A Trip to Hell and Back....... PLEASE read!!

That was the title to Brother Rick Coram's message during Wednesday nights Revival.

His message was too good not to share.  To be honest, it was a pretty scary sermon.  But scary because it was the truth.  Like a real life scary movie that never ends. 

He started off by telling us about a town called Hell, Michigan.  People from all over flock to go there to say they have, "Been to Hell".  I can tell you right now, we won't be visiting Hell, Michigan.  But that's just me.  He said they can hardly keep up with their t-shirt inventory because of the demand of them.  His point in the entire illustration was that Hell, Michigan is the only Hell you can visit and come back.  Once anyone is in the "real" Hell, there is absolutely NO coming back!

 He said there are two reasons there is a Hell:

(1) Because a snake must have a cage.

MATT 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels

*We are living in a day where there are no consequences for sin....only excuses.

*God still punishes sin.

He said he had a guy one time to tell him that he just really didn't think there was a Hell.  Without any hesitation, he said, "Do you really think God cares what you think about Hell"?  God warns us about Hell.  "It's not what you do that sends you to Hell.  It's what you don't do".  WOW! 

Reality of Hell:

(1) Jesus said Hell is a conscious place

LUKE 16:22-23

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

*People in Hell are AWARE  of what's going on.

(2) God said Hell is a crying place.

LUKE 16:24

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.

He used a VERY powerful illustration here.  He said, "Imagine what you would hear if you could cut a hole all the way to Hell and lower a microphone".  There would be people scratching their way to the microphone begging for a way out.  Begging for one more chance.  Imagine a little old lady clawing her way to the microphone and saying to please let her family know that they need to find Jesus.  All of her good deeds didn't get her to Heaven.  

I mean can you even imagine or comprehend how horrendous Hell is?  

(3) Hell is a compassion less place

LUKE 16:25

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art formented.

(4) Hell is a continuous place

LUKE 16:26

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence so you cannot: neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

* Once you die there are no doors or ladders to get you out of Hell.  A million prayers cannot get you out.  God is begging you now to get saved and NOT go to Hell.

He was explaining how today's World views this and used an awesome example that went something like this.....

Imagine me and you walking and you stumbled over a rock.  When I turned around to see what happened, I noticed a huge Deadly Cobra coming in your direction.  I watched as it got closer and closer.  Slithering and making his way to you.  Once it reached you, it struck!  It put the most powerful venom in your body.  As you lay there dying, you look up at me and ask if I saw it coming.  I calmly responded, Yes.  I saw him approaching, but I didn't want to startle you.  I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable or upset you.  

Y'all!!!! OH MY GOSH!  Is that not exactly how most of us are today?  We don't tell people about Jesus because we are afraid that it will make someone uncomfortable.  WHO CARES???  Hell is soooo real and if we took it seriously, we would be telling EVERYONE about Jesus because we wouldn't want our worst enemy going to Hell.

People in Hell:

(1) Repulsive People (Minority)

REV 21:8 

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore-mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 http://www.cncpunishment.com/forums/showthread.php?8159-Prosecutors-Pursue-Death-Penalty-for-Donald-James-Smith-in-2013-FL-Slaying-of-Charish-Perriwinkle

If you'll read that story, that happened 3 miles from Brother Rick's office.  Y'all I'm not going to lie.  When he was telling us about this happening, I lost it.  I was crying.  I have a 7 year old daughter.  So 8 hits very close to home.  He told us that story to say that if it were up to us, we would throw people like Donald James Smith into the pits of Hell without even thinking.  Cold Blooded child molester and murderer.  Makes me mad thinking about it.

(2) Religious People (Majority)

REV 21:8 as well.

He honestly believes the majority of people in Hell are going to be people that have put on a front and sat through church, was that "good" person, did all they could do EXCEPT was too prideful to step out and go down front.  They were afraid of what people would think.  WHO CARES???  Who cares what people think?  You are running out of time.  We are never promised tomorrow. Or the next second for that matter.  

He told us about one of his church members that had gone out of town to a friend's birthday party.  His wife was unable to come because she needed to care for their children.  He said he was laughing and having a good time.  They were all hanging out and grilling.  He went to his friends at the grill and put his arms around them and someone snapped a picture.  He sent the picture to his wife and typed, "Wish  you were here.  See you tomorrow. Love you".  They began eating a big juicy steak.  He put a bite in his mouth and someone said something funny and he began to laugh.  He ended up choking on the steak and the way it was lodged no one was able to help him get it out.  He died.  A few minutes earlier he texted his wife.  See how short our time is? How unpredictable? 

At the end of the service, over 15 people got saved.  I don't even know the exact number, but I do know there were at least 15 people.  GOD IS GOOD!!

I hope this message dwells in you as it did me.  It is one that I will never ever EVER forget!