SOME THINGS IN HELL THAT WE NEED
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, July 11, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
SOME THINGS IN HELL THAT WE NEED
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31
Text: Luke 16:28
Luke 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Introduction: We already have some things in our churches that are also found in hell, some things that are not good. For instance, some churches have people in leadership who are just as lost as the people are who are burning in hell. Some churches have just as much soul-winning going on as is being practiced in hell today. The rebellion against God in some of our churches, among young people, moms and dads, is also characteristic of the hatred for righteousness that is found in hell today.
However, there are some things in hell that we DO need:
I. WE NEED A CLEAR PERCEPTION OF THE REALITY OF HELL
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
A. There is a real place called hell
B. There are real people in hell
C. There is real punishment in hell
II. WE NEED A CONSTANT PAIN
Luke 16:23-25 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 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. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
A. We need some pain over the souls of men
B. We need some pain over our slothfulness in soul-winning
C. We need some pain over our sinful living
III. WE NEED A CRYING OUT IN PRAYER
Luke 16:24 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 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
Yes, he was crying out to the wrong person (Abraham instead of God) and at the wrong time (after dying instead of while living), but he was praying, earnestly and fervently!
A. We need to have more closet praying (private)
B. We need to have more congregation praying (praying for the lost by name in our church)
C. We need to have more crisis praying
1. We need to pray fervently!
2. It IS a crisis!
3. People in hell are praying, and people in church are daydreaming while the word is being preached!
IV. WE NEED TO BE A CONCERN FOR OTHERS
Luke 16:27-28 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
A. We need to be concerned about the spiritual condition of others
B. We need to be concerned about the soon death of others
C. We need to be concerned about the sad future others will face
The man in hell was more concerned about his lost loved ones than you and I are today. Therefore, I say this is something in hell that we need!