Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/23/2010

Question
Dear Freind

John 16:8 - When he comes, he will prove the world to be in
the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:

Yet many churches do not touch about Hell in their Sermons.

Isn't it right to say that " Salvation is not a necessity if
there is no Hell"

Blessings

Nihal Uduwara

Answer
Hello Nihal,

Thank you so much for this great question.  I am so sorry for my late response.

You are absolutely right that there is not enough emphasis on Hell and the Judgment of God in modern preaching.  The Bible is so clear about this.  The Apostle Paul used this as a great motivator to help him push on and preach to everyone.

2 Corinthians 5:11 (AV)
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men...

Jesus told a very powerful story about a man in Hell.  This was not a parable that never happened... it was a true story about a very real place.

Luke 16:19–31 (AV)
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.


I hope that this helps you.  I am so sorry that this is so late.

In Christ
Pastor Don