Why Do I Talk About Death And Hell So Much?

Why Do I Talk About Death And Hell So Much?

Last week a student came up to me while I was open-air preaching and he self-identified as a gay atheist and told me that there is nothing that I can say to change his mind. But he still asked the question: Why do you talk about death and Hell so much? This is actually a very good question. Why do I talk about death and Hell so much when I’m street witnessing? 

The young man followed the question up with another question. Why don’t you talk about God’s love? I have to admit that he cracked me up since he’s an atheist and there’s nothing that I can say to change his mind, what does it matter if I say anything good or bad? Since he’s an atheist, why does he care what I say about God at all?

Maybe he’s living proof that the Bible says you know that God is real. No matter how much you stomp around or cuss or deny your Maker, you know that God is real. He made each one of us and we know that God is real. Romans 1:18-25 says: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

That Which May Be Known of God Is Manifest In Them

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Gay Atheist Proves God’s Word Is True

These verses tell us that the young man can look around at creation and know that our Creator God is real. Secondly, these verses show that the gay atheist is without excuse as well as all other atheists. Finally, these verses prove true because God says when you deny Him, God gives you up to uncleanness through the lusts of your heart, to dishonor your own body with other men. The gay atheist proves God’s word is true. The young man is suppressing God’s truth because he loves his sin.

But back to his original question: Why do I talk about death and Hell so much? Because both are real. I’m warning you what you will face in the future if you continue in your denial of Almighty God. You see, all of us know that we are going to die someday. We were born to die. You and I both know that we are going to take our last breath, sooner or later. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The soul that sins, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:20). And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Death Is Real

I talk about death because it is real. Every day you are one step closer to death than you were the day before. We are going to die someday, so you need to face this reality, even though you are young. Even some young people die. You don’t know when your death day will happen, but it is coming. None of us can cheat death.

Not only is death real, but Hell is also real. For those of you like the atheist from last week, Hell is where you are headed if you don’t repent and trust Jesus. It’s not out of hate that I tell you these things. No, it’s out of love. I talk about Hell a lot because I don’t want you to go there. But you must recognize that you are in danger before you will flee that danger.

Stopped On The Railroad Track

If your car was stopped on the railroad track with a train barreling down on you and you weren’t paying attention because you had your head phones on and the music cranked up all the way; the most loving thing I could do is break the glass and drag you out of the car.

At the moment I’m breaking the glass and trying to get you out, you are not going to understand what’s going on. You’ll be upset that I broke your window and you most likely will think that I’m trying to harm you. But the opposite is true. I’d be trying to rescue you from imminent death, not harming you.

My hope and prayer today is that you will understand that not only is Hell real, but that is where you are going. The flames of Hell are chasing you today. They are hot on your trail. I’m reaching out my hand in love trying to pull you up before the flames catch you. If you really understood how awful Hell is, you wouldn’t joke about it. Oh, If you could hear the people screaming in agony in Hell right now, you wouldn’t mock God. If you could hear the weeping and gnashing of teeth, you’d run away as fast as you could.

Hell Is Real

But you can’t see, feel or hear how much pain and misery is going on in Hell today. So, I have to tell you what the Bible says about it. Jesus said it’s a place where the worm dies not and the fire is never quenched. The smoke of their torment rises forever. They have no rest day or night in Hell. There is wailing and gnashing of teeth. There is weeping and gnashing of teeth. If people in Hell could talk to you today, they’d warn you to repent instead of dying in your sins and joining them in that terrible place of torments.

I talk about death and Hell so much because the Bible mentions them so much.  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).

Death And Hell Delivered Up The Dead

Students are you listening today? Death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them and everyone was judged. Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. This is where you are headed unbeliever. Those of you who mock God, rebel against God, reject Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, this is what awaits you! Oh, if you truly understood how awful Hell is going to be, if you really knew the pain and agony that you will endure forever, you’d cry out for help right here, right now.

But you must cry out in this life. That’s why I talk about death and Hell so much, this is what is waiting for you unless you repent and believe the Gospel. You see, the young man from last week wanted to know why I don’t talk more about the love of God. We’ll I do talk about God’s love every week. I tell you about the greatest love of all time. Every week I mention to you students how God sent His only Son to this earth and how Jesus lived a perfect life and always obeyed God the Father.

Yet, He willingly went to the cross for guilty sinners like you and me. Oh, you want to talk about love, this is love and I tell you about God’s amazing love, week after week. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. Jesus bore God’s wrath over sinful man as He hung on the cross. Christ Jesus was the propitiation for our sins.

The Wrath Was Satisfied

Propitiation means that the wrath was satisfied. God’s righteous anger over sinful people like us, was completely satisfied when Jesus suffered, bled, and died on the cross. He took the punishment that we deserved. Now that’s love! Jesus said no man had greater love than the one who lays down his life for his friends. Jesus laid down His life for guilty sinners like us. This is love. There’s never been a greater love.

Oh, but you must receive this love. You must receive the free gift of salvation. It is freely offered to us, even though it was a very costly gift from God. It cost Him His own precious Son. Again, this is love! But you must receive the gift of salvation and you receive it through repentance and faith in Jesus. The young man that said last week that there’s nothing I can say to change his mind is not ready to hear the Gospel. He does not have ears to hear. So all he can hear right now is death and Hell which is what I preach.

But those of you who have not hardened your hearts, those of you who are still open to receiving God’s truth, do not reject such a great of salvation. Salvation is of the Lord. Receive it today. He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

I Declare The Gospel Unto You

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

By The Grace Of God I Am What I Am

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed (1 Corinthians 15:1-11).

This is the Gospel: Jesus Christ died for our sins as predicted in the Scriptures; He was buried and rose again the third day. Again, according to the Scriptures. Jesus was seen by the apostles and then by over 500 people at one time. Then the apostle Paul ends this with: so we preach and so you believed. It takes belief in Jesus Christ to be saved. Not just intellectual belief, but trusting in Jesus. Surrendering your life fully to Him.

Repent and Believe The Gospel

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus Himself calls unrepentant sinners to repent and believe the Gospel.

He also said that you must be born again. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto you, Ye must be born again (John 3:5-7).

Turn From Your Sins And Turn To Jesus

Oh don’t continue going through life with a hard heart toward God. Turn from your sins and turn to Jesus and be saved. Repent and Surrender your life to Him and receive eternal life. Then you won’t have to worry about death and Hell.

But if you continue in your rebellion against God, death and Hell are what await you and my conscience will be clear on Judgment Day. Because I have warned you to flee from the wrath to come. Please don’t continue rebelling against God and rejecting Jesus. Repent and believe the Gospel and be saved. Call upon the powerful name of Jesus and be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

(This message was lifted up at Missouri State University on September 27, 2017)