THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!
JOHN 8:23
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
INTRODUCTION:
Life is filled with tragedy>>>>>Even right now somewhere somebody is going through great tragedy>>>>>All of us have experienced it>>>or will!
List some of those:
What is the worst thing that could happen to you:?
Death of a mate/child/friend?
Doctor to tell you CANCER?
Some say to lose your possessions?
Isn’t it amazing that in 2-seconds your whole life can turn around!!!!
All live with a basic fear of tragedy????
Our hearts will beat wildly when the phone rings in the middle of the night!
ILLUSTRATION: Wimp Ballard double amputee--Vietnam vet.
What is life’s greatest tragedy??????
I believe it is found right here in this text>>>>>"Jesus said to die in your sins"
What happens if you die in your sins??????
If you die in your sins:
I. IT WILL SEND YOU TO THE WRONG PLACE!
The rich man in Luke 16 opened his eyes in death he was in the wrong place:
He was in the place of torment>>>>>>>>
God never intended for you to go to hell
I’m sure it boggles all of heaven After the purchase of salvation by Christ on the cross that anybody would reject the love of God in Christ and go to Hell
Well preacher I don’t believe that>>>>Well you will if you die in your sins>
You go there today>>>Life is very fragile>>>death comes sooner than you think!!!!
II. IT WILL SUBJECT YOU TO THE RIGHT PUNISHMENT!
That is so wonderful about the grace of God>>>We don’t get what we deserve!!!!!
Romans 5:8 "We were dead in our trespasses and sin>>>>>BUT GOD!!!!!!!
In this day everybody cries out for their rights>>>
I only want what is coming to me
In jail I just want justice!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not me
I don’t want justice I need mercy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No one ever gets away with sin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1) You either get forgiveness for sin
2) Or judgment on sin
There is no middle ground Forgiveness or judgment
Either the blood or hell You can’t overcome your sins with works
Mormons?????????no way
III. IT SEPARATES YOU FROM THE WRONG PEOPLE!
The rich man opened his eyes in hell and he was separated from those back on planet earth….No more friends/family/love/ GREAT GULF OF SEPARATION THAT IS FIXED!!!
I CAN’T IMAGINE BEING SEPARATED FROM WIFE---forever/Brazil
Jesus greatest agony on the cross was seperation!!!!!!why has thou forsaken me
IV. YOU WILL BE STRIPPED OF GOD’S PARDON!
The bottom line right now you have hope/a chance>>>>if you die tonight you won’t
This is an altar of life and death!!!!!!!!
Luke 16 >>>>>"HAVE MERCY"
ILLUSTRATION: MAN IN HOSPITAL
I don’t put much stock in death bed conversion>>>>There are some but most don’t:
THE BIBLE SAY’S THAT SIN CANNOT ENTER INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD:
SO IF YOU AND I GO TO HEAVEN WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT??
PERFECTION>>>>>>>NO SIN
Any one here qualify for that:::::
Well that tells me that none of us can go to heaven
Eph. 2>>>>dead in sins>>>>"BUT GOD"
Jesus came to die not for his sins but mine >>>>He shed His blood
There is power in that blood>>>What can wash away my sin
SIN HAS TO BE COVERED>>>That is the only way to go to heaven.
That is to let Jesus cover your sins/deal with your sins.
ILLUSTRATION:
Little country community in Mississippi>>Man died/biggest hellion in that county
Church was packed>>country preacher got up to preach and he walked over to the casket and said there is the body of old Clyde Sinc>>>>He’s dead!! I’m going to tell you the truth >>>Clyde was the most wicked man in this county>>>people were horrified>>>He’d cuss you out,drank whiskey>>>but I know something you don’t know>>>>I visited Clyde a half a dozen times since I have been in this county>>>>>>Everytime I’d go to the door He would say I don’t want to talk to you>>>>3 day’s ago I went by Clyde’s house and knocked on the door like I had many times before>>And he said preacher>>>I said Clyde let me in or I’ll jerk this screen door off it’s hinges>>>>I was just playing with him>>>But he let me in >>>>We sat down and talked about weather…etc..>>>>>>>>
Then I reached in my pocket and pulled out one of those little Gidion NT Bibles>>the little brown ones>>>>>Hey Clyde look at that little old thing>>>>>>etc
I don’t see how it can be any good and be that small>>>It reminds me of those tools they sell at the Wall Mart?K Mart>>>>>>>>>>>>Handy Andy tools >>pull one time and they bust all to pieces >>>>>>>>>He took it out of his pocket and threw it out of his pocket onto the table>>>they talked some more>>>then that preacher said hey let’s see if this little Bible is like my big old preaching Bible down at the church>>>>>>>>>>>>>
He opened it up to
• Romans 3 "The wages of sin is death
• Chapter 6 "The gift of God is eternal life
• Chapter 5 "While you and I were yet still sinners Christ died for us
Hey said hey Clyde that is just like in my old preaching Bible
He looked over at Clyde and Clyde was crying and he said do you want to get saved>>>>>\
What you folks don’t know is that before Clyde Sinc had that heart attack he gave his life to Jesus 3-days ago>>>>
That little pastor said they are all here and he took out that little Bible and laid it over in that casket and said how is it Clyde>>>>Is it like I told you it was going to be??? Do you see the river of life>>do you see the disciples>>>do you see Jesus Clyde>>>How is it? How is it?
How is it with you? Are your sins forgiven?????????
Because if you die in your sins you will go to hell
