Category: Hell
Subject: Hell
Sermon: Weeping and Laughing (Luke 6:21,25)
A discussion of the text of Luke 6:20-26, esp. 21b and 25b, as Weeping and Laughing are discussed. This lesson shows the wisdom of living a sober life in anticipation of the joy of heaven.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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The Heat is Horrible!
I am writing this a few days early, but today (Sunday) is supposed to be another scorcher here in Fort Worth, with no chance of rain in sight. Some claim it is all because of man-made climate change, and others say it is just an out of the ordinary hot summer, but it has been as hot as I have experienced in North Texas, and some say as hot and oppressive as the summer of 1980.
I remember 1980. It was hot in West Texas as well, and I was employed in the oil field all summer. Time dulls the suffering from the event, but I think I can with confidence say that I took it better at age 18 than I am taking it today at 61.
This may be a bit obvious, but this serves as another reminder of the unpleasant nature of hell. “…It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched — where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched’” (Mark 9:43-44).
Now, the worst part of hell is that one who goes there will be separated from God for eternity. It is a place of outer darkness, while heaven basks in the light and glory of our omnipotent Creator. But, the actual nature of the suffering of hell is experienced in a pale echo by the hot nature of our present summer.
Now, where do you want to spend eternity! I certainly want to avoid the fires of hell!
Sermon: Destroy Both Body and Soul in Hell
Who can destroy both soul and body in Hell. Does Matt.10:2 and Luke 12:4 teach the exact same thing? I think it does, but I examine different view.
The Patternists: Why Will God Condemn Men to Hell?
Time and again we hear objections raised to the concept of hell, based on God’s supposed love for man. “If God loves man so much”, some say, “there is no way He would ever send them to eternal torment!” In this, they misunderstand God’s motivation and capabilities.
First, God does love men, and desires everyone to be saved. God desires every single person (who has ever lived, is living now, and ever will live), to go live with Him in heaven for eternity. This truth is evident in scripture. For example, Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for conditions to allow men to live “quiet and peaceable” lives in “all godliness and reverence.” This exhortation is explained, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Continue reading “The Patternists: Why Will God Condemn Men to Hell?”
Sermon: The Events of Judgment Day
This lesson describes all the things that will happen on the Day that Jesus returns to judge the world.
Sermon: Escape from Sin
Based on Matthew 5:27-30, the lesson examines sin, its cause, and the means of escaping both it and eternal punishment.
Invitation: Eternal Torment
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells his disciples about the rich man and Lazarus, who when they died went to Hades. The rich man, when tortured in the flame, was not burned up. Likewise, hell fire and condemnation are eternal in nature.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Just After Death, What Then?
This life will end some future day,
Another life will then begin;
Are you prepared for that event,
Just after death, — What then?
Just after death, — O! Answer me,
Where will you spend eternity?
When time on earth shall cease to be,
Just after death, — What then?
E.M. Bartlett (1928)
The writer of Hebrews informs us, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28).
While many are unsure of what will happen at death, the Christian is confident in his hope! As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
Where will you spend eternity? In the blessed presence of the God of heaven? Or eternally separated from Him, in torment? This life is preparatory. It is God’s intent that you live so as to secure a more permanent and exceeding glory!
Bound by Time
Man is a creature bound by time. His entire existence is measured by date and duration. Nine months in the womb. The first birthday. Becoming a teenager. Sweet sixteen. High School, then college graduation. Marriage, children, anniversaries, retirement, death. We celebrate the various milestones in our lives. Figures such as 1, 16, 18, 21, 40, 50, 65, 80, 90, 100 all bring immediate and sometimes visceral memories and emotions.
Sermon: Our God is Able
The sermon begins in Daniel 3, and demonstrates that Our God is able to:
- Give and sustain life
- Save our souls
- Deliver us
- Reward us
- Punish the disobedient
Invitation: We Shall Stand Before the Throne
Invitation delivered by: Ben Schmidt
Ben read from Matthew 25, Mark 9 and Revelation 20 to show the difference between everlasting destruction, and everlasting reward. He made the point that our obedience, or lack thereof will determine whether our names are written in the book of life, as he called for needed repentance and obedience to the gospel.
Sermon: The Path of All Men
The sermon follows the path of all men, from birth to death to eternity, in chart form.
Note: In addition to the audio link, there is a link to a zip file which extracts to a self-contained Prezi presentation. Also, there is a link to a handout that was included in the sermon as a hardcopy reminder of the material.
Lessons Learned from Torment
In Luke 16, our Lord revealed to his disciples the particulars of two men’s deaths: A rich man, “who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day,” but had insufficient love for God. A poor man named Lazarus who desired “to be fed crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table,” and was in good standing with God.
We know the spiritual standing of these two men, because Jesus revealed their disposition after death. The rich man, we are told, was in “torments in Hades” (vs. 23). Lazarus, in contrast, “was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom” where he received comfort (vs. 22).
Sermon: 7 Fundamental Facts About Hell
A simple lesson establishing the fact of Hell as a place of eternal torment, and the danger of risking the wrath of God through disobedience to His will.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
From the Preacher’s Pen: Extreme Weather
Everyone noticed, I presume, the extreme weather we had last week? Temperatures in the teens, below zero wind chill, and ice and snow all led to a very uncomfortable experience for those forced to go outside to work or shop.
Some may prefer extreme cold to extreme hot, or vice versa, but no one really likes such difficult conditions. The week previous, temperatures in the 70’s made an afternoon stroll along the Trinity River a wonderful treat. Spring is delightful, and Fall is too, but there is a reason why the hot days of August and the frigid days of January are contemplated with such dread.
With this in mind, consider the eternal abode of the wicked. “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:41-42).
May we all escape the extreme of eternal condemnation. This alone is sufficient reason to serve God!
