Hell on SermonAudio

Lord's Day 16 Christ's death brings His believers to the God of life 1. He conquered death; 2. He conquered hell.

Chapter timestamps: Note: Times are estimated 0:00 The Rich Man and Lazarus 2:44 Two Very Different Lives 3:44 Death Comes to Everyone 4:32 The Rich Man Opens His Eyes in Hell 7:00 Eternity Changes What Matters 7:43 The Prayer for Five Brethren 8:29 Eternity Is Permanent 10:40 The Great Gulf Is Fixed 11:47 Now Is the Time for Salvation 13:14 Remembering Missed Opportunities 14:14 The Urgency of the Gospel 16:04 Concern for the Lost 17:25 Sin, Free Will, and Salvation 18:56 Jesus Christ, the Final Sacrifice 20:11 Send Someone to My Brothers 21:40 Somebody Tell Them 23:28 Reach Those Who Can Still Be Reached 24:26 Moses and the Prophets 25:58 The Gospel of Jesus Christ 27:21 Jesus Is the Way 28:41 A Great Opportunity to Reach the World 30:49 The Great Commission 32:33 Ambassadors for Christ 33:24 The Great Commission Is Not Optional 35:27 Do Not Hide the Gospel 35:42 Rely on the Holy Spirit 36:30 Not Ashamed of the Gospel 37:14 Who Are Your Five? 38:22 Work While It Is Day 39:23 Remember the Rich Man's Prayer 41:01 Just Tell Them About Jesus 41:52 We Can Tell Our Brethren 42:50 Closing Prayer

Imagine that you were tasked with standing in judgment upon Jesus. You only had one day to decide what to do. What side of the Lord Jesus would you be on - "for" - or - "against?" In Luke 23, Pilate's day of decision had come. Sadly, he stood with those who opposed the Lord Jesus and condemned the King of King and Lord of Lords. Friend, you may stand alone - but do stand WITH Jesus and do not AGAINST Jesus. If Pilate never repented, Pilate is in Hell today. If we go to Hell, it will be for the same reason. Jesus was crucified for our sin and yet we did not judge correctly and BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST for our own salvation. The blood that Jesus shed, because of Pilate's sin and our own, has the power to cleanse our heart and make us fit for Heaven. If you aren't on Jesus side, you are as guilty as Pilate, as you stand with those who crucified the Lord of Glory. Pilate thought he could wash his hands of his guilt, but he could not. Neither can you. Until you get saved, the guilt of Jesus death is laid at your sinful feet. Why not let the same blood He shed, take your guilt away? Why not judge correctly upon the innocent lamb of God who died lovingly in your place?

The sermon warns that humanity is inherently depraved and deserving of eternal hell due to a nature corrupted by sin. It emphasizes that without Christ's atonement, individuals are under God's curse and subject to a strong delusion sent by God because they reject the truth. The preacher argues that good works cannot save anyone, as salvation is of the Lord, and you just seek him with humility and repentance. Believers are urged to recognize their total inability to save themselves and to plead with God for grace and power to overcome Satan's deception. Ultimately, the message calls for immediate submission to the will of God to escape the fate of "the cursed" and enter into eternal life.

The sermon explores the profound necessity of the gospel by examining Romans 1, focusing on God's wrath against suppressed truth and humanity's inherent sinfulness. It highlights how mankind substitutes the glory of God with created things, leading to divine abandonment. The message contrasts this judgment with the hope found in Christ, who was given over for human offenses to satisfy justice. By understanding the severity of sin and the cost of forgiveness, believers are called to live by faith rather than shame. Ultimately, the gospel is presented as the only power capable of delivering humanity from God's righteous anger.

When the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of "every branch in me that beareth not fruit", is He speaking of a believer, or of a man who only looked like one? Read the words "in me" all through the Gospel of John and ask whether they ever describe anyone but a man joined to Him by faith. Then ask what it is to abide, and whether a man who stops continuing in His Word still abides in Him. "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."