“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

Matthew 5:29 NIV

Why would a loving God send people to hell?

• “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Matthew 5:29 NIV
• “‘They have built the high places of  Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire …’”Jeremiah 7:31 NIV

Hell exists for God to righteously punish Satan.

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:10 NIV

Hell exists for God to righteously punish evil

• He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might … c2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV
• “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:19-21 NIV
• “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ²⁴So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” Luke 16:22-24 NIV
• “… ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’” Luke 16:27-28 NIV

LESSONS FROM HELL

• The rich man was fully conscious and aware.
• The rich man’s eternity was fixed. •The rich man knew that his suffering was just.
• The rich man begged and pleaded for someone to help his brothers know Jesus.

Conclusion

• … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God … Romans 3:23 NIV
• But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.
• Romans 5:8-9 NLT The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV