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God's Blockades On The Road To Hell
(part 1)
I. Introduction.
A. The Bible teaches that most people will go to Hell
1. Mat_7:13 - Mat_7:14 teaches that most people will go down the broad way that leads to destruction and few will follow the narrow way which leads to life
2. Isa_59:2 tells us that our sins will separate us from God, and Rom_6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death
B. God does not want man to go to Hell
1. The Scriptures state that He doesn't
a. 2Pe_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (NKJV)
b. 1Ti_2:3 - 1Ti_2:4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (NKJV) (Said after exhorting that we are to pray for various ones)
2. It is obvious that God does not want man to go to hell because, in His love, he sent his only son to die for our sins so that we can be saved
a. Joh_3:16 - Joh_3:17 " "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)
b. Rom_5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJV)
C. Further, God made heaven a desirable place (place of joy, rest, and peace), and He made hell a very undesirable place (pain, darkness, misery) so man should be motivated to want to avoid hell seek heaven instead
D. Seven fundamental facts about hell.
1. It’s a real place.
a. Bible says it is a real place.
b. Jesus warned his disciples of this place, Luk_12:4 - Luk_12:5.
2. It is a horrible place.
a. Described in terms of fire.
b. Everlasting fire. Mat_25:41.
c. Unquenchable fire. Mar_9:43.
d. Everlasting punishments Mat_25:46.
e. Place of wailing and gnashing of teeth, Mat_13:42.
3. Place anyone can go!
4. place of eternal duration.
5. place of great classes of people, even angels!.
a. Immoral
b. Unfaithful Christians who go back to the living in the world. 2Pe_2:20 - 2Pe_2:22; Heb_6:1 - Heb_6:6; Heb_10:23 - Heb_10:31.
c. Devil and his angels. Mat_25:41; Rev_21:8.
6. Place of no escape.
7. Place that can be avoided!
E. God has also set up some blockades, some roadblocks, to keep man from going down the road to hell
1. But man, it seems, is so determined to go to hell that he jumps over them or goes around them and keep right on going down that path.
2. Man does not, generally, turn around and go the other way
3. Generally, roadblocks are good (keep us from danger) and this is the case with these roadblocks
1. Lesson today: GOD'S BLOCKADES ON THE ROAD TO HELL
I. THE BIBLE
A. A person can not go very far down the path of sin without finding the Bible in his way; it is one of the great hindrances to sin.
1. The Bible: with its warnings and invitations; its description of the character and consequences of sin; with its representations of the beauty of righteousness and the reward of righteousness, with its wonderful pictures of God and of His Love always stands in the way of the sinner's path to hell (Torrey)
2. Sadly, many go right over it!
B. Bible study is something, which is very important.
1. Mother once gave her son a Bible and said: "This Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this Bible."
a. When people start engaging in a life style of immorality, adultery, drinking, gambling can almost count on it, they have stopped reading studying their Bible
b. The Bible makes people who are in sin uneasy
(1) They are determined to continue in sin, and the Bible makes them very uneasy in their sin
(2) People may give a number of reasons why they object to the Bible, but in most cases, people hate the Bible because it makes them so uneasy in their sins
(3) Same concept with the Christian life (1Pe_4:4 - 1Pe_4:5)
2. The Bible is important because it "tells us what sin is" and then it gives us the strength to stay away from sin
a. It is essential to know what sin is
(1) 2Ti_2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (NKJV)
(2) Psa_119:105 NUN. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (NKJV
(3) A kind of knowledge that constantly says, "Doesn't the Bible say somewhere ...." is not sufficient to keep us from sin
b. It is essential to avoid sin
(1) Psa_119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! (NKJV)"
(2) Is God's Word hidden (ingrained) in our hearts?
(3) The Bible needs to be at the forefront of our minds
c. When we do sin, it can bring us back to God
(1) Psa_119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments. (NKJV)
(2) Those who go astray will often remember important Biblical concepts (even those which they learned as a child) which one day may aid in bringing them back to the Lord
C. Bible study/reading is neglected by so many today and this is why it is not an obstacle on their road to hell
1. Many today are biblically illiterate
a. The problem is not a case of having access to the Scriptures
(1) Average household in America has three Bible, and 92% of Americans own at least one copy of the Scriptures (Religious News Service)
b. People don't even know the basic things about the Bible's content
(1) Surveys have shown that fewer than half of Americans can name the first book of the Bible and only one third can tell you who delivered the Sermon on the Mount (many named Billy Graham instead of Jesus)
(2) Sixty percent of Americans cannot name half of the ten Commandments and 12% think Noah's wife was Joan of Arc
(3) 80% of those claiming to be "born again Christians" believe that the Bible says, "God helps them that help themselves."
2. It is clear that people don't read/study the Bible
a. Recently a Gallup Poll revealed that the number of people who claim to read their Bible ``at least occasionally'' has dropped to 59%, down from 73% in the 1980's.
b. Pollster George Gallup observed, ``We revere the Bible but we don't read it.'' Another survey showed that one reason many people give for not reading the Bible is that they are ``too busy'' or don't have the time. (Steve Klein article)
3. It is important to understand that the Bible is a roadblock on the road to hell
a. Hos_4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (NKJV)
b. Many are going around this roadblock and are continuing in the wrong direction.
II. ASSEMBLING WITH THE SAINTS
A. We are commanded to assemble, and when we fail to assemble, we commit sin; so it is essential to assemble to please God
1. But, in not assembling we fail to take advantage of one of the blockades to hell
B. Consider the importance of assembling
1. Heb_10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together is not just speaking of the Sunday morning Lord's Supper assembly but anytime the saints assemble.
a. As the manner of some is as today, some in Bible times were not attending, as they should.
b. But exhorting one another
(1) When we assemble we are encouraged to remain faithful
(2) Note vs. 23, 24 this is certainly done in the assembly
2. When we assemble, we receive encouragement from others to remain faithful, we hear sermons that help us do right, we are strengthened
a. Consider Matthew Henry's comments "To exhort one another, to exhort ourselves and each other, to warn ourselves and one another of the sin and danger of backsliding, to put ourselves and our fellow-Christians in mind of our duty, of our failures and corruptions, to watch over one another, and be jealous of ourselves and one another with a godly jealousy. This, managed with a true gospel spirit, would be the best and most cordial friendship." (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.).
b. Compare to weight watchers organization (important to be at the meetings); compare to AAA meeting for alcoholics meetings are necessary; they serve as a "support group"
3. Consider the attitude of the Psalmist
a. Psa_122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." (NKJV)
b. We don't assemble merely out of a sense of obligation nor to please someone else
c. We assemble for a number of reasons but one is that assembling will keep us strong and faithful in our service to God
C. People may not see how that assembling is helping them very much.
1. On a daily basis we may not see how milk is making a baby grow, but in time we can see the benefits it is a gradual process.
2. Same is true in assembling may not see much gain from one service but in time we will see how they will make us much stronger
3. Illustrate
a. A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So I think I'm wasting my time and the preachers are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
b. This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
c. I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
4. Assembling is truly a roadblock on the road to hell
III. PARENTS
A. The Bible teaches the value of Children
1. Psa_127:3 - Psa_127:5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. (NKJV)
a. The word "heritage" used here means "gift"; they are also a "reward"
b. These two terms designate something very good/favorable
c. Children should not be looked upon as a: burden, misfortune, or an encumbrance
2. Gen_30:1 - Gen_30:2 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die!" And Jacob's anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, "Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?" (NKJV)
a. Rachel's sister Leah was able to bear children
b. Rachael could not and she did not even want to live if she could not bear a child
c. When she did, she said, "God has taken away my reproach" (v. 23)
B. Parents have responsibilities toward their children
1. They have a responsibility to discipline their children (Pro_13:24; Pro_22:15; Pro_23:13 - Pro_23:14; Pro_29:15,Pro_29:17; Pro_19:18)
2. They also have a responsibility to teach their children (Pro_22:6; Eph_6:4)
a. They are to train them in things of a spiritual nature
b. They are to train them in the basics of how to function successfully in life (much of can come from their spiritual training)
3. Children are to appreciate what their parents have done for them by honoring them (Eph_6:2) and even by taking care of their physical needs when they get older and need help (1Ti_5:4,1Ti_5:8)
C. Godly parents actually serve as roadblocks on the road to hell for their children.
1. Their teaching/training is so important to a child, especially when he is young and in his "impressionable" years
2. Children owe a great deal of gratitude to their parents who have trained them in a godly way
3. Consider
a. How many times do we think back to what our mothers/fathers taught us?
b. Consider how often a person might quote something their Dad or Mom used to say, or, say, "I should have listened to my Mom/Dad."
c. Even if our parents were not faithful Christians, there is a good chance that they taught us many valuable lessons which have helped us in life
4. Children who will submit to their parent's godly training will be blessed; those who will suffer some very serious consequences
a. Pro_1:8 - Pro_1:9 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. (NKJV)
b. Pro_30:17 The eye that mocks his father, And scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it. (NKJV)
5. The teaching and influence of parents can serve as a blockade on the road to hell
a. Yet, many people jump over that blockade just like they do the other ones
b. Many do not take advantage of the godly training that they received from their parents
6. Illustration (can effect many years later)
a. A young man, many years ago, went out to Colorado to mine silver; he worked in the mines during the day and gambled during the night; but he spent more money gambling than he made in the mine
b. One night, at the gambling table, he lost his last cent and then took some of his employer's money that he had with him and lost that; he felt that he was a ruined man
c. He, in despair, went into the mountains, drew his revolver, cocked it, and held it to his temple and was about to pull the trigger
d. Just then a word that his mother had spoken to him years before came to him, "My son, if you are ever in trouble, think of God"
e. There, standing in the cold moonlight, with a revolver pressed against his temple, and his finger on the trigger, having remembered what his mother has said, he dropped the revolver and went on to change his life (story from Torrey book)
7. Parents are a roadblock which have been put on the road to hell by God; no child should ignore this roadblock
a. Most cases, adults can still gain from the wisdom of their parents
b. Children, when your parents restrict you: they are trying to keep you safe in this life, want you to become a productive citizen, but, primarily, they are trying to keep you from going to hell; God has set them up as roadblocks
Paul Johnson was my dad's brother and was a Methodist preacher. A few years before he died he gave me a set of books called "Great Pulpit Master." He said, "these may not always fit your doctrine but maybe you can get some good from them". The two sermons are based upon a sermon in Vol III by R.A. Torrey
Mike Johnson
Huntsville, AL
http://www.pancoc.com/TextEdit/S)%20God's%20Blockades%20on%20the%20Road%20to%20Hell%20(1)%209-12-04%20am.htm
GOD’S BLOCKADES ON THE ROAD TO HELL
(Part 2)
1. The Bible teaches that most people will go to Hell — Mat_7:13 - Mat_7:14 — and that sin separates us from God — Isa_59:1 - Isa_59:2
2. It also teaches that God does not want man to go to hell — 2Pe_3:9, 1Ti_2:3 - 1Ti_2:4
3. It is obvious that God does not want man to go to hell because, in His love, he sent his only son to die for our sins so that we can be saved — Joh_3:16 - Joh_3:17; Rom_5:8
4. Further, God made heaven a desirable place (place of joy, rest, and peace), and He made hell a very undesirable place (pain, darkness, misery) so man should be motivated to want to avoid hell seek heaven instead.
5. God has also set up some blockades, some roadblocks, to keep man from going down the road to hell
a. But man, it seems, is so determined to go to hell that he jumps over them or goes around them and keep right on going down that path
b. Man does not, generally, turn around and go the other way
c. Generally, roadblocks are good (keep us from danger) and this is the case with these roadblocks
6. Previous lesson, discussed three of these roadblocks: The Bible, Assembling, Parents
7. Lesson today: GOD’S BLOCKADES ON THE ROAD TO HELL
I. GOSPEL PREACHING
A. The importance of preaching is stressed throughout the Bible
1. In the New Testament, Christ and his apostles preached wherever people could be gathered: in the synagogues, on the mountainside, by the sores of seas and rivers, in the public street, at the porch of the Temple
2. Jesus’ mission was to “preach”
a. After Jesus was tempted, he went to Nazareth and in the temple, he read a passage from Isaiah; he closed the book and said that this passage was fulfilled in Him
(1) Luk_4:18 - Luk_4:19 — "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." (NKJV)
b. In Capernaum, the people wanted him to say longer but He said, “...I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.” (Luk_4:23)
c. Later, Luk_8:1 — “Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, (NKJV)
3. The Apostles were sent out and they went through the towns preaching the gospel
a. Luk_9:6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (NKJV)
4. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told his apostles to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (NKJV)
a. This they did: they and many other disciples “went everywhere preaching the word” (Act_8:4); the book of Acts is the story of the gospel being spread.
b. And, the gospel was preached to
(1) Col_1:23 “every creature which is under heaven”
5. Tit_1:3 points out that God manifests his word “through preaching”
6. Conclusion: that there must be some value in preaching....
B. Preaching is valuable because it saves us
1. Consider passages:
a. 1Ti_4:16 — Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (NKJV)
(1) to yourself — Timothy would need to make sure that he conducted himself properly; unto the doctrine — i.e., his teaching must be the truth — in doing this, he would save himself (as he followed it) and others (who would hear him preach and respond) — but must continue therein
b. 1Co_1:18, 1Co_1:21
(1) We are saved by the “foolishness” of preaching
(2) Many in Corinth regarded preaching as “foolishness” in stead of it being “the power of God” (18); placed much emphasis on their on wisdom
(3) not saying that preaching is “foolishness” but he is saying that we are saved by the “foolishness” (as it might be called) of preaching
(4) Can someone not simply study the Bible themselves and obey it and not ever hear a preacher and be saved? YES! But they are still beings saved by the preaching of someone
c. Rom_10:10 - Rom_10:17
(1) verses 14-15, he asks a series of rhetorical questions; each question the answer is “they can’t”
(2) must call on the Lord to be saved, can’t call on the Lord without believing, can’t believe without hearing; can hear without a preacher
(3) order is in reverse: the word must be preached (showing the value of it); someone hears; then they believe; then they call upon the name of the Lord; then they are saved
(4) What does it mean to “call upon” the name of the Lord; some say this one must cry out for him to save us; say “Lord save me” (sometimes in the “sinners prayer”) ---- IMPORTANT QUESTION IS ‘WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD?”
(a) Act_2:21 — seems clear in this context that he does not mean to just call out “Lord, Lord” and you can be saved
(b) Peter continued to preach: note the people’s response in verse 37-38
(c) Did Peter tell them that they needed to pray? NO — Did he tell them that they needed to ask Christ to come into their heart and save them? NO
(d) He told them that they needed to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins; he didn’t tell them to pray!
(e) Verse 38 explains what it means to call upon the name of the Lord (v. 21); didn’t give them two different things to do; did not contradict himself; calling upon the name of the Lord is a generic explanation which is specifically stated in verse 38
(f) Compare to 22:16 which tells what calling on the name of the Lord means (fits perfectly with the passages in Acts)
C. Preaching is valuable because it keeps us from sin
1. 2Ti_4:1 - 2Ti_4:4 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (NKJV)
a. Five imperatives are described in verse three which define what preaching is supposed to be about (followed up by four more in verse 5)
(1) Preach the word (be instant in season and out of season)— this is his primary purpose; the “word” is what is to be preached
(2) reprove — speaks of convicting people of their errors
(a) Thayer — “(1651) to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted 1Co_14:24 1Co_14:2. to find fault with, correct a. by word; to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove ....”
(3) rebuke —
(a) Vincent’s Word Studies — (2008) “The word implies a "sharp, severe" rebuke, with, possibly, a suggestion in some cases of impending penalty”
(b) Thayer- NT: (2008) “4. to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely, 2Ti_4:2.”
(c) distinction in the two words; word translated rebuke is probably stronger; the word for “reprove” involves more the idea of arguments presented to persuade the person of his sins; but the other involves more “an outright rebuke” (Barnes)
(4) exhort — carries with it the idea to comfort or encourage
(5) with all longsuffering and doctrine — teach patiently with a persevering spirit
b. Design of this preaching spoken of here is to keep people from sin whatever form that it may take; in verse four, specifically deals with preaching to keep them out of false doctrine (sin causes us to be lost, thus preaching is a roadblock on the road to hell)
2. Many today “despise prophesyings” in violation of 1Th_5:20
a. Application of this verse today is that we are not to treat with disdain gospel preaching
b. NIV says, “do not treat prophecies with contempt”
c. Many are like a child who does not want to take his medicine, who kicks and screams even though the medicine is extremely beneficial to him
3. Gospel preaching is a blockade because it keep us from sin and sin sends us to hell
D. Preaching is valuable because helps us to grown stronger
1. God’s Word is essential for spiritual growth
2. Note Heb_5:12 - Heb_5:14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (NKJV) growth comes through teaching/studying the word of God; one who does not grow as they should, needs to be taught again
a. growth is commanded (2Pe_3:18); it is essential to be pleasing to God
(1) another way in which God’s Word (which produces growth) is a roadblock on the road to hell
4. Eph_4:11 - Eph_4:12 — And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, (NKJV)
5. those in verse 11 (which includes evangelists) are to “perfect” the saints” (through their preaching/teaching)
a. Consider the word “perfect” in the original
(1) means to “fit” or “prepare fully” (Vines); it is a word which refers to the refitting a ship or setting a bone (Vincent)
(2) Preaching the word is to strengthen the saints
6. We need to allow “Gospel Preaching” to be our road block on the road to hell; we need to assemble to hear it; get as much of it as we can so that it will be a “strong” roadblock
II. BIBLE CLASS TEACHERS
A. Teaching God’s Word is very important.
1. We all have a responsibility to teach God’s Word (Mat_28:18 - Mat_28:20)
(1) we are taught to teach others— 2Ti_2:2
(2) Paul told Timothy regarding certain things which he had pointed out to him — “...These things teach and exhort.” (1Ti_6:2)
(3) It is important for us to find the “good soil” to plant God’s Word
B. The church, collectively, has a responsibility to teach — (1Ti_3:15)
1. Various means and methods can be used to carry this out
2. One way that we do this is by teaching Bible classes here in our building.
3. It has the advantage of teaching people at their age level, separated from others as is done in the public schools
4. allows to study at an appropriate rate (based upon age and knowledge)
5. allows more people to get involved in the teaching process (who benefit)
6. Good teachers are needed to teach Bible classes; allow the teacher to do “some” of what God expects of them in the realm of teaching
C. Teaching a Bible class should be taken very seriously
1. Teachers need to take their responsibilities very seriously
2. Bible classes need to be Bible centered: different techniques may need to be used with younger children, but the Bible class is not to be “play time” or “Party time”
3. People should be selected to teach classes who:
a. Want to — if we don’t have the desire we will not tend to do a good joy; further, this “attitude” might even be detected by the children
b. Are faithful Christians — Making a person a Bible class teacher is not to be used as a way to get them to services
4. Also, the classes should not be haphazard, careless, thoughtless, prayerless endeavors by a teacher
5. Selection of teachers, subject matter, and all things pertaining to the classes are important
D. How can a Bible class teacher be a “blockade” on the road to hell
1. One teaching an adult Bible class, for example, is potentially having a tremendous influence as the preacher who preaches a sermon in keeping people from going to hell
2. Consider the importance of one who teaches the younger classes
a. Children, especially when young, are most impressionable
b. During youth, many values are molded which will often stay with them for life
c. As with parents rearing children
E. growth may not always be apparent on a daily basis
F. the extent of influence may not always be immediately understood
G. Yet the influence of a Bible class teacher can be tremendous
1. Consider the following: “If we work upon marble, it will perish; if on brass, time will efface it; if we read temples, they will crumple into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds, and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and love of our fellow men, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.” (Daniel Webster) 1351
2. Teachers: value what you do; take it seriously, you are one of the blockades that God has set up on the road to hell; how many can you block from going down that path?
a. Parents: make sure that your children are in every Bible class so that they can take advantage of these roadblocks.
III. EXAMPLE
A. The Bible teaches the importance of setting a good example for others
1. First, even regarding the Old Testament, the concept of an example is emphasize
a. 1Co_10:1 - 1Co_10:10, he referred to the example of the children of Israel in the wilderness and then said (v. 11) “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and the are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
b. Consider Heb_11:1-40 in which many examples from the Old Testament are cited
2. Paul pointed out (2Th_3:9) that he, and the others, had made themselves examples to the Thessalonians
3. He also praised the Thessalonians who had “received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” (Thess. 1:6-7)
4. Paul told Timothy “to be an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity”
a. 1Ti_4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (NKJV)
B. Consider: our example, for good or bad, exerts a powerful influence on others
1. We may not realize it, but our good example can serve as a blockade on the road to hell
2. Sometimes, our actions can exert much more influence than our words (It is said, “Example is better than precept.” (English Proverb 4284)
3. Consider the following poem: YOU ARE PREACHING
b. There isn't a word that a preacher can say, No matter how lovely or true, Nor is there a prayer that his eager lips pray, That can preach such a sermon as you.
c. You vowed to serve Christ and men know that you did, they're watching the things that you do; there isn't one action of yours that is hid, Men are watching and studying you.
d. You say you're no preacher? Yes, but you preach A wonderful sermon each day. The acts of your life are the things that you teach; it isn't the things that you say.
e. So, Christians, remember you bear his dear name; your lives are for others to view. You are living examples; men praise you, or blame, and measure all Christians by YOU!
5. Consider the importance of this strong blockade that God has set up on the road to hell: set it up for others; note the good example of other people and learn from them
IV. FEAR OF PUNISHMENT
A. The Bible teaches man will be punished for his sins
1. Jesus frequently taught this: Mat_25:46; Mat_10:28
Mat_10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (NKJV)
Mat_25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (NKJV)
2. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death (Rom_6:23); vengeance belongs to God (Heb_10:30) it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God (Heb_10:31)
3. Note also: 2Th_1:8 - 2Th_1:9 (a picture of the Judgment Day); Rev_20:15 (lake of fire)
4. Hell is a horrible place — consider the following story; don’t believe the man was really in hell, but this accurately captures the horrors of hell.
a. In 1979 a specialist in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, and an atheist, Doctor Maurice Rawlings wrote a book "Beyond Death'sDoor." In the introduction he talks about an encounter in 1977 that changed his life. Dr. Rawlings had an encounter with Hell. He was resuscitating a man and explains what happened:
b. Each time he regained heartbeat and respiration, the patient screamed, "I am in hell!" He was terrified and pleaded with me to help him. I was scared to death. . . Then I noticed a genuinely alarmed look on his face. He had a terrified look worse than the expression seen in death! This patient had a grotesque grimace expressing sheer horror! His pupils were dilated, and he was perspiring and trembling — he looked as if his hair was "on end." Then still another strange thing happened. He said,"Don't you understand? I am in hell. . . Don't let me go back to hell!" . . the man was serious, and it finally occurred to me that he was indeed in trouble. He was in a panic like I had never seen before. Maurice Rawlings, Beyond Death's Door,(Thomas Nelson Inc.,1979, p. 3)
c. The thoughts of or anticipation of hell should cause us panic
B. Punishment can deter wrong actions
1. This is true with training animals, to rearing children, civil law, etc. (a law without a penalty is usually ignored)
2. Punishment can deter us from sin
a. Note Act_17:30 - Act_17:31 — we should be motivated to “repent” because the Judgment Day is coming
b. After reading Luk_16:19 - Luk_16:31, would you even want to go to even tartarus (hades)
3. Think about hell; don’t ignore it; allow it to be a roadblock on the road to hell; God has set it up, take advantage of it — don’t just go around it
V. THE LOVE OF GOD
A. Love can best be defined as it is “seen,” by the “out pouring of action” — God’s actions to save man illustrates his love for man
1. Consider the sacrifice which had to be offered: he sent his son
a. Joh_3:16 - Joh_3:17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved”
b. He sent his son to as a sacrifice to people who were undeserving
1. He commended his love toward us while we were sinners — Rom_5:8
2. Tit_3:4 - Tit_3:7 — “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
2. We are motivated to serve God to avoid punishment, but we are also motivated because of our love for God
3. Jesus said “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (Joh_14:15); and also said, (Luk_6:46) “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
B. God has placed another roadblock on the road to hell; it is his love, or might even say the cross
1. “No man can get very far down the path of sin and ruin before he sees looming before him a cross. On that cross there hangs a man, a Divine man, the Son of man, and the Son of God. Oh, look at Him as He hangs there with the nails in His hands and feet! What agony there is in His face, what suffering racks that body! See the blood stains on that back. See the blood on His face that flows from the wounds where the crown of thorns has pierced His brow. Those lips are moving. Listen. What is He saying? ‘It is for you that I suffer all this. I am bearing all this for you. I am dying for you. I am being wounded for your transgressions, bruised for your iniquities, the chastisement of your peace is upon me.’” (R.A. Torrey)
2. Make sure that we do not just ignore God’s love; move right around the blockade, and keep going down the road to Hell!
Modified lesson from Mike Johnson
Paul Johnson was my dad’s brother and was a Methodist preacher. A few years before he died he gave me a set of books called “Great Pulpit Master.” He said, “these may not always fit your doctrine but maybe you can get some good from them”. These two sermons are based upon a sermon in Vol III by R.A. Torrey -Mike Johnson