Hell Mark 9:38-48
Few Sermons “Hell, fire, and brimstone” Word most often used in jokes or as profanity
Surveys Usually quite revealing More belief in heaven than hell Most do not see hell as a threat to them
Hell Is A Real Place Jesus taught on it Better to enter into eternity maimed than into hell complete (Matthew 5:29, 30; Mark 9:43, 45, 47) Place where more than the body is punished (Matthew 10:28) Scoffing does not change the facts
Hell Is A Real Place Bible description Everlasting (Matthew 18:8) Weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:50) “Worm dieth not” (Mark 9:44, 46, 48) “Outer darkness” (Matthew 22:13) Worse fate than under the Law of Moses (Hebrews 10:27-29)
Hell Is A Real Place Why is there such a place? Prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41) Also for those who “do not know God, or do not obey the Gospel” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) All sorts of people there (2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 21:8)
Why Question Its Existence? Failure to understand God’s justice Part of God’s basic character (Psalm 89:11; Proverbs 16:11) Punishment of the wicked is righteous (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) Wages for sin must be paid (Romans 6:23)
Why Question Its Existence? Thinking He is like mankind He is not like us (Isaiah 55:8, 9) Israel’s mistake (Psalm 50:21-23) Failure to remember past judgments (Genesis 6, 7; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12)
Why Question Its Existence? Minimizing sin and punishment Why does it have to be eternal? Nature of sin and the price of redemption (Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 1:18-20) Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1, 2)
What Should We Do? See the importance of doing God’s will Respect His authority (Matthew 7:21-23) Avoid the doctrines of men (Matthew 15:9) Cannot live like the world (Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:11, 12)
What Should We Do? Overcome indifference Pillar and ground of the Truth (1 Timothy 3:15) Others need to be taught (2 Timothy 2:2) World is lost without God (Romans 3:23; 6:23)
What Should We Do? Develop ourselves as Christians Prayer (James 5:16) Bible study (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 1 Peter 2:2; 3:15) Attend (Hebrews 10:25)
Conclusion Obey now Time is fleeting Judgment is coming