WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.480 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, that's in the latter part of the 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:11.939 New Testament, among the small books. 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:17.539 The Bible is not short on descriptions of hell. 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:24.000 Over and over again, different terms of explanation are used. 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:30.679 The culmination of those things make for the most awful picture. 00:00:32.100 --> 00:00:40.120 However, the reality is that all of these things combined draw us, draw for us an unimaginable 00:00:40.120 --> 00:00:43.519 picture of what hell is really like. 00:00:44.519 --> 00:00:49.920 It is appropriate for whatever hell is, but it is beyond anything that we can imagine. 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:52.100 It is real. 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:58.260 It is unimaginable torment, and it is eternal. 00:00:59.460 --> 00:01:00.700 There is no turning back. 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:07.019 And I don't want you or your worst enemy to go. 00:01:09.379 --> 00:01:16.439 In 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses a persecuted church that had continued to remain faithful 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:20.819 even though they had faced ruthless torture. 00:01:22.099 --> 00:01:29.679 And in clearing up the matter, he gives us insights on eternity without the Lord. 00:01:31.140 --> 00:01:34.659 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, beginning in verse 5, it says this, 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:39.959 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom 00:01:39.959 --> 00:01:43.819 of God for which you are also suffering. 00:01:44.259 --> 00:01:51.060 Since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:57.400 grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from 00:01:57.400 --> 00:02:07.780 heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:09.780 obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:21.659 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:29.340 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at among all who have believed 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:33.620 because our testimony to you was believed. 00:02:33.620 --> 00:02:43.819 Not only is hell certain for those without Christ, it is awful. 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:53.759 And I want to look at four pictures today, some that I've referred to, but four pictures today that the Bible paints for us 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:57.360 of this place of endless misery. 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:04.780 The first picture that it paints for us is one of darkness and separation. 00:03:06.480 --> 00:03:12.760 In Matthew chapter 8, the Lord is marveling at the faith of a centurion. 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:20.700 And then he speaks of those who have had greater opportunity to hear the gospel but have not responded to it. 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:25.680 And he says in that passage in Matthew chapter 8 verse 12, 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:33.740 They will be thrown into outer darkness in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:39.200 A couple of weeks ago I talked about the parable of the wedding banquet. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:49.020 It is one that shows the imagery that is used so often for when heaven is complete and this world is no more. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:55.740 It's referred to often in scripture as the marriage supper of the lamb or at least referred to as that. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:04:01.800 With Christ as the groom and the church as the bride of Christ. 00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:10.960 And Jesus shows that in this parable when he talks about how he sent out this invitation to a great wedding banquet. 00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:17.980 And the host of that banquet says that to those that would not come even though they were invited. 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:24.120 He said bind them hand and foot and cast them into outer darkness. 00:04:24.939 --> 00:04:29.519 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:38.120 Paul speaks of in our passage today in verse 9 of separation. 00:04:38.120 --> 00:04:44.160 In the book of Revelation John speaks of the glory of the presence of God and the saints. 00:04:44.780 --> 00:04:48.920 But outside that great city of his glory are the dogs. 00:04:50.840 --> 00:04:55.300 The darkness that Christ speaks of is of course a physical darkness. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:59.120 But I want you to understand so much more that it is a spiritual darkness. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:04.680 The Bible often speaks of God as light and evil as darkness. 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:09.620 And the darkness of hell is ultimate evil with no ray of goodness. 00:05:10.540 --> 00:05:13.840 It is the infinite separation from God who is the light. 00:05:14.540 --> 00:05:18.459 As there is no sun or stars in heaven the glory of God is all the lights needed. 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:20.360 There is no God in hell. 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:22.300 No light whatsoever. 00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:30.660 I had the privilege this week of going with our senior adults to Celebrators in Pigeon Forge. 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:41.280 And I will tell you that going to a Christian concert at Six Flags with youth is nothing compared to going to Celebrators with a bunch of senior adults. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:43.060 It's wide open. 00:05:43.160 --> 00:05:49.900 But while I was there I got to see a dear old friend and a mentor to me, Dr. Harold T. Bryson. 00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:53.239 Dr. Bryson was my preaching professor. 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:55.159 He's not responsible for it. 00:05:55.219 --> 00:05:57.839 But he taught me as much as he possibly could. 00:05:58.299 --> 00:06:00.939 And I've had the privilege of having him back in my churches. 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:03.139 He's had bouts with cancer. 00:06:03.719 --> 00:06:05.939 He had a difficult bout with pneumonia. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:14.719 And what a pleasure it was to be surprised to see him there and to be able to bump elbows with him and take a picture with him. 00:06:15.239 --> 00:06:16.919 He wrote two books on hell. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:21.080 And when he speaks of this darkness, this is what he says. 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:25.980 He says, outer darkness is not an optic problem but a sin problem. 00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:32.759 If one has walked in darkness or lived apart from God, the condition will continue in his death. 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:35.639 In other words, he'll get what he wants. 00:06:36.780 --> 00:06:39.139 He tried to avoid God all his life. 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:39.960 He succeeded. 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:43.700 He'll miss God for eternity. 00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:50.959 And that brings us to separation where he describes it as a great chasm here. 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:55.560 And Dr. Bryson goes on in that book to say this about that. 00:06:55.659 --> 00:06:59.519 He said, no one can fully conceive the meaning of being separated from God. 00:07:00.039 --> 00:07:02.219 No one on earth has ever been without God. 00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:10.440 We've never been apart from his love, his concern, his passion for our highest good and our redemption. 00:07:10.900 --> 00:07:15.180 Even the most wicked person has been under the close supervision of God. 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:22.880 Many people know that God knows where a sparrow falls and the very hairs of our head are numbered. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:29.659 But in hell, God puts the wicked out of his mind. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:35.719 The human mind cannot comprehend the reality of being separated from God. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:40.920 Could this have been what the psalmist thought about in Psalm 88 verse 5? 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:47.019 Free among the dead like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more. 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:51.620 They are cut off from thy hand. 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:58.839 Thinking about being forever shut out from the presence of God and from the mind of God strikes extreme terror. 00:07:59.180 --> 00:08:07.060 Nonetheless, the Bible definitely teaches that hell means ultimate and endless separation from God. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.120 End of quote. 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:16.740 Helmut Tillicke said that hell is to be separated from God. 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:21.040 And I quote, in such a way that one is compelled to see him. 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:27.180 That one must see him as a thirsty man sees a silvery spring from which he dare not drink. 00:08:27.459 --> 00:08:28.139 This is hell. 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:33.720 To be forced to see the glory of God and have no access to it. 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:39.720 It is a chasm of helplessness. 00:08:42.300 --> 00:08:50.080 When I meet with children that are trying to find out more about what it means to give their heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:53.220 I show them my artistic skills. 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:55.540 Don't laugh. 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:56.159 Don't laugh. 00:08:57.159 --> 00:09:01.059 And I draw on their page a chasm. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:05.240 A separation between them and God. 00:09:05.319 --> 00:09:07.779 I tell them that God meant for them to be together. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:11.480 But when sin comes, he separates them. 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:14.279 So I draw that. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:20.639 This week, somebody from a former church sent me this, a picture of this drawing. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:28.779 It was written over a bulletin because some people do different things while preachers preach. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:33.419 And this kid had drawn this on the back of this bulletin. 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:39.659 When I left that church, she was too young to talk to about those matters. 00:09:39.819 --> 00:09:40.759 She hadn't dealt with that. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:44.980 But she had two older siblings that had both talked to me. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:48.139 And I had drawn something to this. 00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:49.000 This is not my drawing. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:49.679 This is hers. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:59.039 I had drawn something like that chasm and showed how Jesus is the bridge over our sin, removes our sin, and takes away the separation. 00:10:00.039 --> 00:10:07.259 And I was blessed this week to get this from the mother of those children that said, 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:19.559 My children are passing on to my youngest child what you taught them about what it means to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:21.980 That's pretty potent for me. 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:28.980 That's pretty potent for me to see that generations continue if we just share the gospel and trust God with it. 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:32.559 But where I get that chasm from is here. 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:35.340 There's a chasm here. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:40.039 And that chasm separates us in life outside of Christ. 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:45.740 It will separate for us for all of eternity if we don't come to Christ. 00:10:47.059 --> 00:10:53.120 Because once in hell, the hope of Christ is gone. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:11:01.220 One of the pictures of hell that points out in Scripture again and again is darkness and separation. 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:03.279 Another one is the flames of fire. 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:07.899 Mark chapter 9 verse 48 says, 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:12.159 Where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:16.699 Time and time again the Bible speaks of the fires of hell. 00:11:17.059 --> 00:11:18.219 Jesus spoke of it. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:20.019 Paul spoke of it. 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:22.159 Jude spoke of it. 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:25.199 John saw it in the revelation of Christ. 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:31.740 The images of fire that are so often described point to a physical agony of hell. 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:37.639 It's probably the most repeated description of hell, but yet it is probably the most mild of the pictures. 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:42.659 Because the agony of hell is not the physical suffering of hell, although it's very real. 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:45.559 It is the spiritual suffering of hell. 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:56.779 Yet God, but Christ points to this again and again because the reality is we can't understand the spiritual ramifications of being without God as I previously explained. 00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:58.819 It is beyond us. 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:01.980 We've never been without God totally. 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:07.340 Now the question is, how can you have fire and darkness in the same place? 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:19.699 I was in a theology class at Gardner Web years ago when somebody got excited after watching an indie race and watching somebody be caught on fire by jet fuel. 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:25.080 You couldn't see the flame, but you could see that old boy suffering as he tried to get away from it. 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:27.779 Old boy raised his hand in the back of the room and said, 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:31.039 Hey, I know how you can have fire and darkness. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:31.939 Jet fuel. 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:34.939 Jet fuel is what fuels hell. 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:37.080 I don't know about that. 00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:38.940 But I don't know about that. 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:41.600 I don't think that's exactly what the point is here. 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:50.580 But if you ask how can you have fire and darkness in the same place, the answer is the same that you can have streets of transparent gold in heaven. 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.820 It is beyond us, folks. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:56.720 I believe both concepts are literal and beyond us. 00:12:56.720 --> 00:13:02.120 And to describe it best explains those things that are beyond us. 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:09.299 The third picture that is seen again and again in the New Testament is the weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.460 And I mean it's again and again. 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:15.779 Seven times in the New Testament, the agony of hell is described as the weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:19.100 Twice because of the fires of hell. 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:22.360 Four times due to the separation and the darkness that comes from hell. 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:25.320 In other words, it's all tied together. 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:34.779 If you doubt any part of hell, and I wouldn't if I were you, don't doubt the unspeakable suffering. 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:40.680 Because when it speaks of weeping, it's talking about the constant crying and sorrow and suffering. 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:43.419 It talks about the gnashing of teeth. 00:13:43.599 --> 00:13:51.579 It speaks of not only extreme sufferings and outrageous pain, but it also speaks of the remorse of missed opportunities. 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:54.139 Of stubborn wills. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:14:03.959 The account that Jesus gives us of the rich man and Lazarus shows us that the agony that this man had was partially because of missed opportunities. 00:14:03.959 --> 00:14:08.819 Not only for him, but for his loved ones that he knew he wanted to get a message to. 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:11.100 It's the weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:14.280 And the fourth one is the death and destruction of hell. 00:14:15.160 --> 00:14:18.900 This fourth picture in scripture is the death and destruction of hell. 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:23.780 In Matthew chapter 10 verse 28, Jesus said, 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:26.540 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. 00:14:26.640 --> 00:14:31.180 Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 00:14:32.400 --> 00:14:33.580 Now I want you to understand something. 00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:37.900 When the Bible speaks of death, it does not speak of an end of our existence. 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:42.440 Most of the time it speaks of separation. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:51.760 When a loved one dies that we know is a believer. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:56.260 And we know that that loved one is in heaven. 00:14:58.340 --> 00:15:00.280 We don't grieve for their sake. 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:06.459 If they're a child of God, we know by the promises of God that they're better off. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:08.199 We don't grieve for their sake. 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.120 They'll be fine. 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:10.699 Why do we grieve? 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:13.399 We grieve because of the separation that we're experiencing. 00:15:14.959 --> 00:15:17.480 We grieve because we have to live here without them. 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:25.879 In Revelation 20 verse 14, John speaks of the lake of fire as the second death. 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:31.480 As the Bible describes it, one goes to hell upon their death. 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:35.539 The story of the rich man in hell tells us that they are tormented immediately. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:40.300 However, when the Lord returns and judgment is cast on each person, 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:43.019 the consummation of heaven will come. 00:15:43.099 --> 00:15:47.699 And what that means, I believe, is that all God's saints will be home together. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:51.959 But as well, the consummation of hell will come. 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:56.099 All sinners will suffer for eternity. 00:15:56.099 --> 00:16:01.019 And the present hell will be cast into a lake of fire. 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:03.359 It's called the second death. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:10.220 Because it is when the blessings and the fellowship and the hope is eternally lost. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.700 Don't misunderstand me. 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:13.580 It's lost at death. 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:17.820 But scripture is clear that at some point, 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:21.200 when this earth is over, 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:27.159 the finality of heaven and the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place. 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:30.000 But in hell, it is amplified. 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.120 It is stated. 00:16:31.420 --> 00:16:32.320 It is declared. 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.820 It is officially over. 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:36.020 Hope is forever gone. 00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:41.700 That's the death or the separation of hell. 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:46.340 There's also the destruction of hell. 00:16:47.660 --> 00:16:50.960 And when Christ describes the destruction of hell, 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:53.240 he pointed to Gehenna. 00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:55.040 And he used that word. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:57.340 You'll see it often in the Greek when it speaks of hell. 00:16:58.680 --> 00:17:01.000 That was a place in his day, 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:02.480 a literal place in his day. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:05.740 Ge means valley. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:08.359 Hinnah is short for Hinnom. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.099 So it's the valley of Hinnom. 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:13.119 And Hinnom means lamentation. 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:15.880 So it's literally the valley of sorrow. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:18.279 The valley of lament. 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:22.879 During the reigns of Ahaz and Manasseh, 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:28.059 there was a temple erected to a Canaanite fire god named Moloch 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:31.379 in a valley outside of Jerusalem. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:39.759 There the people worshipped Moloch in idle, satanic worship, to be honest. 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:45.879 A major part of their worship was the sacrifice of children. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:51.019 And a major part of their worship was to put a baby in the arms of a heated idol 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:53.680 and burn that child to death. 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:57.900 It brought forth screams from the baby. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:01.420 It brought forth whales from the mothers. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:05.380 It was all part of a pagan sacrificial ritual. 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:09.040 And that's why they call it the Valley of Lamentation. 00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:14.519 When Josiah became king, he forbid worship there. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:19.540 And it became a place of despise to the Jews. 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:24.240 It became so despised that people threw their trash there. 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:29.740 Unclaimed criminals' bodies and the unclaimed bodies of the poor 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:31.440 would be thrown in there. 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:36.000 And for sanitation purposes, there would always be a fire 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:40.440 that would be going in that valley. 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:46.500 The worm never died because there was always something else thrown in 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:48.539 for the worm to eat off of. 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:52.619 The fire never went out because they kept stoking it 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:55.399 for sanitation purposes. 00:18:57.500 --> 00:19:02.099 Christ said, hell's like the place where the fire never goes out 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:03.339 and the worm never dies. 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.539 It's Gehenna. 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:11.079 Constantly burning and constantly being filled with more trash. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:15.119 When Christ described what hell was like, he described Gehenna. 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:23.759 It was as if God, Christ was saying, hell is as if you were living in the midst of that ditch 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:26.019 for all of eternity. 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:30.339 It's worse than you can imagine. 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:38.399 It's not that hard to get a grasp of the destructive picture of hell. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:42.700 And I believe when you understand the darkness and the separation, 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:47.540 I believe when you understand the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:52.840 I believe when you understand the flames of fire and when you understand the death 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:58.759 and destruction of hell, you begin to at least see the seriousness of hell. 00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:07.480 The need for us in the day in which we live to be about the cause of Christ, 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:10.400 to make a difference in our world. 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:18.160 I heard a preacher one time talk about sitting in the stands at an Alabama-Auburn football game. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:26.800 The Iron Bowl, as it's called, is a rivalry that makes the Carolina-Clemson rivalry look trivial. 00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:30.380 It is serious. 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:38.780 In 2013, the ball game was tied with one second left. 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:42.619 They had to look at a review clock to make sure there was still one second left, 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:46.119 but Alabama was playing, so they put another second on the clock. 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:53.399 To give them the opportunity to kick a 57-yard field goal. 00:20:57.359 --> 00:21:01.019 They'd already used a kicker three times, had missed three field goals that game, 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:06.759 so they brought in a redshirt freshman to kick for the first time, I believe, in that ball game. 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:12.319 To kick a 57-yard field goal with one second left on the clock with the game tied. 00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:18.039 He kicked it good, but it was short. 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:27.119 Auburn had put one defensive back in the end zone in case something like that happened. 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:39.439 Chris Davis was standing in the end zone, and what looks to the eye at about nine yards deep into a 10-yard deep end zone, 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:48.239 he caught the ball and ran, well, college statistics say, because they only count it once you get out of the end zone, 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:53.199 a hundred yards back for a touchdown, and Auburn won the game. 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:56.000 Justice served. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:05.700 Alabama was not able to go to the national championship because of that. 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:10.580 Alabama fans were distraught, at least most of them. 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:14.779 Michelle from Alabama was not distraught. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:25.299 But Michelle was at a party watching the ball game, and Adrian, her friend, was upset. 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:35.899 Adrian was so upset, she flew into a rage, not only over the loss, but the fact that Michelle was not concerned enough about the loss. 00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:49.360 Somebody who was at the party said, because Michelle said, well, it's not as bad as the Miami Heat losing a basketball game. 00:22:50.820 --> 00:22:58.780 Because it was so trivial, Adrian started shooting, and Michelle died at a watch party. 00:23:02.300 --> 00:23:03.640 Alabama's serious about football. 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:10.860 And I have a preacher friend that was sitting in the stands at the Iron Ball at some point in the past. 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:17.920 And everyone was cheering hard, and back and forth the jeers would come, and they would be sent. 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:25.340 For everything from your coach stinks to your mama's ugly, I mean, they went back and forth. 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:34.619 But when a cheer began around him, it turned his mind from the game. 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:42.479 The chant from the Auburn fans was, go to hell, Alabama. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.539 Go to hell. 00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:48.519 Go to hell, Alabama. 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:49.379 Go to hell. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:54.059 Go to hell, Alabama. 00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:56.379 Go to hell. 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:56.439 Go to hell. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:24:26.420 Go to hell. 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:31.300 And he said, in my heart, I wanted to shout louder than them, no, Alabama. 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.360 No, Alabama. 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.360 Don't go to hell. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.960 Alabama, please don't go to hell. 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.620 Lose the ball game. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.720 Fumble the football. 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.820 Miss the field goal. 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:43.660 But please, don't go to hell. 00:24:43.800 --> 00:24:46.960 Christ died, so you don't have to go to hell. 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:50.240 Don't go to hell. 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:55.579 Friend, hell is no game. 00:24:58.059 --> 00:25:00.039 It is not to be played with. 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:03.500 It is not to be joked about. 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:11.980 God, whatever you do, don't go to hell. 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:17.819 Please don't go to hell. 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:23.099 Jesus died, so you don't have to. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:30.799 And if you surrender your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ, he'll save you where you are. 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:35.480 Hell wasn't built for you. 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:41.819 It was built for the demons and the devil. 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:45.299 And you don't have to go. 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.779 Don't go to hell. 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:54.839 And let's help as many people as we possibly can. 00:25:57.519 --> 00:26:03.859 To never spend eternity apart from God. 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:09.420 Charles Spurgeon, I've used it before. 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.799 I'll use it again. 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.819 He said it this way. 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:19.359 If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:27.980 And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:33.559 If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions. 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:38.720 And let not one go unwarned or unprayed for. 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.740 Please don't go to hell. 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.399 You don't have to. 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:47.319 And today is the day of salvation. 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:49.839 And you'll change your life. 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.079 Today. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.759 With every head bowed. 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.480 And every eye closed. 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.480 If you're here this morning. 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:05.519 And there's never been a time in your life where you've asked the Lord Jesus to forgive you of your sins. 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.700 To cleanse you and to come into your life. 00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.639 And to change you. 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:13.840 I want you to know that if you'll do that today. 00:27:14.560 --> 00:27:15.800 He'll save you. 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:20.280 Salvation is open to all who will come. 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:22.040 To him. 00:27:23.040 --> 00:27:26.000 The apostle Paul said, whosoever will may come. 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:31.759 I'm glad today that I can offer salvation without any hesitation. 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:34.940 And tell you, you can come to Christ. 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.619 And he'll save you. 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:41.539 If you feel even an itching for that. 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.500 It's not from you. 00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:45.660 It's because he's drawing you to himself. 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:50.880 And so I encourage you to be faithful in that. 00:27:51.800 --> 00:27:59.560 Maybe you're here this morning and you've acknowledged Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:03.640 But you've never publicly made that known. 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.980 You've been a private Christian. 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.519 Just never let that be known. 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:16.500 How important it is for you to follow not only by his commission but by his example. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:19.660 The Lord Jesus Christ example of being baptized. 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:23.660 To publicly acknowledge your faith before the Lord. 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:27.900 If you've never been baptized, we're going to do it next week. 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:30.099 I encourage you to come. 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.920 Make things right. 00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:36.119 Take that first step of obedience in salvation. 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:40.219 Maybe you're here and God's drawing you to First Baptist Church. 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:42.459 God's doing a wonderful work in our midst. 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.579 And I thank God for that. 00:28:46.219 --> 00:28:50.899 You want to join hands with us and journey for the Lord. 00:28:52.659 --> 00:28:54.879 Let's do all we can for the kingdom together. 00:28:55.699 --> 00:28:57.359 You come as God leads. 00:28:57.459 --> 00:28:59.019 Maybe you're here this morning and you're a Christian. 00:28:59.479 --> 00:29:00.719 And you've made it public. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.779 You may even be a member of First Baptist. 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:07.700 But there's things in your life you need to deal with before the Lord. 00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:15.139 And these steps up here are just a makeshift offer for you to lay your burden down before the Lord and get it right before him. 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:19.000 I have no idea what God is doing in your heart and life today. 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:21.899 But I know you'll never be satisfied unless you're obedient to follow him. 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:25.319 And so I ask you that you'll just follow the Lord. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.240 Just obey him. 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:30.460 I'll never want you or ask you to do anything more than what God tells you to do. 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:33.180 And I hope you're never satisfied with less. 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:36.960 Lord Jesus, I love you and I thank you, dear God, for your love for us. 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:41.360 And I ask right now that you'll work and you'll move in our midst, Father, as only you can. 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.700 Oh, Lord, I pray. 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:46.299 In Jesus' precious name, amen. 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.400 Amen. 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:46.700 Amen.