A sermon preached by minister John Piper, left an indellible mark on my heart. According to Piper, Chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, one’s own unrepentant lifestyle and the degradation thereof, will determine the level of a person’s eternal suffering once they are thrown into hell. Upon closer investigation, and according to scripture, Jesus himself will be the righteous judge doing the throwing! Those who have mocked YHVH God through moral and spiritual profanities will suffer a punishment that directly correlates and is in just measure to their torment.
Because of Adam's sin, Father YHVH subjected all creation to sufferings (Romans 8:20). According to Piper, these sufferings are overarching and familiar to humanity at large, but do not address the punishment coming for unrepentant 'individual' sins. All physical suffering corresponds to moral and spiritual outrage, but not all suffering corresponds directly to individual sins.
What is stunning to realize, is that physical horrors correspond to spiritual horrors. God knows that we are not revolted by the spiritual terror of our sin. We take it lightly. Surely God knows the intent of our heart...but we get very upset, very unsettled, and very indignant about the horrors of our physical suffering. So, God correlates the two in order to make plain to us how horrible sin is. In other words, belittling God feels like a light thing to us. Being burned feels huge.
Hell will be physical, not just spiritual, even as the greatest outrages of life are not physical. The greatest outrages of life are spiritual—the mocking of God by unbelief, indifference and rebellion which are universally outrageous. It may produce the holocaust or it may produce self-exalting philanthropy, but the magnitude of the moral horror in both cases is directed against God. Belittling God’s infinite worth is the ultimate outrage.
Here is an example taken from the word of God:
God says to the exiles in Babylon concerning the false prophets, Ahab and Zedekiah:“Because of them, this curse shall be used by all the exiles from Judah in Babylon: “The Lord make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire,” because they have done an outrageous thing in Israel, they have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and they have spoken in my name lying words that I did not command them.” (Jeremiah 29:22-23).
The term “roasted” is shocking! This was an accurate description because it actually happened. Nebuchadnezzar really roasted them. And why did it happen? Why such an outrageous physical horror and why such an outrageous physical word used to describe it?
Because speaking false things about God and committing adultery does not feel outrageous but roasting someone in the fire does. God correlates the two so we would learn what is really outrageous in the world. Demeaning God and breaking covenants.
The physical suffering of this age is God’s warning: This is how horrible and outrageous sin is. Flee it while there is time. Turn to Christ for forgiveness.
The physical suffering of eternity is God’s judgment: This is how horrible and outrageous sin is because then there will be no escape. It will be too late.
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How To Get Saved or Born Again
God loves you and wants to be a part of your life. If you have not given him your stubborn will or if you have been saved in the past, but have not lived a life pleasing to the Lord, take time now to get your heart right. Read these Scriptures to help your understanding:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Romans 5:8-10
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." John 3:3-8
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus 3:5
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10
Reach out to God for his saving grace, forgiveness, and mercy. If there is a doubt in your mind about your eternal destiny, please pray this prayer:
“Father God, I know I have not been living as you want me to. I am tired of living my life without your help. Break my stubborn will and help me to follow you. Please forgive me for my sins. I believe that your Son, Jesus, died on the cross to pay the price for my sins. Teach me your ways and fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can serve you for the rest of my life. I believe by my faith in what Jesus did on the cross I am justified or made right with you. Help me to learn more about you as I read your Holy Bible. Please help me to follow your commandments and the doctrine of Jesus. Thank you for loving me and forgiving me. I give myself totally to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GET TO HEAVEN
REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL
THE FALL
"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." Genesis 3:6 KJV
YOUR NEED
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 KJV
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 KJV
GOD’S PROVISION
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 KJV
THE FATHER DRAWS
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:44 KJV
HE SPIRIT CONVICTS
"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:8 KJV
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14 KJV
YOUR RESPONSE
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12 KJV
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37 KJV
THIS IS THE GOSPEL
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV
IF YOU – BELIEVE THE GOSPEL, CALL ON JESUS AND ASK HIM TO FORGIVE YOU AND CLEANSE YOU FROM YOUR SINS
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 KJV
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6 KJV
"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalms 50:15 KJV
TURN AWAY FROM YOUR SINS – TURN TO JESUS AND MAKE HIM THE LORD OF YOUR LIFE
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9 KJV
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Proverbs 28:13 KJV
STUDY THE SCRIPTURES AND BECOME A MEMBER OF A BIBLE BELIEVING NEW TESTAMENT GROUP
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2 KJV
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 KJV
GRACE IS GOD’S MERCY THAT WE DO NOT DESERVE
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GET BETTER TO GET SAVED, JUST REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!
"We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. {2} For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 KJV
"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, {15} And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:14-15 KJV
TELL JESUS THAT YOU ARE SORRY FOR YOUR SINS AND ASK HIM TO FORGIVE YOU AND TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE.
Spiritual Warfare Scriptures
Bible verses related to Spiritual Warfare from the King James Version (KJV)
11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]." Ephesians 6:11-12
3 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
1 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day; 6 [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." Psalms 91:1-16
".Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13
"The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways." Deuteronomy 28:7
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke 10:19
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." 2 Corinthians 11:14
4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:4-5
"For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." 2 Corinthians 10:4
18 "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:18-20
(From Victim to Victor; David and Donna Carrico; FOJC Radio)
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