Preaching about hell is unpopular. It is often resisted and avoided in pulpits. What about you? Are you like those who want to avoid hearing sermons about hell? Or do you want to hear the whole counsel of God?

Last Sunday, I presented a sermon about heaven. I answered four questions that people ask about heaven. In this lesson, the goal is to give a complete picture of the afterlife. I want to provide you with four things you need to know about hell.

Hell is real.

  • An increasing number of people do not believe in the existence of hell.
    • Some believe in universalism.
    • Some believe in annihilation.
    • Some believe we are living in hell now.
    • All of those beliefs are wrong!
  • Jesus taught that hell is a real spiritual place.
    • See Matthew 5:21-22.
    • See Matthew 5:29-30.
    • See Matthew 7:13-14.
    • See Matthew 10:28.
    • See Matthew 23:15, 33.
    • See Mark 9:42-48.
  • Jesus preached more about hell than any other preacher in the Bible. We cannot reasonably believe in Jesus while also denying the existence of hell!

God’s justice demands it.

  • God is just (Psalm 97:2).
  • Hell is a place where evildoers are punished (Luke 12:4-5).
    • People who engage in wicked deeds may be able to avoid punishment in this life, but they won’t escape God’s justice in hell.
    • Hell is for all who die in their sins (Romans 6:23).
    • God cannot be a God of justice if there is no hell!

You don’t want to go there!

  • Many people have misunderstandings about hell.
    • Some believe in hell, their soul will be incinerated, and they will cease to exist.
    • Some believe that one day, they will be able to leave.
    • Some believe that in hell, the devil will be in charge, and it will be one big party.
  • Hell is none of those things!
    • It is a place of suffering (Matthew 25:30; Mark 9:42-48).
    • It is full of bad people (Revelation 21:8). The devil will suffer there with his angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
    • It is forever (Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:46).
    • God’s presence and blessings are absent (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

You can go there!

  • We can be lost in hell because of our choices (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
  • Christians who end up in hell will likely suffer more than anyone because of great regret. They will be there knowing they heard a lot of preaching and learned a lot of Scripture, but none of it ever truly impacted their hearts and decisions.

Conclusion:

Here is some good news: Jesus came to save us from hell! Are you following Jesus?