WORSE THAN FIRE

Luke 16:22-26

Introduction

1.     Hell is often described as fire

2.     Is this literal or figurative?

3.     There is fire – but darkness

4.     Burning – but not consumed

5.     Smoke – but not suffocate

6.     There are some things worse than fire in hell

In Luke 16 Jesus tells us that in Hell there will be:

1.     Memory

a.     “Son remember”

b.     Things, actions, attitudes in your life

c.     Family members and situation

d.     Memory is a blessing / curse

e.     When up to your hips in alligators, it is hard to remember you came here to drain the swamp.

f.      Hell will be where you remember:

                                                    i.     Sermons, Invitation songs

                                                   ii.     Missed opportunities to obey

                                                 iii.     Maud Muller – Saddest words of tongue or pen, saddest are these, It might have been.

g.     Take a moment and remember your relationship with God

2.     Separation

a.     Hell will separate you from:

                                                    i.     God, Jesus, Holy Spirit

                                                   ii.     Faithful, spiritual, godly

                                                 iii.     Family, friends

b.     Separation is God’s standard

                                                    i.     Do it now – 2 Corinthians 6:17

                                                   ii.     God will separate in Judgment – Matthew 25:32

                                                 iii.     For eternity – great gulf fixed

                                                 iv.     2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

3.     No Hope

a.     Everlasting, forever, eternity

                                                    i.     Difficult to understand or picture

                                                   ii.     No hope

                                                 iii.     Dante’s Inferno – All who enter here, Leave all hope behind

                                                 iv.     Prisoner counts the days until his release

                                                  v.     In hospital – I go home on Friday

                                                 vi.     In Hell – no hope remains