where would we be without jesus
DESCRIPTION
The sermon is called Where Would We Be Without Jesus. The answer is: we'd all be in hell one day. But, because of Jesus, Christians will not. Have you ever wondered? How does hell fit the character of a loving God? What is hell like? What benefits are there for Christians and non-christians to understand what the Bible reveals about hell? These and other questions should be answered in the sermon tomorrow. I have never heard a sermon like this, let alone given one. Jesus spoke of hell more than anyone else in the Bible. Why? Come and hear. This teaching will not frighten Christians. The goal of the sermon is to: help us be more grateful to God that we are not going to hell and to motivate us to prevent others from going there. Listen to the audio of this message at http://www.john10-10.org/john10-10/Sermon_Audios/Entries/2012/3/26_Where_Would_We_Be_Without_Jesus__The_Truth_About_Hell.htmlTRANSCRIPT
Where Would We Be Without Jesus?
Another reason to be grateful to God and more committed to helping others know Jesus, too.
The Gospel
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
The Gospel Again
“He who believes in the
Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
The Character of GodComplex, multi-dimensional, > human
• The clock knows the clockmaker?
Most creative Creator
Most gracious Savior
Most loving Father
Most severe Judge
The Character of God
Always more than what we expect:
More good and loving
Greater hatred of sin
More just to punish sin
God is the Creator of heaven & hell
Increasing Goodness of GodAlways Good to All: Sun, rain, water, children, crops, families, animals
OT Covenant Blessings:Land, the OT Bible, God’s Presence, Sacrifices, Protection from enemies (Dt 28:1-12)
NT Extreme Blessings:, Free Eternal Life in heaven, Adoption as children of God the Father
Increasing Wrath of God
OT Penalties for Sin: Physical curses & losses of crops, fertility, land, security, economy (Dt 28:15-68)
NT Extreme Punishment: All mankind condemned to hell for their sins unless they follow Jesus.
God in the Roman Road
Romans 3:23: “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 10: 9-10: “...that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved...”
Almighty God
Most Holy God: Cannot tolerate sin. Hates it.
Most Just Judge: Sin will be punished, the guilty will be judged and condemned
Most Merciful Savior & Father: Sent His Son to take God’s wrath against our sins on Himself. (Is. 53:6)
• The Judge becomes the Justifier. God offers mercy instead of justice to all mankind.
Almighty Judge Sent Jesus to:
Suffer for our sin so we wouldn’t (Is 53:6)
Die for our sins so we wouldn’t (1 Peter 2:24)
Help everyone escape God’s just wrath against sin. (Jn 3:36)
Show all that God’s love is greater than His need to judge sin (John 3:16)...if we turn to Jesus
What is Hell Like?Kevin Coyle tells us what the Bible says
GOD IS ALWAYS MORE
More Loving: Gives eternal heaven to His children
More Wrathful: Gives eternal hell to sinners
More Sacrificial: Sent His Son to die in our place
More Patient: Waiting thousands of years before Jesus comes back to judge sinners with wrath.
OUR RESPONSE
Be more grateful we are not going to hell.
Have more compassion and urgency to help others headed for hell.
Appreciate how evil & deadly sin is
Follow Jesus in seeking lost people to save