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Title: "Eternity Without God"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: One Minute After You Die
QUESTION:
Why do you think there are a growing number of people who believe in Heaven that do not believe in Hell?
Challenge Question:
How can a supposedly Holy and loving God send anyone to the horrors of Hell forever? That seems mean and evil, not holy or loving.
REFLECT
What you believe about eternity determines how you live today.
I. LESSONS from the other side
Luke 16:19-31
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' " 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "
LESSONS…
· He was fully conscious and aware.
· His eternal destiny was irrevocably fixed.
· He knew God's judgment was completely just.
· He pleaded for someone to help his brothers repent.
· He experienced eternal regret.
II. But how can a LOVING God send people to HELL?
REFLECT
God does not choose HELL for people;
they freely choose it for themselves.
After you die, you are not asked by guest services at the gates, "Would you like the smoking or non-smoking section of eternity?" but rather what becomes clear is that you already chose your gate, way of life, and destiny.
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
III. But why Is It FOREVER?
1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
REFLECT
Light and darkness do not mix. Light displaces darkness. It is Hell's will to take people away from God. It is Heaven's will to draw people to God. Darkness does not accept light nor light accept darkness.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might
Why Forever?
When eternal souls become fixed in their darkness,
there is no light to bring about repentance.
IV. The Lord is NOTWANTING anyone to PERISH
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8-9
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation.
V. "OMAYD" God cannot reverse your Self-Chosen Destiny
REFLECT
God didn't create choice and then force us to choose Him.
That would remove the reality of choice.
God didn't create choice and take away its consequences.
That would remove the validity of choice.
God didn't create choice and then fail to show us the outcomes.
That would remove the transparency of choice.
REFLECT
When the only remedy for human sin is rejected and all appeals of a loving, seeking God for the reconciliation of rebellious sinners are refused, there is no other course of action that God himself can pursue but to leave the sinner to his self-chosen destiny.
--Tyndale Bible Dictionary on "Hell"
Dear God,
We believe You are good. Thank You for giving us choice. Thank You for giving us Jesus. Thank You for access to You and Your love and grace forever. Inspire us to love everyone we can with Your practical grace and truth that promises eternal life. Amen!
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