HELL SERMON*** Pastor Chuck Smith Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, CA There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar name Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores (Luk 16:19-21).So we have a very vast contrast of lifestyles. A rich man fairing sumptuously everyday, and there at his gate a poor beggar covered with sores, begging and seeking to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table and dogs coming and licking his sores. Some have said that this is a parable. Jesus didn't say it was a parable. I do not think it was a parable. For in all of the parables never was a person named. In this story the person is named, Lazarus, the poor man. The rich man isn't named. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angel into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried (Luk 16:22);Notice it didn't say the poor man was buried. In those days when the poor people died, they just throw them into the Valley of Tophet, into Gehenna. Into the valley just outside of Mount Zion, Valley of Hinnom, where they put the refuse from this city. And there was constant fires burning there in the Valley of Hinnom, and they would just cremate the bodies, throw them in the fires in the trash heap. They wouldn't bury the poor people. So the poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried and in hell, Hades.He lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and seeing Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. He cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his fingers in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received the good things, and likewise Lazarus the evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf that is fixed: so that they which would pass over from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house: for I have five brothers; that he may testify to them, less they also come to this place of torment (Luk 16:23-28).Now Jesus is teaching here concerning Hades, which is translated for the most part in the New Testament hell. A place that is located in the center of the earth. When they asked Jesus for a sign, He said, "A wicked and an adulteress generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah, for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." So Jesus located it in the heart of the earth, because we are told that Jesus descended into hell when He died. But God had given Him the promise, "Thou will not leave my soul in hell, neither will you allow the Holy One to see corruption, and Peter said God fulfilled the promise and He did not leave His soul in hell, neither did He allow the Holy One to see corruption, but this same Jesus hath God raised from the dead. And Peter, in Acts chapter two, bear witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in his message to the throne. ***THE WAY TO HEAVEN*** ***"Where will you spend eternity?"***Has anyone ever explained to you God's simple plan of salvation, as given in the Bible? On whose terms would you want to meet God? -- Your church, or your family, or your own, or the Bible?Man's ways are not God's ways!! Proverbs 16:25 says, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Isaiah 55:8 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."Our problem is that sin separates us from God. God is holy, pure, righteous and sinless. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, "For there is not a just man upon the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."What are the wages of sin? Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death."Since all have sinned, then where will all go to get their wages? The answer? Hell! Do you fear hell? Jesus says we should! Matthew 10:28 says, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."Do you know why Jesus warned us to fear hell? He knew how bad it is, that its consequences are fearful, and that it is eternal! God's word shows a preview of hell! (Luke 16:23-31) The man in hell was in torment! The man in hell prayed, but too late! The man in hell was eternally separated from God by "a great gulf fixed". But all men will not go to hell! While there is the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13), there is also the narrow way (Christ, John 14:6) that leads to life eternal (Matthew 7:14).Which way are you going? Extra!! Extra!! Good news!! God loves us!! Christ died for us!! John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Read also 1 Peter 2:24 & 2 Corinthians 5:21. Jesus Christ is the only bridge from this world to the world to come. He said in John 14:6, "I am the way." Salvation is not of works. Ephesians 2:8&9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Read also, Romans 4:5,6 & Titus 3:5.Salvation is a gift from God to us!! Revelation 22:17 says, "Whosoever will, let him take---." What two actions can we take when offered a gift? We can receive, or refuse. John 1:12 says, "As many as received Him, to them gave He power (authority) to become the sons of God even to them that believe on His name." Christ said in John 10:9, "I am the door." And in John 6:37 He said, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." Why wait? God said in Genesis 6:3, "My spirit shall not always strive with man."How much time have you to live? 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Here is a prayer of acceptance: "Lord Jesus, I am a sinner! I repent of my sins. I deserve to go to Hell! But I believe that Jesus Christ died for me, rose from the dead on the third day and I now receive Him as my personal Lord & Savior!" Amen!I pray that the Scriptures above will speak to you, and that you will respond, and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and be assured to enter the kingdom of God (Heaven) when you die! If you have responded to God in this simple way, then you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Even though you may not be able to feel it there, a deposit of God's own life has been placed in your heart in the form of His Spirit. This deposit, as it is maintained through continuing acts of Faith in God and His Word, is all that is sufficient to comfort and guide you through all coming trials and temptations that you will experience in your new life as a Christian. To help you stay strong in this Faith, you will want to begin participating in the following activities:1. Attend a Gospel-preaching Christ centered church regularly: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together." Hebrews 10:252. Read God's Word daily: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:153. Spend time each day in prayer: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Psalm 5:34. Live each moment for the Lord: "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Colossians 3:175. Tell others the good news! Now that God has entered into your heart, you have a testimony! As God opens doors for you to share your testimony with others, you do not have to feel shy or afraid. If you trust Him, God will lead your thoughts and words. "That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9,10.God bless you! Mark Howard
Add "This Was Your Life" to your Profile About me:I was born in Cudahy, Wisconsin to my parents, Mark Charles Howard and Vivian Lee Howard. My family, including my brother, Chuck Howard, moved from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to California in 1966. We have lived in various cities throughout Southern California; mostly in Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. My sister, Linda Howard, was born in Anaheim, California in 1968. My childhood is full of many good memories. My dads true passion in life was flying, so he became a flight instructor. I recall going flying when I was about eight years old. It was a beautiful day; partly cloudy skies, and I asked my dad if we could go flying. So we went flying, and it was such a thrill to be up there in the airplane with my dad. He even let me fly it. My mom was a great homemaker. I can remember her cooking some really tasty meals and keeping the house clean and in order. My parents were divorced when I was eleven years old. Both of my parents were hard core alcoholics. I started running cross country at Costa Mesa High School, my Alma Mater, in the fall of 1978 under coach Joe Fisher. We had the most successful Varsity cross country season in the fall of 1980. We won all of our invitational races from Dana Hills to Mt. Sac. We were Boys Varsity Sea View league champions, and the best team in the state of California for boys varsity cross country. My personal record in the 3-mile in high school was 14:50. All the glory belongs to the Lord! My dad died on November 29, 1982, while I was away at college at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on a running scholarship. I started drinking to cope with the loss of my dad! Coach Fisher kicked me off the track team for drinking too many beers, and getting out of control. I was close to hitting bottom and I didnt even realize it. This is what the Bible has to say about living a sinful life: Galatians 6:7,8: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life." In March of 1984 I was partying with some friends in the parking lot of the United Artist's Cinemas in Santa Ana, California where I worked. At the end of the evening I was driving home drunk out of my mind, and a friend of mine named Brett Southard was a passenger in the car. I lost control of the car and crashed into a brick wall. I lived but my friend Brett died. This was a wake up call to me! Jesus Christ pulled me out of a pit and has blessed me in so many ways! I no longer drink! My sins are forgiven and I have eternal life through Jesus Christ! The Lord opened up a door for me to become a cross country & track coach at my Alma Mater Costa Mesa High School in Costa Mesa, California. I coached there 1987 through 2001. I no longer coach because the Lord called me into ministry work full time. On August 14, 1993, I was married to the most beautiful, loving, faithful, godly woman in the world, Kirsten Gurney. We currently fellowship at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California. Our pastor is Chuck Smith. If you would like to hear our church radio station, log on to www.kwve.com.****** The Lord put it on my heart to start a internet & Gospel Tract ministry in 1999.
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