Hell

Thesis: Despite the many misconceptions about hell and who goes there, hell is a real place, it is horrible, and many real people will end up there forever and ever without the saving grace of Jesus.

Objective: Call believers to embrace the truth of hell, the specter of hell, and the scope of hell.

1. Opening: Got Milk? Commercial.
2. Hell is real.
   1. The prophets suggested it (Daniel 12:1-2; The Old Testament hinted at hell through the use of Sheol – the place of the dead – and gehinnom – the garbage incinerator outside Jerusalem, but Daniel provided the clearest idea when he spoke of some awakening to everlasting life and others to everlasting contempt. NOTE: In Jewish culture, contempt was equated with shame, which was worse than death.).
   2. Jesus confirmed it (Mark 9:47-48; Jesus took the concept of hell with which his primarily Jewish audience was already familiar and expounded on it on numerous occasions, confirming its existence in general and further explaining that it was not a temporary deal but that sin resulted in being thrown into hell where final death never came and fire never ceased.).
   3. John described it (Revelation 14:9-11; Throughout the NT, the concept of hell was expounded upon until John revealed that those who worship the beast – or even just don't serve God – would be subjected to the full measure of God's wrath and tormented forever with burning sulphur in the presence of the angels and the Lamb.).
3. Hell is horrible.
   1. It's dark (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; On at least these three occasions, while illustrating the consequences of rejecting Him, His gift of grace, and His teachings on forgiveness, Jesus described hell as “outer darkness.”).
   2. It's hot (Matthew 13:42, 50; Twice, Jesus described hell as a fiery furnace. The image is that of a kiln, which would be heated to 1800 degrees or so to fire bricks.).
   3. It's death (Romans 6:16, 21, 23; Romans 8:13; Revelation 20:14-15; Over and over, Scriptures tell us that the result of a sinful life is death. As in, the absolute opposite of life. The utter separation from God and everything else.).
4. Hell is eternal.
   1. We get only one chance (Hebrews 9:27; We die one time, period. There are no second chances. No reincarnation. ILLUSTRATION: Microsoft Golf offered unlimited mulligans, but life doesn't.).
   2. It's not a temporary thing (Revelation 14:11; Revelation 20:10; If you find yourself in hell, it's not just for a time while you have the dross removed from your life. There is no reprieve or parole from Hell. You don't get time off for good behavior. It's far more than even permanent; it's eternal.).
   3. Lots of people are en route (Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:23-28; Far more people are headed to hell than realize it. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11a. Romans 3:23. Romans 6:23a.).
   4. Our only hope is faith in Jesus (Romans 6:23b; Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:18-19; 1 Corinthians 6:11b; The only way that we don't end up in hell is by placing our life-driving faith in Jesus so that we can receive the gift of grace from God. There are no alternatives. No Muslims, Mormons, Buddhists, Hindus, Hari Krishnas, or Jews. Some really “good” people will wake up to eternal punishment because the Pharisees – who seemed to have it all right – weren't going to make it. Life-driving faith in Jesus is the one and only way, end of story.).