The Difficulty in Getting There (jkj 002)

Charles Spurgeon was telling a group of young pastors that their facial expressions should be in harmony with the subject they were focusing on. "When you speak of heaven," he said, "let your face light up and be irradiated with a heavenly gleam. Let your eyes shine with reflected glory. And when you speak of hell ... well, then your everyday face will do."

Well, today my everyday face will have to do.

After reading David Bay's commentary on Dr. Monroe Parker's final sermon in 1994, I was impressed with the ideas he presented. Much of the outline and many of the ideas I am going to share with you today come from both Dr. Parker and David Bay.

If you have your Bibles, please turn to Matthew 23.

Ben Johnson summed up the gist of this sermon when he said, “Men might go to heaven with half the labor they put forth to go to hell, if they would but venture their industry in the right way.”

And a newly converted Christian pointed out the right way by answering his companion’s question when he asked, "Can you tell me where hell is?" After a moment's hesitation the young Christian said, "Yes, it's at the end of a Christless life."

How true. Please stand with me as we read from Matthew 23, starting in verse 29.

Mat 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Pray

I can appreciate our Savior’s uncanny ability to candy coat things when He told the Pharisees that they were serpents and a generation of vipers. Then He asks them, “how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

David Bay comments, "Modernists and Liberals today are lying to their congregations, telling them that no 'loving God' would send anyone to hell. They are further lying to their people by telling them that Jesus and God the Father are too loving to send anyone to Hell. Thus, these false teachers are telling their people what they want to hear, and are truly encouraging them in a lifestyle and a method of belief that is contrary to eternal Scripture.”

Mr. Bay reminds me of 2Timothy 4:3 where we are told in the Amplified Commentary that "the time is coming when [people]will not tolerate sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, 4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and mane-made fictions.

Now let us look through the scriptures for what it really takes to get to hell. What we find may surprise you. For, what we find here is that men have to climb over great obstacles in order to get to hell.

Look at verse 34 where Jesus says, “wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes...”

Jesus points out three great obstacles He has placed in the paths of the Sanhedrin in an effort to divert their paths toward the narrow road.

Jesus prepared:

1. Prophets and prophecies - God placed prophets and prophecies in the paths of men so that they would understand and turn towards Him. These were men who were inspired by God and either wrote down what God told them, or their words were written by others. Who were some of these prophets and what are some of the fulfilled prophecies that need to be climbed over in order to get to hell? In the first book of kings Elijah was used by the Lord to demonstrate His superiority by destroying the 450 prophets of Baal. But even after this demonstration of God’s greatness God says to Elijah in 1Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. A remnant of only seven thousand remained faithful after this display of God’s might. In 2Ki 17:13 the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

If you would turn to 1Chronicles 16: verse 14 we find God’s warning to His people to not harm His prophets. Starting at verse 14 of 1Chronicles 16,

1Ch 16:14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; 16 Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; 17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; 19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. 20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; 21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, 22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

From Deuteronomy 18:20 we find out that a prophet that did not speak the truth had a very short career when God says, But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. In this way God’s truth was preserved, untarnished.

How many prophecies were fulfilled by John the Baptist? Isaiah 40:3-5 tells us of one crying in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord. Malachi 3:1 tells us of a messenger that will prepare the way before the Lord. In Micah 5:2 we find out that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, 700 years before it happened! We know from the ninth chapter of Daniel the exact year that Jesus was to be born, almost 500 years before it happened! Jesus fulfilled over 40 prophecies while on earth. He was of the seed of woman and the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He was of the tribe of Judah, heir to the throne of David. He was to be born of a virgin; He would be called out of Egypt. He would be rejected by His own people; He would enter Jerusalem on a colt. He would be betrayed by a close friend, and for thirty pieces of silver. He would be accused by false witnesses but would remain silent to these accusations. He would be crucified with transgressors and pierced through hands and feet. He would be scorned and mocked, reproached. Yet, He would pray for His enemies. Soldiers would gamble for His garment. He would be forsaken by the Father. His side would be pierced and none of His bones would be broken. He would be buried with the rich. He would not see corruption but would rise from the dead. And after His resurrection He would ascend to the Father’s right hand. All these prophecies and more were fulfilled right there in front of the Sanhedrin. The Prophets were a great obstacle indeed, but the Sanhedrin, and many more today, climb over the Prophets and fulfilled prophecies to get to hell. How about the return of Israel to it’s homeland as foretold in Isaiah (11:11), Ezekiel (36:24-29, 39:27-29), Hosea (11:9-11) and Zechariah (10:8-12)? How about the prophecies to be fulfilled in the tribulation? The plagues, the timetable, the treaty. These prophecies are quite descriptive and precise. How many will climb over these fulfilled prophecies in order to get to Hell?

Jesus prepared:

2. Wise men - These are interpreters and teachers who have a special gift of understanding the philosophical aspects of knowledge and experience from a Biblical perspective. They can show how the principles in God's Word are applicable at the moment. The first and most obvious examples are Paul, John, Peter, James and other writers of the Scriptures. Men of whom Jesus said to the Sanhedrin, “some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city.“ These men wrote God’s Word in such a way that we can know how we should live. Then we have countless men through the ages that have been able to teach God's word in a way that shows people how they can live Godly lives. In order to get to hell one would have to climb over all these great wise men.

Thirdly Jesus sent:

3. Scribes - Please turn to Hebrews 11. Scribes are men who preach the Word of God. At the time these were men who were very knowledgeable in the Mosaic Law and the Prophets. Yet the Pharisees made it a point to climb over these men. Today these wise men are in churches across the earth, preaching the Word of God with power and authority. They refuse to tickle the ears of those listening, but choose to preach the entire Word of God, leaving nothing out. These great servants, most of whom we will never know on this earth, have to be climbed over in order for one to get to hell.

These Prophets, wise men and Scribes are all men of whom the writer of Hebrews wrote in chapter 11 starting in verse 32

Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

The Pharisees will get their reward (Rev 16:6) For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. In our own times God has erected even more obstacles in order to keep us out of hell.

4. Childhood influences - As Dr. Parker so aptly put it, "It was not easy for you, as a little child, to put those impressions aside. It was not easy for you to climb over those good impressions, to go over that little hill of good influence. Your feet were tender, your mind was impressionable, and your heart was tender. It was not easy to push conviction aside, but you walked over those influences and you went on toward hell." Over 80% of our children that are raised in our churches leave the church later in life. Jesus warned us of this in Mark 13:12 when He said, “Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.”

(A little side note here. I want you to think about the implications involved in these stats, 75% of the children raised in homes where the father is a committed, active Christian will stay in church, while only 15% of those whose mother is the only committed parent remain in church when they get older. We have a tremendous responsibility men. Unfortunately, after doing the math, at the very most, only 27% of the men in our churches are active, committed Christians. Conversely, this means that over 70% of the men in our churches are sleeping at the wheel.)

5. The Word of God -This may be the greatest mountain that man must climb over in order to get to hell. Recently in our church bulletin there were listed ‘The Seven Wonders of the Bible.’ They included ‘The wonder of it’s information (all that‘s contained within this most holy of books), the wonder of its unification (being 66 books in one), the wonder of its age, the wonder of its sales (all time best seller), the wonder of its interest, the wonder of its language, and one of the greatest wonders of the Word of God is the wonder of its preservation (being both the most loved and most hated of all books, many have tried time and again to destroy it, yet it not only survives, but flourishes in the world today).’ That’s a pretty tough obstacle to get over; (Heb 4:12) For the word of God is alive, quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of breath of life and the immortal spirit, and of the joints and marrow of the deepest parts of our nature, and is a discerner of the very thoughts and intents of the heart. I suppose that one could go around it, without ever looking directly at it, but this in itself is an obstacle that must be overcome. Getting over or around the Word of God consumes one's lifetime. A lifetime better spent serving the very God that erected that mountain in the first place, so that you would know Him. A man that attempts to climb this mountain will break himself against it.

6. Prayers of intervention - James, in chapter 5 verse 16 admonishes us to...pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Most of us in our culture have had someone praying for us at one time or another. It may have been a parent, a grandparent, aunt or kindly neighbor. On prayer nights saints meet all around the world and pray for the salvation of loved ones, friends, relatives, acquaintances and sometimes people they don't know, but only know of. My wife Pam remembers a dear Christian lady who prayed for her when she was young. God intervenes in the lives of the lost on behalf of these warriors. However, men still make the effort to overcome this intervention and climb over the prayers of the saints in order to get to hell.

7. Caskets and other calamities - How many of us did not come to Jesus until we either went through a major trial in our own lives, or lost someone dear to us. I think the death of my own dad was instrumental in my own salvation. In retrospect we thank God for these experiences, because they are what brought us to our knees before Him. Without Pam’s tumors we probably never would have believed in Jesus as we do today. For many of us it was an addiction, a severe illness or injury, or maybe we lost everything. Each time the message is the same, "Repent, turn to Jesus Christ before it's too late." The Lord told Ezekiel to say to the children of Israel, 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Can’t you see how God has no desire to see man die without Him? God places these obstacles in our paths in an effort to get us to turn to Him. How many lost souls have bitterly climbed over many caskets and other trials in their lives, refusing the gift of Jesus and resolutely making their way to Hell?

8. Witnesses - How about the martyred saints? How about those that God places in a person’s path so that they may know the Truth? How about the testimonies of those who have had their lives dramatically changed because of their faith in Jesus? They gave up drugs or other addictions. Their lifestyle changed to such a degree that those that they once called friends no longer recognize them or want to spend time with them. (Rev 12:11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. We are told that within the last 100 years many more Christians have been killed for their faith in Jesus than in the previous 1900 years combined. In order for a man to get to hell he must be willing to climb over the testimony of those set in his path. He must also wade through the blood and climb over the bodies of the saints that are willing to die for their Savior, rather than deny His name. All this just so that they can get to hell.

9. Golgotha and the cross - Please turn to Luke 16. There's a small hill near Jerusalem that must be climbed in order for any man to get to hell. Not only must a man climb this small hill in order to get to hell, there's a cross on top of that hill. In order for a man to get to hell he must climb up this hill, a hill that, while small, is beset with many barriers, it's quite rugged and is slick with the blood of Jesus and those who have died for Him. Every man must climb this mountain at one time or another in their lives. What matters is what you do when you get to the top. In Luke 16:19 Jesus tells us about

Luk 16:19 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.

You see, Jesus is no longer on that hill, for He is risen... He is risen and reigns on high! However, the hill called Golgotha is littered with the members of the body of Christ, those who have been persecuted through the ages because of their faithfulness to Him. For those of us who love Jesus, those of us who believe that He is the Son of God, those of us whose lives are guided by faith in Him who died on that cross and in His Word... when we get to the top of this hill we will embrace the cross of Jesus, and His love will hold us there.

But, for those who will refuse to embrace the cross, who refuse to stop, bow down and believe in the only One who can preserve them, this person must climb up and over the cross. They must not only climb over the cross, but also make their way down the other side of the hill called Golgotha. As they descend down this hill they will find that they are finally reaching their destination. For, you see, if you manage to climb over all these obstacles, the Prophets, the prophecies, the wise, the scribes, the Word of God, your childhood influences, those who have witnessed to you, the testimonies of the saints, the prayers of the saints, the bodies of the martyrs... if you have managed to climb over the treacherous, blood soaked crevices of the hill called Golgotha, you, my friend have managed to climb over the Creator of the universe, the one who made you, loves you, and yes, even died for you. (Heb 10:29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

He placed all these obstacles in your path so it would be a most difficult and arduous journey to get over Him. For the man that climbs over Jesus and descends down the other side of Golgotha will find himself at long last in a place spoken of by Isaiah to describe the fall of Satan. (Isaiah 14:9) Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming...

Remember what James said in chapter 4 verse 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. So, my friend, before you take that final step away from the cross of Jesus, stop! Turn around and consider all you see, for your life is but a vapor. You know not when it will end. Do not climb up and over it in the final defeat of everlasting death. Consider all the great obstacles God has placed into your path to bring you to the top of this hill in victory. Do what you knoweth is good, embrace the cross of Jesus and live, live forever in His presence.

Invitation As I was contemplating this sermon the other day I was thinking that this a great salvation message. Don’t climb these awesome barriers, but trust in Jesus. But then I thought that this would be a great funeral message. I want to have this message preached at my own funeral. It’s my desire that the preacher will be able to say at the end, “And here is the empty shell of Joseph Keith Johnson, a man that loves Jesus, and lived a life that reflected that love. And my friend, in order to get to hell, you will have to climb over the testimony and life of this godly man.” Wow! What a testimony that would be. So this is the challenge set before each and every one of us. We must each strive to be an obstacle over which every person we come in contact with will have to climb over in order to get to hell.

Joe Johnson

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