believers / The Judgement seat of Christ / The Presence of the Holy Spirit
Every christian should operate with a Jeremiah mantality — Fire should be shut up in side of you
When the church don’t have fire — it dismisses the foundation on which it was founded.
The absence of fire cause the church to become cold and loveless – Sometimes we have the nerve to moan the moan – Lord come in the building – if you don’t stay long. . .
There is something special about this fire
You see – it’s not a fire that destroys — but a fire that builds up
Fire melts colds and frozen hearts
Fire causes stiffnecked christians to move honor and obey
Fire serves as warmth in a cold surrounding – there is nothing like being around a christian that pray.
Fire changes the appearance
Fire purges impurities
Fire strengthen
Fire gives light
Fire seperates
Note that while in the mortal — Lazarus and the rich man were separated economically – but in the immortal – fire separated them spiritually...
Fire separates the church from the world
Fire separates the sinner from the saint
Fire separates the lost form the redeemed
It was fire that lead the children of Israel by night
Fire separated the children of Israel from the army of Pharaoh
Fire was called down from heaven by Elijah
Fire caused Nebuchadnezzar to believe in the three Hebrew Boys God
Fire destroyed sodom and gormorra
Fire consummated Solomon’s prayer
Fire will show up when you least expect it
It was present at the gates of Eden
In the Bones of Jeremiah
IN the temple with Isaiah
On top of Mt. Sinai
On the tails of 300 foxes
On the tongues of the apostles
MY brothers and My sisters I believe that the church ought be like the burning bush — Burning with fire – But be not consumed.
I wonder tonight church – If you can feel the fire
Next there is PRAYER
While living on earth – the rich man never found time to pray – get up in the morning and go about his business – go all day long and never say thank you Jesus – Go to bed at night and don’t go in the secret closet — Do I have any prayer warriors in the house –
In verse 27 — while down in hell – NOW Diadees can find time to pray – Look what he says – I pray the therefore. . .
Don’t wait to late to pray – Don’t wait and pray the therefore
If a christian is lacking spiritual power – it could be that there is not much time spent in prayer
Note Here is you will
In Psalms 55:17 – David give the rules of prayer –
Daniel 6:10b – Daniel gives the posture of prayer
I Kings 18:24-39 – Elijah gives the test of prayer
I Thess. 5:17 – Paul gives the endurance of prayer – advising to pray without ceasing
Heb. 4:16 – Gives the confidence of Prayer – Admonishing us to come boldly
Matt. 6:6 – Gives the secret of Prayer — But when thou prayest – enter into thy closet
Ezra – 10:1 – Gives the sincerity of prayer
Matt. 6:9 – Jesus gives the example of prayer – Pray Ye Our Father
Prayer freed Peter
Released Paul and Silas
Saved Lot
Delivered Jacob
Gave peace to Gideon
Satisfied Hannah
Confirmed David
Added Years to Hezekiah
Protected Daniel
Caused the shadow on the dial to move back 10 degrees
Caused Ezra to praise God
Caused Nehemiah to find favor in the king
Caused Jeremiah to see the mighty hand of God
Caused Jonah to preach
A church without prayer is church without power
Lastly the church needs a MESSAGE
Hell caused Diadees – to add new words to his vocabulary –
Note in verse 28 he learned how to say testify — how many can say testify
In verse 30 — Diadees learned how to say repent — Is there anyone here need to repent?
I believe that the church ought to testify how the Lord caused you to repent
God has blessed you to good – for you not to tell anyone how good the Lord has been
If the rich man would have testified and repented while on earth — He would not have lifted up in eyes in hell —
Hell is real tonight – and it is God’s will that no man should perish
It’s good – God called some people and gave them a message —
Noah had a message – saying it’s going to rain
Moses had a message – Let my people go
Azariah had a message – If you seek the Lord – He will be found of you — but if you forsake Him – He will forsake you
Solomon had a message – saying all is vanity
Jonah had a message — yet 40 days and nineveh shall be overthrown
John had a message — Repent ye – for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand
Paul had a message — This Jesus I preach unto you is Christ
What is your message tonight – Everybody in the house ought to have a massage — on how the Lord saved you – Don’t miss the mark tonight – Are you saved — Are you saved ????
All those messages was good – but there was a special message that Jesus told me to give you
Tear down the this Temple and in 3 days – I will build it up
