WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.080 What if those from the grave could talk? 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:09.740 What would they tell us? 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:14.359 Well, the Apostle Paul apparently went to heaven, 00:00:14.859 --> 00:00:20.300 but he refused to say a word about what he experienced. 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:24.400 He talked about it in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:28.219 In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, beginning in verse 2, he says this, 00:00:28.219 --> 00:00:35.560 I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago was caught up to the third heaven. 00:00:35.939 --> 00:00:39.039 Whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know. 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:40.420 God knows. 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:43.619 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise, 00:00:43.899 --> 00:00:47.039 whether in the body or out of the body, I don't know. 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:48.379 God knows. 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:54.560 And he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 00:00:54.560 --> 00:01:02.359 The first heaven, to explain what he's talking about when he speaks of the third heaven, 00:01:03.260 --> 00:01:07.620 the first heaven is what you see today in the sky. 00:01:08.680 --> 00:01:12.300 If you go outside and look right after worship, don't go yet, 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:15.060 look right after worship and look up in the sky, 00:01:15.159 --> 00:01:18.599 what you see is what's described as the first heaven. 00:01:18.599 --> 00:01:23.299 The second heaven is what you see on a clear night. 00:01:23.839 --> 00:01:25.979 I walked the dog last night about 1030. 00:01:26.039 --> 00:01:27.419 I saw stars in the sky. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:29.219 That's a second heaven. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:33.259 The third heaven is the dwelling place of God. 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:38.919 Now, Paul is most likely talking about himself here. 00:01:39.739 --> 00:01:44.819 However, he is so overwhelmed by the glimpse that he would not speak of it. 00:01:44.819 --> 00:01:47.439 He said he cannot tell it. 00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:53.139 It looks like it took him 14 years to even bring it up. 00:01:53.699 --> 00:01:59.239 And I think that's the best account of a first-person look at heaven. 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:05.159 Paul, you understand, Paul wasn't trying to sell books. 00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:10.879 There's a lot of people that talk about what they experience when they almost die 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:13.159 that love to sell you a book. 00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:16.759 And some of those things have been proved to be not true. 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:20.620 Years ago, they were written about a child that supposedly went to heaven 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:23.340 and come to find out after they sold a million copies, 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:25.599 the child didn't have any experience like that. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:26.800 The parents had fed it with them. 00:02:27.460 --> 00:02:30.519 So be warned, those who talk about what they saw in heaven 00:02:30.519 --> 00:02:33.539 many times have books to sell. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:35.079 But in today's passage, 00:02:36.019 --> 00:02:38.900 Jesus gives us a first-person testimony 00:02:38.900 --> 00:02:42.680 of a man that went to hell. 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:48.960 And I believe the advice that he gives is worth taking note of. 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:52.319 It's found in Luke chapter 16. 00:02:52.900 --> 00:02:56.479 Luke chapter 16, beginning in verse 19, and it says this. 00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:03.399 There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen 00:03:03.399 --> 00:03:07.019 and who feasted subtly every day. 00:03:08.019 --> 00:03:11.179 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, 00:03:11.939 --> 00:03:17.639 covered with sores who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. 00:03:18.620 --> 00:03:21.780 Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:26.699 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. 00:03:27.300 --> 00:03:30.000 The rich man also died and was buried. 00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:32.840 And in Hades, being in torment, 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:38.400 he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:40.199 And he called out, 00:03:40.300 --> 00:03:42.400 Father Abraham, have mercy on me 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:47.599 and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue. 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:51.159 For I am in anguish in this flame. 00:03:52.299 --> 00:03:53.379 But Abraham said, 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:57.740 Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things. 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:00.879 And Lazarus is like manner, bad things. 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:04.939 But now he is comforted here and you are in anguish. 00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:07.039 And besides all this, 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:08.219 between us and you, 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:10.500 a great chasm has been fixed 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:17.600 in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:20.939 and none may come from there to us. 00:04:21.660 --> 00:04:22.540 And he said, 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:23.939 Then I beg you, Father, 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:26.240 to send him to my father's house. 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:30.120 For I have five brothers so that he may warn them 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:32.680 lest they also come into this place of torment. 00:04:33.459 --> 00:04:34.879 But Abraham said, 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:37.100 They have Moses and the prophets. 00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:38.560 Let them hear them. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:39.920 And he said, 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:40.899 No, Father Abraham. 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:43.680 But if somebody goes to them from the dead, 00:04:43.819 --> 00:04:44.839 they will repent. 00:04:45.339 --> 00:04:46.379 And he said to them, 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:49.259 If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:51.800 neither will they be convinced 00:04:51.800 --> 00:04:55.939 if someone should rise from the dead. 00:04:57.160 --> 00:04:58.160 Let's pray together. 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:01.699 Lord Jesus, 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:03.620 I am fully aware that the devil 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:06.079 does not want 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:08.120 this message 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:10.439 to clearly be preached today. 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:14.560 Because of the difference that it makes 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:15.540 when we realize 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:17.819 what's at stake 00:05:17.819 --> 00:05:20.360 for our souls 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:22.540 beyond this life. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:24.759 God, I pray 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:27.360 that the sweet Holy Spirit of God 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:29.560 will work and move 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:30.720 in such a way 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:31.399 today 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:33.600 that there will be no distractions 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:35.700 that will be clear 00:05:35.700 --> 00:05:37.300 what you would have 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:38.439 for each and every one of us 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:40.120 in Christ. 00:05:40.760 --> 00:05:41.939 In Jesus' name. 00:05:42.900 --> 00:05:43.200 Amen. 00:05:45.520 --> 00:05:46.780 If the lost, 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:48.780 that is those 00:05:48.780 --> 00:05:50.840 as Scripture describes them, 00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:52.640 who reject Christ 00:05:52.640 --> 00:05:53.620 could speak 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:55.379 from the grave, 00:05:56.040 --> 00:05:57.740 what would they say? 00:05:57.740 --> 00:06:00.199 Well, here you have 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:01.280 a situation 00:06:01.280 --> 00:06:02.500 with two completely 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:03.560 different men. 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:04.519 You had one man 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:05.360 who was poor 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:07.160 and begging for crumbs 00:06:07.699 --> 00:06:09.579 like a dog 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:11.780 at a lavish gate 00:06:11.780 --> 00:06:13.579 of the rich man. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:17.180 The man was covered 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:18.019 with sores, 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:19.660 which speaks 00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:22.040 not only to hygiene issues, 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:23.620 but it also speaks 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:24.740 to health issue. 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:26.639 But in the first century, 00:06:26.900 --> 00:06:27.180 yeah, 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:28.500 that gate, 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:29.840 I don't know 00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:30.460 if we had a show 00:06:30.460 --> 00:06:31.160 or not this morning, 00:06:31.540 --> 00:06:32.960 that gate 00:06:32.960 --> 00:06:34.460 must be something 00:06:34.460 --> 00:06:35.519 like it looked 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:36.579 for that man, 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:36.980 okay? 00:06:37.340 --> 00:06:38.840 Now, that's not the gate 00:06:38.840 --> 00:06:40.259 that Lazarus 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:41.040 laid outside of. 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:41.879 That's a gate 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:43.060 outside of Buckingham Palace. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:44.000 But I thought 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:44.660 I'd give you 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:47.680 some insight 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:49.400 into what it must 00:06:49.400 --> 00:06:49.960 have been like. 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:51.800 So this man's laying 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:52.819 out in front of this gate 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:53.780 with sores 00:06:53.780 --> 00:06:54.639 about his body 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:58.519 which is a first century, 00:06:58.659 --> 00:06:59.779 to the first century audience, 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:01.139 speaks of a curse 00:07:01.139 --> 00:07:02.120 from God. 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:02.959 Do you remember Job? 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:04.180 When Job went 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:05.459 through all of his difficulty, 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:06.459 he was scratching 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:07.379 his boils 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:08.839 with the shards 00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:09.719 of pottery 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:11.180 as he lay 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:12.519 on an ash heap. 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:14.959 He looked cursed 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:16.060 even to the point 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:17.759 that Job's own wife 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:19.060 told him to curse God 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:19.979 and die 00:07:19.979 --> 00:07:20.659 because that's 00:07:20.659 --> 00:07:21.279 what it looked like. 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:23.459 It says this man 00:07:23.459 --> 00:07:24.539 was licking, 00:07:24.599 --> 00:07:25.659 the dogs were licking 00:07:25.659 --> 00:07:26.799 this man's wounds. 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:27.259 Now that, 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:27.859 that, 00:07:28.239 --> 00:07:29.619 I got a dog 00:07:29.619 --> 00:07:31.099 and I love my dog 00:07:31.099 --> 00:07:31.819 but we're not talking 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:32.619 about a good dog 00:07:32.619 --> 00:07:32.979 that's worried 00:07:32.979 --> 00:07:33.619 about your boo-boo 00:07:33.619 --> 00:07:34.219 here, okay? 00:07:34.599 --> 00:07:35.319 That's not what 00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:35.919 we're talking about. 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:36.799 We're talking about 00:07:36.799 --> 00:07:37.519 scavenger, 00:07:37.559 --> 00:07:38.000 they didn't have 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:38.559 pet animals, 00:07:38.779 --> 00:07:39.659 pet dogs. 00:07:39.799 --> 00:07:40.359 That's what we're talking 00:07:40.359 --> 00:07:41.879 about a scavenger dog 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:42.939 that's licking 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:44.579 ready to take a bite 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:45.859 is what we're talking about. 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:48.139 He looks cursed. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:50.420 Surely he had to be. 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:52.259 And then there's 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:53.080 the other man. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:55.280 The rich man 00:07:55.280 --> 00:07:56.840 had a lot in life. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:07:57.600 He was rich, 00:07:58.040 --> 00:07:59.340 lavishly so. 00:08:00.340 --> 00:08:01.600 Purple and fine linen 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:03.000 clothing is the finest. 00:08:03.960 --> 00:08:05.780 A robe of fine linen 00:08:05.780 --> 00:08:07.100 as is described here 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:08.259 was said to be worth 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:10.280 six times its weight 00:08:10.280 --> 00:08:11.300 in gold. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:14.259 This man was feasting 00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:16.159 subtly daily. 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:18.920 This is an ostentatious 00:08:18.920 --> 00:08:20.680 flamboyant kind of living. 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:21.579 I mean he's living 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:22.899 like a five star athlete 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:23.819 with an IL money, 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:24.180 you know? 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:26.920 He had all the frills 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:28.539 that you'd want 00:08:28.539 --> 00:08:30.279 and that's exactly 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:31.759 what he was concerned with 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:33.460 and that's exactly 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:34.879 what his downfall with. 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:37.059 Life's luxuries 00:08:37.059 --> 00:08:38.519 became a curse for him. 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:39.679 They spoke too loud 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:40.220 to him. 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:41.360 Now listen, 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:42.720 it's not always about money. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:44.019 Jesus brings up 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:45.519 this particular situation 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:46.960 because he's speaking 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:48.080 with the Pharisees 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:49.120 and the Pharisees 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:50.000 that he's speaking with 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:51.200 that Jesus addressed 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:52.720 in verse 14 earlier, 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:55.040 that's what they particular, 00:08:55.200 --> 00:08:56.639 that was their particular situation. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:57.700 But in reality, 00:08:57.860 --> 00:08:58.920 some people can be caught up 00:08:58.920 --> 00:09:00.440 with so many other things 00:09:00.440 --> 00:09:01.100 that make up 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:02.200 the pride of life. 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:03.840 Some people are caught up 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:04.700 with their looks. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:05.920 I'm going to tell you, 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:07.120 it's not easy to look like this 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:07.920 every day, you know? 00:09:09.160 --> 00:09:11.160 Some people are really, 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:11.860 I mean, they're caught up 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:13.079 with their looks, you know? 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:14.299 Some people are caught up 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:15.179 with their education. 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:16.799 Some people are caught up 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:17.740 with their family, 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:18.779 who they're from, 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:20.639 their heritage. 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:22.120 Some people are caught up 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:22.839 with their influence 00:09:22.839 --> 00:09:23.480 and they're so, 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:24.919 they're so caught up 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:25.399 in these things 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:26.740 that they become a hindrance 00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:27.219 to them 00:09:27.219 --> 00:09:28.919 in really seeing reality. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:30.459 All of these matters 00:09:30.459 --> 00:09:32.839 can easily busy our lives. 00:09:32.939 --> 00:09:33.959 They can drown out 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:34.899 the desperation 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:35.980 of our hearts. 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:37.560 And his focus 00:09:37.560 --> 00:09:39.340 was on the importance 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:40.580 of things that rust 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:41.259 and wear 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:43.279 and do not last forever. 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:44.379 He loved his stuff. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:46.519 And he prioritized 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.680 his life around it. 00:09:48.519 --> 00:09:49.879 And the result is, 00:09:49.920 --> 00:09:50.759 as Christ put it 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:51.620 about someone else, 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:52.480 that this man 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:53.480 gained the whole world, 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:54.940 yet he lost his own soul. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:59.379 But Jesus then gives us 00:09:59.379 --> 00:09:59.960 a view 00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:03.000 of both of them 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:03.960 in eternity. 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:06.040 Now I want you 00:10:06.040 --> 00:10:07.220 to notice in the passage 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:08.740 that it says 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:10.820 that the rich man 00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:12.040 was buried. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:14.980 Now he was buried 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:15.700 and surely it was 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:16.980 an extravagant gathering. 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:20.400 But there's no mention 00:10:20.400 --> 00:10:21.620 of the burial for Lazarus. 00:10:23.680 --> 00:10:24.660 There's no mention 00:10:24.660 --> 00:10:25.300 of his burial 00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:27.120 because beggars 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:28.400 typically didn't get a burial. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:31.000 If their bodies 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.800 were not claimed, 00:10:31.900 --> 00:10:32.480 they were thrown 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:33.680 in the trash dump. 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:35.960 The trash dump 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:36.780 was in the valley 00:10:36.780 --> 00:10:37.379 of Hinnom. 00:10:41.320 --> 00:10:43.139 Also called Gehenna. 00:10:45.280 --> 00:10:47.860 Which is the very name 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:49.379 that Jesus used 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:51.740 to describe hell 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:53.960 throughout the Gospels. 00:10:54.400 --> 00:10:55.840 It's not mentioned here, 00:10:56.540 --> 00:10:58.000 but it's mentioned often. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:02.460 So people didn't expect 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:04.019 for eternity 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.000 to be different 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.860 than life was 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:08.399 for these two men. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:11.580 But Jesus is a table flipper. 00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:12.000 I mean, 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:15.779 he upsets stuff. 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:17.639 I always like to say 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:18.779 God throws curveballs. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:20.820 He lands in a place 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:21.580 that you don't expect 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:22.080 it to land. 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:24.360 And he does that here as well. 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:26.520 For the poor man here 00:11:26.520 --> 00:11:27.180 is not cursed. 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:29.180 The poor man here 00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:30.000 is not in hell. 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:32.400 The poor man here 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:33.540 is at the bosom 00:11:33.540 --> 00:11:34.500 of Abraham. 00:11:35.180 --> 00:11:35.700 Now understand 00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:36.920 the significance of that. 00:11:37.300 --> 00:11:38.700 In the bosom of Abraham, 00:11:39.560 --> 00:11:40.400 that means that 00:11:40.400 --> 00:11:41.940 that represents him 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:43.000 being in heaven 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.420 at the right side 00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:45.379 of the father 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.500 of the nations. 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:48.500 Abraham. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:50.600 The greatest pillar 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:51.500 of faith 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.700 in the mind 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:53.679 of the Jews 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:54.820 was Abraham. 00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:56.000 And Abraham 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:57.039 is surely seated 00:11:57.039 --> 00:11:57.879 close to God 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:58.480 in eternity. 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:00.419 A place of eternal splendor. 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:01.639 This poor man 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.240 was put 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:03.120 in a place 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.100 of privilege. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:07.120 Now based on this account, 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:10.059 if this rich man 00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:11.559 who's not in heaven 00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:12.220 but in hell, 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:13.899 if he were speaking 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:14.879 to us this morning 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.379 from hell, 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:16.580 he would give us 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:17.299 some advice. 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:21.240 Hear the advice 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.019 from one in hell. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:24.899 I believe 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:25.759 if he could speak 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:26.559 today to us, 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.460 he would tell us, 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:29.580 don't spend eternity 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.879 in regret. 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:33.919 Don't spend eternity 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.379 in regret. 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:37.600 It's alarming to me 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:38.200 that not only 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:38.879 can this man 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:39.720 see his brothers, 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:42.179 but he can see 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:43.440 their need of salvation 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:43.960 in hell. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:48.679 He can not only see that 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:49.620 but he can also see 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.080 into heaven. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.519 He can see that 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:54.019 there's this great chasm 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:55.200 that has been fixed. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:55.960 In other words, 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.659 what he means by 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:57.320 great chasm 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:57.879 that's been fixed 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.840 is what's done 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.519 is done. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:02.039 There's no returning, 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.080 there's no changing, 00:13:03.340 --> 00:13:04.100 there's no difference 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:04.480 anymore. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:07.379 He can clearly know 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.259 for all of eternity 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.120 the opportunities 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.940 that he had 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:13.039 and that he neglected 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:15.840 and that he ignored 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:19.500 and that's one thing 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.060 to suffer 00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:23.300 of knowing of the missed 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:23.879 opportunities. 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:25.360 It's another 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.159 to know 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:28.440 that you didn't have 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:29.039 to suffer 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.240 and to constantly 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.139 be reminded 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.379 about what you missed. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.179 I want you to think 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:34.059 about this for just a moment. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:36.159 Based upon this passage, 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:37.179 people that go to hell 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:38.919 for failing to acknowledge 00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:40.200 that God is pursuing him. 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:41.039 They sensed it, 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:41.879 they felt it, 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:43.240 but they never surrendered 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:43.580 to it. 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:44.939 Now let's personalize that. 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.500 So once in hell, 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:49.700 you are constantly 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:51.919 reminded of the loved ones 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:53.340 that tried to share 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.299 the truth with you 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:55.419 that you didn't listen to. 00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:58.159 You are constantly 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:59.439 reminded of the messages 00:13:59.439 --> 00:14:00.319 that you heard, 00:14:00.439 --> 00:14:01.959 the conviction in your heart 00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:02.740 that you ignored, 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.799 the opportunities 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.719 for your life 00:14:04.719 --> 00:14:06.219 and for your eternity 00:14:06.219 --> 00:14:08.240 that would change you forever 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.979 that you walked away from 00:14:09.979 --> 00:14:13.219 for whatever reason. 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:16.459 Lost, 00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:18.240 caught up in this world, 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.459 rolling through your mind 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:22.579 constantly 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:24.179 without any resolve 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:25.500 and without any type 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.239 of recourse, 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.779 without any hope at all. 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:30.099 Here, 00:14:30.239 --> 00:14:31.299 sometimes in this life, 00:14:31.359 --> 00:14:32.279 we get a second chance. 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:33.000 In hell, 00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:34.659 there is no second chance. 00:14:35.439 --> 00:14:36.239 It is eternal. 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:38.259 There's no going back. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:40.219 And the regret 00:14:40.219 --> 00:14:40.839 of eternity 00:14:40.839 --> 00:14:41.519 without the Lord 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.779 must be a lot 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.919 of what hell's about. 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.459 I mean, 00:14:45.479 --> 00:14:46.479 we could stop there 00:14:46.479 --> 00:14:47.199 and it'd be enough, 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:49.320 but Christ didn't stop there 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:50.360 when he described it. 00:14:51.140 --> 00:14:52.080 So nor should we. 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.960 I believe that man 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:55.820 was standing here today 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:56.500 and would tell us 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:56.900 about hell. 00:14:57.160 --> 00:14:58.240 I believe he would tell us 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.120 don't spend eternity 00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.780 in agony. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:04.300 Nowhere in Scripture 00:15:04.300 --> 00:15:06.040 do we gain a fuller 00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:06.620 understanding 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:08.240 of the agony of hell 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.259 than we do here. 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:10.340 In verse 24, 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:10.799 he says, 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:11.939 tell him 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:14.379 to just get a wet 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:16.419 finger of water 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.379 on my tongue 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.279 to bring me 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:19.259 some relief. 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:22.039 He speaks of 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:23.620 two kinds of agony 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.019 in hell. 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:24.659 For one, 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.740 it speaks of a physical 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.600 agony in hell. 00:15:26.939 --> 00:15:27.840 There's no doubt 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:29.819 that hell 00:15:29.819 --> 00:15:30.919 is not on earth. 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:33.259 It is beyond us. 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.179 And if you ever say 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:36.659 in gist, 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.879 it's like a hell on earth, 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.899 I got news for you. 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.259 We don't have a clue 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.879 in this life. 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:44.279 To imagine it 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.200 in our terms 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:47.360 is only a slight glimpse. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:49.639 It's much worse than that. 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.740 Christ is very clear. 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:52.600 There is torturous 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.980 agony in hell. 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:55.080 He describes it 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:56.120 again and again 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:56.700 in the New Testament. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:58.139 He speaks of weeping 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.360 and gnashing of teeth. 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:00.679 That speaks of 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:02.019 a tremendous emotional 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.080 and physical pain. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:05.039 He refers to 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:06.000 being thrown 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.279 into outer darkness. 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:10.620 That is a paralyzing fear 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.340 that I'll speak of 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:12.860 in just a moment 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:14.100 that I don't really think 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.100 we can imagine. 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.100 And then he describes it 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:19.159 as a fire, 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:20.580 a lake of fire 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.840 and brimstone, 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:23.379 an eternal place 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:25.820 with constant punishment. 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:26.419 Now, 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.179 this weeping 00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:28.360 and gnashing of teeth 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.100 that he speaks of 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:30.000 so often about hell 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.059 is spoken of 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:31.779 in response 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:33.019 to the agony 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:34.360 of the eternal darkness 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.379 in Mark chapter, 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:36.340 excuse me, 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:37.440 in Matthew chapter 8 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.039 verse 12. 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.480 The weeping 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.080 and the gnashing 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:41.360 of teeth 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.539 is spoken of again 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:44.860 in Matthew 13 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.500 verse 42 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.919 and it's spoken of 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.800 in reference 00:16:47.800 --> 00:16:48.779 to the furnace 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.600 of fire 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.539 as it is described 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.220 in the New Testament. 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:54.960 You cannot be biblical 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:56.379 which is my priority 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.000 by the way. 00:16:57.420 --> 00:16:58.700 You can't be biblical 00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.680 and hide the fact 00:16:59.680 --> 00:17:00.139 that hell 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:01.540 is a painful, 00:17:02.160 --> 00:17:04.319 physically torturous 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.160 place. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.100 But see, 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:08.620 that's only the physical agony. 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:11.160 Then there's also 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:12.319 the spiritual agony. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.799 The weeping 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.700 and the gnashing, 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.400 the darkness 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.259 and the thirst. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.339 No doubt 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:18.900 that that only, 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:19.880 not only to speak 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:21.040 the physical pain, 00:17:21.280 --> 00:17:22.620 it speaks of spiritual pain. 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.760 Weeping and gnashing 00:17:23.760 --> 00:17:24.700 speaks of pain 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.540 as mentioned 00:17:25.540 --> 00:17:26.560 but it also speaks 00:17:26.560 --> 00:17:27.660 of eternal grief. 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.740 Never being able 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.720 to break loose from it. 00:17:32.260 --> 00:17:32.800 The darkness 00:17:32.800 --> 00:17:33.940 that it speaks of. 00:17:34.260 --> 00:17:35.280 Utter loneliness 00:17:35.280 --> 00:17:36.620 with no help 00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.380 of a break. 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.860 With no companionship. 00:17:41.020 --> 00:17:41.860 So much 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:43.120 for being in hell 00:17:43.120 --> 00:17:43.720 with your friends 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:45.180 like a country song 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:46.260 kind of theology. 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.800 The reality is 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:51.539 it won't be like that. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.500 In reality, 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:54.980 we don't quite 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.980 understand 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.500 darkness. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.039 Some of you 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:01.019 may have had an occasion 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.799 to do that 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:03.680 to understand 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.359 real darkness 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:06.099 but most of us 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:06.599 are surrounded 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.659 by street lights. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:09.680 Most of us 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.180 are surrounded 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.200 by night lights. 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.579 Most of us 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.180 have motion 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.359 detecting lights. 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:16.319 and if you wonder 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:16.899 in the dark 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.419 these days, 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:18.799 you do it by choice. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.319 It's because you didn't 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:20.879 want to bother 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:21.599 to have light. 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:23.419 In a much 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.219 greater weight, 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.240 the folks that first 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.879 heard this story 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.319 from Jesus, 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.619 they understood 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.519 the real darkness 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:31.699 because real darkness 00:18:31.699 --> 00:18:32.799 is desert 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.819 kind of darkness. 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:36.439 it is unsettling. 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:39.159 It is lonely. 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.240 Due to the fact 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:41.659 that often 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:42.439 you're in the desert 00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:43.019 in the dark 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:44.740 not by yourself, 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.980 it is absolutely 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.819 horrific. 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:50.019 And that's the picture 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.000 that is drawn here. 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:52.200 There's no hanging out 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:52.859 with you buddies. 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:56.099 Just because you know 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:56.700 somebody 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:58.200 because they've never 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:58.819 given their heart 00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.759 and life to the Lord Jesus 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:01.159 and because they live 00:19:01.159 --> 00:19:02.099 in a way 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.980 that does not honor 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.440 the Lord 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.140 and you know 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:04.839 good and well 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:06.000 they've never given 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.740 their heart and life 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.420 to the Lord Jesus 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.740 and they will die 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.420 and go to hell 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.620 unless something changes. 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.099 Just because 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:14.740 you may see that 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.279 and feel that, 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.680 don't believe 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.460 that you 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:21.519 will have companionship 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:23.120 by your friend 00:19:23.120 --> 00:19:23.660 in hell. 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:25.079 There's no evidence 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:26.319 of anything like that 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:26.819 in scripture. 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:26.899 scripture. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:29.859 What I see 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:30.299 is this man 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.980 pining for the 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.419 relationships 00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:32.460 that he lost 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.480 on earth. 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:37.559 That's just 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.419 a perversion 00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:39.980 of the devil. 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.279 People have 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.299 killed themselves, 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.960 prided themselves, 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.000 and failed to 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.720 surrender themselves 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.659 because of the 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.339 devil's lies. 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.559 Don't believe them. 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.099 And the way 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.059 you ascertain 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.099 what's the devil's 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:53.740 lies and what's 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.159 the truth 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.400 is you invest 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:55.920 your life 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.279 in the word 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.740 of God. 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:59.040 You feed off 00:19:59.040 --> 00:19:59.360 of it. 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.519 I want to be 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.120 clear today, 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:02.900 there'll be no 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.560 friends in hell. 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.500 The thirst 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.140 that it speaks 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.779 of, I'm sure 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.320 it's a physical 00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:09.279 thirst, but it's 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.900 more than that. 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.380 It's a thirst 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:11.120 for relief. 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.160 It's a thirst 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:13.360 for a break. 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:13.960 It's a thirst 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.080 for help. 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:19.620 I believe 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.160 if this man 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:20.620 was standing 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.259 here today 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.840 based upon 00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:23.340 this account 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:23.860 of scripture, 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:24.620 that Christ 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.279 gives us, 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.420 he would tell 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.180 us to tell 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:28.980 all the truth 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.400 of hell. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.440 Tell all 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:31.740 of it. 00:20:34.380 --> 00:20:35.180 It's sad 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.660 to know 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.140 that many 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.540 are more 00:20:36.540 --> 00:20:36.960 concerned 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.700 about entertaining 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.180 others 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:40.500 and keeping 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.220 their friendships 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:43.380 than they are 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:44.480 about the souls 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.400 of those friends 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.460 and loved ones 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.640 and where 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.040 they'll spend 00:20:48.040 --> 00:20:48.440 eternity. 00:20:49.800 --> 00:20:51.000 We so often 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.700 fail to 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.160 acknowledge 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.100 the eternal 00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:53.759 things. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:56.220 Evie Hill 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.279 was an 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.519 African-American 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.380 pastor from 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.700 Los Angeles 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.720 who had a 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.620 wonderful outreach 00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.519 ministry in his 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.519 church, a feeding 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.640 ministry that he 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.420 called, and only 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.200 the way Evie can 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:07.700 do it, the 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.920 Lodge Kitchen. 00:21:10.060 --> 00:21:10.900 And every time he 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.480 said it, I wanted 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:11.900 to go to the 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.620 Lodge Kitchen. 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:15.099 Evie had a 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.799 wonderful, powerful 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.279 ministry. 00:21:16.739 --> 00:21:17.239 I'm sure through 00:21:17.239 --> 00:21:18.179 YouTube today you 00:21:18.179 --> 00:21:19.339 can pick up on 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.199 that and catch up 00:21:20.199 --> 00:21:20.500 on that. 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.219 Don't do it now. 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.819 You can do it this 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.259 afternoon. 00:21:23.219 --> 00:21:23.939 Man, what a 00:21:23.939 --> 00:21:25.539 blessed preacher of 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.059 the gospel. 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:26.819 One of the most 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.739 touching things that 00:21:27.739 --> 00:21:28.819 I've ever heard is 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.639 him preach his own 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:30.459 wife's funeral. 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:31.859 What a blessing 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.539 Evie was. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.919 He said he had a 00:21:34.919 --> 00:21:36.139 friend named Jack. 00:21:36.239 --> 00:21:37.339 He was an evangelist. 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:38.919 And he said Jack 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:40.039 was all about soul 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.980 winning, soul winning, 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.539 soul winning. 00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:43.000 He always wanted to 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.879 reach somebody else 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.339 for Christ. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.639 Every conversation 00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.579 that he had, every 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.359 message that he 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:48.240 preached, everything 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.859 that he did was 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:49.699 soul winning, soul 00:21:49.699 --> 00:21:49.879 winning. 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.159 He just wanted to 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:52.179 win somebody to 00:21:52.179 --> 00:21:52.659 Christ. 00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.240 So finally he asked 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:55.759 him one day, he 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.519 said, Jack, why all 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.240 the soul winning? 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.199 That's the only thing 00:21:59.199 --> 00:21:59.399 you got. 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:01.099 You're always talking 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:01.579 about it. 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.759 He said one night 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.879 my sister called me. 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.759 And she told me 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.240 about a dream about 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.659 daddy. 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.919 She told me, she 00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:15.159 said Jack, daddy's 00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:15.659 in hell. 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:19.179 He was looking 00:22:19.179 --> 00:22:19.980 through a gate. 00:22:21.199 --> 00:22:22.480 Fire was all around 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:22.859 him. 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.220 Tongue parched, 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.819 swollen and cracked. 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.899 And he said to me, 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.119 please help me. 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.639 Save me from these 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:32.179 flames. 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.799 He said Evie, when 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:37.059 she told me that, it 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:38.099 got in my head and 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:39.559 it's never left me. 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.740 And ever since she 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.440 told me about her 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.559 dream, I must do 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.799 everything and 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:48.319 anything that I can 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.179 that all may know. 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:52.159 For I am convinced 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:52.779 that if we could 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.379 experience 15 seconds 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:57.099 of hell or 15 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:58.460 seconds of heaven, it 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.839 would change our 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.440 lives. 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:00.539 us. 00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:03.240 But we can't. 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.880 The reality is, 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:11.700 folks, that I 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.500 believe if you were 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:14.100 exposed to 15 seconds 00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:18.200 in heaven, we 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.640 couldn't do 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:21.059 anything but wait. 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.620 Paralyzed in 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:25.740 anticipation for what's 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.180 to come. 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:28.720 I believe it's 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.660 glorious beyond our 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.180 comprehension. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.259 I did my best over 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:33.100 several weeks to try 00:23:33.100 --> 00:23:33.820 to describe the way 00:23:33.820 --> 00:23:35.580 the Bible shows us. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.920 But I really believe 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:38.160 even the word of God 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:39.200 puts it in a way that 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.840 we can somehow 00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:40.960 understand because it 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:42.720 is just beyond us. 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:49.519 I believe if we spent 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:53.079 15 seconds in hell, it 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:54.620 would drive us insane by 00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.600 the horror of the scene. 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:01.400 But a piece of advice 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:03.720 from one in hell is, tell 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.640 all the truth of hell. 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.600 Don't hold back a thing. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.559 Friend, let me tell you 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:10.799 something. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:13.559 If you're not careful, you 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:15.960 will friend somebody right 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:20.240 into hell because you 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:22.759 never wanted to bother to 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:25.419 disrupt your relationship to 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:27.500 share with them the hope of 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:29.500 Christ for them. 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:36.079 I believe that if that man 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:38.759 could stand before us today, 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:41.440 I believe he would tell us, 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.099 listen to the word. 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.440 Listen to the word. 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:49.160 This man was desperate to 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.140 let his brothers know the 00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:50.980 reality of eternity. 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.839 He was desperate. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.660 He wanted to do anything he 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:57.119 could to let all know. 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:59.539 But in reality, it made 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.339 little difference. 00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:03.919 If people can see the work 00:25:03.919 --> 00:25:05.599 of God in his people, 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:07.899 if people can hear the 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:09.059 message of the prophets 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.699 and know the message 00:25:10.699 --> 00:25:12.659 and death and resurrection 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:14.319 of Christ and not accept 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.819 him, they never will. 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:20.639 The sharing of that message 00:25:20.639 --> 00:25:23.339 is what he wanted us to do, 00:25:23.479 --> 00:25:24.679 Christ wanted us to do, 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:26.460 and it's the sharing of that 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.340 message that we are 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.620 responsible to do, 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:30.220 and it is by the sharing 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.240 of that message that the 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.840 Holy Spirit sparks in 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:34.519 people's lives and salvation 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.160 comes to them. 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:36.320 That's what Christ 00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:37.460 commissioned us to do. 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:39.440 Christian, we have no 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.000 excuse. 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:42.140 The last thing he said to us 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:43.880 was tell somebody. 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:50.560 And the only unpardonable 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:52.280 and unforgivable sin 00:25:52.280 --> 00:25:55.160 is to refuse to answer 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:56.660 God's pursuit of you 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:58.620 in his message of grace 00:25:58.620 --> 00:26:01.980 and to instead 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:05.020 say no 00:26:05.020 --> 00:26:07.020 to his offer. 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:10.500 Sometimes again and again 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:13.440 results in eternity 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.000 without him. 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.259 If you don't want the 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.079 Lord in your life, 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:21.240 you'll get what you want 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.619 in hell. 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.480 You will. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.400 Take advice from one 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:26.740 in hell. 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.460 Listen to the message 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:30.220 of God's word. 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.079 Now listen. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:34.160 I'll be completely honest. 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.180 I don't want anybody to go 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.220 to hell, nor does the 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:36.440 Lord. 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:39.720 However, in the freedom 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.519 of our decisions, 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.620 he gives us a choice 00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:42.940 to surrender to him or not 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:44.860 because our sin 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:46.220 has separated us 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:47.380 from him. 00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:49.200 There is that chasm 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:50.480 between us and him. 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.500 But it does not have 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.460 to separate us 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.519 forever. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.360 If you've never 00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:59.140 surrendered your life 00:26:59.140 --> 00:27:00.299 to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:02.180 never acknowledge the sin 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.759 that is within your life 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.539 that separates you 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.039 from God 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.579 and ask him to forgive you 00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:07.200 and to cleanse you 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.180 and to come into your life 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:09.039 and change you, 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.519 I got good news for you 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:10.759 today. 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.899 Today's the day of salvation. 00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:15.339 He'll work in you 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:15.980 and move in you. 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.619 All you have to do 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.500 is respond to his 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.279 speaking to you. 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.559 Don't live 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.579 an eternity 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:24.399 in regret. 00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:28.180 Don't live 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.779 an eternity 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.899 in agony. 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.740 Don't live 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.200 an eternity 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.819 in hell. 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:37.940 hear the truth 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.339 of hell. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.399 Christian, 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.659 share the truth 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:41.079 of hell. 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.980 If hell could talk, 00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:46.980 well, 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:49.180 through Christ, 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:51.680 it has. 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:55.059 The question is, 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:57.539 are we listening? 00:27:57.539 --> 00:28:01.859 with every head bowed 00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:05.000 and every eye closed, 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:08.259 it is always 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.039 the nature 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:10.399 of my sermons 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:12.339 and my effort 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:13.099 behind them 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:15.500 to try to take 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.539 on the personality 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.220 of the way 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.740 the scripture 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:19.480 was originally 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.059 presented. 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:23.279 to understand it 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.619 in the same dire 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.659 way in which 00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:26.460 it was to be 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.139 understood 00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:27.679 in the day 00:28:27.679 --> 00:28:28.220 it was first 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.759 spoken. 00:28:31.679 --> 00:28:32.460 And honestly, 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:32.899 today, 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.419 folks, 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:35.679 through my 00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.740 prayerful preparation, 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:39.059 I don't believe 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.900 I've exaggerated 00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:40.700 any of the agony 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.099 of hell. 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.980 I don't believe 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.460 I've left 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.180 anything off 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.660 that scripture 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.380 would point out 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:46.980 about us. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.420 I don't believe 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:51.200 I've exaggerated 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.140 that at all. 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.240 I've not tried 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:55.740 to play off 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.640 your emotions today. 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.120 That's not been 00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:57.640 my effort. 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:01.000 My effort is 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.759 to be clear 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.660 to you 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.940 that this is 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.980 not all there is. 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.379 When they throw 00:29:07.379 --> 00:29:08.400 dirt on your coffin, 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:10.839 there's more 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.660 left for you. 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.000 And if you don't 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.759 know the Lord Jesus, 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:15.339 you'll spend 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:15.960 eternity apart 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.379 from Him. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.799 If you're here 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.259 this morning 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.980 and you've never 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.740 accepted the Lord 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.460 Jesus Christ, 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.099 we're going to 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:22.779 stand in just a 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.240 moment and we're 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:23.720 going to sing, 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:25.759 but more important 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.259 than singing, 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.319 I want you to do 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.079 what God tells you 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.420 to do. 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.879 Maybe there's 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.420 an uncertainty 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:31.160 in your life 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:31.460 and you're 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:31.740 struggling 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.259 with that. 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.059 You want some 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.579 guidance. 00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:34.980 That's the time 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.539 to come. 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.539 Maybe you're 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.079 here this morning 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.720 and you know 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.180 that you're 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:40.640 a Christian, 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:42.819 but you know 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.480 that you've never 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.480 publicly acknowledged 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:44.839 that. 00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:46.700 The biblical way 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.380 to publicly 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.039 acknowledge that 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.839 by Christ's 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.539 commission and 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.480 by His example 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.579 is to do that 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.200 through baptism. 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:52.660 And we're going 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.059 to celebrate 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:53.759 baptism in a 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.319 couple of weeks. 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:55.120 And if that's 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.059 a pending matter 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.779 in your life, 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.559 I encourage you 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.480 to respond to that. 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.299 Maybe God's 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.899 drawing you 00:30:01.899 --> 00:30:02.720 to this congregation. 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:03.299 You know 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.079 this is the place 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.599 that God would 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.419 have you to serve. 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.759 And you just want 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.680 to follow His lead. 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.599 In just a few 00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:12.079 moments when we 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.539 stand to sing, 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.180 that's the time. 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:13.659 We'll be happy 00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:14.639 to guide you 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:15.559 in that process. 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.779 Or maybe you just 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.980 need to do business 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.639 with God. 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:22.960 you got lost friends 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.380 that you ain't 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:24.120 shared with. 00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:27.600 You haven't taken 00:30:27.600 --> 00:30:28.720 seriously the time 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.380 in which God's 00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:29.960 given us, 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:31.600 the commission in 00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:32.420 which He's charged 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:33.040 for us. 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:35.940 Maybe there's 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.640 hindrances in your 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:37.400 life that are 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.860 in the way, 00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:40.880 just like this man's 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:41.420 money was in the 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:41.980 way for Him. 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.100 And you need to 00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:43.700 lay those things 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.540 down at the foot 00:30:44.540 --> 00:30:45.040 of the cross. 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:48.240 I'll never 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.000 pretend to know 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.599 how God is 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.319 speaking to you. 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.619 I have no idea. 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.440 But I never 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:54.139 want to leave 00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.799 without giving you 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.339 the opportunity 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.200 to respond as God 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.639 speaks.