GOD’S BLOCKADES ON THE ROAD TO HELL

(Part 2)

1. The Bible teaches that most people will go to Hell — Mt. 7:13-14 — and that sin separates us from God — Is. 59:1-2

2. It also teaches that God does not want man to go to hell — II Peter 3:9, I Tim. 2:3-4

3. It is obvious that God does not want man to go to hell because, in His love, he sent his only son to die for our sins so that we can be saved — Jn. 3:16-17; Romans 5:8

4. Further, God made heaven a desirable place (place of joy, rest, and peace), and He made hell a very undesirable place (pain, darkness, misery) so man should be motivated to want to avoid hell seek heaven instead.

5. God has also set up some blockades, some roadblocks, to keep man from going down the road to hell

a. But man, it seems, is so determined to go to hell that he jumps over them or goes around them and keep right on going down that path

b. Man does not, generally, turn around and go the other way

c. Generally, roadblocks are good (keep us from danger) and this is the case with these roadblocks

6. Previous lesson, discussed three of these roadblocks: The Bible, Assembling, Parents

7. Lesson today: GOD’S BLOCKADES ON THE ROAD TO HELL

I. GOSPEL PREACHING

A. The importance of preaching is stressed throughout the Bible

1. In the New Testament, Christ and his apostles preached wherever people could be gathered: in the synagogues, on the mountainside, by the sores of seas and rivers, in the public street, at the porch of the Temple

2. Jesus’ mission was to “preach”

a. After Jesus was tempted, he went to Nazareth and in the temple, he read a passage from Isaiah; he closed the book and said that this passage was fulfilled in Him

(1) Luke 4:18-19 — "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." (NKJV)

b. In Capernaum, the people wanted him to say longer but He said, “...I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.” (Lk. 4:23)

c. Later, Luke 8:1 — “Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, (NKJV)

3. The Apostles were sent out and they went through the towns preaching the gospel

a. Luke 9:6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (NKJV)

4. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told his apostles to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (NKJV)

a. This they did: they and many other disciples “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4); the book of Acts is the story of the gospel being spread.

b. And, the gospel was preached to

(1) Col. 1:23 “every creature which is under heaven”

5. Titus 1:3 points out that God manifests his word “through preaching”

6. Conclusion: that there must be some value in preaching....

B. Preaching is valuable because it saves us

1. Consider passages:

a. I Timothy 4:16 — Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (NKJV)

(1) to yourself — Timothy would need to make sure that he conducted himself properly; unto the doctrine — i.e., his teaching must be the truth — in doing this, he would save himself (as he followed it) and others (who would hear him preach and respond) — but must continue therein

b. I Corinthians 1:18, 21

(1) We are saved by the “foolishness” of preaching

(2) Many in Corinth regarded preaching as “foolishness” in stead of it being “the power of God” (18); placed much emphasis on their on wisdom

(3) not saying that preaching is “foolishness” but he is saying that we are saved by the “foolishness” (as it might be called) of preaching

(4) Can someone not simply study the Bible themselves and obey it and not ever hear a preacher and be saved? YES! But they are still beings saved by the preaching of someone

c. Romans 10:10-17

(1) verses 14-15, he asks a series of rhetorical questions; each question the answer is “they can’t”

(2) must call on the Lord to be saved, can’t call on the Lord without believing, can’t believe without hearing; can hear without a preacher

(3) order is in reverse: the word must be preached (showing the value of it); someone hears; then they believe; then they call upon the name of the Lord; then they are saved

(4) What does it mean to “call upon” the name of the Lord; some say this one must cry out for him to save us; say “Lord save me” (sometimes in the “sinners prayer”) ---- IMPORTANT QUESTION IS ‘WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD?”

(a) Acts 2:21 — seems clear in this context that he does not mean to just call out “Lord, Lord” and you can be saved

(b) Peter continued to preach: note the people’s response in verse 37-38

(c) Did Peter tell them that they needed to pray? NO — Did he tell them that they needed to ask Christ to come into their heart and save them? NO

(d) He told them that they needed to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins; he didn’t tell them to pray!

(e) Verse 38 explains what it means to call upon the name of the Lord (v. 21); didn’t give them two different things to do; did not contradict himself; calling upon the name of the Lord is a generic explanation which is specifically stated in verse 38

(f) Compare to 22:16 which tells what calling on the name of the Lord means (fits perfectly with the passages in Acts)

C. Preaching is valuable because it keeps us from sin

1. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (NKJV)

a. Five imperatives are described in verse three which define what preaching is supposed to be about (followed up by four more in verse 5)

(1) Preach the word (be instant in season and out of season)— this is his primary purpose; the “word” is what is to be preached

(2) reprove — speaks of convicting people of their errors

(a) Thayer — “(1651) to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted 1 Cor 14:24 2. to find fault with, correct a. by word; to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove ....”

(3) rebuke —

(a) Vincent’s Word Studies — (2008) “The word implies a "sharp, severe" rebuke, with, possibly, a suggestion in some cases of impending penalty”

(b) Thayer- NT: (2008) “4. to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely, 2 Tim 4:2.”

(c) distinction in the two words; word translated rebuke is probably stronger; the word for “reprove” involves more the idea of arguments presented to persuade the person of his sins; but the other involves more “an outright rebuke” (Barnes)

(4) exhort — carries with it the idea to comfort or encourage

(5) with all longsuffering and doctrine — teach patiently with a persevering spirit

b. Design of this preaching spoken of here is to keep people from sin whatever form that it may take; in verse four, specifically deals with preaching to keep them out of false doctrine (sin causes us to be lost, thus preaching is a roadblock on the road to hell)

2. Many today “despise prophesyings” in violation of I Thess. 5:20

a. Application of this verse today is that we are not to treat with disdain gospel preaching

b. NIV says, “do not treat prophecies with contempt”

c. Many are like a child who does not want to take his medicine, who kicks and screams even though the medicine is extremely beneficial to him

3. Gospel preaching is a blockade because it keep us from sin and sin sends us to hell

D. Preaching is valuable because helps us to grown stronger

1. God’s Word is essential for spiritual growth

2. Note Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (NKJV) growth comes through teaching/studying the word of God; one who does not grow as they should, needs to be taught again

a. growth is commanded (II Pet. 3:18); it is essential to be pleasing to God

(1) another way in which God’s Word (which produces growth) is a roadblock on the road to hell

4. Ephesians 4:11-12 — And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, (NKJV)

5. those in verse 11 (which includes evangelists) are to “perfect” the saints” (through their preaching/teaching)

a. Consider the word “perfect” in the original

(1) means to “fit” or “prepare fully” (Vines); it is a word which refers to the refitting a ship or setting a bone (Vincent)

(2) Preaching the word is to strengthen the saints

6. We need to allow “Gospel Preaching” to be our road block on the road to hell; we need to assemble to hear it; get as much of it as we can so that it will be a “strong” roadblock

II. BIBLE CLASS TEACHERS

A. Teaching God’s Word is very important.

1. We all have a responsibility to teach God’s Word (Mt. 28:18-20)

(1) we are taught to teach others— II Tim. 2:2

(2) Paul told Timothy regarding certain things which he had pointed out to him — “...These things teach and exhort.” (I Tim. 6:2)

(3) It is important for us to find the “good soil” to plant God’s Word

B. The church, collectively, has a responsibility to teach — (I Tim. 3:15)

1. Various means and methods can be used to carry this out

2. One way that we do this is by teaching Bible classes here in our building.

3. It has the advantage of teaching people at their age level, separated from others as is done in the public schools

4. allows to study at an appropriate rate (based upon age and knowledge)

5. allows more people to get involved in the teaching process (who benefit)

6. Good teachers are needed to teach Bible classes; allow the teacher to do “some” of what God expects of them in the realm of teaching

C. Teaching a Bible class should be taken very seriously

1. Teachers need to take their responsibilities very seriously

2. Bible classes need to be Bible centered: different techniques may need to be used with younger children, but the Bible class is not to be “play time” or “Party time”

3. People should be selected to teach classes who:

a. Want to — if we don’t have the desire we will not tend to do a good joy; further, this “attitude” might even be detected by the children

b. Are faithful Christians — Making a person a Bible class teacher is not to be used as a way to get them to services

4. Also, the classes should not be haphazard, careless, thoughtless, prayerless endeavors by a teacher

5. Selection of teachers, subject matter, and all things pertaining to the classes are important

D. How can a Bible class teacher be a “blockade” on the road to hell

1. One teaching an adult Bible class, for example, is potentially having a tremendous influence as the preacher who preaches a sermon in keeping people from going to hell

2. Consider the importance of one who teaches the younger classes

a. Children, especially when young, are most impressionable

b. During youth, many values are molded which will often stay with them for life

c. As with parents rearing children

E. growth may not always be apparent on a daily basis

F. the extent of influence may not always be immediately understood

G. Yet the influence of a Bible class teacher can be tremendous

1. Consider the following: “If we work upon marble, it will perish; if on brass, time will efface it; if we read temples, they will crumple into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds, and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and love of our fellow men, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.” (Daniel Webster) 1351

2. Teachers: value what you do; take it seriously, you are one of the blockades that God has set up on the road to hell; how many can you block from going down that path?

a. Parents: make sure that your children are in every Bible class so that they can take advantage of these roadblocks.

III. EXAMPLE

A. The Bible teaches the importance of setting a good example for others

1. First, even regarding the Old Testament, the concept of an example is emphasize

a. I Cor. 10:1-10, he referred to the example of the children of Israel in the wilderness and then said (v. 11) “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and the are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

b. Consider Hebrews 11 in which many examples from the Old Testament are cited

2. Paul pointed out (II Thess. 3:9) that he, and the others, had made themselves examples to the Thessalonians

3. He also praised the Thessalonians who had “received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” (Thess. 1:6-7)

4. Paul told Timothy “to be an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity”

a. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (NKJV)

B. Consider: our example, for good or bad, exerts a powerful influence on others

1. We may not realize it, but our good example can serve as a blockade on the road to hell

2. Sometimes, our actions can exert much more influence than our words (It is said, “Example is better than precept.” (English Proverb 4284)

3. Consider the following poem: YOU ARE PREACHING

b. There isn't a word that a preacher can say, No matter how lovely or true, Nor is there a prayer that his eager lips pray, That can preach such a sermon as you.

c. You vowed to serve Christ and men know that you did, they're watching the things that you do; there isn't one action of yours that is hid, Men are watching and studying you.

d. You say you're no preacher? Yes, but you preach A wonderful sermon each day. The acts of your life are the things that you teach; it isn't the things that you say.

e. So, Christians, remember you bear his dear name; your lives are for others to view. You are living examples; men praise you, or blame, and measure all Christians by YOU!

5. Consider the importance of this strong blockade that God has set up on the road to hell: set it up for others; note the good example of other people and learn from them

IV. FEAR OF PUNISHMENT

A. The Bible teaches man will be punished for his sins

1. Jesus frequently taught this: Mt. 25:46; Mt. 10:28

Matthew 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (NKJV)

Matthew 25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (NKJV)

2. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23); vengeance belongs to God (Heb. 10:30) it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God (Heb. 10:31)

3. Note also: II Thess. 1:8-9 (a picture of the Judgment Day); Rev. 20:15 (lake of fire)

4. Hell is a horrible place — consider the following story; don’t believe the man was really in hell, but this accurately captures the horrors of hell.

a. In 1979 a specialist in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, and an atheist, Doctor Maurice Rawlings wrote a book "Beyond Death'sDoor." In the introduction he talks about an encounter in 1977 that changed his life. Dr. Rawlings had an encounter with Hell. He was resuscitating a man and explains what happened:

b. Each time he regained heartbeat and respiration, the patient screamed, "I am in hell!" He was terrified and pleaded with me to help him. I was scared to death. . . Then I noticed a genuinely alarmed look on his face. He had a terrified look worse than the expression seen in death! This patient had a grotesque grimace expressing sheer horror! His pupils were dilated, and he was perspiring and trembling — he looked as if his hair was "on end." Then still another strange thing happened. He said,"Don't you understand? I am in hell. . . Don't let me go back to hell!" . . the man was serious, and it finally occurred to me that he was indeed in trouble. He was in a panic like I had never seen before. Maurice Rawlings, Beyond Death's Door,(Thomas Nelson Inc.,1979, p. 3)

c. The thoughts of or anticipation of hell should cause us panic

B. Punishment can deter wrong actions

1. This is true with training animals, to rearing children, civil law, etc. (a law without a penalty is usually ignored)

2. Punishment can deter us from sin

a. Note Acts 17:30-31 — we should be motivated to “repent” because the Judgment Day is coming

b. After reading Luke 16:19-31, would you even want to go to even tartarus (hades)

3. Think about hell; don’t ignore it; allow it to be a roadblock on the road to hell; God has set it up, take advantage of it — don’t just go around it

V. THE LOVE OF GOD

A.