Tickets to Hell : Part 1
INTRODUCTION.
A. When teaching on sin, it seems that we have to paint pictures in order for Christians to understand and apply what the Bible teaches.
1. For instances, let’s for a moment about being worldly. Paul told Titus, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,” (Titus 2:11-12)
2. Does the preacher have to explain what denying ungodliness and worldly lust means? Someone might say no. We are Christians. We know what it means to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Some might say:
a. I have never stolen anything, therefore I am not worldly.
b. I do not curse or swear, therefore I am not worldly.
c. I do not engage in premarital sexual activity, therefore, I am not worldly.
d. I have never cheated on my spouse, therefore I am not worldly.
e. I attend all the services of the church, therefore I am not worldly.
3. However, just because you abstain from certain things does not mean that you have necessarily denied worldliness.
a. You may not steal from others, but if do not show them the necessarily love as brethren, then you ARE worldly.
b. You may not curse or swear, but if you gossip about others, tearing them down in word and participate in spreading gossip about them, then you ARE worldly.
c. You may not engage in premarital sexual activity, but if you dress or behave in such a way to entice others to have sexual thoughts about you, then you ARE worldly.
d. You may have never cheated on your spouse, but if you are unwilling to forgive those who have, then are you ARE worldly.
e. You may attend all the services of the church, but if you engage in any sin, i.e. lie, cheat, gossip, illicit sexual activities, etc., then you ARE worldly.
4. In order to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, you must have a proper frame of mind and determination. With the proper determination to deny ungodliness and world lusts, you will do so in all areas of your life, not just parts and pieces.
B. As you can tell, it is necessary to paint a picture in order for many people to get the message. I have stood up here and spoken on specific a number of sins, but I guess I did not draw the picture clear enough.
C. So, with this lesson, we are going to paint a picture of what will send Christians to hell. I will attempt to make it so plain that only those who are blind to the Truth will not see the Truth.
I. TICKET: SEXUAL SINS.
A. Read Galatians 5:19 and Colossians 3:5.
B. Adultery
1. Three different scenarios:
a. Scenario #1: One spouse has sexual relations with someone other than their spouse.
b. Scenario #2: Someone, who has been divorced for the reason of fornication, remarries another.
c. Scenario #3: Someone, who has is divorced for unscriptural reasons, remarries another.
2. Now, depending on the scenarios, we may respond differently.
a. In scenario 1, we think, “That is ugly. He or she is such an awful person.
b. In scenario 2, we may think, “Well, at least they are married. How could you expect him or her to live the rest of their life without sexual relations? It is a bearable situation.
c. In scenario 3, we may think, “Well, they have a right to love someone. It wasn’t their fault they are divorced. It is an acceptable situation.”
3. Again, other factors will directly affect how people respond to the sin of adultery:
a. What was the cause?
b. What was the reason?
c. What was the justification?
d. What is the identity of the person involved in the adultery?
4. In the end, none of these factors matter. Adultery is a terrible sin, no matter the circumstances surrounding the sin.
5. If the sin of adultery is ugly in one situation, it is ugly in all situations.
6. If the sin of adultery is forgiven in one situation, it is to be forgiven in all situations.
C. Fornication.
1. The sin of fornication is any type of illicit sexual activity. While fornication can by used of illicit sexual activity within a marriage relationship, it also applies to sexual activity between people who are not married.
2. Four different scenarios:
a. A teenager.
b. A single adult
c. A divorced person bound to another.
d. A single widow or widower.
3. Depending on the scenario, we may be tempted to view the sin on different levels. We may choose to have compassion and make the deed more acceptable.
a. What was the cause?
b. What was the reason?
c. What was the justification?
d. What is the identity?
4. In the end, none of these factors matter. Fornication is a terrible sin, no matter the circumstances surrounding the sin.
5. We must realize that all deeds leading to fornication are wrong.
a. Uncleanness
b. Lewdness
c. Passion
d. Evil desires
6. We must avoid all activities that can lead to the sin of fornication.
II. TICKET: SINS OF ANGER.
A. Read Colossians 3:8.
1. Consider the following sins:
a. Anger
b. Wrath
c. Malice
d. Filthy anger
e. Blasphemy
2. Again, like so many other sins, we are tempted to let the circumstances dictate how we respond to the sin.
a. What was the cause?
b. What was the reason?
c. What was the justification?
d. What is the identity?
3. In the end, none of these factors matter. A sin of anger is still a sin.
B. Read Romans 1:29-30
1. Consider the following sins:
a. Maliciousness
b. Deceit
c. Full of envy
d. Evil-mindedness
e. Murder
f. Whisperers
g. Backbiters
2. Again, like so many other sins, we are tempted to let the circumstances dictate how we respond to the sin.
a. What was the cause?
b. What was the reason?
c. What was the justification?
d. What is the identity?
C. Read Galatians 5:20-21
1. Consider the following sins:
a. Hatred
b. Jealousies
c. Contentions
d. Envy
e. Outbursts of wrath
f. Selfish ambitions
g. Heresies
h. Dissensions
i. Murders
2. Again, like so many other sins, we are tempted to let the circumstances dictate how we respond to the sin.
a. What was the cause?
b. What was the reason?
c. What was the justification?
d. What is the identity?
3. Regardless the reason, any sin of anger is still a sin and should never by excused!
III. TICKET: UNLOVING
A. Love does no harm. (Romans 10:13)
B. Read Romans 1:30-31
1. Consider the following sins:
a. Backbiters
b. Violent
c. Unloving
d. Unmerciful
e. Unforgiving
2. Just as with the other sins discussed in this lesson, some people will always try to make an excuse depending upon the circumstances.
a. What was the cause?
b. What was the reason?
c. What was the justification?
d. What is the identity?
3. Again, in the end, none of the excuses justify the sin in question.
C. Read Galatians 5:19-21
1. Consider the following sins.
a. Hate
b. Being jealous
c. Exercising wrath
d. Selfishness
e. Causing dissensions
2. Again, the excuses do not matter.
a. What was the cause?
b. What was the reason?
c. What was the justification?
d. What is the identity?
D. Read Colossians 3:5-11
1. Consider the following sins.
a. Coveting
b. Uncontrolled anger
c. Malice
2. Excuses do not matter.
a. What was the cause?
b. What was the reason?
c. What was the justification?
d. What is the identity?
3. What love will do . . .
a. Read Romans 12:9-21
(1) Without hypocrisy (vs 9)
(2) Loving affection (vs 10)
(3) Put your brother before yourself. (vs 10)
(4) Bless those who persecute (harass, trouble, molest) you. (vs 14)
b. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
(1) Love suffers long and is kind.
(2) Love does not envy.
(3) Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.
(4) Love does not behave rudely.
(5) Love does not seek its own.
(6) Love is not provoked, thinks no evil.
(7) Love does not rejoice in iniquity, - rejoices in truth.
(8) Love bears all things.
(9) Love believes all things.
(10) Love hopes all things.
(11) Love endures all things.
(12) Love never fails.
CONCLUSION.
A. The three tickets to hell, which we have covered today are:
1. Sexual sins.
2. Sins of anger
3. Sins of being unloving.
B. In part two of this study, we will consider two more tickets to hell which people so often purchase by turning away from the Lord and Savior.
C. Are you in possession of tickets that will lead you to eternity in Hell? If so, tear the ticket up, decide to change, ask God to forgive you, and turn away from that sin. God will forgive you if you will repent and change.
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Tickets to Hell : Part 1 -- October 21, 2003 -- File # - 1360
by John M. Duvall -- Lawton ,OK