Dirty Bible Words Week 4: H.E.L.L. Message Summary: Hell is a relic from a fear-based, fire-and-brimstone age, a cruel tool used by church authorities to maintain power and control. So why did Jesus himself mention it so much? Why is he the #1 user of “hell” in the entire Bible? Why was he unembarrassed to talk about fire, darkness, and eternal death? Modern Christians needs to know Christ’s answers. ✦ Luke 12:4-5 — “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” ✦ Matthew 5:29-30 — …It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Mark 9:48 — …hell, where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 1 Peter 2:3 — “Then they will go away to eternal punishment…” Luke 16:26 — And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ ✦ Hell is real. Hell is a reality after we die. Hell is really awful. Eternity (aka, Heaven and Hell) is under God’s authority. ✦ John 3:16-18 — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ✦ Sin condemns you to hell. ✦ Matthew 25:41-46 — “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” ✦ Luke 23:40-43 — But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence. 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” ✦ Jesus saves you from hell. ✦ When it comes to eternity, what one believes, affects how one behaves. ✦ 1 Timothy 2:4-6 — This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — What might happen to our faith if we never hear about hell? How does your answer influence how often our pastors should mention hell in their sermons? GROUP — Jude urges us, “Save others by snatching them from the fire” (1:23). How do our church’s Life Groups help us do exactly that? GROW — Read Matthew 13:24-50. Where do you see Jesus himself mentioning hell? GIVE — Evaluate: Christians give their time and money because they believe that everyone has an eternity. GO — Hell is real. How does Jesus’ sobering statement affect the way we see our loved ones? Heaven is real. How does Jesus’ thrilling statement affect the way we treat our loved ones? Homework: Numbers 6:22-27 (Hashtags: hell, heaven, eternity)