Truth about Hell

Question: "Is hell real? Is hell eternal?"

Answer: It is interesting that a much higher percentage of people believe in the existence of heaven than believe in the existence of hell. According to the Bible, though, hell is just as real as heaven. The Bible clearly and explicitly teaches that hell is a real place to which the wicked/unbelieving are sent after death. We have all sinned against God (Romans 3:23). The just punishment for that sin is death (Romans 6:23). Since all of our sin is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4), and since God is an infinite and eternal Being, the punishment for sin, death, must also be infinite and eternal. Hell is this infinite and eternal death which we have earned because of our sin.

The punishment of the wicked dead in hell is described throughout Scripture as “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a place where “the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44-49), a place of “torment” and “fire” (Luke 16:23-24), “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9), a place where “the smoke of torment rises forever and ever” (Revelation 14:10-11), and a “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

The punishment of the wicked in hell is as never ending as the bliss of the righteous in heaven. Jesus Himself indicates that punishment in hell is just as everlasting as life in heaven (Matthew 25:46). The wicked are forever subject to the fury and the wrath of God. Those in hell will acknowledge the perfect justice of God (Psalm 76:10). Those who are in hell will know that their punishment is just and that they alone are to blame (Deuteronomy 32:3-5). Yes, hell is real. Yes, hell is a place of torment and punishment that lasts forever and ever, with no end. Praise God that, through Jesus, we can escape this eternal fate (John 3:16, 18, 36).

Question: "Are there different levels of punishment in hell?"

Answer: The idea that there are different levels of punishment in hell derives primarily from the Divine Comedy written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and 1321. In it, the Roman poet Virgil guides Dante through the nine circles of hell. The circles are concentric, representing a gradual increase in wickedness, and culminating at the center of the earth, where Satan is held in bondage. Each circle's sinners are punished in a fashion befitting their crimes. Each sinner is afflicted for all of eternity by the chief sin he committed. According to Dante, the circles range from the first circle, where dwell the unbaptized and virtuous pagans, to the very center of hell reserved for those who have committed the ultimate sin—treachery against God.

Although it does not specifically say so, the Bible might seem to indicate that there are different levels of punishment in hell. In Revelation 20:11-15, the people are judged “according to what they had done as recorded in the books” (Revelation 20:12). All the people at this judgment, though, are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:13-15). So, perhaps, the purpose of the judgment is to determine how severe the punishment in hell will be. Whatever the case, being thrown into a slightly less hot portion of the lake of fire is no consolation to those who are still doomed for eternity. Whatever degrees of punishment hell contains, it is clear that hell is a place to be avoided.

Unfortunately, the Bible states that most people will wind up in hell. “…For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). The question one must ask is “which road am I on?” The “many” on the broad road have one thing in common—they have all rejected Christ as the one and only way to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). When He said He is the only way, that is precisely what He meant. Everyone following another “way” beside Jesus Christ is on the broad road to destruction, and whether or not there are different levels of punishment in hell, the suffering is hideous, dreadful, eternal, and avoidable.

Question: "How can I not go to hell?"

Answer: Not going to hell is easier than you think. Some people believe they have to obey the Ten Commandments for their entire lives to not go to hell. Some people believe they must observe certain rites and rituals in order to not go to hell. Some people believe there is no way we can know for sure whether or not we will go to hell. None of these views are correct. The Bible is very clear on how a person can avoid going to hell after death.

The Bible describes hell as a terrifying and horrible place. Hell is described as “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a place where “the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44-49), and “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Revelation 20:10 describes hell as a “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever.” Obviously, hell is a place we should avoid.

Why does hell even exist, and why does God send some people there? The Bible tells us that God “prepared” hell for the devil and the fallen angels after they rebelled against Him (Matthew 25:41). Those who refuse God’s offer of forgiveness will suffer the same eternal destiny of the devil and the fallen angels. Why is hell necessary? All sin is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4), and since God is an infinite and eternal being, only an infinite and eternal penalty is sufficient. Hell is the place where God’s holy and righteous demands of justice are carried out. Hell is where God condemns sin and all those who reject Him. The Bible makes it clear that we have all sinned (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10-23), so, as a result, we all deserve to go to hell.

So, how can we not go to hell? Since only an infinite and eternal penalty is sufficient, an infinite and eternal price must be paid. God became a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:1,14). In Jesus Christ, God lived among us, taught us, and healed us—but those things were not His ultimate mission. God became a human being so that He could die for us. Jesus, God in human form, died on the cross. As God, His death was infinite and eternal in value, paying the full price for sin (1 John 2:2). God invites us to receive Jesus Christ as Savior, accepting His death as the full and just payment for our sins. God promises that anyone who believes in Jesus (John 3:16), trusting Him alone as the Savior (John 14:6), will be saved, i.e., not go to hell.

God does not want anyone to go to hell (2 Peter 3:9). That is why God made the ultimate, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice on our behalf. If you want to not go to hell, receive Jesus as your Savior. It is as simple as that. Tell God that you recognize that you are a sinner and that you deserve to go to hell. Declare to God that you are trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Thank God for providing for your salvation and deliverance from hell. Simple faith, and trusting in Jesus Christ as the Savior, is how you can avoid going to hell!

Papa of Proverbs

Sunday was a great experience for Burlington Community Church.  It was Father's Day so I had the privilege of preaching a message to and for fathers.  The service concluded with a baby dedication and BBQ at my house.  It was truly a wonderful day.

The Proverbs Papa was all about some needed advice from a father to his son.  The beginning of the book talks about wisdom and the importance of it then turns lovingly to a son with "instruction of a father and not to forsake the mother's teaching." Here are some of the main themes of Proverbs from a father to his son/daughter.

• Honor the parenting team  (prov. 1:8)

The parenting team give children a sense of security, support and comfort.  If you want to give the best for your children, show them a strong love and support for your wife and what she means to the family.  We know the writers of Proverbs give great support to the woman in the home because the last chapter in the book honors her as no other chapter in the bible does.  If children know that dad honors and supports their mother, he is setting an example for the family and leading it well.  

• Know friendships of your children and warn of harm  (prov. 1:10-19)

These few verses in Proverbs are packed with information about friendships.  It is a huge warning about power and control, some who take advantage of others, business dealings that go wrong and the pain of these relationships in that they hurt themselves in the end.  It is important for us to know our kids and their friends because we know the strengths and weaknesses of our own children.  We can tell when they need help.  They can and will be strong in decisions about friendships if we take the time and have patience with them.  

• Warn of immorality and the path it takes  (prov. 5,6&7)

Too many times our kids do not hear sound advice about relationships.  It is an uncomfortable subject to sit down and discuss sex, immorality and a "path that leads to destruction." Proverbs gives so much great advice about staying away from adultery, noticing the simple lure that draws our hearts away, the temptation of an opportunity when no one else is around and the sin of our own hearts.  If a father can help his children through these tough temptations, a solid husband/wife will emerge.  We are raising a generation with value and faithfulness.  

• Follow wisdom and forsake foolishness  (prov. 3.4&5)

The underlying theme of the entire book is the search for wisdom.  Solomon points out that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."  It continues to show how to gain and maintain that sense of wisdom by "trusting in the Lord with all our hearts" and searching for wisdom a "fine gold or treasure."  It is incredible how this needs to be instructed AND MODELED.  As men, we can make a difference for the next generation by seeking wisdom and following after God ourselves.  

The themes of Proverbs go on and there is more that can be said but these are a great start for the Proverbs Papa who wants to make a difference in their childrens' lives. 

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was a big success for our church!  The men pulled together and created a wonderful brunch for the women in our church.  They took care of the children too.  It was a great way to show our respect and appreciation for them and the hard work they do.  

For the brunch, my wife spoke to the ladies and did a fantastic job talking about the legacy woman can make for their children.  She talked about the simple daily things that may seem trivial but build in significance and your child grows and matures.  The importance in instilling values in them so they are making the right decisions.  As a parent, it can be hard because it takes responsibility, endurance and consistency.  We have a daughter turning 19 next week and we have to realize that she will make decisions on her own.  Our prayer is that she has found the strength to make the right ones everyday. 

I love my wife with all my heart and appreciated what she had to say yesterday.  The success of our children is proof of the legacy she is leaving and I am thankful she is the mother of our beautiful girls!

Happy Mother's Day and hope you are building a legacy.

When your kid gets too smart...

We started a new sermon series in our church called One Month to Live.  It is a book and series of topics that asks our church and readers to really look deep into their lives about purpose and meaning.  It is about living a life of no regrets and moving forward in relationships and in our walk with Christ.  What does Living Passionately look like for you?  That was the looming question this weekend.  You can find out more about the author at Kerry Shook .

For this series, I get to preach on the weekly topic, then we have lunch and discussion after.  This is a good format for us right now.  My prayer is that 2 groups form off of this 4 week study together and we take on various topics as we go.  For now, it becomes an "I talk, now you talk" type of format.  It is good because pastors do not usually have feedback (and sometimes don't want it) right after a message.  In this situation, it is intentional.  

As we were going around the table discussion led by our intern pastor, Derrick Wilhelmus (great guy and you should all get to know him), it came my turn to talk about what I really value in life.  I do not usually give this much thought but had a generic answer of family and God.  I thought I did pretty good but then SARAH says, "Dad, I think everyone would say that, so what else is really important."  My reply was, "Tracey, your daughter is bullying me!"  Yep, that is exactly what I said to everyone at the table, got some laughs and ready to move on.  But...SARAH the BULLY would not let it go.  She said, "no really, dad, what else?"  I had to stop and think for a little.  What was really important?  What values do I hold high enough that I make them my own, act consistently in them, and ready to argue or fight mercilessly over?  

Two such values came to mind...

1.  I value more than anything else, trust.  I know this and I have instilled it in my daughter Sarah.  Sarah can handle anything but if you say, "I don't trust you or trust what you did," it destroys her.  When she does something inconsistent with her character, she is messed up...just like her daddy.  I value trust because I value strong relationships that trust each other enough to talk openly about anything and everything in life.  If I have that, I am sailing!  When that trust is broken or the other person does not place the same value on trust, I can become very defeated.  

I can also place so much trust in someone that I miss stuff.  I want to believe everything said and done that I can be gullible at times.  This is not cool but admittedly true of me.  I think that is why God gave me the wife I have.  She is pretty good at helping me see more clearly at times.  I do not always give her credit for that but I know that is a strength about her that makes me wiser for having her in my life.  

2.  I value loyalty.  I know this because I have always tried to by a loyal person to those I worked for...to a fault I might add.  I was so loyal to one employer that I didn't know when to quit when that was what he really wanted me to do.  I worked super, extra hard to make him happy only to become more frustrated.  During that time, my wife would say, "Why are you even trying so hard?  He doesn't seem to care, so why should you?"  She didn't understand the high value I placed on loyalty...to a fault!  ;-)  So...Tracey was right, but so was I!  (or something like that...)   

       

Ultimate Fighter

Below is my talk from Sunday.  It addresses each topic we will cover in detail during our new series, Ultimate Fighter.  I hope you will join us!

The Ultimate Fighter

·         Jesus challenged false motives.

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right.  Then you can see God in the outside world.”  Matthew 5:8 – Message

“Appearances don’t impress me.  I x-ray every motive and make sure you get what’s coming to you.” Revelation 2:23 – Message

·         Jesus confronted religious systems.

Talking of the Pharisees Jesus said this, "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding.  When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure - 'playactors' I call them - treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks.  Just do it - quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.”                                                                            Matthew 6:1-4 – Message

“There should be no such word as 'atheism'.  If ridiculous people would stop inventing gods, then rational people would not have to deny them.”         

                                                         Twitter – Ricky Gervais

One reply…”I have no problem with the concept of faith, it is religion I reject.”

Unfortunately, Ricky Gervais is right about so many invented gods but has not accepted in the One True God.  His thoughts do mirror many in our world who are sick of religion.  Jesus confronted these systems by simple faith in Him and a change for all to worship Him in "Spirit and in Truth". 

·         Jesus fought against violence & suffering.

"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.”

Matthew 5:38-45 – Message

·         Jesus wrestled traditions.

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body.  Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." 

Matthew 26:26-29

·         Jesus defeated death. 

“Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”  John 11:25-26

Tale of Two...

I entered 2012 with new determination and hunger for what God could and would with me and in our church.  I approached the year with enthusiasm and an underlying cry for a church that is ready to move forward.  We have seen God do some incredible things and we have been basking in the glory of growth.  

The new series came with the cry of my heart.  I wanted to look at God with fresh faith and vigor.  I especially wanted us to consider what mind we were working through.  The Tale of Two..series began with exploring the 2 natures we have wrestling within us.  We can be carnal or spiritual.  We can look at things through natural eyes and ways of doing life or we can focus on Christ and look to Him for answers to our journey in life.  Why is this so important?  We have to follow so close to Christ that priorities in life make sense, we can share the love of Christ without reservation, and know what action to take in every area of life.  I want spiritual minds and passions at work because we want to see people come to Christ in salvation and baptism.  There is no greater cause!  I want everyone in our church to dream and plan for the future with spirituals minds and hearts.  

I mentioned growth and excited about it!  The carnal mind would want to take credit for this or complement our church for hard work but the spiritual mind KNOWS the God builds His church and the success is by Him and Him alone.  You can see how important this natural and spiritual struggle can be.  I continue to pray today because I still want everyone in my influence to think and act spiritually.  Wouldn't things fall into place if we were spiritually minded?  

What I thought was the way to start the year is now the prayer of my heart for the entire year.  Can we be spiritually minded so those thoughts control our emotions and dictate our actions?  Wish I could say I have been good at it but "sliding all over the ice" already this year.  :-)  But I know if I fail, I have a heavenly father who helps me up and gets me on the right track again!  My goal is to be spiritually minded...

Romans 8:5-9  5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Surviving the Tornado

Burlington Community Church has been going through some changes as we have seen God send us more people.  We have entitled the November series, Tornado Survival for Dummies.  This is a series designed to go through the storms of doctrine that sway a person with "every wind of doctrine."  My initial purpose was to teach and preach about the foundations and truths that will always guide our vision and purpose.

The series has taken a turn because I started to think systemically about the church and how to survive storms so we (as a church) stand strong.  We began with restating our vision.  This is a good place to start so we know what we are standing firm on.  BCC is Building Community in Christ!  We are to build each other up in faith, reach out to our community all for the cause of Christ and the changes He has made in our lives!  What a wonderful way to think through what God has done for us.  

Today, I focused on a Servant's Heart and what that means.  Commitment and to each other and service makes all the difference in the world!  It is also what bonds our hearts together in Christ.  I am the closest and strongest with those who I serve and serve with.  That bond is the strength like a rock that can stand the winds and storms.  

Next week we finally get to the doctrinal pieces.  It is not enough to have a vision and commitment.  It MUST be anchored in the Word of God and the truth that each church must have to stand for years to come.  We are proud of our church and can't wait to bring this message next Sunday!