WONDERING GURU
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time,
29 September 2024
(Num 11: 25-29; Ps 19: 8-14; James 5: 1-6; Mk 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48)
Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap
Introduction: It
is neither popular nor palatable to preach about hell. In modern times one hardly hears any sermon
about going to hell. Many don’t even
believe in the existence of hell. No
matter what we choose to believe the reality of hell is real as it is stated by
Jesus in today’s gospel. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the
existence of hell and its eternity. Hell
is the “state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the
blessed….” (CCC 1033) Furthermore, the Catechism states, “The teaching of the
Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death,
the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where
they suffer the punishments of hell, ‘eternal fire’” (CCC 1035). Let’s reflect
on today’s gospel reading a bit deeper.
How do we cause one of these “little ones”
to sin?
The “little ones” Jesus
speaks about in the Gospel can refer to those new in faith, new converts or to
little children who are growing in faith and love of Christ. In both cases the good example of the adult
Christian is very important. Many times
our unconscious behaviour can lead others away from God. A few examples of unconscious unchristian
behaviour.
· When we do not
pray in crucial moments of our life, we teach the little ones, that God doesn’t
answer prayer anymore. A child asked his father. “Dad, is God dead?” “Why of
course not. Why would you ask such a question, my child?” said the father. The
child responded, “Because you don’t talk to him like before.”
· When we don’t read
God’s Word, we teach the little ones, that His word is no longer relevant.
· When we don’t tell
others about Jesus’ love, we teach the little ones that witnessing is out of fashion.
· When we sin and
don’t repent/no confession, we teach the “little ones” that God’s standards are
“optional.”
Someone said, it’s better
for us to literally be without part of our body and have a fire in our spirit
than to have all of our body and be dead in our spirit.
In a survey, it was
determined that 35% of Baptists; 54% of Presbyterians, 58% of Methodists, and
60% of Episcopalians DO NOT Believe in a literal place called HELL! 71% of the
8 leading seminaries in the United States Do Not Believe in either Heaven or Hell.
Dr. A. C. Dixon stated, "If we had more preaching on Hell, then we would
have Less of it in our communities!"
Today, Hell is thought of
as a Joke! The English word for "Hell" appears in the Bible 54 times.
In the New Testament alone, the "eternality of Hell" occurs 126
times; while Jesus spoke of Heaven only once, He spoke of Hell eleven (11)
times!
§ Eternal
Association with the Wicked (2 Pet. 2:4; 9; Rev. 21:8). Hell was
not created for mankind, but rather for the devil and his angels; as well as
the Beast & False Prophet (Rev. 20).
§ Eternal
Darkness (2 Pet. 2:4; 17; Jude 13; Mt. 8:12). In Egypt, (Ex.
10:21-23), the Bible says that Darkness was felt by people during the plagues
upon the land.
§ Eternal
Death (Rev. 20:13-14). It is quite obvious that at that
time, There Will Be NO Second Chances! No More Hope of Being Saved! This death
does not mean annihilation or extinction; It means Separation from LIGHT!
§ Unspeakable
Sorrow-Mk. 9; Matt. 13; Lk. 13; and many other passages
speak of the awful sorrows that will be in Hell! Bitter, Biting, Burning
Remorse & Memory (Lk. 16) Dan. 12:2
speaks about shame and everlasting contempt."
§ Unsatisfied
desires (Lk. 16) Like the rich man in Hell thirsting for just
a drop of water to cool his parched tongue, YOU too will have cravings that
will never be satisfied.
§ Despair
& Hopelessness (Mt. 25:41; 46; Rev. 14:10-11) One thing
that is clearly taught in the Scriptures - Hell is Forever and Ever and Ever!
§ Unquenchable
Flame of Fire (Matt. 13:41-42; 49-50).
§ Sounds
produced by those in Hell (Mk. 9; Matt. 13). The flesh worms
eating at one’s flesh! The Weeping and Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth!
Jesus tells us very
plainly why Hell was created. It was designed as a place of eternal punishment
for Satan and his demonic followers (Mt. 25:41). And, we know that at the end
of the Tribulation Period, Satan, along with the Antichrist and the False
Prophet will be cast into Hell (Rev. 20:10). But, there are others in Hell!
Jude speaks of certain angels “which kept not their first estate” as being in
Hell (Jude 6). Is Hell then just a place for spiritual beings who have rebelled
against God? No! In Matthew 25:41, Jesus sends a group of people away into
Hell! In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells us the story of a rich man who died and
went to Hell. The Bible is clear about who will be in Hell. Psalm 9:17 tells us
that the “wicked will be turned into Hell”. The bottom line is this: everyone
who rejects God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ will go to Hell (Jn
8:24; 2 Thes. 1:9-10).
What Is the Saddest Thing
about Going to Hell?
The Saddest Thing About
Going to Hell Is - realizing that you don’t have to go there!
How to avoid the road going to Hell?
1.
Recognize the fact that you are a sinner - Rom. 3:10; 23; Rom. 5:12.
2.
Understand the penalty that God has placed on sin - Rom. 6:23.
3.
Know what God did to save you from your sins - Rom. 5:6-9.
4.
Turn from your sins, make confession and place your faith in Jesus alone for
your salvation - Rom. 10:9-13.
5.
God’s plan of salvation is as simple as pure faith in Jesus: Eph. 2:8-9; Acts
16:31; Jn 3:16; Jn 6:47; Jn 5:25.
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