Craig Groeschel’s Introduction
Today we’re going to talk about hell.
2 Peter 3:9
New International Version
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
- When you look at this picture with Christian books, condoms, drugs, where do you think this person is going if they died right now? Heaven or hell?
Message Title: Hell No!
Craig used to be extremely scared to go to hell. In church the topic of hell is avoided. People ask:
1. Why Would a Loving God Send People to Hell?
It doesn’t sound very loving.
Let’s think of the spiritual strategy of God and the spiritual strategy of the devil.
If hell is indeed real – eternal damnation, torture, and pain…if Craig was the devil, the strategy would be to convince you that it’s not real, or to not take it seriously. This allows you to live however you want, justifying sin, and rejecting Christ with no fear of God, living self-centered lives – like so many people do.
When you look at scripture, it’s talked throughout the Bible. Jesus talked about hell more than anybody else and He’s the most loving person. He didn’t beat it over people like angry street preachers. He didn’t talk to non-believers to scare them away from hell – he spoke to believers to motivate them to be more spiritual and engaged in the work and mission of spreading the gospel all over the world.
Matthew 5:29
New International Version
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Hopefully Jesus was speaking metaphorically.
What Jesus is saying, is that if there’s anything in your life keeping you from God, separating you eternally, get rid of that thing because He doesn’t want you going to hell.
Jeremiah 7:31
New International Version
31 They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind.
They believed the Valley of Ben Hinnom was cursed and cut off. Even now, it’s not used. It had a bad smell because of everything discarded there. It was called the land of no more. The land of no more joy, beauty, friendship, chances, etc.
When Jesus spoke about hell, it wasn’t a dungeon in heaven. It was much worse. A place cut off from God’s presence. Heaven is the presence of God. Hell is the absence of the presence of God.
Why would God create hell?
2. Hell Exists for God to Righteously Punish Satan
We tend to think of the devil as a harmless cartoon like character. Our spiritual enemy is the embodiment of evil. Behind every addiction, abuse, fear, anxiety, pain, shame, the prince of darkness is behind it trying to drag you away from God. The Bible calls him the destroyer, the wicked one, the thief that comes to steal your joy, the father of lies. Hell exists for God to righteously punish his spiritual enemy.
Revelation 20:10
New International Version
10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
That seems fair. The embodiment of all evil should be righteously punished by a good God. The next verse is more disorienting to us. When it comes to our sin, we prefer a God who looks the other way.
Culture today prefers that we don’t even talk about sin, but ignore it instead. We serve a very holy and righteous God. It’s impossible for Him to be Holy without being just. Hell exists for God to righteously punish Satan and to righteously punish evil.
3. Hell Exists for God to Righteously Punish Evil
1 Thessalonians 1:8-9
New International Version
8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
Anecdote: A voice from hell.
Luke 16:19
New International Version
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
A nice piece of linen could feed a person for a year.
Luke 16:21
New International Version
21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22-23
New International Version
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
Luke 16:24
New International Version
24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
Luke 16:27-28
New International Version
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
Luke 16:27-28
New International Version
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
4 Lessons from the Voice from Hell
1. The Rich Man Was Fully Conscious and Aware
2. The Rich Man’s Eternality was Irrevocably Fixed
3. The Rich Man Knew that His Suffering was Just
4. The Rich Man Begged and Pleaded for someone to help his brothers know Jesus
None of us are good. All of us have sinned. It means to miss the mark.
Romans 3:23
New International Version
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Have you ever lied? Everybody has lied.
Have you ever stolen?
Have you ever lusted?
What did Jesus say you’ve done if you’ve looked lustfully at someone? You’ve already committed adultery in your heart.
Jesus would say you’re a lying, thieving, adultery. Every one of us has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
God is holy and just, so he must punish sin. He is not only just, but also love.
Romans 5:8-9
New International Version
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
There is no condemnation for you. Your sins are erased. Jesus’ death displays the amazing grace and unquenchable love of God.
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- When you look at this picture with Christian books, condoms, drugs, where do you think this person is going if they died right now? Heaven or hell?
We don’t know.
When you look at this picture, who do you think about? Craig thinks about himself at 19.
Even now, he sees a version of that – still with flaws, still with sins he’s not proud of in his life. Are you able to look at that and see a piece of yourself in that – a person seeking God but still with sin.
Thank God for a God that loves us so much that He sent his son for us.
There is no condemnation when you are found in Jesus.
When you’re saved by the grace of God, you can’t keep it to yourself.
If hell is a real place, what would the devil’s strategy be? If it were Craig, he’d try to get churches not to talk about it and Christians not to think about it. He wouldn’t want the holiness or justness of God discussed – it could silence and neutralize Christians to live how they want, justify sin, reject Christ, and live with no fear of God, self-centered lives, craving comfort, rejecting sacrifice, avoiding persecution, and loving this world.
2 Peter 3:9
New International Version
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
You have been forgiven of some stuff. Don’t judge people who look like the guy in the photo. You’re in that photo. You’ve been saved by the grace of Jesus.
Help others.
We’re saved by grace, through faith – not good works.
Your assignment this week is to tell everybody you know, the stone has been rolled away, there’s life in this place and to join us next week. Next week, we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Our God wants everyone to come to a place of repentance.
Altar Call and Prayer: You’re not watching by accident. God is drawing you. Jesus is the sinless son of God. He is perfect in every way. We’re all unworthy. Say yes to the grace of Jesus, say no to our old life. All the old stuff is gone and God separates you from your sin as far as the East is from the West. Today we give our lives to you.
Heavenly Father, forgive my sins, Jesus save me, change me, make me brand new. Fill me with your spirit so that I could know you, serve you, walk in power, and show your love. Give me eyes to see those who need you – help me show them you, your love, truth, and power. My life is not my own. Thank you for new life. You have all of mine. In Jesus name I pray.
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SUMMARY NOTES
- Hell Exists for God to Righteously Punish Satan
- Hell Exists for God to Righteously Punish Evil
- 4 Lessons from the Voice from Hell
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- The Rich Man Was Fully Conscious and Aware
- The Rich Man’s Eternality was Irrevocably Fixed
- The Rich Man Knew that His Suffering was Just
- The Rich Man Begged and Pleaded for someone to help his brothers know Jesus
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Abby Olurin Dames
I love Jesus, my husband, Will, my toddler daughter, Sola, and the beautiful friends and family in our lives. Me and Will are from the Bahamas, but we currently reside in Austin, Texas. We joined TC Nation as online members of Transformation Church in 2017 when we moved to Austin from Miami, Florida. In 2020, we also happily took on a more active role with the E-Fam of Elevation Church by fellowshipping with other married couples and were pleased to have the opportunity to join TC Beta Belong Groups. I believe that representing God doesn’t have to be done in “traditional spaces”. After listening to Pastor Mike's sermon, "Who's the Minister Here?", it became my mission to shed light on Christ in all arenas, including, but not limited to, corporate America, marketing, technology, and finance. I'm not perfect, but I'm progressing. I am a marketer, but first, I am a Christian, and the aim of this blog is to publicly share my sermon notes as a form of stewardship. I hope that these message notes can bring clarity to anything you may be seeking and help you to experience the peace and glory of Jesus Christ. I'm happy to pray for you as well if you ever wanted to shoot me an email. The effectual fervent prayers of many of you have helped countless circumstances in my life and in the lives of those around me. Thank you! Also, for any Amazon specific links that you see, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
