(Matthew 10:28)

Jesus preached a lot about hell in His ministry. He actually preached more about hell than any other preacher in the Bible.

This is very different than what many modern preachers do today. In our time, many preachers are very reluctant to preach about hell. Maybe they are this way because many people don’t want to hear about hell. Unfortunately, many people go to church today to hear lessons solely designed to make them feel warm and fuzzy inside.

While Jesus did preach very encouraging and uplifting sermons, He also never held back when it came to telling people the truth about hell. Consider four things that Jesus taught about this place.

It is horrible!

  • Why does He describe it like this?
    • It is a place of fire (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:42-48).
    • It is a place of outer darkness (Matthew 25:30a).
    • It is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30b).
    • It is a place where Satan is (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10; 21:8).
    • It is a place without God (John 14:1-3; Matthew 7:21-23).
  • Do you want to live in a place like this? I don’t!

It is a place we need to fear!

  • What are some things that you fear in life?
    • Above anything in this life, we need to be afraid of hell (Matthew 10:28).
    • We need to fear everything Jesus says about this place!
  • This should motivate us to avoid sin and live faithful to God (Matthew 5:29-30).

A lot of people will end up there!

  • Jesus was very straight forward about this.
    • He told this to unfaithful Jews (Matthew 22:1-14; 23:15, 33).
    • He foretells this happening on the Judgment Day (Matthew 25:41, 46).
    • He says that most people will end up here (Matthew 7:13-14).
  • Hell will not be empty!
    • This is something we need to think about when considering to sin.
    • We do not want to be among those who end up here!

It is forever!

  • It we believe this about heaven, then to be consistent, we must also believe it about hell.
    • Jesus says the same thing about both places (Mark 9:44, 46, 48; Matthew 25:41, 46).
    • Those who end up in hell will never leave!
  • This has to be one of the worst things about this place.

Conclusion: Which spiritual place are you headed to right now?