Last Sunday’s sermon dealt with the topic of Hell (Hades). We looked at Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31), from the Rich Man’s perspective in Hell. The thought of eternal torment is disturbing to most people, as it should be. If the idea of people suffering eternally bothers you then that’s probably a good sign. Hopefully it means you have compassion on others and long for them to be saved rather than perish. But we must also see that God is completely just in condemning the unrepentant to Hell.
Perhaps the most common argument against eternal Hell is that it is too severe a punishment. The underlying rationale for this opinion shows a misunderstanding of the severity of sin and how it hinders a relationship with a PERFECT God. The facts are that God is Perfectly Holy and calls us to worship, obey, love, and follow Him. He has every right to expect this of us because He created us. Yet man in his sin (beginning with Adam) constantly rebels against God. All people sin and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and therefore all people deserve condemnation. I think most people are OK with the concept of our deserving punishment, but many struggle with the idea of “eternal” punishment. Why is eternal punishment just? Because we have sinned against an Eternal, Infinite God. If you sin against a person, then perhaps you could argue for a limited punishment. But if you sin against an Infinitely Holy and Perfect God who created you, then your damnation (in Hell) or your payment (at Calvary) must be infinite as well.
This is where the beauty of the gospel shines brightest. Since no person is sinless and able to offer the infinite payment, “The Word became man and dwelt among us and we beheld His Glory.” (John 1:14) God became Man in the person of Jesus Christ and lived a perfect life and died to pay for the sins of those who would turn to him. The glory of the gospel is that God has stepped in to do what we could never do for ourselves. He paid the infinite price on Calvary, for those who would repent and place their faith in Him as Lord of their life. Of course if you reject Christ, then you have chosen infinite damnation in an “eternal” Hell that is completely and totally just. In Hell you will receive what you deserve for living a life of rebellion against God.
Hell is a touchy subject that is not discussed near enough in our culture. This has led to multitudes of people living their lives on the fast road to Hell in either oblivion or denial of its reality. Not only is Hell real. It is just. The Rich Man in Luke 16 is still longing for that drop of water today. He will never receive it. He had his good things in his earthly life and chose to embrace the “stuff” rather than embrace God the giver of all good things. Many today are in the same boat. Should we as Christians lovingly warn them of the wrath to come? Or should we let them continue down the road to eternal damnation? After all they may think we’re “hell-fire Bible thumpers” if we share the truth with them. Most Christians have bought into the lie that we should avoid discussing Hell lest we offend someone. I’m sure Satan jumps for joy at our ignorance. Let’s pray that God would give us boldness to share the gospel (good news) with the lost around us. And the boldness to let them know that there is eternal “bad news” as well, if they reject the Only Way (John 14:6) to salvation.
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(P.S.—Click on this link http://www.bulletininserts.org/wrath.html for a helpful article by Jim Elliff on this topic....Also.........
Both sermons from Luke 16 are taped. I have put the “Heaven” sermon on one side and the “Hell” sermon on the other side. If anyone would like a copy let me know. It might be a good evangelistic tool for someone who is open to both sides of the Eternal life issue.)
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