Sermons and Outlines

Matt. 7:13-23 THE 5 MOST SHOCKING THINGS IN THE BIBLE

Intro: Ill. The Bible is a great book willed with many great and wonderful things. (Ill. Some - the love of God, eternal life, Heaven, etc.) However, the Bible is also a book filled with horrors. (Ill. Some - Sodom and Gomorrah, Satan, death, hell, etc.) To my mind, perhaps the greatest horrors in the Bible have to do with Hell. In this message, I would like to share what are to me the 5 most shocking things in all the Bible. They are shocking because they might happen to you or to someone you know. The intent of this message is to communicate to the heart and not just to the head. Let the lord speak to your heart today as we look together at The 5 Most Shocking Things In The Bible.

I. V.13, 19 THAT THERE IS A PLACE CALLED HELL

A. A Place Of Consciousness - Luke 16:23-24

B. A Place Of Torment - (Luke 16:23, 24, 28)

C. A Place Of Darkness - (Matt. 8:12)

D. A Place Of Eternal Separation - (2 Thes. 1:9)

E. A Place Of Memory and Regret - (Luke 16:27-28)

F. A Place Of Intense Misery - (Matt. 13:42) (Ill. No flowers, water, trees, children, nothing good!)

II. V. 13b-14 THAT THERE IS A POPULATION IN HELL

A. Ill. More in Hell than in Heaven - Isa. 5:14

B. Ill. In the days of Noah, there were only 8 saved out of the entire world's population. In Sodom, there were only 3 spared out of those cities.

C. Ill. There are more in heathen lands than in so called Christian countries - 40 to 1.

III. V. 15-23 THAT THERE IS A PARADOX IN HELL

(Ill. Many who expect to make it to Heaven will actually wind up in Hell.)

A. The Rich Man - Luke 16:19-31

B. Ill. Lost Church Members - (Actions - v. 15-20) (Ill. James 1:26 - You may not always be able to judge a book by its cover, but you can always tell a tree by its fruit!)

C. Ill. Even good moral people who are unsaved will go to Hell - Rom. 3:23; Rom. 6:23.

D. Perhaps the most horrible words that will ever fall on the ears of a human are those recorded in verse 23.

IV. THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH HELL

(Ill. The problem is that you could be there today!)

A. Jesus could return today - Matt. 24:44.

B. You could die today - Luke 12:16-21 - Rich fool. Pro. 27:1; James 4:14. Do not gamble on a death bed repentance.

C. You could sin away your day of grace - Gen. 6:3 (Ill. Ex. 8:1; Hos. 4:17 - God said, Let them alone.) (Ill. Rom. 1:26, 28 - God gave them up) Could today be the day of your deadline?

D. Please do not take any foolish chances, be saved today!

V. THAT THERE IS A PERMANENCE TO HELL

A. Hell is eternal. (Ill. No escape, pardon or death.) (Ill. Matt 26:46; Heb. 6:2; Rev. 14:11) (Ill. There will be one day when the inhabitants of Hell get out. But, what awaits them is worth than hell - Rev. 20:11-15.)

B. The lost will suffer for all eternity while the redeemed enjoy the wonders and blessings of Heaven. As long as the saved are shouting around the throne of God in Heaven, the lost will be screaming in the blackness of Hell.

Conc: Do you know for sure that you will miss Hell and go to Heaven? If not, you can get sure right now - Matt. 11:28; Acts 16:31; John 5:24.