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Title: A Trip to Hell Subject: Hell Intro: The Bible says, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God" Psalm 9:17 In surfing past the Travel Channel I heard an advertisement for an upcoming program that was quite amazing. This commercial said that the Travel Channel was going to follow a tour group on a trip to Hell. No, not Hell, Michigan, but the actual, literal place known as Hell! This program claimed that the accommodations were going to be first-class, as was the transportation to Hell. It claimed that there would be an informative movie at the Information Center to acquaint the travelers with the various points of interest in Hell. From there the travelers would venture into Hell itself, and would receive a guided & narrated tour on a specially constructed bus. Of course the travelers were warned that they must stay on the bus, for to leave its safely would result in instant destruction and eternal damnation. The Bible says, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God" Some of you in this room are on your way to Hell. You are not traveling there on some bus, but you are as sure of going to Hell as you are sitting here! The only reason you are not in Hell, right now, is because of the mercy of God—for your bags are packed, you are condemned by your sins, you have already been sentenced by God, and your one-way ticket is stamped, "Departure to Hell." Amazingly, those of you on your way to Hell are often unconcerned about the trip and its consequences. Perhaps you are unconvinced that there is a place called Hell—but you are wrong! Perhaps you believe a loving God would never send someone like you to Hell—but you are wrong! Perhaps you believe someone your age has his/her whole life ahead of you—like some extended warranty—but you could be wrong! The truth of the situation is that Hell lies like a gaping chasm under your feet. You are supported, not by the foundation of this building nor by the crust of the earth, but by the slimmest of membranes, which even now are stretched and strained under your weight. When you make that final godless decision, and/or your sins finally find you out—and they will—you will plunge like a rock to your final destination—Hell! The Bible says, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God" Prayer I. HELL IS A PLACE A. The English word “Hell” means “a hidden place” and is translated from one Greek and one Hebrew word 1. Gehenna = in the O.T. this was a valley, just outside Jerusalem, where children were offered to the flaming arms of the idol-god Molech. In the N.T., this valley was used to burn all sort of refuse, including the bodies of criminals like the two thieves on the Cross. Here was the place of continual fires, smoke, and burning. Note: The Bible speaks of those who are turned into unquenchable fire; hell fire; burned in the fire, furnace of fire; everlasting fire; the fire that is not quenched; flaming fire; and the vengeance of eternal fire. We have an example of a fire that burns without consuming, in Moses and the burning bush. So Hell is a place of burning fire that never consumes, yet the Bible calls it a place of outer darkness. A fire that burns without light or consuming. Let those who would air condition Hell for the pleasure of sinners take notice that the fire burns eternally. 2. Hades = the grave or state of death. a. As to direction, it is always down Jesus said, “And thou, Capernaum, which are exalted to Heaven, shalt be brought down to Hell…” 1) So Hell is beneath in contrast to Heaven above b. As to place, it is always in the earth Note: The center of the earth is a boiling, molten cauldron, which we sometimes experience in erupting volcanoes and lava flows. Above the flames are giant plates that slide across one other as the body of the earth ebbs and flows. Above that are the great deposits of minerals, oil, and wealth of all kinds, which are covered by the upper layer of dirt and debris. Somewhere in the depths of this earth is the place called Hades in the O.T., and Hell in the New. Perhaps among the huge, ever shifting earth plates and just above the molten rock lies the place that still echoes with the cries of the rich man: “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 16:24 c. As to relations, it is always in contrast to eternal life 1) Hell is associated with eternal death or separation from God. Death is not the cessation of life, but is separation. When you die physically you are separated with the things of this world—the 1st death/the grave. When you die spiritually and descend into Hell you are separated from God—the 2nd death. 2) Hell is a place without the presence of God, and since God is the giver of every good and perfect gift, then Hell is a place with every wicked, vile, evil, depraved and abominable imagination of the heart, yet these desires are never fulfilled. d. As to association, it is connected with mourning, sorrow, fright and terror, silence, no knowledge, punishment, corruption, wailing, filthiness, torments, and wrath. It is eternally enduring the unendurable! 1) Those residing in Hell include: the fearful, unbelieving [in God], abominable (detestable stench), murderers, whoremongers (sexual immorality, including homosexuality (sodomy)), sorcerers (users/distributors of illegal drugs, magic), idolaters (worshippers of false gods), and liars Jesus said, “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mk 9:44; Isa. 66:24) (that thing that gets inside you and eats you up) e. As to duration, resurrection is the only exit from Hell 1) There is a resurrection from Hell, when the spirits of those in Hell will be reunited with their bodies to stand before God (Rev. 20:11-15 turn) II. HELL’S PUNISHMENT IS PREDETERMINED A. By God “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18) B. By Sin “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom 5:12) “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die” Ez. 18:4 C. By Justice 1. According to your light and opportunity “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day” Matt. 11:23 Note: The people of Sodom were more wicked, but lacked light and opportunity. The people of Capernaum were not so wicked, but had light and opportunity. Where does that leave you in 2002 at CCS? 2. According to the number of your sins “For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward” Heb. 2:2 a. The more you sin, the greater your punishment 3. According to the character of your sin “Jesus answered, ‘Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin’” John 19:11 III. HOW TO END UP IN HELL A. Keep going just the way you are. Hell requires no lifestyle changes. B. Give no thought or heed to your relationship to God. Since Hell is a place without the presence of God you will feel right at home! C. Turn a deaf ear to the pleas of friends, family, school, church. Others plea for you know, in Hell you will plead for yourself! D. Attempt to fill the God-shaped void in your life with the pleasures of sin for a season, with materialism, with false religion. To those on their way to Hell, this world’s materialism and sin is all you have—enjoy it if you can and while you can! E. Reject the free offer of salvation in Jesus Christ Note: It is not sin that sends you to Hell, but the rejection of God’s own Son, who died in your place, took God’s wrath upon Himself in your stead, shed his innocent blood, died, and was buried. On the 3rd day, Jesus rose from the dead, proving to mankind that God was satisfied with His death. But to escape Hell you must believe, repent and receive. Concl: The Travel Channel could not show a trip to Hell if they wanted to, but you will experience every vile thing Hell has to offer unless you come to Christ before you are taken in death. |