DCLM ADULT STS LESSON 87 JESUS WARNS AGAINST HELL
MEMORY VERSE: “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24).
TEXT: Mark 9:30-50; Luke 16:19-31
The subject of hell is an important discourse that demands careful and proper consideration because the existence of man on the surface of the earth is not for ever. There are two destinations before man. Where to end up is hinged on the kind of choice made here on earth when one is still able to decide. The two destinations are heaven and hell. The teaching on hell is cardinal in the Bible and found in both Old and New Testaments. It is vividly revealed as the place of agonizing torment and everlasting punishment in unquenchable fire for unrepentant sinners. Thus, it is the final abode for unconverted souls and fearsome home to all transgressors. The word “Hell” is found about fifty-four times in the King James Version of the Bible. Its translation in Hebrew occurs thirty-one times, while the Greek interpretations “Gehena”, “Hades” and Latin interpretation “Tartarus” occur twelve, ten times and once respectively. Christ warned specifically and repeatedly on the danger of hell and the need for His listeners to steer clear of it (Matthew 5:22,29,30: 18:8,9: Mark 9:43-48; Luke 12:5). The apostles also followed the same explanation of hell as offered by the Lord (Romans 2:5-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9: Hebrews 10:26,27: James 3:5,6; 3:5,6; 2 Peter 2:4-9; Jude 7,23). The church cannot afford to give less attention or emphasis to the teaching on hell, without subverting the gravity and gloominess of the subject.
1. CLARIFICATION OF WHO IS THE GREATEST
Mark 9:30-37; Matthew 18:1-5; Luke 22:24-27; Hebrews 4:13; John 3:3-7; Philippians 2:5-8
Christ had revealed His imminent death on the cross and resurrection the third day to His disciples. “But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.” Instead, they disputed among themselves on their way to Capernaum who should be the greatest. As they were in the house, Christ asked them the cause of their disputation, but they held their peace. Being Omniscient, in whose eyes “…all things are naked and opened…” (Hebrews 4:13), He said to His disciples, “Whosoever there fore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:4). Christ gave the condition for entering into the kingdom of God which is primary and of greater importance. Before anyone can become the greatest in the Kingdom, he or she must first be converted. This means that the heart must be teachable, corrigible, submissive and obedient. Salvation or being born again is paramount to the life in the Kingdom. This is the basis or enjoy the life in God’s kingdom must first have (John 3:3,5). Furthermore, Christ revealed the need to have the humility of a child. By nature, children are unassuming, unpretentious and sincere. They do not pretend to be what they are not, but display honesty and simplicity in character. Possessing this is tantamount to having the mind of Christ. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). A person cannot rightly claim to be a child of God if he or she is proud, pompous or arrogant. Christ urges us to imitate and imbibe His humble nature. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and am meek and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29). The meekness humility and lowliness of Christ appear assumption of human nature, in His subjection to the will of the Father, and in his sufferings and death.
2. CAUTION FOR BEING HASTY TO JUDGE OTHERS . Mark 9:38-41; Luke 9:49,50
After clarifying who is the greatest in the Kingdom, there was a report that someone whom the disciples thought did not belong to their inner circle’ was casting out demons “…and we forbad him, because he followeth not us” (Mark 9:38). Christ clearly said that such should not be stopped nor be resisted because “…there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me” (Mark 9:39). It should be noted that God-sent believers and gospel ministers do not belong in one denomination. The Lord has His servants scattered over the nations. Therefore, true disciples of Christ should appreciate others who do not belong to their assemblies but are committed fully preaching the gospel of Christ in sincerity and in truth. However, we should not be ignorant of Christ’s warning against false prophets and teachers who are out to deceive others. There are some like Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6-12); sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-17); and Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:18-21). So, we are warned by Christ to beware of false prophets (Matthew 24:11,24;7:15;
Mark 13:22,23); Paul the apostle warned against their evil effects in this end-time (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4): Peter warned believers of” ..their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of (2 Peter 2:1,2); John the Beloved also cautioned believers to “…try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world…” (1 John 4:1,3). Those who are Christ’s followers are genuine and are often known by the fruits they bear. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God” (1 John 4:2). They cannot lightly speak evil of the Master because the Spirit of God dwells in them (Mark 9:39). Christ also revealed the significance of to the disciples in His name. He said, “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not his reward” (Mark 9:41). Giving for the gospel is an important part of identifying with Christ. Those who faithfully give for the progress of God’s work will be rewarded here on earth and in heaven. As believers, we should always “..remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). It is a great privilege to give to God.
3. CONSEQUENCE OF OFFENDING THE LITTLE ONES . Mark 9:42-50; Luke 16:19-31; Matthew 18:6-9
As Christ concludes the discussion with His disciples, He spoke on the issue of offence and its danger. He said, “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea” (Mark 9:42). It is clear from this that the offence (source of sin) may be from another individual. Satan and his agents often use human agents to be sources of sin to believers. This is the reason we need to be careful and watch over our lives in order not to be instruments of offence in the hands of Satan. As we watch carefully, we should disallow the enemy from tempting us to yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness (Romans 6:13). Christ also warned that if the hand or foot – that is to say if any individual(s) as important as any of these members of the body – becomes an object of offence, it Is better we cut it off and enter into life eternal maimed than to have all the members and be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worms never die nor the fire quenched. The matter of life in hell is real as life in heaven. Those who dispute the reality of hell should consider the story of the rich nan and Lazarus. “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” (Luke l6:23,24). The Lord is so much concerned about where we spend eternity; He wants all men to be saved so that none will perish in hell. Apart from the hand or foot, which He typified as objects that can be used as source of sin, He said, “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire” (Mark 9:47). It is therefore evident that any of the important members of the body can be used by the enemy as a means of temptation to send one to hell. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that we heed Christ’s warning to avoid all means of offence(s) to avoid ending up in hell. To escape eternal punishment in hell, sinners must confess their sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior. Believers must watch and pray always, constantly resisting the devil through faith in the word of God, daily trusting and leaning on His unfailing arm to carry them through, with their gaze fixed on Jesus moment by moment. We cannot afford to be careless at any time because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
- Why does the subject of hell demand careful and serious consideration?
- What should be the attitude of believers to the teaching on hell?
- What does it take to become ‘greatest’ in God’s kingdom?
- Why should we imbibe the humble virtue of Christ?
- How can we know those who truly belong to Christ?
- Why is it necessary for believers to give to others?
- Why is Christ’s warning against hell so stern and what must believers do to avoid it.
