“In Hell He Lifted Up His Eyes.”

Luke 16:19- Jesus told this as a true story and not as a parable. I: When Hell Seems Far Away or Non-Existing: 1. This man was busy about many things. 2. He was making progress in his business life. 3. He was well clothed with the best material. 4. He was no doubt a great entertainer, and his wife prominent among the social set. 5. Every day was a day to eat, drink, and be merry. 6. He must have had a costly funeral. II: Five Minutes In Hell Changed His Mind. 1. He didn’t have his wealth to worry him. 2. He was clothed with fires of hell. 3. He had no time to spread the banquet table. 4. Days had turned to one continual night filled with torment. 5. There was no stopping place; nor was there a place to change his course on his rapid trip to hell. III:...

This Is Hell

Luke 16:19-31 When Christians refuse to believe in a literal, eternal Hell, they become cold and indifferent about the men and women going there. I: Jesus Knew of A Literal Hell. 1. He preached more about Hell than Heaven. 2. “But whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of Hell fire.” Matthew 5:22. a. “And fear not them, which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell fire.” Matthew 10:28.   b. “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The son of man shall send forth His angels and they shall gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast...

God Divided the Water

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God Genesis 1:6-8, Psalms 19:1-7 Moses recorded marvelous things that it has taken man thousands of years to begin to discover. I: The Firmament is Made & the Waters Divided: 1. Firmament – “To spread out, limitless expanse.” 2. There are definitely two bodies of water & if they were not separated, life would be impossible. II: The Upper & Lower Bodies of Water: 1. The lower bodies of water we are well acquainted with. a. Here fish & living creatures make their home. b. Our ships sail upon it & our subs travel thru it. c. Divers bring its treasures from below the surface. 2. The upper bodies of water are just as real. a. It contains waves & bounding billows. b. It has currents & tides...

Joy In Serving

Matthew 25:21, Timothy 2 4:7-8 Jesus said it was more blessed to give than to receive. He came to seek and to save. He came to serve rather than be served. Jesus expects service from his church and he so commanded. I: The Shame of Idleness: 1. Ten percent of church members do 90% of the actual church work. 2. To some the Church is a place to sit comfortable in a pleasant atmosphere a few minutes a week. 3. An army with 90% casualty, would run up to the white flag. 4. The church is in a warfare for the eternal souls of men and about 90% of the army has deserted. 5. A church of 500 members, 156 of these are not resident, of the 344 left, 25% are inactive, leaving 258 to do the work, and 86 of these are content to do nothing. 6. So long as a single member is...

Joy in Belongings

Acts 20:28, Isaiah 52: Isaiah 52: “How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings that publish peace; that bringeth good tidings of good that publish salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” I: An Exalted Opinion Necessary. 1. Americans are great joiners. 2. Different reasons for joining: a. Privileges it affords. b. Opportunities of service. c. Social contacts. d. The prestige it gives. e. The sheer joy of serving with that group. 3. One must appreciate the privileges of church membership to hold an exalted opinion of the church. 4. Ignorance of the Church character causes one to treat Her membership lightly. 5. To know the true character of the church, it will thrill our hearts and demand our loyalty. You...

Church

Ephesians 2:1-10, 5:25-27, Romans 5:1-9, & 6:1-16 Ecclesia translated “Church” occurs three times in Matthew, 23 times in Acts, 62 times in Paul’s letters, twice in Hebrews, once in James, three times in the third Epistle of John, and 20 times in Revelations. Jesus did not coin this word, it was in common use before he used it. Ecclesia occurs 114 times in New Testament. Only twice does it refer to the redeemed of all time. I: Jesus Never Built Anything After He Left the Carpenter Shop, but His Church. 1. Christ is the designer. He designed it for his kingdom purpose. 2. He is the architect. He tells us what kind of material to build with. 3. He is the builder. He fits every piece. 4. He is the foundation. The strong refused by Israel. 5. He...

Man Is A Standard

Corinthians 1 6:15-20, Ephesians 4:1-7, & Psalms 24:1-2 Man may strut across the pages of history like a peacock, & die like a buzzard. Man may put up his posted ‘keep out’ signs, but cold and lifeless hands hold nothing. No man can say his life is his own and he can do as he pleases with it. I: No Man Is Self-Made. 1. God made man. 2. Every breath belongs to God. 3. Every drop of blood is His. 4. When man thinks of himself as owner of time and things, he loses the touch of eternity on his mind and soul. 5. Man is a steward and that cannot be changed. II: God Has Attached Responsibility to Man’s Stewardship. 1. “The Earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof,” Psalms 24:1. 2. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh...

The Church Body

Corinthians 1 12:1-27 Distinction had the Corinthian Church. I: Organization: 1. God’s first laws of the Universe is order. 2. Man accomplishes more by organization. 3. The Corinthians failed to see that the church was not a hit and miss organization. 4. The church had many functional parts, but one director. 5. The organization and placing of parts was the work of the Holy Spirit. 6. The correct function of every member was necessary for profitable existence. Every member contributing to the welfare of the church. II: Corporation: 1. Paul used the human body to illustrate. a. The body has many members. b. The body can operate without some members, but it will be handicapped. (Adel Blaylock, Homer Callahand) 2. No room for self-depreciation, Verses 15-16.  ...

Baptist & the Real Church

“Christ Loved the Church.” Ephesians 5:25     Where and when did the Church begin? What constitutes a New Testament church? What is the mission of the church? Why was not the work of a church left to individuals? Has Christ other organizations set up to do what he left for the church to do? I: When was the Church Organized? New Testament is the last word! 1. Was it during the days of Christ on earth, or at the day of Pentecost? a. A New Testament church is identified by New Testament standards. b. “Baptist Churches would not be effected if every man made creed were wiped out.” Dr. E. C. Routh. 2. Jesus founded the Church while he was here in the flesh. a. They were baptized believers that made up the little band. Acts 1:21-22. b. They were...

The Churches Message and Mission

Corinthians 2 5:14-20 I: A Local Church, A Local Message. 1. The New Testament Church is to witness at home. 2. The early Christians considered it an essential part of their lives. 3. The churches reputation and welfare was as important as their own. II: Fellowship Was Essential. 1. Baptist always have put truth before fellowship. 2. Size has never made a church. 3. Love for one another was a must. 4. A common experience was the basis for fellowship. 5. There was a fellowship in obedience (Baptism and Lord’s Supper). 6. Fellowship in learning. 7. Fellowship in the worship services. 8. Fellowship in sharing. 9. Fellowship is essential to a healthy church. III: The Church’s Message & Mission: 1. “All have sinned and come short.” 2....

Sanctified Plutocrats

Acts 18:1-11, Romans 1:16-32 “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God…” This city of Corinth would be a real test to the power of the gospel Paul preached. I: The Wickedness of Corinth and Her Power: 1. (Pelopnesus) Lower Greece & with Macedonia and Trace. Located on a rock 200 feet above sea level. The citadel located 1600 above sea level. Shone like a city of Gold. 2. Commanded the passage to Macedonia. 3. Athens the intellectual: Sparta the military, Corinth the commercial. 4. At the time of Christ one of the worlds most important cities. 5. Here the Isthmian games were held. “Vanity Fair.” 6. The temple of Aphrodite or Venus the chief, to be the debauched servants in that infamous temple. 7. Here...

Perfecting of the Saints

Eph. 4:1-16 I: The Worthy Walk: 1. Worthy of your calling. 2. “Lowliness,” a modest opinion of self, the demand for recognition is absent. 3. “Meekness,” absence of a spirit of resentment or revenge, a willingness to suffer without retaliation. 4. Forbearing one another. 5. “Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Avoid strife, pursue unity. 6. Seven sources of Christian unity. verses 5-6. II: Diversity of Gifts In One Body, Verses 4-16. 1. Some apostles have seen Jesus. 2. Prophets, Evangelists 3. Pastors and teachers. III: “For the Perfecting of the Saints.” 1. Pastor & teacher were combined here. 2. “Pastor has three responsibilities to perfect the saints, to do the work of the ministry, to...