Understanding Hell: The Urgency of Salvation
Summary
In this sermon, the pastor delivers a powerful message about the reality of hell and the eternal consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ. The sermon is centered around various passages from the Scriptures that describe hell, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and understanding its existence. The pastor urges the congregation to consider the trajectory of their decisions if they reject Jesus Christ and fail to acknowledge and follow Him. He also encourages believers to consider their friends and family who are far from God, and to share the message of salvation with them.
The pastor also discusses the upcoming visit of the Life Action team to the church, encouraging members of the congregation to host the team members and participate in the series of meetings focused on seeking God's guidance. He also addresses the current events in Israel and urges believers to pray for peace in Jerusalem. The pastor then transitions back to the topic of the afterlife, emphasizing the reality and importance of hell, and the need for believers to grieve its existence and strive to depopulate it.
The pastor further emphasizes the importance of knowing Jesus and surrendering to Him, explaining that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, so we don't have to pay the penalty ourselves. He urges the congregation to consider their own relationship with God and to surrender their hearts to Him. He also challenges believers to take action and share the gospel with others, recognizing the reality of hell and the urgency to save souls.
In addition to the sermon, the pastor announces various events and ministries happening within the church, including a free dinner, small group sessions, and a ministry called Celebrate Recovery. He also discusses the church's democratic principles in the election process and emphasizes the importance of seeking the Lord's will in one's life. The pastor concludes by urging the congregation to reflect on the reality of hell and to be motivated to share the gospel and depopulate hell through the power of Jesus' love and forgiveness.
Finally, the pastor discusses the process of selecting new Deacons for the church and makes announcements about upcoming events, including Operation Christmas Child and Celebrate Recovery. He emphasizes that Celebrate Recovery provides a safe and confidential space for individuals to receive support and tools to work through their challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- The reality of hell is a crucial aspect of Christian belief, and it is important to understand its existence and the eternal consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ. Hell is described in the Scriptures as a place of eternal suffering and punishment, where the inhabitants are separated from God's presence and glory ([12:45]).
- Believers are encouraged to consider their friends and family who are far from God, and to share the message of salvation with them. The urgency to save souls is emphasized, recognizing the reality of hell and the eternal consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ ([22:30]).
- The importance of knowing Jesus and surrendering to Him is emphasized. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, so we don't have to pay the penalty ourselves. Those who are not in Christ will have to pay the price for their sins in hell, which is an eternal separation from God ([34:15]).
- The pastor encourages the congregation to participate in the church's ministries and events, and to seek the Lord's will in their lives. He also urges them to reflect on the reality of hell and to be motivated to share the gospel and depopulate hell through the power of Jesus' love and forgiveness ([45:50]).
- The process of selecting new Deacons for the church is discussed, emphasizing the importance of prayerfully considering individuals who should serve as Deacons. The pastor also highlights the importance of ministries like Celebrate Recovery, which provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to receive support and tools to work through their challenges ([58:30]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ecclesiastes 12:7: "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
2. Luke 16:19-31: "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
3. Matthew 10:28: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Ecclesiastes 12:7 tell us about the fate of the human spirit after death?
2. In Luke 16:19-31, what is the contrast between the lives of the rich man and Lazarus, and their respective fates after death?
3. What does Matthew 10:28 teach about the fear of God and the fear of man?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 illustrate the eternal consequences of our earthly decisions?
2. What does Matthew 10:28 imply about the power of God over the human soul and body?
3. How does Ecclesiastes 12:7 relate to the concept of eternal life or eternal punishment?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on the story of the rich man and Lazarus, how can you ensure that your earthly decisions align with God's will for your eternal destiny?
2. Considering Matthew 10:28, what is one way you can demonstrate your fear of God, who has power over both soul and body, in your daily life?
3. How can you share the message of salvation with a friend or family member who is far from God, as suggested in Luke 16:19-31?
4. In light of Ecclesiastes 12:7, what is one way you can honor God as the giver of your spirit in your daily life?
5. Can you think of a specific person in your life who needs to hear about the reality of hell and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ? How can you approach this conversation with them?
Devotional
Day 1: The Reality of Hell and Eternal Consequences
The existence of hell is a crucial aspect of Christian belief, and understanding its reality is paramount. Hell is described as a place of eternal suffering and punishment, where the inhabitants are separated from God's presence and glory ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRn63kIkoMs&t=750s)). The eternal consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ are severe, leading to this eternal separation from God.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 - "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might."
Reflection: How does understanding the reality of hell influence your daily decisions and actions?
Day 2: Sharing the Message of Salvation
Consider those in your life who are far from God and the urgency to share the message of salvation with them ([22:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRn63kIkoMs&t=1335s)). Recognize the reality of hell and the eternal consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ, and let this understanding motivate you to share the gospel.
Romans 10:14 - "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of salvation, and how can you share it with them this week?
Day 3: Knowing Jesus and Surrendering to Him
Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, so we don't have to pay the penalty ourselves ([34:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRn63kIkoMs&t=2040s)). Those who are not in Christ will have to pay the price for their sins in hell, which is an eternal separation from God. Surrendering to Jesus and accepting His sacrifice is the only way to avoid this fate.
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: How can you surrender more fully to Jesus in your daily life?
Day 4: Participating in the Church's Ministries and Events
Participation in the church's ministries and events is encouraged, as it helps believers seek the Lord's will in their lives ([45:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRn63kIkoMs&t=2735s)). Reflect on the reality of hell and let it motivate you to share the gospel and depopulate hell through the power of Jesus' love and forgiveness.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: What steps can you take this week to become more involved in your church's ministries and events?
Day 5: The Process of Selecting Church Leaders
The process of selecting new Deacons for the church is a prayerful consideration of individuals who should serve as Deacons ([58:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRn63kIkoMs&t=3495s)). Ministries like Celebrate Recovery provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to receive support and tools to work through their challenges.
1 Timothy 3:8-9 - "Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience."
Reflection: How can you support the leadership of your church in their decision-making processes?
Quotes
"For the believer, this is a call for each of us to consider our friends and our family who are far from God." [[49:33]]
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell." [[33:05]]
"Hell is a real place, and we need to embrace and accept that fact." [30:32]
"As believers, we should strive to depopulate hell as much as possible and lament the existence of eternal death." [30:32]
"Hell is eternal. Hell is not a temporary state. It's not a place where you can kind of work it out. There is no exit door. Once you are there, you have determined the trajectory of your existence from that time forward. Your time to decide where you go has elapsed." [44:16]
"For every unbeliever in the room. Do you know him? Have you ever considered surrender? Have you ever considered surrendering?" [49:33]
"I deserve hell. I deserve I know I am a rebel. I have turned against the heart of God. I have done things against his heart and his nature and I deserve to be punished." [58:03]
"Hell is a place of destruction and punishment. This is where humans pay the price for their unatoned for sin. It's uncomfortable. It's unsettling. It's torturous. It's the result of sin." #!!46:01!!#
"Hill is also reserved for those who have rejected the Lordship of Jesus Christ. C.S. Lewis in his book The Great Divorce said it this way there are only two kinds of people in the end those who say to God that will be done. Here will be done. Ultimately God gives you what you want. If you want him you get him for eternity. If you reject him you reject him for eternity." #!!51:16!!#
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