[Biblemat] S>Things Not Found in Hell

[Craig Thomas]

Things Not Found in Hell
Luke 16:19-31


I.  Introduction:

1.  Often the subject of “hell” is treated lightly.

A.  Some flat out deny either that hell exists or 
that hell involves eternal punishment:

(1)  Materialists like Jehovah’s Witnesses deny 
the existence of hell and argue for 
“annihilation.”  “When your dead, you’re dead all over just like Rover.”

(2)  Some of our brethren (e.g., Homer Hailey, 
God’s Judgments & Punishments) deny hell involves 
eternal punishment, hence, they teach 
annihilationism by default.  Consider brother Hailey’s position:

“These [cvt, Sodom & Gomorrah] are set forth as 
an example, suffering the punishment of eternal 
fire
If they serve as an example, what do they 
teach except that those who suffer the punishment 
of eternal fire are to exist no more?” pp. 141-142).

B.  Certainly most don’t want to hear about hell 
and most don’t want to preach about it.

C.  Preaching on hell may have cooled down, but hell hasn’t!

2.  Hell is an important Bible concept.

A.  The word hell (Gr. geenna or Ghenna) is used 
12 times in the New Testament (NKJV).

B.  Of its 12 usages, 11 are by one prominent 
Bible preacher
Jesus!  Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 
18:9; 23:15, 33; Mk. 9:43, 45, 47; Lk. 12:5 (12th time is in Jas. 3:6)

3.  We need to understand some basic facts about hell:

A.  Hell is real!

(1)  Mentioned in OT:  Psa. 9:17

(2)  Mentioned in NT:  Matt. 5:22; Mk. 9:43-48; 
Matt. 25:41, 46; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:8; Matt. 10:28

B.  The vast majority of people are going there!  Matt. 7:13-14

(1)  Alien sinner:  2 Thess. 1:8-9; 1 Pet. 4:17

(2)  Religious person:  Matt. 7:21-23

(3)  Hypocrite:  Lk. 6:46; Matt. 23:15

(4)  Lukewarm Christian:  Rev. 3:15-16

(5)  Those in Rev. 21:8

(6)  Unprofitable Christian:  Matt. 25:30

(7)  Those adding to God’s word:  Rev. 22:18-19

4.  So, besides the fact that hell is real, is 
hot, and most people are going there; what’s the big deal?

5.  The utter “awfulness” of hell can only be 
understood and fully appreciated when we consider 
some “Things Not Found in Hell.”  Today let us 
consider 10 things not found in hell:


II.  Discussion:


1.  Light:

A.  There will be no light in hell, because hell 
will be a place of total darkness:  Matt. 25:30 
(“outer darkness”); 22:1-14; 2 Pet. 2:17; Jude 13

B.  I’ve been told if one is placed in total 
darkness he’ll go blind in about 8 days!

C.  I’ve been in total darkness one time for only 
about a minute (Carlsbad Cavern) and it was a frightening experience!


2.  Mercy:

A.  Story of rich man and Lazarus tells us there 
will be no mercy there:  Lk. 16:24-25

B.  No wonder the Hebrew writer said, “It is a 
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the 
living God.” (Heb. 10:31; read 26-31)


3.  Comfort:

A.  Rich man desired only a drop of water to cool 
his tongue, but none was available:  Lk. 16:24

B.  Have you ever been really thirsty?  How 
comforting was it when you finally drank a glass 
of ice cold water?  No such comfort will be 
available in hell for all eternity!  Any wonder 
then that hell was not designed for man!  Matt. 
25:41:  “
everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”


4.  Possessions:

A.  Rich man was stripped of all his possessions:  Lk. 16:25

B.  Wise men have always recognized this 
important fact:  Job 1:21; Eccl. 5:15; 1 Tim. 6:7


5.  Transportation:

A.  Even under good conditions no one likes to 
have their freedom of movement restricted!

B.  Have you ever had your car being worked on and been left “without wheels”?

C.  “Life without parole” is the second worse 
punishment our legal system can mete out.

D.  The rich man was given “eternity without 
parole’!  He was “stuck” with no way out!  Lk. 16:26

E.  BTW:  This fact completely nullifies the Catholic doctrine of “Purgatory.”


6.  Communication:

A.  Under solitary confinement in the French 
penal colony of “Devils Island” no 
prisoner-to-prisoner or prisoner-to-guard 
communications were allowed.  Of all the terrible 
conditions these prisoners endured, lack of 
communication was cited by most as the worst 
punishment of all.  “One is the loneliest number of all.”

B.  From all indications, such will be the case in hell:  Lk. 16:26-31


7.  Desire for Company:

A.  Some foolishly say, “If so and so goes to 
hell, then I want to go there to be with them.”

B.  But, the rich man had no such desire for company:  Lk. 16:28


8.  Unbelievers or infidels:

A.  Certainly unbelievers and infidels are destined for hell:  Rev. 21:8

B.  But, by the time they get there they won’t be 
unbelievers any longer!  Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10-11


9.  Faithful Christians:

A.  No faithful Christians ever need worry about 
going to hell:  Rev. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:8

B.  But, we must always remember that our 
salvation is conditional!  Col. 1:21-23; 1 Cor. 15:58


10.  Hope:

A.  A man can put up with a lot of privations for 
long periods of time:  lack of adequate water, 
lack of adequate food, lack of shelter (e.g., Tom Hanks in the movie Castaway).

B.  But, there is one thing no man can do without for very long
hope!

(1)  In the movie Castaway the main character was 
stuck on a South Pacific island due to a plane crash.

(2)  He nearly lost hope so he contemplated suicide.

C.  If we are lost in hell we will end up in the 
ultimate “hopeless” situation!  Job 17:15

(1)  Living this life without God is described as 
hopeless (Eph. 2:12), but at least this 
hopelessness may only be temporary if we turn to 
God and obey the gospel!  Eph. 2:13

(2)  But, the hopelessness of hell will last 
forever, and ever; no wonder
Matt. 22:13!


III.  Conclusion:

1.  When we consider the things not found in hell 
is it any wonder Jesus said what He said in Matt. 10:28?

2.  When we consider the things not found in hell 
is it any wonder Jesus told us to employ such 
drastic measures to avoid going there?  Mark 9:43-48

3.  How shall we keep from going there?

A.  Obey the gospel!  2 Thess. 1:7-9

B.  Know God!  2 Thess. 1:7-9; 1 Jn. 2:3-5; Rev. 22:14

4.  Have you obeyed the gospel?  Do you really 
know God?  Come now before it’s too late!


Adapted from “Things Not Found in Hell,” in Gospel Meeting Sermons
by Johnie Edwards, 1979, Faith and Facts, Indianapolis, IN


"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is
not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
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   MM        MM   III     Craig V. Thomas
   M M      M M    I      Just a Christian (Acts 11:26)
   M  M    M  M    I      350 Pineridge Lane
   M   M  M   M    I      Sandusky, MI  48471
   M     M      M   III     E-mail:  thomasc at msu.edu
                                  Phone: 810-648-5009 (home)
                                  Phone: 
810-404-3402 
(cell) 

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"Perseverance is that quality of character that sees a thing through
in spite of adversities and even though results are not immediately
visible." John Witt
"The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers
of the soul."  David O. McKay  
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