Sermon on 13 October 2024 by Pastor Paul
Introduction
The path that we need to avoid at all costs, is the path to hell. It is a place where people choose to go. Before hell, there is a place called Hades - an intermediate place, for those awaiting the final judgement. It is a place where sinners enter.
Message
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. - Matthew 7:13
Our Lord described hell in detail. It is a place of everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46), outer darkness (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30), and wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42, 50). It is a place of unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43-44), where the worm dies not (Mark 9:44-48).
This is a place we must avoid at all costs. We must warn people about this place. We must tell them about the terrible things there. We must wake them up. If you do not have Christ, you will go to hell. If there is no true conversion, no fruit of repentance, you will go to hell. Hell is just as absolute as heaven. It is a place where one is separated from God’s presence. It is a place where time is destroyed (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The pain in hell is everlasting. Hell was originally prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: - Matthew 25:41
The rich man had everything on earth, while Lazarus had nothing. But after death, Lazarus was carried up to heaven, while the rich man was tormented in Hades.
So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then 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.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. - Luke 16:22-25
Moses’ teaching has definitely been taught to the rich man. But the rich man chose otherwise. Many people similarly choose curse over blessings.
And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ - Luke 16:26
1. The warning and the terrifying fate
We are warned so that we can repent. Walk in the newness of His life. Defend the teachings in the bible. Don’t be neutral. Be careful with your thoughts. Be fixated on what the bible says. Evangelise. It is always a free choice. Let the gospel be in you. Let your act of obedience be prominent in your life. Hell is a place of torment, of consciousness, and of flame (Luke 16:23-24). It is a place of no hope and no rest (Luke 16:26). It is a place where there is no peace at all (Luke 16:27-28).
“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ - Luke 16:27-28
2. The issue of love, heart, faith and repentance
Wealth and riches in life are not the issue. Similarly, poverty will not automatically carry one person to paradise. The issue is about our heart, love, faith and repentance. The rich man ignored the teaching of tithing taught in Deuteronomy. The beggar was just at his gate but he was not given anything. The rich man ignored the law and continued to enjoy his material wealth.
If you love money, then you hate God. The love of money is the root of evil (Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10). Look at your fruits. There are Christians who claim they will love but they hate their brother or sister.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practise lawlessness!’ - Matthew 7:21-23
The number one enemy of Christians is their pride and ego. Live a life of omission and ignorance (Matthew 22:37).
Love, heart, faith and repentance can lead to either eternal salvation or eternal damnation. One’s destiny depends on one’s relationship with God.
3. The inevitability of death and life after death
There is a time for birth and a time to die (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). The reality and implications of eternity is difficult for some to accept. Revelation 20:12-14 tells us about the vision of the afterlife, describing heaven and hell. Anyone not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
Many self-professing Christians will end up in hell (Matthew 7:13-14). Those who do not believe in God (2 Thessalonians 1:8a) and those who do not obey God (2 Thessalonians 1:8b) will be in hell. Those who did obey but have fallen away will also be in hell (2 Peter 2:20-22). The choices we make in life have eternal consequences (Luke 16:19-31).
Closing
Avoiding hell is a matter of accepting Jesus. Walk in His light and truth. Put your faith in Christ. Renew your faith in Christ. Share your faith in Christ, and live a repentant life in Christ. In Christ, there is hope, rest, and peace. In hell, there will be none of those things.
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