Our Forgiving Heavenly Father

Luke 15:11-24

The parable of the prodigal son could rightly be called the parable of the forgiving father. Clearly the message of this story is of love, grace, and forgiveness from start to finish. We immediately recognize the image of God as a loving Father. Such a depiction of God is not a new concept introduced by our Lord Jesus.

GOD IS COMMONLY PORTRAYED AS FORGIVING

It is a message presented often in the Old Testament Scriptures:

Psalm 130:3-4, If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? [4] But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Psalm 130:7, Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

Daniel 9:9, To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

David, the Psalmist wrote with strong convictions, “there is forgiveness with thee” referring to God. He personally knew something about the fantastic mercies and forgiveness of God. On another occasion the Psalmist quipped, “…with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.” The merciful nature of God gave him reason to hope in the Lord! Daniel wrote an entire chapter which is essentially a prayer of confession—an appeal to God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness. Though the nation of Israel had rebelled against the Lord, Daniel knew “mercies and forgivenesses” belong to God. These are but a sample of the many references to God as forgiving and merciful. This quality of God is celebrated often throughout the Psalms and the entire Old Testament. Dr. Stanley, a popular Bible teacher observed,  

Moses knew the gracious love of God when God told him that His “Presence” would go with him and He would give him rest, even after the children of Israel had turned from God by making a golden calf as an idol to worship. (See Ex. 33:14–23.) 

Nehemiah prayed to the God of heaven with the full expectation that God would hear his confession on behalf of the children of Israel, forgive their sin, and restore His people to Jerusalem. (See Neh. 1:11.)

The psalmist spoke repeatedly of a forgiving God. (See Pss. 51; 130.)
The prophet Daniel saw forgiveness and mercy as being God's very nature. (See Dan. 9:9.)

One of the most vital truths you can ever learn about God is that He loves you unconditionally, infinitely, and tenderly. His love never changes. It is His nature. God's love and God's desire to forgive are inseparable.

If there is any doubt regarding God’s gracious love and propensity to forgive, then please consider thoughtfully John’s words in 1 John 4:9, saying, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” Forgiveness is most consistent with our heavenly Father’s loving, merciful, and gracious nature!

THE PARABLE OF THE FORGIVING FATHER HIGHLIGHTS GOD’S WILLINGNESS TO FORGIVE

The parable of the forgiving father is found in Luke 15:11–24. Quit commonly this parable is entitled “The Prodigal Son.” The focus is on the experience of the son who left home and wasted his life and money in sin. However, another look focused on the behavior of the father in the story is most revealing of the loving and forgiving nature of our heavenly Father. Earlier in that same chapter are two other teachings by Jesus about rejoicing over restored relationship after a period of separation (being lost and then being found). These parables allow us a precious glimpse into the great heart of God to see how willing He is to forgive when we turn to Him. They tell us that God rejoices to restore broken relationships and is ready to forgive! 

Consider them separately:

One Is the Story of a Man Who Has One Hundred Sheep and Loses One of Them. He searches for the one lost sheep until he finds it. When he returns home with the lost sheep draped over his shoulders, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” (Vs 6). We cannot help but note that such restoration (finding the lost sheep) presents an occasion to rejoice in. This is the heart and attitude of God towards us sinners in salvation and his feelings about finding the lost. Likewise forgiveness leading to salvation or restoration is a matter to delight in and rejoice in as God invites us to do so. There is no need to fear turning to our heavenly Father when we have sinned against Him.

The Second Story Is about a Woman Who Has Ten Silver Coins. She loses one of them and searches diligently until she finds it. When she has recovered her precious coin, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost!” (Vs 9).

In both cases, Jesus concludes His parables by saying, “. . . Likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” (See Luke 15:4–10.)

Beloved, God is highly motivated to forgive when we repent seeking His forgiveness. Listen to me carefully, God is not a part of the problem when we sin and fail to live up to His expectations. No, He is the solution! He seeks to restore us unto fellowship with Himself when we have strayed in some area. These parables celebrate this truth and empress with this reality. Yes, we feel deep and incredible shame when we have sinned against the Lord. Our natural instinct is to hide from God, pretend it did not happen, blame someone else for it, or redefine what is sinful and what is permissible! None of these strategies will effectively address the problem of GUILT in the soul. In these stories, God shows in profound clarity that He is the solution to guilt and moral failure!

Jesus Then Tells a Third Story.  This is the Prodigal Son or the Forgiven Father Parable! As you read this parable in its entirety, I encourage you to think on the prevalence of the Father (Luke 15:11–24).

Notice that the son finally came to himself remembering the Father’s abundance, generosity, and gracious nature. He never doubted for a second that the father would receive him if he returned home.  

Notice also that the father met the son with open arms showing incredible compassion and love. As Christians, our identity can be with this son. He sinned even though he was part of the family. Christians sometimes sin even though we are part of God's family. Clearly the Father deals with His children in ways that can be likened unto compassionate loving reception and forgiveness. This is the New Testament’s portrayal of the wonderful merciful heart of God from the very lips of the Lord Jesus!

There is nothing in the boy’s actions to warrant, earn, or motivate God's forgiveness except the fact that he return to the father. But that is true for all of us. There is no performance, task, or good work that we can do to earn our salvation. Nothing in us is commendable to God. The motivation for forgiving this errant son lies totally within the father, just as the motivation for forgiving sinners lies totally within God.

If we, as born-again believers, have sinned and turned from God, there is no good deed that we can do to win ourselves back into God's good graces. We cannot substitute church attendance or involvement, witnessing, sacrifices, committee work, self-imposed punishments, or any form of service or deed for confession of our sins, a request for God's forgiveness, and repentance—a change of our mind and heart leading to a change in behavior.

GOD’S FORGIVENESS IS POWERFULLY EVIDENT IN THE PARABLE (VS 17-24)

Notice all the ways in this story in which the father responds to what his son has done as you reread the account. All of these gifts to his son are indications the father sees his son as a son, a fully restored member of his family.

The father celebrates the fact that his son has returned home. This should sound a bit familiar! The shepherd who lost a sheep and the woman who lost a valuable coin celebrated their reunions! Listen to the father saying, “. . . Let us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found . . .” (Luke 15:23–24). The father rejoiced in his returning son, and so it is with us believers when we have failed the Lord in some particular. Our God is a forgiving Lord, and He will forgive and restore us. Beloved, God is willing to forgive when we come to Him. Yes, we are the ones who turn from His commandments. We are the ones who are so inclined to hide, minimize, deny, or shift the blame from ourselves as sin management tactics. Beloved resist this tendency and turn to God. We are the ones who walk away from His presence; now it is time to return.

I believe it was Dr. Stanley who said, “The question is not, Will God forgive me, a Christian, when I sin? The question is, Will I receive God's forgiveness for my sin?” What about you and me? Will we drudge on in our guilt and shame or will we return to the Father’s House? Beloved, it is time to come home. 

Power To Triumph Over Guilt

Prior to receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior, you and I had the natural tendency to sin. Sin was automatic for us. We sinned freely, regularly, and daily. Sometimes what we did wrong did not seem wrong at the time, and other times it bothered us greatly. Discovering ourselves capable of some pretty dark stuff was more then disconcerting. We simply never thought we would ever sink so low...could go so far...or violate our values and beliefs so violently...even repeatedly. Yet we did just that...more than once...for some folks such moral failures have become entrenched habitual sin. That is how it was for us all before Christ; I remember so much of it all too well.

IT IS NOT NATURAL FOR CHRISTIANS TO LIVE IN SIN

Once we have received the life of Christ, it is no longer natural for us to sin. Our new nature prompts us to walk in close fellowship/relationship with God. That is part of what it means to be a “new creature” in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17) and a “partaker of the divine nature” (2Pet. 1:3-4). Things are indeed different now that we know the Lord. While we are not perfect, it is wonderful being forgiven by God for who and what we were. We really like the "new."

    We Are New Creations “In Christ” and We Can Now Obey God.

2 Cor. 5:17-18 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

In this new environment of relationship, fellowship, and position with God through Jesus Christ, we have new power and fresh opportunities. The vital part is the fact that believers are "in Christ." He makes all the difference for us. Please allow me to illustrate. A fly naturally cannot fly and survive at 30,000 feet.  Yet I can enthusiastically submit to you one actually did.  You see, we were on an airplane flying to Phoenix, AZ. Apparently, a common housefly booked that flight also! There he was all over the cabin buzzing around and annoying everyone it encountered. That common ordinary housefly was doing the extraordinary at about 30 thousand feet. It was alive, moving, breathing, flying, investigating, and driving some of us mad seemingly effortlessly even at such great altitudes. The key is the fact that he was in an airplane...an environment that afforded him extraordinary ability and opportunity.  Likewise, the Christian is “in Christ” and as such he or she can do exactly the prescribed will of God. We are made capable of breaking bad habits and initiating healthy habits. Christians have the capacity to live differently. We are not merely sin-slaves anymore who cannot refuse sin. We have the power to live for God because we are “in Christ.”

   We Have Received ALL Necessary Equipment to Live For the Lord Since We Are Partakers of the Divine Nature.

2 Peter 1:3-4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

No amount of weakness on our part or corruption in this world can prevent us Children of the Heavenly Father from pleasing Him with our manner of life. Again living defeated in sin and being constantly overcome by guilt is not normal for believers. Beloved, we can break with sinful practices by the grace of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and in harmony with the Scriptures. There is so much hope for positive change "in Christ."

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SINLESS OR PERFECT

The previous observations do not mean we will not occasionally yield to temptations and commit sin against God or fellow human beings. In those instances the Holy Spirit will quickly convict us about our sin. If we are sensitive to the Lord our sins will seem unnatural, odious, and undesirable to us. Our new natural desire is to please the Lord Jesus. You, like me, will want to receive God's forgiveness and be restored to fellowship with our heavenly Father. Righteousness and godliness have become the pursuit of our lives and not what sins we can get by with.

Ephes. 4:21-24, If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Col. 3:9-10, Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; [10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

These incredible passages reinforce our conviction that life for genuine believers is different from the average nonbeliever. We appreciate the things that pertain to God and godliness. The things that are important to us have a biblical precedence or anchor and we want the new life God has made available to us. We are far from perfect, but we long to be righteous in practical ways.

     GOD’S FORGIVENESS PROVIDES RELIEF FROM GUILT.  OTHERWISE, GUILT WILL DESTROY US!

Another way of stating we are not perfect is admitting that real believers still do commit sins and fall into temptations. This is where the guilt comes into play....

       What is Guilt? 

Guilt is a painful internal alarm that alerts us to the fact that we have sinned. It is a private anguish which prods us to acknowledge our destructive behaviors toward ourselves and toward others.                                                    

 We Don't like Emotional Pain of Any Kind. Grief, anger and fear are difficult enough. But, for many of us, guilt is the most difficult emotional pain of all.

Unfortunately, Guilt Is a Necessary Kind of Pain. Like all painful emotions, guilt is a distress signal that is meant to warn us that something is wrong. We need to pay attention to this warning. If we do not pay attention, we will continue in our destructive ways.  When we feel guilt we need to run to God, because this emotion warns us that something is not right in our relationship with Him!

  It Is Important to Remember That the Word Guilt Is Often Misused.

We say “I feel guilty,” for example, about things that have nothing to do with wrongdoing.

In Fact, Sometimes We Say “I Feel Guilty” for Behaviors That Are Good and Healthy. For instance, we may say “I feel guilty” when we say no to over commitments. What we are feeling, however, is not guilt. We are experiencing the anxiety which comes when we are not able to meet our own or other people's expectations. The people we disappoint when we say no may be angry with us. They may tell us we have failed them.

But Our Behavior Is Not a Violation of Our Conscience or of God's Moral Law. It is, rather, honest, self-respectful behavior. When we say “I feel guilty” for this kind of behavior, we are experiencing what some refer to as “false guilt.”

What I am Addressing Now is True Guilt Because of Sin.

The experience of guilt which is the focus of this message is the experience of true guilt.

Guilt From Sins of Commission; Things We Should Not Have Done, But Did Anyway.

We want to focus on relief from the pain we experience when we have lied, cheated, verbally attacked another person, committed adultery, looked at pornography, or spent the family's money on drugs, alcohol, or gambling. The fact that these failures are accompanied with felt consequences amplifies the realization of guilt. It is not only apparent to us, but others have been gravely impacted by our sinful behavior.  

Guilt From Sins of Omission; Things We Should Have Done, But Failed To.

I am focusing on the guilt that comes with a failure to follow through with God’s general plan and will for every Christian. These are failure related to Bible study, prayer time, church attendance, baptism, not joining the church, an unfaithful husband, a rebellious wife, a disobedient child, a delinquent worker, a lazy church servant, being, unforgiving, inconsiderate, and immodest behavior and appearance. These are failures to satisfy God’s expectations--sin. We need to focus on relief from the guilt that comes when our failures to live for God harm ourselves and those we love. There is HOPE in Jesus Christ our Lord!

How Do We Triumph Over Guilt?

In order to overcome guilt we need to seek forgiveness. This is God’s solution! At the heart of the Christian faith is the promise of forgiveness. The reality of our guilt and of God's provision of forgiveness in Jesus Christ is woven throughout the biblical text. The Bible tells us that when we acknowledge our sins and turn from them, God forgives us.

Proverbs 28:13-14,  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. [14] Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Isaiah 53:5,  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 

Romans 5:6,  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

These verses communicate hope beyond the ache of guilt! In them God promises forgiveness, cleansing, restoration, and a guilt free conscience. Instead of being cut off from fellowship with God because of our sinful behavior, we can be restored. Without these promises all we are left with is our bone-crushing guilt. I do realize there are other ways of dealing with guilt that many people and professionals advocate, but here God offers a real solution! We need to believe Him and choose the forgiveness He affords so graciously.

The Only Thing That Tends to Stand in the Way of Forgiveness for the Christian Who Sins Is our Questioning Whether God Will Forgive Us. Let me assure you, He will if we turn to Him in genuine humility to confess and repent of our sin (1 John 1:7-9). We must believe God on this point! Go ahead and own your failure or your part in a moral failure. Confess...agree with God about it. Acknowledge your obligations to make things right where applicable, and prepare to move on. Use your faith to take to heart the clear promises of forgiveness from God. He wants to restore you and me to fellowship with himself once we have strayed away. Faith is the victory. How do I know this to be true? The most famous parable of Jesus tells me so (Luke 15:11-24).

Why Evangelize?

ACTS 2:36-47; MATT.  28:18-20

Every Christian can be properly informed and motivated to evangelize the lost in order to make substantial contributions to the growth of God’s kingdom and their home church. Evangelism is a God given responsibility and every believer must not only understand this wonderful ministry, but actively and fervently participate in these efforts to introduce sinners to Christ.   

                                                                 

Do you find that your heavenly Father gives you many opportunities to proclaim Christ’s salvation message, yet you often shirk back from those opportunities in fearful silence?  Have you ever imagined yourself filled with spiritual courage to boldly speak the truth in love?  Have you ever sincerely asked God to teach you what it means to be His witnesses?

                                         

Most believers are convinced that it is the pastor's responsibility to bring people into the church as well as into the kingdom of God. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Scripture is clear on this point. Pastors were given by God to the church to equip the people to do the work.… Sermons are not God's primary method for reaching people. People are His method for reaching people. What kind of people? Men and women whose lives and life-styles have been deeply affected by the truths of Scripture, people who have discovered the wonderful Spirit-filled life.
God is looking for imperfect men and women who have learned to walk in moment-by-moment dependence on the Holy Spirit. Christians who have come to terms with their inadequacies, fears, and failures. Believers who have become discontent with “surviving” and have taken the time to investigate everything God has to offer in this life.
God's method for reaching this generation, and every generation, is not preachers and sermons. It is Christians whose life-styles are empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit. People are the key to reaching people! (From The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life by Charles Stanley)

Study together with me and discover God’s answers to these questions and become one of those people God uses to reach other people with the hope in Jesus Christ.  Let us endeavor to answer this broader question, Why Evangelize?

WHY EVANGELIZE?    (Acts 2:36-41, 47)

Clearly, each NT church is commissioned to take the message of the gospel to the entire unsaved world. Evangelism and disciple-making is certainly one of the fundamental responsibilities of each church (Matthew 28:18–20).  Is it a priority for you as an Individual?

BUT, IS THIS SOMETHING WORTH REHASHING?

A survey of American adults found that few people could explain the meaning of commonly used religious terms such as the Great Commission (9%), John 3:16 (35%), evangelical (18%), or the gospel (37%). Among adults who describe themselves as “born again” Christians, fewer than expected could correctly explain the four terms: the Great Commission (25%), John 3:16 (50%), evangelical (43%), and the gospel (84%).”  [ National  & International Religion Report, March 21, 1994, 1.]

Clearly there is a real need to revisit this all-important subject of evangelism.

WHY SHOULD WE EMPHASIZE EVANGELISM?

Why bother with trying to win people to Christ?  What is it that thrusts a Believer into a life of aggressive evangelism?

The first church in Acts ministered very naturally, as an overflow of what God had done for them. The Holy Spirit had done some very remarkable things among the first Christians in Jerusalem, and thousands of people believed the powerful message preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost. These Christians then ministered to one another, fellowshipping, breaking bread together, and dividing possessions to meet one another's needs. But in addition to all that, they reached out to those who had not yet heard. They continued to visit the temple, presumably telling others about their experience, since “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (v. 47).  The following are just a few compelling reasons for emphasizing evangelism.

       1.  Because Christ Clearly Commands Us.

Mark 16:15,  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Simply, the truth that we are Called, Commanded, and Commissioned to take and send the gospel to the ends of the earth.  To evangelize consistently is an act of submission to Jesus Christ’s authority in my life.  To refuse to evangelize is to reject or ignore His lordship over me and my responsibility to demonstrate my love for Him through my obedience. 

       2.  Because of the Spirit’s Compelling Power in Us.

Luke 24:49, And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

              A.  What the Father "promised" (v. 49) is the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5; 2:16-17), who was indeed the promised "power" (Acts 1:8).

              B.  How could a group of common people ever hope to fulfill that kind of a commission? God promised to provide the power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8), and He did. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the church and empowered them to preach the Word (Acts 2). After Pentecost, the Spirit continued to fill them with great power (see Acts 4:33).

Witnessing is not something that we do for the Lord; it is something that He does through us, if we are filled with the Holy Spirit. There is a great difference between a “sales talk” and a Spirit-empowered witness. “People do not come to Christ at the end of an argument,” said Vance Havner. “Simon Peter came to Jesus because Andrew went after him with a testimony.”(Jn. 1:40-42).  We go forth in the authority of His name, in the power of His Spirit, heralding His Gospel of His grace.

       3.  Because of the Grace of God Motivating Us.

1 Cor. 15:9‑10,  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. [10] 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.

           A. Be a Witness Developed by the Grace of God and Not the Flesh. 1 Cor. 15:9‑10, “ . . . But by the grace of God I am what I am:”

One of the greatest witnesses of the Resurrection was Paul himself, for as an unbeliever he was soundly convinced that Jesus was dead.  But the living Christ changed His life and saved him.  The radical transformation—a change which brought him persecution and suffering—is certainly evidence that the Lord had indeed been raised from the dead.  It was the grace of God working in and compelling Paul and not the comfort loving flesh.  He made it clear that his salvation was purely an act of God’s grace; but that same grace worked in and through him as he served the Lord in spite of the difficulties.

           B. Be a Witness Driven by the Grace of God and Not Peer Pressure.  1 Cor. 15:10, “ . . .  but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

He was not much for merely trying to outdo someone else, but the grace working in him moved him beyond the accomplishments of others.  Grace is a high motivation for a servant of Christ yielding the finest effort and effectiveness.  It is possible that Paul’s memory of having “persecuted the church of God” was a powerful motivation for his being determined that God’s grace would not prove to be in vain in his ministry.   Paul was able to truthfully state, that he labored even more than all the other apostles (vs. 10).  Yet he was not boasting in his own spirituality or power but in God’s power, because, as he hastened to add, “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” The same grace responsible for his calling was responsible for his faithfulness and effectiveness. God sovereignly appointed Paul an apostle and sovereignly blessed his apostolic ministry. Paul believed, responded, obeyed, and was continually sensitive to the Lord’s leading and will. But apart from God’s servicing grace,  the apostle knew that everything he did would have been in vain and worthless (Eph. 4:15–16; Col. 1:28–29).  It takes more then peer pressure to be this effective in ministry.

We should not be motivated to merely out preform the church down the road.  We should not be motivated to merely be known as a Soul Winner or a Soul Winning Church.  We should not be more zealous in evangelism simply because it will bring us notoriety or renown.  We are not seeking bragging rights nor do we want an opportunity to feed our ugly pride and arrogance.  No, we must humble ourselves so that the grace of God may work in us by faith as we sincerely seek the glory of God and the spiritual welfare of sinners.  May the grace of God develop and drive us to biblically, zealously, and wisely pursue sinners. 

       4.  Because of the Hopelessness of Sinful Man. 

Genesis 3:6,  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

               A.  Men are Hopeless Sinners Because of the Fall.   

Eve disobeyed the Lord's command and ate the fruit first. But Scripture says she was “beguiled” (2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14).  Clearly Adam ate knowingly and, as the “federal head” of the human race, initiated the sin principle which Paul presented in Romans 5:12–21.

               B.  Men Cannot be Saved Except Through Christ. 

“Fallen Man” is more than a theological basis. It is a state of being with eternal consequences.  Every day, millions of people who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus are going to their graves. How accountable are we for not having reached them and how accountable are they before God, as Judge, having never heard? Will they go to Heaven or Hell?  It is clear that there is no hope for them without Christ!

       5.  Because of the Horrifying Reality of Hell.

Rom. 3:19—“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Gal. 3:10; Eph. 2:3; 5:6.

The law of God demands a perfect obedience; but no son of man can yield such obedience; hence the curse of a broken law rests upon those breaking it–the whole world. The wrath of God remains on all who are not vitally united by faith to Jesus Christ (John 3:36).  The wrath of God means suffering forever in Hell.

             A.  Hell will be a place of unquenchable fire.  Matt. 3:12; 13:41–42; Mark 9:43

             B.  It will be a place of memory and sorrow. Luke 16:19–31

             C.  It will be a place of thirst. Luke 16:24

             D.  It will be a place of misery and pain. Rev. 14:10, 11

             E.  It will be a place of frustration and anger.  Matt. 13:42; 24:51

             F.  It will be a place of separation.  Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 15

             G.  It will be a place of undiluted divine wrath.  Hab. 3:2; Rev. 14:10

             H.  It will be a place of eternal punishment by fire.    Isa 33:14; Re 20:10.

             I.  The wicked shall be turned into Hell.  Ps 9:17.

             J.  Hell is Described as:

                  1.          Everlasting punishment.  Mt 25:46.

                  2.          Everlasting fire.  Mt 25:41.

                  3.          Everlasting burnings.  Isa 33:14.

                  4.          A furnace of fire.  Mt 13:42,50.

                  5.          A lake of fire.  Re 20:15.

                  6.          Fire and brimstone.  Re 14:10.

                  7.          Unquenchable fire.  Mt 3:12.

                  8.          Devouring fire.  Isa 33:14.

       6.  Because of the Judgment Seat of Christ.

2 Cor. 5:8‑11, We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. [9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  [11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

             A.  Motivating Paul’s ministry was his goal to please his Lord (Gal. 1:10; Col. 1:10). 

             B.  Contributing to this goal was Paul’s understanding that he would one day be evaluated by his Master.  He wanted to please Him and to hear from Him, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant!’ (Luke 19:17;1 Cor. 4:1-5). 

             C.  This judgment will reveal our lives of service for exactly what they have been.  Not only the amount of our service, but also its quality, and even the very motives that moved us will be brought into review.

We all must affirm and be motivated by this fact that all Christians will be evaluated at the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:12).  We as Believers will be rewarded for the things we have done in our earthly lives.   

This perspective on a day of judgment and the hope of eternity should have a salutary effect on each of us. It should strengthen us to persevere in the face of hardships (2 Cor. 4:7-12). And it should motivate us to be faithful in discharging our ministry (2Cor. 5:11;1 Cor. 4:2-4).  The thought of one day standing before our Savior (2 Cor. 5:10) should captivate us all. As we look forward to that solemn moment, the fear the Lord should impelled us on in His service (Matt. 10:28). The purpose of our ministry will be to “persuade men” to “be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

Evangelism is a God given responsibility and every believer must not only understand this wonderful ministry, but, actively and fervently participate in these efforts to introduce sinners to Christ.    We must expect our churches to bear fruit as the first century churches recorded in the Scriptures.  We must commit ourselves to make our churches obedient to the Great Commission locally. It starts when you and I avail ourselves to the Holy Spirit of God to proclaim the hope in Jesus Christ.