What Should Pastors Preach about Hell?

• Chad Napier

Sermons on hell are likely not on the top ten list of topics desired by a church congregation. However, the sermons are necessary.

First, they convict the sinner as to his or her destination in his or her current spiritual condition. Second, sermons on hell allow the saved to realize what exactly they are shunning by their faith in Jesus Christ.

David comprehended this great blessing as he wrote in Psalm 86:13, “for great is your steadfast love toward me, you have delivered my soul from the depths of [hell].”  Because hell is a biblical concept worthy of discussion, here are 5 things pastors should include in their sermons on this topic:

1. Hell is Real

As we are often reminded, Jesus speaks more about Hell than of Heaven. We should take this treatment as notice that we are to always be mindful of the torment awaiting a person who has not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

In the story of the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16:19-31, we are told that the rich man found himself in torment in Hell. He looked up and saw Abraham and Lazarus far off and called out for help and mercy. Specifically, he beckoned for “Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.” If just one drop of water would aid the torment in such a place, the degree of suffering is both real and immeasurable.

Additionally, there will be no pause to the lamentation in hell. The fact that one drop of water will not be permitted to the sufferer reflects, there will be no sleep, no peace, and no quietness.

2. Hell is Expanding

The dimensions of heavens are specified with clarity in the Bible. Hell, on the other hand, is not defined in terms of boundaries or depth. We are told in Isaiah 5:14 that Hell “has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure.”

Notice that its mouth is beyond measure and its appetite is never satisfied. Thus, the entrance to hell is so expandable that it is capable of handling great entrances. Further, the “enlarged appetite” warns us there will never be a flashing “no vacancy” sign at its entrance.

In Matthew 8:12 hell is referred to in terms of “the outer darkness.” In the most simplistic terms, “darkness” is the absence of light. Darkness is incapable of being measured or defined.

Because of the increasing population of Hell, it’s barriers and gates are unable to be defined.   

3. Hell Is a Reality For the Lost

Our world is full of fears: fear of failure, natural disaster, war, and disease. Matthew 10:28 tells the unsaved “do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul,” but “fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

John the Revelator at declares in John 20:15, “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Further, in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man was fully cognizant of the reality of hell. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus “to my father’s house for I have five brothers so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.”

The reality of the eternal damnation set in for the rich man. He realized that his unbelief cemented this destiny. He was so dismayed by his condition that he was determined his brothers had the same destination unless someone intervened in their lives.

Hell was not created for us, but the sins of the world destined those who die without the salvation through Jesus Christ to this place of torment. The “eternal fire” was “prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)     

4. Hell Is Eternal

The existence of hell and its accompanying torment is never-ending. In Revelation 14:11, John told “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

The lost that will spend eternity in torment will have all of their senses and faculties. The pain and misery will be so severe “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:50)

Not only will the pain be physical, but also mental. In 2 Thessalonians 1:9, we are told, “they will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” The physical body will burn without being consumed, but the greatest portion of the misery will be due to the absence of God. As Charles Spurgeon preached, “there is no communion with God in hell.”

He went further and proclaimed, “there are prayers, but they are unheard. There are tears, but they are unaccepted. There are cries for pity, but they are all an abomination unto the Lord.”

Abraham spoke of another separation of the inhabitants of Hell. In Luke 16:26, Abraham described “a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.” There is a great border separating Hell from Heaven and Earth. No one is able to travel from hell to heaven or from heaven to hell.

The misery of Hell is eternal for the lost as are the blessings and bliss of Heaven for the believer.

5. Our Current Trials Aren’t Hell

Hell is a subject often spoken about in terms of our misery experienced here on earth. When we compare something in our life to “hell,” our audience knows exactly our feeling on the subject.

However, the believer knows better than to minimize anything we may experience in life in relating it to “hell.” The trials and tribulations in our life will in no way compare to the torment and suffering as those who will dwell in Hell for eternity.

In Matthew 7:13, we are told, “the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” The preaching of Hell may not be desired, but it is crucial to a lost and dying world.

We have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.   

A Warrior's Prayer: How to Pray When Satan Attacks

• Dr. David Jeremiah

The armor of God is what we use to defend ourselves when Satan attacks. It is the warrior’s uniform given to every Christian. It is composed of supernatural tools He has given us to contend with the rulers of this dark and imperfect world.

Ephesians 6 lists them as the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, and the shoes of peace. Without these pieces we are sitting ducks—easy targets for the enemy’s attacks. A Christian sidelined by fear, distraction, temptations, unrepented sin, debilitating emotional pain, or frustration is a Christian who has forgotten to utilize his armor. So, what are we to do when spiritual warfare comes to us? The answer is found not only in Ephesians 6, along with the individual pieces of armor, but throughout the entire book of Ephesians as we learn the one component that powers our armor: prayer.

The Armor of the Believer

Before we go any further, let’s stop here and think about what the armor does for us. They are weapons, but what kind of weapons? The kind that will protect us on all sides? Truly physical weapons that will make the enemy materialize so we can defeat him? No, they are metaphorical and passive weapons, only meant to protect us defensively. Our armor does not protect us from behind; therefore, we are not meant to retreat. We are meant to stand. The armor is metaphorical, spiritual, because the battle being waged for our souls is happening in the spiritual realms beyond our physical eyes—

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:12-13). 

The Power of Jesus' Prayers on Our Behalf

It is the prayers of Jesus on our behalf that connect us to the battle-ready strength God offers us—our armor. In Romans 8, Paul tells us that Christ is risen from the dead and sitting at the right hand of God, making “intercession for us” (verse 34). It is by His prayers on our behalf that we come to surrender our lives to Him. And His prayers go even further in Ephesians 1 as Paul addresses the sanctification process, the process by which we are constantly growing and being transformed through prayer. Specifically, Paul is speaking of how we draw closer to Christ better by praying that He will reveal Himself to us—

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (Ephesians 17-19).

But be warned: knowing God more will make you a target on the enemy’s radar. As I talk about in my new book, Overcomer, the only way to defend yourself is to put on your spiritual armor. 

Set Up for Battle

So, if our individual pieces of armor are passive and spiritual, how are we supposed to “put on” these weapons of spiritual warfare? How are we meant to defend ourselves and our faith?

The answer: prayer.

Prayer is our one offensive weapon. It is the tool we have that helps us know God better and grow closer to Him. Prayer also helps us get to know ourselves better, including our biggest struggles. These struggles are personalized, the very weapons the enemy uses as he attempts to defeat each of us forever. He wants to render us useless in the fight being waged beyond what our eyes can see. But God desires for us to use our defensive tool—prayer—to put on our armor and stand against the devil himself—not fight, only stand—while we allow God to fight at the front of the battle.

So, we know Christ is always praying for us and God is always protecting us as we come to know Him better. We also know others are praying for us just as Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians. What else is left? We have to pray for ourselves. We put on our armor by praying it on every day, and constantly returning to our safe place in His arms throughout our day. Occasionally it is brought to my attention that prayer is difficult; I agree, it has its difficult moments. But that is why I like to recite the Warrior’s Prayer, and I have written it below. I pray you read it, perhaps even memorize it, using it as a means of communication with our Savior, asking Him to put your armor on and stand against the wiles of the evil one.

The Warrior's Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Your warrior prepares for battle.
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on
the whole armor of God!

I put on the Girdle of Truth!
May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so
I will not be a victim of Satan’s lies.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!
May it guard my heart from evil so I will
remain pure and holy, protected under
the blood of Jesus Christ.

I put on the Shoes of Peace!
May I stand firm in the Good News of the
Gospel so Your peace will shine through me
and be a light to all I encounter.

I take the Shield of Faith!
May I be reader for Satan’s fiery darts of
doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be
vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation!
May I keep my mind focused on You so Satan
will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

I take the Sword of the Spirit!
May the two-edged sword of Your Word
be ready in my hands so I can expose
the tempting words of Satan.

By faith your warrior has
put on the whole armor of God!
I am prepared to live this day in
spiritual victory! Amen.

5 Vulnerability Points the Devil Uses to Attack You

By Kelly Balarie

I didn't know where the thought came from. Like an unwelcomed visitor, it showed up unannounced. It just pushed its way in - and sat down.  Holy had to leave. It doesn't do well with things vile, deplorable and downright not from God. Worship left the air too. All eyes were on the house warming gift of worry in the middle of everything; it was tied up with the bow of anxiety. It's a horrible gift.

In me, what felt like a temple, now felt tainted.

Certainly, I let in a monster that wasn't supposed to be around, but I wasn't sure what to do about it. When you let this kind of thought in, they don't leave - they are rude like that.

So rude, that sometimes they keep you up all night as you try to wrangle them like untamed and bucking broncos. They rise and let you know how tall they are. They contort around you spelling out the word D.O.O.M.

I hate them, usually.

Knowing this, I come to these very important question...

How do I block the random attacks of the enemy that arrive like arrows in the night?

And, are there certain conditions that make me more vulnerable?

I think there are. Paul lets us know that we should be wise to their schemes (2 Cor. 2:11).

If we want to stand firm, we have to keep up our defenses up and our knees down to the ground.

You see, to be aware is to stand active in prayer.

So that your heart does not pursue an enemy affair.

Prayer is our best defense. God is our best offense.

Beyond this, if we know when the devil is prone to attack us, we can raise up our requests and calls for protection during these times. In essence, we can F.I.G.H.T back!

5 Times the Devil Loves To Attack Christ Followers...When they are:

1. Famished.
   If you are hungry for life and not filling up on God, you are prime meat.
   If you are hungry for food and are feeling a little off kilter, you are a tasty choice.
   If you are head in iPhone, not soaking in the love of God, you are often - toast.
2. Irritable.
   If you are off-footed and nearly falling, even more the devil knows his punch will knock you out.
   If you are in a bad mood, he knows you will open the door to his negativity.
3. Gullible.
   If you are open to lies, he will feed them to you.
   If you are willing to listen to pride, he will lure you to it.
   If you are up for misunderstanding God, he will distort him to you.
4. Hurt.
   If you are discouraged, he will lure you to quick-fixes.
   If you are beaten in relationships, he will feed you bad words about the another person.
   If you aren't seeking God, the devil will seek you and make you wonder if God is really good.
5. Tired.
   If your mind is confused, he will confuse it some more.
   If your will is weary, he will wear it down to its breaking point.
   If people get testy, he will test your limits.

We can't blame everything on the devil. Nope. That would miss this thing called flesh (Gal. 5:16) that works in its own self-serving way. But, when the devil is at play, the fertile ground described above is primed soil ready for insecticide-ridden hands.

Yet, when left protected and guarded, God grows something new -  it is called perseverance and determination.

F.I.G.H.T.!!!

Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

Learning to Lean Hard on Jesus … in Me

Learning to Lean Hard on Jesus … in Me
ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ

The best adviser, the best business manager, the best life coach is the Counselor God Himself. He is readily available. 24/7. Without charge. If we want to live our very best lives, we cannot go our own way, follow our own logic or somehow conclude we know best. If we follow the Spirit’s leading, there’s no reason to think we’ll end up with less than if we do it our way. Or that getting what we want will make us happier than what He wants. Or that we don’t need Him for every decision.

What do you need the Counselor for right now?

Are you confronting cancer, as I have, and the related choices of doctors, surgery, treatments and follow-up? Or maybe you need wisdom for other pending decisions? A relationship. Career. Education. Friendship.

Do you need direction? Discretion? Discernment? Deliverance? Talk to your Counselor. Pour out your heart. Be honest. Transparent. Lean hard on the One who is Jesus in you.

Dear Lord, I need You today. I need Your direction. Your counsel. And I need Your wisdom. I believe that You, the Counselor, are in me. Guide me today in Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (NIV)

Looking for Fruit

Looking for Fruit

By Dr. Charles StanleyGalatians 5:16-26

As believers, we all want the fruit of the Spirit, but how can we know if we truly have it? Even unbelievers can display these qualities when conditions are positive. This nine-fold fruit of the Spirit is not what we do, but who we are, and it is primarily on display in Christians when circumstances are unfavorable. Two characteristics help us recognize these traits in our lives.

Fruitful believers are not controlled by their environment. Everyone experiences trials and pain, but those who are filled with the Spirit do not lose His fruit because of their situations. They keep their joy even when difficulties overwhelm. If someone speaks harshly, they respond with kindness. Because the Holy Spirit is in control, He is free to produce His fruit no matter what the circumstances are. Even though such believers may feel pain, anger, or a desire for revenge, they choose to trust the Lord to protect them and direct the outcome.  

Fruitful Christians recover quickly after a fall. These believers are not perfect, but they are sensitive to the Spirit's conviction and are quick to return to the Lord in repentance. In fact, they are actually grateful for the correction and praise God, not only for revealing their weakness but also for drawing them back to obedience.

No one produces these amazing qualities in himself. Trying harder to be godly will never work. Character transformation occurs when we submit to God, giving Him complete control of our lives. Only then will the Spirit be free to produce fruit that remains even in the deepest, darkest storms.

How to See Hope and Value in Your Suffering

How to See Hope and Value in Your Suffering
By C. Adam Clagg

The apostle Peter understood suffering from identifying with Jesus and his years serving the fledgling church. Sometimes his suffering was self-induced, caused by his own mistakes. The simple, rugged fisherman failed when he took his eyes off Jesus while walking on the water. Peter even denied Christ during the last few hours before the crucifixion. Despite all this, Jesus never forsook Peter, and God used these experiences to mold him.

When we endure pain, most of us doubt God’s love, or even question our salvation. Peter reminds us that suffering isn’t punishment from God. It is temporary. Even though God didn’t cause the pain, He will refine us through it.

If Job and Peter could find purpose in their pain, then there must be something to what they are saying. The mystery of suffering is never fully expressed. But it does seem that suffering leads us to pray more—whether out of anger, protest or petition. And thus, in the midst of tragedy, our relationship with God can improve.

Above all, Peter wants us to remember that we are not alone. When we cry out to Christ, He understands our pain and weaknesses because He endured the same thing. One day, our suffering will end. We will be united with our suffering Lord and those who came to know Him because we suffered well.

Suffering does not last forever. Not only do we follow Christ’s example by suffering, but we also follow in His resurrection. One day, God will raise us up out of our suffering.

A Prayer for Righteous Speech

A Prayer for Righteous Speech
By John North

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” - Ephesians 4:29  

God hates gossip!

Look at the list of sins he puts gossip into. It is there alongside “haters of God” and “inventors of evil” and “malice”. Gossip is immensely destructive. When you talk about someone to someone else, in a negative way—even if what you are saying is true—you are sinning against God, and you are hurting the person you are talking about, and you are hurting yourself.

Gossiping about others damages your own credibility. It also damages the relationship between them and the person you are talking to, and it hurts the person you are talking about. Gossip may make you feel better about something that irritates you about someone, but in the long run gossip hurts everyone.

God wants you to know that he is offended when you gossip about someone.

Heavenly Lord, may the words of our mouth and the actions of our heart reflect only the grace you have demonstrated to all mankind. Our words have the power to harm and to heal. Whenever we speak, let us demonstrate the gentleness and charity you showed to all. Amen.