This week, I want to share with all of you a thought I shared in a recent sermon. Let’s begin with these questions:
   …Do you, personally, believe in a real, literal Hell?
   …Do you believe the torment in Hell is horrendous?
   …Do you believe that Hell is eternal [forever and ever]?
   …Do you believe that those who reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior go to Hell?
I think that most of you who are reading this Newsletter would answer “Yes” to those questions. But do we really, really, believe that truth?

I love watching football. High School, college, or pro, I like it all. Maybe it was just the particular games I watched this past year, but I seemed to see a certain play several times. The Quarterback hands the ball to the Runningback. Blocking is good. A few of those on defense grab at the Runningback as he bursts through the line. They miss, and he runs untouched to the endzone. Another play goes like this: the man with the ball is at the 5 yard line, struggling to score. Someone on defense has him around the legs, striving with all his might to prevent that man from crossing into the endzone.

Okay Pastor, what does football have to do with Hell? I see a parallel. As a man who has been a Christian for over 70 years and who has been in the ministry for over 60 years, I see a very troubling picture. It seems to me, that these days, far too many of our family, friends, and neighbors, are sprinting basically untouched, straight to Hell. So many Christians appear to have no burden for the unsaved. Years ago, I was often approached by someone asking me to pray for a specific unbeliever. I was asked to accompany them as we went to a home to share Jesus. Prayer requests were made,  by name,  for the lost as we met in our services. Most of that seldom happens today. So sad!!!

What has happened to our agonizing prayer for the unsaved? From the time I was born again as an 8 year old, until my Dad was saved over 40 years later, I felt like I was that man on defense. I was holding on to Dad’s legs spiritually, praying for his salvation. “Lord, please save my Daddy. Lord, Please don’t let the Rapture come until Dad is saved”. I witnessed when I could. I could not stand the thought of my Daddy spending an eternity in Hell. [I am sure that my Mom and others had their prayer arms around Dad’s legs as well]. It took over 40 years, but at last our prayers were answered. Daddy accepted Jesus. Praise the Lord.

Friends, if we really believe Hell is real, how can we watch folks sprint almost untouched spiritually on their dash into that horrible eternity? In Ezekial 33:7-9 God calls us to be “watchmen” on the wall, warning people of the danger that is coming. God holds us responsible for whether or not we warn those who may be destroyed. We cannot be saved for them, but we can tell them how to be saved. Remember, also, the main instruction of Jesus, “Go and make disciples”. [Matthew 28:18-20

How many unbelievers do you have around the legs spiritually, trying to prevent their descent into Hell?

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church is at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $ 1114.04–Our gift to our local Pregnancy Resource Center. THANK YOU for this fantastic offering of love
5. $ 325–Our beginning gift for the Annie Armstrong Offering for mission work in the USA. Let’s add to that amount in the next few weeks

WATCHMEN —Shout out the warning–Tell the good news–JESUS SAVES all who will believe

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church