Text – Luke 16:22-24 (read vv.22-31)
INTRODUCTION
A lot of people take a very nonchalant attitude towards Hell. They are quick to tell someone to go there; they don’t mind telling other people that they are probably going to go there. They mention that they will have plenty of company there. They even act as if it is a forgone conclusion that they are going to wind up there. On top of all this, the people who take these attitudes act as if it doesn’t matter if they go to hell; like there isn’t a better place to have to spend eternity.
Even a lot of these people get brochures, look in newspapers, go to the internet, and even go by reputation and word of mouth about places they are thinking about vacationing to; why not search out some information about Hell? Maybe if they knew what kind of place hell is and think about the fact that this is the place where they are going to be spending their eternity, they wouldn’t have such a cavalier attitude about going there or even recommending that someone else goes there.
Well, there is a place where they can get an accurate of what Hell is like, and these people now have the chance to decide if they still want to go to Hell or not. As we look into the word of GOD (The Holy Bible), in our text for today, we will look at nine (9) things to consider about Hell as you decide:
IS HELL A PLACE YOU REALLY WANT TO GO OR SEND SOMEONE ELSE?
“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments1, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy2 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 flame3. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee4 therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him5 to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify6 unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment7. 29 Abraham saith unto him, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent8. 31 And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.9” Luke 16:22-31 (KJV)
POINTS
- “Being in torments” – (v.23) – Hell is a place of torment where you can those who are being comforted (expound).
- “Mercy” (v.24) – Your torment is so great that you will cry out for mercy from anyone you think can help you. The rich man cried out to Abraham; he had respect for Abraham then. Where are those friends and other people at now?
- “I am tormented in this flame” (v.24) – You will be in constant fire and flames (expound).
- “I pray thee” (v.27) – You will believe in prayer. Even though you might make your prayers to the wrong person . . . you will pray! (Expound).
- “Send him” (v.27) – You will believe Evangelists and Missionaries (expound).
- “That he may testify” (v.27) – You will believe in preaching (expound).
- “This place of torment” (v.28) – Once you are in Hell you will think of those you cared for here on earth. Once you are in Hell you will know what it is and you will know that it is not the place you want to be, or anyone you care about . . . except it will be too late to make any changes! (Expound).
- “Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent” (v.30) – You will think that because you didn’t listen to those who were Ministering, Teaching, and Preaching the word of GOD, only someone who died and resurrected can convince the people to stay away from Hell (expound).
- “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (v.31) – You will realize that believing and doing what the word of God says would have kept you out of Hell (expound).
CONCLUSION
Once a person is in Hell they will realize the terrible things about it:
- Hell is a place where the fire there will never go out:
- “. . . he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matt. 3:12D)
- “ it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:” (Mark 9:43B)
- Hell is a place that will be just like it is for eternity.
- “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.” (Matt. 25:46)
- “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” (Rev. 14:11)
- Hell is a place where the Lord and Angels will witness their torment.
“The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:” (Rev. 14:10)
- Hell is a place of such terrible torment; the people there will be hollering and going mad“
A. “And 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!” Luke 16:24B. “A
nd shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 13:42
My sisters and my brothers, just as sure as you might take heed to the research you took about the traveling destination you are planning, you need to take heed to this research about the eternal place you are going to be traveling to.
IS HELL A PLACE YOU REALLY WANT TO GO TO OR RECOMMEND SOMEONE ELSE TO GO THERE?