Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Attention

There was a party going on in Hell.

On June 6, 2006, a small town located about 60 miles west of Detroit, Michigan had a strange celebration.

Devils and flames were seen everywhere.

Shirts and other souvenirs proclaiming 6-6-6 were sold for $6.66.

Live entertainment, costumes, and much more were celebrated.

One guy (Mike Hickey) said, “We’re all about having fun here.”

The mayor of the small town was contacting radio stations as far as San Diego and Seattle to raffle off tickets for a free trip.

Why?

Because there was a party going on in Hell…Michigan.

Our culture has made a mockery out of a very serious matter, that of the reality of Hell.

The question before us this morning is “Hell: Fact or Fiction.”

And there are some facts about hell that need explaining, but there are some fictional beliefs about hell that need debunking.

Need

Just like the man in Hell, Michigan thought, “We are all about having fun here,” many people today believe that the real, eternal place called hell is a place of having fun.

Perhaps you have talked with someone who said, “I can’t wait to get to hell and party with all of my friends.”

Is hell a place of eternal partying?

No!

Perhaps you’ve heard someone say, “Well, all of my buddies are going to be there, and I want to be with them.”

Is hell a place to just hang out for eternity with your friends?

No! Though they might be there also, hell is described as a place of complete isolation.

Perhaps you’ve heard someone say, “Well, all of my buddies are going to be there, and I want to be with them.”

Is hell a place to just hang out for eternity with your friends?

No! Though they might be there also, hell is described as a place of complete isolation.

Or maybe you have heard it said that no one really burns in hell forever, rather they are simply annihilated…that is, they simply cease to exist altogether.

Is that fact or fiction?

Fiction!

The Bible refers to hell as a place of continuing agony and torment, not a simple destruction forever.

And maybe, finally, you’ve heard someone say that “Hell is the place to be.”

Again, my understanding of the Bible would say “no!”

Or maybe you have heard it said that no one really burns in hell forever, rather they are simply annihilated…that is, they simply cease to exist altogether.

Is that fact or fiction?

Fiction!

The Bible refers to hell as a place of continuing agony and torment, not a simple destruction forever.

And maybe, finally, you’ve heard someone say that “Hell is the place to be.”

Again, my understanding of the Bible would say, “No!”

And yet as much as “hell” has entered into our world through movies, games, depictions, interest in the occult and witchcraft, television shows, etc… I would also agree with American Church historian Martin Marty that “hell has disappeared and no one noticed.”

The doctrine of hell is not preached with any validity or regularity in the churches of America today.

And for many who sit in our churches, “Hell is real for many, it’s just no one (at least not me), is going to be there.”

But I want to assure you, dear friend, that those who die and leave this old world behind without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ are indeed headed straight to hell.

(There’s no other way to put it!)

Bridging Statements

Sermon Idea

Interrogative

Transition

In the Gospel Luke, Jesus explained to his disciples through a parable the facts about the torment and reality of hell.

[In all honesty, this parable seems to be more about the issue of wealth and the role reversal of those who are spiritually rich, yet materially poor.

However, there is also a scene here that reveals at least some vivid images of hell.]

And this morning, I want you to know and understand that hell is indeed a real place.

But what is hell like?

What does the Bible say about this place called hell?

Our text, , reveals 6 facts about hell.

Background Info:

Before we read the text this morning, allow me to set the scene.

Jesus is teaching his disciples, but as is often the case, the Pharisees are nearby listening.

And in , Jesus has been teaching about the issue of money.

And even in the case of our text, Jesus is really teaching about the misuse of money in this world, but in so doing he paints a picture of hell that we can understand.

Our text deals with the comparison of two men with two life styles.

The first is described as a rich man.

We will see in the text that he wore purple daily (which signified his wealth) and even his underclothes were made of fine linen.

He was found joyously living in wealth and splendor every day.

He reminds me of the rich and famous of Hollywood.

They had it all materially.

And the assumption from the text is that he was materially rich, but spiritually bankrupt.

On the other hand, the second man in our text is defined as a poor man, whose name was Lazarus.

It is generally understood that this was not the same Lazarus that was a dear friend of Jesus, Mary, and Martha.

And in fact, some have questioned whether our text was a parable or an actual historical event because no other parable has a person involved with an actual name.

But generally, scholars would agree that this is a parable.

Lazarus was a poor, potentially crippled, beggar who laid at the door of the rich man every day.

The poor man spent his days in hunger longing to have just the crumbs from the rich man’s table.

And the man was in such bad shape that the dogs would come and lick his sores.

And finally, by way of introduction, both of these men die…which is true for each of us as well.

Both of these men die, and they both enter into eternity (two destinations).

The poor man dies, and the text will tell us he is carried away to Abraham’s bosom, which is a reference to the Kingdom Feast in heaven.

And the rich man dies, has a great burial, and is buried in the ground…and ends up in Hades.

With that in mind, if you are physically able, would you stand this morning for the reading of God’s Word…, as we try to answer the question, “What does the Bible say about hell?”

Division 1: Hell is a place of torment (v.

23).

Hell is a place of torment (v.

23).

Explanation

The first fact that we see about hell is that it is a place of torment.

Notice verse 23, “In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.”

In this verse, we see clearly two things.

First, hell is an actual place, for the rich man is said to have been “in Hades.”

So what is Hades?

Argumentation

Application

The first fact that we see about hell is that it is a place of torment.

Notice verse 23, “In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.”

In this verse, we see clearly two things.

First, hell is an actual place, for the rich man is said to have been “in Hades.”

So what is Hades?

There are different uses of the word hell throughout the Bible.

The word hell was over translated in the King James Version of the Bible.

That is to say, the word “hell” was used in instances when “hell” really wasn’t the intended concept.

The term “hell” is reserved for that final destination of the devil, his fallen angels, and those who do not choose to believe in Christ.

In , the final account of Satan and his being doomed forever into the lake of fire has not yet occurred.

And so the permanent residence of Satan, that is the hell as we know it, has not yet been created by God.

But fear not, God will create it during the time of the judgment.

And so what we have in most cases throughout the Bible is a reference to a place called “Hades” or “Sheol” or “Gehenna” or even “the Valley of Hinnom.”