The Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus* The rich man lived luxuriously. * Lazarus, a beggar, was full of sores and longed for scraps from the rich man’s table. * Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom (paradise). * The rich man died and was buried, and in hell, he was in torment. * The rich man saw Abraham and Lazarus and asked for mercy, requesting Lazarus to bring him water. * Abraham reminded him that he had received good things in his lifetime, while Lazarus had suffered. * A great gulf was fixed between them, making it impossible to cross over. * The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house to warn his five brothers. * Abraham said they have Moses and the prophets and should listen to them. * The rich man argued that if someone rose from the dead, they would repent. * Abraham concluded that if they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.

The Significance of the Story* The story provides an eyewitness account of what happens to an unbeliever after death (before Christ’s death and resurrection). * Lazarus went to Abraham’s paradise, which Jesus later emptied when he opened the way to heaven. * The focus is on the rich man’s fate and the reality of hell. * If someone could return from hell, they would be the best evangelist.

The Importance of Preaching About Hell* The word of God should inspire zeal to tell others they do not have to go to hell. * It’s important to be soul winners and convey the message of heaven and hell. * Dying without Christ means rejecting Christ and going to hell. * Jesus came to provide a way to avoid hell. * It is not pleasurable to declare that lost people go to hell, but it is the truth. * Hell was created for the devil and his angels, but those not born again will go there. * The world and many churches have stopped preaching about hell. * Jesus preached more about hell than heaven because he wanted to keep people out of it.

The Need for Saved Individuals to Understand Hell* Some saved people do not act saved because they have not considered what they were saved from. * A vision of hell should inspire gratitude for salvation. * Excitement about not going to hell should be maintained.

Hell is Real* Hell is not a figment of imagination but the words of Jesus Christ. * Jesus cannot lie, and he said the rich man went to hell. * There cannot be a heaven without a hell. * Many people do not believe in the concept of an afterlife. * People often think they are good enough to go to heaven based on self-righteousness. * The Bible concludes that all are under sin, but can be made dead to sin through Jesus’ resurrection.

The Confusion of the Rich Man* The rich man thought someone returning from the dead would cause belief and repentance. * There is plenty of good preaching available, but people do not want to escape hell’s flames. * People need to believe Jesus Christ, who cannot lie. * It is wrong to tell someone to go to hell. * The Holy Ghost convinces people of the reality of hell, not just preachers. + Example: At nine years old, the Holy Ghost convinced Pastor Tommy that hell was real, leading to fear and repentance. * People are leaving the world daily and going to a place they do not believe exists. * It is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Reality of Hell* One can sit smugly in self-righteousness, but there is a hell. * If one is undone without God and not born again, hell will be their eternal home. * God calls people to tell the truth about hell so others might hear, believe, and avoid it. * Living hell on earth is not comparable to the reality of hell.

Hell is Immediate* There is no purgatory or holding place after death. * The idea of a waiting place is a lie from the devil. * When you die, there is no encouragement in scripture to want to die without Christ. * Hell is real and immediate; there is no waiting period. * A story about a man who believed one does not know where they are going until they are dead is shared as an example of heresy. * Confidence in what God did on the day of salvation is essential. * When the rich man died and was buried, he immediately lifted up his eyes in hell. * God has a blind marked for each person, and when they reach it, they will die. * Everyone who has died without Christ for the past six thousand years has gone to a place of torment. * The Holy Ghost must get to people, or they will go to hell.

Hell is Torment* In hell, the rich man lifted up his eyes, being in torments. * The torments of hell are beyond comprehension. * God sends people to hell if their name is not in the Book of Life. * God has done everything possible to keep people out of hell, including sacrificing his son. * If one goes to hell, it is not God’s fault. * The rich man spoke of the fire in hell. * There are no gaps in the flames of hell, meaning no relief. * One should not play around with eternity’s truths as if they are in charge. * God will not change his mind if someone dies without Jesus Christ. * The death of Jesus Christ will be honored, and no one having rejected Christ will escape hell.

Graphic Descriptions of Hell* If a hand offends, cut it off to avoid going to hell with both hands. * It is better to enter heaven maimed than to go to hell with both feet. * Hell is a place where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. * The fire of hell will never go out; there is an endless supply to keep it going. * The worm that does not die refers to the conscious remembrance of a man. * There will be constant regret for having rejected Christ as Savior. * There will be no relief from the torment.

Hell is Unchangeable* There is a great gulf fixed, making it impossible to escape. * The only change is being pulled out of hell for a moment to be judged before going to the lake of fire. * The only chance to escape hell is today, right now. * It is foolish to assume there will be another chance.

A Message Out of Hell* The rich man wanted his brothers to be warned about hell. * The message is to tell them it is real, immediate, torturous, and unchangeable. * Preachers are called to preach about hell to save people from it. * The rich man’s brothers have the chance to get to heaven through Moses and the prophets (the Bible). * The world will not know about the Word of God unless someone tells them. * Some may learn new things about hell, but it is from the pages of the Bible. * The question is not whether one will die, but whether they will go to heaven. * Believing in Jesus Christ as Savior is the only way to be certain of going to heaven.

Invitation* If the Holy Ghost has visited one’s soul, they know they are lost and heading to hell. * One should pray, “Lord, save me. I believe in you. Repent of my sins. Save me. I’m lost. Save me.” * When fear sets in and the reality of hell is understood, one must trust Christ. * Bow your heart to him and ask him to save you. * Do not worry about what others think; people in hell wish they had not cared and had bowed in need of Christ. * One needs to be saved today if they are lost. * No one can come to the Father unless they are drawn. * Bow in need of Christ and be saved.