I don't normally use the Living Bible, but enjoy the way it puts this particular passage. Psalm 49:

"LISTEN, EVERYONE! HIGH and low, rich and poor, all around the world - listen to my words, for they are wise and filled with insight.

I will tell in song accompanied by harps the answer to one of life's most perplexing problems: There is no need to fear when times of trouble come, even though surrounded by enemies! They trust in their wealth and boast about how rich they are, yet not one of them, though rich as kings, can ransom his own brother from the penalty of sin! For God's forgiveness does not come that way. For a soul is far too precious to be ransomed by mere earthly wealth. There is not enough of it in all the earth to buy eternal life for just one soul, to keep it out of hell.

Rich man! Proud man! Wise man! You must die like all the rest! You have no greater lease on life than foolish, stupid men. You must leave your wealth to others. You name your estates after yourselves as though your lands could be forever yours, and you could live on them eternally. But man with all his pomp must die like any animal. Such is the folly of these men, though after they die they will be quoted as having great wisdom.

Death is the shepherd of all mankind. And 'in the morning' those who are evil will be the slaves of those who are good. For the power of their wealth is gone when they die; they cannot take it with them.

But as for me, God will redeem my soul from the power of death, for he will receive me. So do not be dismayed when evil men grow rich and build their lovely homes. For when they die they carry nothing with them! Their honors will not follow them. Though a man calls himself happy all through his life - and the world loudly applauds success - yet in the end he dies like everyone else, and enters eternal darkness.

For man with all his pomp must die like any animal."

I'd like for you to answer a question for me. What's the difference between and orange? Think about the question as you go along. We will examine it later.

This study has to do with a topic, which is seemingly not controversial, for I see very little written on the subject today. It is a topic of little importance for I have never personally heard a sermon preached on the subject. It is a topic that is quickly becoming obsolete in our SOPHISTICATED WORLD for we never talk about it any more.

Though it is seemingly being put aside, I feel this doctrine is of utmost importance. It is to me a doctrine, which is imperative to our understanding of other doctrines.

Without this doctrine -- A PROPER concept of this doctrine: we cannot properly understand heaven; we cannot properly understand Christ's work on the cross; we cannot properly understand Christ's suffering on the cross; we cannot properly understand salvation; we cannot properly understand witnessing; we cannot properly understand evangelism; we cannot properly understand God's justice; we cannot properly understand God's holiness; we cannot properly understand God's righteousness - NEEDLESS TO SAY I BELIEVE THIS IS A DOCTRINE OF SOME IMPORTANCE!

Jesus spoke of a place just outside Jerusalem several times during His ministry. He spoke of the sanitary landfill just outside of Jerusalem. This landfill was large and constantly aflame with burning refuse, trash, and garbage. This city dump is the topic we want to deal with in our study.

Now, you're wondering what the Jerusalem sanitary landfill and a goofy question have to do with spiritual things RIGHT? TRUST ME! THEY RELATE - I PROMISE - YOU'LL SEE!

There are several terms in Scripture translated hell. Let's look at these briefly.

The Hebrew word Sheol is translated hell 31 of 65 times in the Old Testament. It is also translated grave. I think that a good study of the usage of the term might bring about the change of the translation grave to hell in many cases. The Greek word Hades is normally translated hell. Another Greek word, gehenna is translated hell. This is the word used of the sanitary landfill as well. It was originally the valley of Hinnom and in Christ's time signified the after tormented after life. (You might enjoy the background of the place: II Chr. 28:3; 33:6; 88:6; Jer 7:31) Christ uses the term in Mk. 9:44 "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." When Christ spoke of eternal punishment the Jews knew exactly what He was talking about!

Now! What do I mean by this somewhat obscure question? What's the difference between an orange? It is meant probably most of all to illustrate a great lack in our witnessing today.

There is only one logical answer to this question and that is this, "A banana doesn't have any bones." You say that doesn't make any sense. You probably right! HOWEVER, I believe it makes as much sense as some of the witnessing that goes on today in America, as well as around the world.

What do I mean? I'm glad you asked that question! Let me illustrate it for you. What facts do you present to a person when you tell them about Christ? You are a sinner. You need to be saved. Accept Christ and be saved.

IF this is all you include in your witness, I believe you are presenting a question very similar to, "What's the difference between an orange?" You have given them a question that probably makes no sense to them. You have told them they need to be saved - but the question in their mind is, "Saved from what?" If they ask you what they need to be saved from you will reply, "From your sin." Ha - who wants to be saved from their sin? Please tell me who wants to be saved from their sin! FORGET IT! THEY ARE ENJOYING SIN TO THE HILT --- WHY BE SAVED FROM IT?

If you think for one minute that the average American is concerned about sin or even concerned about what sin might be --- you are not up to date. The average American today IF, and I mean IF, he knows what sin is, he certainly is not concerned about being saved from it. To save Joe America from sin is to take away all his fun.

John 8 talks about the sin of lying. If you were to save many Americans from only their lying you would render them speechless. Some people lie as if it were normal English grammar.

You see something has happened in America today! Nasty, mean old Lucifer has gone underground. He's convinced the unsaved that he doesn't exist. He's convinced the unsaved that there is no such thing as sin. If it's okay to you then it's okay! He's convinced the unsaved that there is no such thing as hell. (even if there is, it's only here on earth.) He's convinced the unsaved that everyone is going to heaven. He's convinced the unsaved that a loving God wouldn't have a judgment -- God loves us too much. He's convinced the saved that it isn't good to talk about hell -- that's too negative. He's convinced the saved that it's only a separation from God. He's convinced the saved that if we talk about hell it will scare people off. He's convinced the saved that hell isn't a useful point of evangelism.

TELL ME! If you tell a lost soul he's going to be "separated from God if he doesn't accept Christ," SO WHAT! HE'S SEPARATED FROM GOD NOW AND HE'S ENJOYING HIMSELF!

How do you approach the lost, concerning eternal separation from God? Do you use terms like, you'll be lost, you'll be separated from God, you won't enter heaven, you need to have a relationship with Christ, you will be condemned Or do you use the term Hell and describe what hell is, what it is going to be like, and how terrible it is going to be.

A television evangelist put it this way when speaking of the judgment day. Rough quote. "If you've repented then you will have a reward, but if you haven't repented -- pause -- oh what a day." I think that we need to be a little more specific!

I was reading in a fundamentalist magazine some years back and the man was communicating what was involved in the Gospel. His first three points were good but he ended with the point that your acceptance or refusal determines your testimony. THIS COMES FROM A FUNDAMENTALIST! A FUNDAMENTALIST PASTOR EVEN! Acceptance or refusal determines your eternal destiny not just your testimony. Personally the eternal destiny is a bit more important!

There was no mention of hell or coming punishment. This isn't the whole story - we need Paul Harvey, you know, The Rest of the Story!

Look at the tracts that are available today - I have looked for tracts for years that explain eternal hell. I did finally, just recently, find one that mentions hell and uses the concept.

There is a doctrine found in Scripture concerning this topic of Hell and I firmly believe that we had better get a handle on it and start using it in our witnessing and preaching! We don't talk about it anymore. We don't teach about it anymore. We don't preach about it anymore. We don't tell others about it anymore. Worst of all we aren't teaching about it in many of our schools and seminaries. To my best recollection I have never been taught about hell. In seven years of Bible schools and seminaries - not one class, study or even chapel message.

I read an article some time ago that was in one of the leading newsmagazines. It was on the declining American view of hell. One of the "theologians" that was interviewed mentioned that he thought hell was one of the doctrines of the church that theologians were struggling with. While they wrestle with doctrines people are dying and wrestling in torment - in Hell! Excuse me but I think we are blowing it in our evangelism!

Did the doctrine of hell just pass into the closet of ignored doctrines and die? NO! Scripture talks about it - we should also talk about it.

Let's talk about hell for a moment or two.

Let me share with you a few modern misconceptions of hell. Some say that God won't condemn anyone to Hell. In the first church that I pastored, in the first message I delivered, I was interrupted by a young hippie that wanted to ask me a question. He told me that God loved everyone and that He surely would not condemn nor judge anyone. I proceeded to share a few passages from the Word that countered his false philosophy. These people forget John 8 which teaches that there are two classes of people - God's children and the Devil's children. True, God's children will escape hell, however the children of the Devil will certainly face it!

Another current concept of hell is that we have hell here on earth. The starving, the crime ridden, the oppressed of the world are suffering their hell here on earth. How foolish a philosophy in view of the Biblical teaching on hell. No suffering here on earth can hold a candle, pardon the pun, to the torment and suffering of hell.

This concept and line of thinking blames everything on our society - not sin. Let's name sin as sin and not cover it up by using people's suffering as a crutch to justify such rebellion.

One of their claims is, "Alcoholism is a disease."

Bologna - it's sin. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that Americans spend millions of dollars per year to catch. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that is bottled and sold to the public for their enjoyment. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that is advertised on national Television. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that people are reluctant to give up. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that is taxed in our country. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that can be purchased duty free on international flights. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that is served at meals and parties. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that you need to talk the patient into getting rid of. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease whose side effects are illegal. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease the Bible teaches against. If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that can keep you out of the Kingdom of God (I Cor. 6:10). If alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease that is dispensed in restaurants.

The alcoholic has a terrible problem! We must help deal with it, but we need to stop calling it a disease!

Our televisions are full of; "Homosexuality is a different lifestyle." Bologna - it's sin. Our televisions are full of; "Living together is the in thing." NO! It's sin!

A recent talk show had a panel of young people that for one reason or another had chosen not to have intimate relations until married. The audience did not receive them well at all. In fact, they were almost held as odd or weird for their decision.

Let's face up to this garbage the world is handing us and call it what it is and deal with it as it is - SIN!

Others believe hell is only a term for the grave - when we die it's all over - "there ain't no more." This is usually based on the Old Testament translation of "sheol" as grave. (Or should we say poor translation.)

A woman with the Universalist Church was asked what she said to people that were dying. (This is a rough quote.) After a pause she said, "I just recently talked with my son - he was about to have surgery and they didn't know how it would come out. I tried to encourage him by letting him know what a good person he had been and that he had meant a lot to many people." THANKS A LOT, MOM! WHAT A HORRIBLE WAY TO GO THROUGH LIFE - NOT KNOWING THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH!

Secular research has shown that there are fewer suicides in religious families. A measurable difference in the rates. They feel that a belief in an after life helps a person to cope with this life.

Don't be fooled into thinking it's only the depraved and ungodly that have these concepts of hell. Many main line denominations are teaching people that God is a God of love and that He would never condemn anyone. Surveys have been taken in main line denominations that show a large percentage of the ministers do not believe in a real Devil or a literal hell.

The sum and substance of what I've been saying is this: To the Jew, hell was an ever-present concept. This concept was carried over into the New Testament. The early church and later church fathers held to a literal hellfire - a time of eternal torment. The great revivals of only a few decades ago were based on a strong belief in Hell. But today we seldom mention it.

I'd like to ask a question - can we today witness to a people who basically don't believe in hell - without telling them what hell is and what hell is like? Can they really make a proper decision concerning Christ is we've only told them half the information?

What's the difference between an orange? Do you want to be saved? TWO QUESTIONS. They seem to be of the same type, to me, in today's society!

The next question I'd like to ask: If I were to give you a pencil and paper how many things could you tell me about hell? Do we really know what Christ saved us from?

Let us take only a quick look at hell. I'm going to mention a topic concerning what hell is going to be like with reference, then a brief comment.

1. DARKNESS: Matt. 8:12 (outer darkness); Ps. 49:19 ("they shall never see light") When in the service we had darken ship drills during which we closed all outside hatches and portholes so that if you were only a few feet away on a cloudy night you could not see the ship. From time to time I would have to go out on deck without a flashlight ---- that's dark ---- you can feel the darkness --- you begin to wonder if you are going to get where you are going. You wonder if the next step is going to be a wet one! Many times when in on deck during darken ship, I would get on my hands and knees and feel my way along.

2. BOUND: Matt. 22:13 ("...bind him hand and foot, and take him away" [outer darkness]) This may be the idea of the grave clothes seen in Jn. 11:44. Wrapped as a mummy may well be the idea! When in Denver we attended a small church for a special speaker from India. After teaching was over we went to prayer on our knees. I was back in the corner where there wasn't any legroom and my knees don't take well to hard floors due to cracked cartilage. To make a long story short, the prayer time went a long time. As time went on the pain increased in my knees. Not wanting to make a lot of noise, I refrained from moving until I couldn't stand the pain any longer and I got up on my chair with much noise and embarrassment. At that moment I could identify, somewhat, with the binding of hell.

3. MEMORY: Luke 16 (rich man remembered) All the times you had the gospel presented to you. All the Bibles you could have read.

All the sermons you didn't listen to. The family and friends still alive (Luke 16:28 the rich man wanted Lazarus to be sent to testify to his five brothers - "lest they also come into this place of torment.").

4. CONSCIENCE: You will have all of your past sins to confront you for eternity. The story is told of a woman that had beaten her child to death. The woman finally went to the insane asylum because she could never get rid of the cries of her child. How much worse for eternity - thinking of the wrong you had done?

5. LUST AND DESIRE: Rev. 22:11 indicates the nature of the person before death will carry over into eternity. Can you imagine the eternal, never-ending desire and lust of an alcoholic or an adulterer for their sin?

6. NO HOPE: Isa. 38:18 "For Sheol cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee; they that go down into the pit cannot hope for they truth." Prov. 11:7 "When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish; and the hope of unjust men perisheth." No hope of ever seeing light again. No hope of ever moving freely again. No hope of ever being released. No hope of ever having a clear conscience. Death ends it - no hope! These verses also destroy the philosophy that everyone will be given a second chance to accept Christ after death.

7. FIRE: Jude 7 ("...eternal fire"); Matt. 5:22 (..."hell fire"); Mark 9:44 ("fire is not quenched") The Old Testament sacrifices were a picture of the taking care of sin. As an Old Testament saint, you were to place your hand on the head of the sacrifice to indicate that you were accepting the death of the animal as a sacrifice for your sin. The sacrifice was then burned in your place. To the person today that has not placed his hand on the head of the sacrifice, Christ, we must tell them

that they will be burned. There is one difference however for the sacrifice of the Old Testament was consumed. The Bible tells us that the eternal torment is forever and as the song goes, "that's a long, long time!"

8. COMPANIONS: Rev. 22:15; Rev. 21:8 (read) ("But the fearful, unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.") Murderers, liars, and robbers. Nice to know that the one next to you, if you could talk to him or see him, is a murderer. We are concerned with the company our kids keep here in this life - have we helped them with their company in the next life?

With companions like the preceding you will be in great fear. When I was little I had to walk along a very dark street. I would run as fast as possible but all the time I was running I could almost feel someone close behind. I would arch my back to avoid their clutches.

10. ISOLATION: Jude 13 This speaks not only of darkness but also of wandering stars. This indicates to me that there will be a great separation between the inhabitants of hell.

11. PAIN: Physical pain I'm sure. Mental pain. Knowing what you were missing by not being in heaven --- eternally knowing this! And they will know, for they will glimpse the glories of heaven as they bow at the feet of Jesus. (Phil. 2:9-11) Imagine - seeing the glories of Christ and heaven and then being cast into hell for eternity!

There are other things probably that we didn't cover, however, I would think this list is more than adequate to get an unsaved person to thinking about whether he really wants to reject Christ or not.

My concept is that of bound hand and foot, floating through space, never seeing, only crying in torment because of the heat and pain. I had a dream once -- I was crying out, but there was no sound. I was in great danger and terror yet no one could hear me. I have often thought that this must be a small portion of what hell will be like.

It seems to me that we know very little about eternity, however I do believe that hell is going to be just as horrible to the unsaved as heaven is going to be wonderful for the saved.

Many don't see hell as being forever. The term forever indicates just that - forever. It is used of God continuing forever. We might mention Matt. 25:46 which says in a context of separation of the just and the unjust, "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal."

(everlasting and eternal are the same word.) If hell isn't eternal then heaven isn't either, and this is unacceptable in light of Scripture!

To hold to anything except a literal, eternal hell is to reject part of Scripture.

Let's recap: By hell I am referring to eternal torment for the lost. Hell is a literal place of torment. Hell is not believed in by many people today. Because they don't believe in hell we must then teach them about it.

This may sound odd but missionaries in some countries of Europe have to teach people there is a God before they can witness.

We're, talking about: Do you want to be saved today? There, the impossible question is: Do you know God loves you? THEY DON'T KNOW WHO GOD IS! PEOPLE IN AMERICA DON'T KNOW WHAT HELL IS!

To what point of application have we come?

As witnessing Christians let's give the unsaved a proper understanding of what saved means. Tell them about hell and their place in it if they don't accept Christ as personal Savior. He needs to be saved from 1) his sin nature, and 2) a life of sin, as well as from 3) hell and 4) eternal separation from God.

Scripture gives both sides of the decision -- why shouldn't we? Jn. 3:16 for example contrasts everlasting life and perishing. Rom. 6:23 a tried and worn witnessing verse, yet how often we skim over the death part and get on to the gift and a decision based on a partial knowledge. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord." Give them enough information to make a proper decision! (Sin brings death - Rev. 20 and 21 mention this death. 20:15 and 21:8 "...Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.")

Let's think about how terrible hell is going to be. It may move us to witness a little more often. Let hell put some fire into your witnessing.

If you are not a born again Christian then you have this day been fully warned of your eternal destiny. You know what hell is going to be like and you have a decision to make. Not a "What's the difference between an orange" decision but an "accept Christ or go to hell" decision.

Christian, do you have a better understanding of salvation? Of what Christ did for you? Of heaven? Let's put a little hell into our teaching and preaching and witnessing.

Jeremiah at God's direction, a large number of times, warned the nation of Israel of the coming punishment if they did not turn to God. This was physical punishment for their sin and wickedness. If, for physical punishment that might come, there were so many warnings SURELY FOR SPIRITUAL PUNISHMENT WE SHOULD WARN THE LOST! In Jer. 36:3 God finally tells Jeremiah to write all that he had told Israel down on a scroll "It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; That they my return every man from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin."

May we warn our world, may we warn our country, may we warn our town, may we warn our families, that God is ready to "forgive" them.

Consider the following: The Bible tells us that 'all have sinned and come short of the glory of God' (Rom. 3:23)! You are sinners and deserve the very best that Satan has to offer and that is, his eternal repose, that is, his eternal dwelling place, that is, the eternal burning fire of hell."

The sinner is lost and on his way to hell and nothing can stop that descent into the place prepared for him lest he call on the merciful name of Jesus Christ.

Your choice is heaven or hell. Your choice is eternal delight or eternal agony. Your choice is eternal life or eternal death. Your choice is the refreshing waters of the river of life or the flames of hell. Your choice is eternity with the Father or eternity with the father of lies. Your choice is eternal comfort or eternal suffering. Your choice is eternal joy or eternal sorrow.

Your choice is a glorified body or a tormented body. Your choice is accept Jesus Christ as your Savior or accept the consequences of following the devil into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:10; 20:15)

That is if you call that a choice. TO ME THE CHOICE IS OBVIOUS TO THE MOST CASUAL OBSERVER! To put it as one flippant observer of the Gospel has put it; "It's turn or burn!"

Now if I were to preach like that in many churches today I'd never be asked to return. Today we don't confront like that. Today we don't condemn like that. Today we don't antagonize like that. Today we don't confront sin like that.

Today we "get to know." Today we "build friendships." Today we "build relationships." TODAY OVER 3000 LOST SOULS SLIP INTO ETERNAL HELL PER HOUR -- SOMETHING IS WRONG! Think of it - while you eat your lunch or watch a television show 3000 lost souls die and go into eternal torment.

WHILE WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS PEOPLE ARE DYING! Now relationships are important in some cases, but I think Christians may be hiding behind the covers of a book because it is very safe and comfortable - they can just "get to know" until spiritual things tumble into the conversation. This method works so well you've noticed how the number of conversions has been on the increase lately - churches are bulging - even Christ built relationships in the Gospels. Take the nobleman that came to Christ to ask him to heal his son (Jn. 4:46ff) - or the woman at the well (Jn. 4:5ff). He took several months becoming friends, right? NOT! to use a current terminology. Paul with the Philippian jailer. Paul had him over for a barbecue and took him deep sea fishing - and finally was able to witness to him, right? NOT!

NO! Christ didn't take weeks or days or hours - only minutes. NO! Paul gave out the simple message of the Gospel. NO! The church isn't growing - it's shrinking. One of the major fundamental movements set a panel to study why there was no growth

in their organization. THEY DON'T NEED A PANEL - WE NEED TO WITNESS!

While we build relationships the Mormons are building temples and churches to house their new people. While we build relationships the Jehovah's Witnesses build halls to house their new people.

While we build relationships the cults are burying us in their false systems. I'm told that the number of Christians has not changed drastically since the early 1800's, yet world population as tripled!

While we build relationships the world is slipping into hell.

Yes, build your relationships with the lost, but don't use this as your only witnessing! Yes, build your relationships with the lost, but don't use it as an excuse for not confronting others with the Gospel.

Hell is an ever-present reality. Hell is an ever-present danger to the lost. Hell is an ever-present fact that we need to communicate to the lost!

You know the phrase "It's turn or burn" may be uncouth, but you have to admit that it gets the message across. The alternatives to accepting Jesus Christ are limited. Indeed they are only one and that is "burn!"

We may be uncomfortable with the thought of the lost burning eternally but maybe that is why the Church has lost its zeal. Maybe that is why we aren't witnessing as we ought. Maybe that is why God isn't really blessing the Church. MAYBE WE NEED TO GET UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE THOUGHT OF BURNING SOULS! MAYBE WE NEED TO GET UP IN THE MORNING AND SPEND A MOMENT OR TWO THINKING ABOUT THE ETERNAL TORMENT OF THOSE THAT WE WILL BE SEEING THAT DAY. MAYBE WE NEED TO EMPATHIZE WITH THOSE THAT WE HAVE KNOWN THAT HAVE GONE TO ETERNITY WITHOUT THE GOSPEL.

"So shall it be at the end of the age; the angels shall come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous," Matt. 13:49 Earlier in the chapter the Lord also mentions that the angels will be used for the gathering of the lost of the ages in preparation for their eternal state. Can you picture the multitude of angels scattered across the face of the earth seeking out those that are to be condemned to eternal torment?

One is reminded of the Michelangelo work which depicts the ferryman beating the lost from his boat onto the shore of Hell. The agony on the faces of those men only depicts a taste of the true agony that will be had for all eternity by those that refuse the precious work of the Cross. Michelangelo had a proper fear of hell. We need to give this concept to the lost.

We have been chosen to be ambassadors of the One that offers so freely this salvation and yet we fail so miserably in our duty to share this truth with the world!

Today nine out of ten full time Christian workers labor in the United States while one in ten labors on the foreign field, indeed to the Church’s detriment, we cannot always get the one in ten to the field. Many are ready to be thrust out into the harvest fields yet there is no financial means whereby they might be sent.

There is another aspect to this study. What is the Christian's relationship to the eternal punishment? Some say we will not see any of this -- we will be in eternal joy. To those, I say this. CONSIDER Luke 16:26. It seems at the very least the lost and the righteous could see one another. It is also indicated that there may be a desire on the part of the righteous to help the lost yet they won't be able to. True, this is the intermediate state but I must wonder. CONSIDER Isa. 66:22-24. The context is God bringing Israel back from the ends of the earth and God states that they will ever be before Him. The indication is that somehow the tormented will be visible in some way to those that are eternally before God. I do not know for fact that we in eternal joy will see those in eternal torment, but there seems to be that possibility.

I would like to shift gears for a moment. While in Ireland I was speaking to an Irish gentleman about my trip over from Oregon. I mentioned that I had a layover in New York City. He looked at me as openly as could be and said, "Oh, I have a friend in New York City - do you suppose you know him?"

The missionaries in Ireland have had great difficulty facing this attitude. This attitude of the world being like their world. Their world consists of a small town of a few thousand and maybe the neighboring town. They have no concept of what the real world is like, indeed, they are not really aware that there IS a world out there. This is not to speak against the Irish. I suspect that this is true in many countries of the world. It is their perception of the world around them.

In one town the missionaries have been able to reach only a few people that have not been out of county they live in for a look at the world. It seems that if a person leaves their home they find out the world is there. When they return to home they are much more receptive to the Gospel. Most of the converts there are people that have left and then returned.

We may find this quaint, or odd, or backward, but I fear most Christians are in a similar frame of mind. I fear that most Christians don't know that there is a world out there. I was recently told that Moody has released a survey that shows that within two years of conversion over 90% of Christians have no non-Christian friends. Ninety percent of us within two years of being saved have completely isolated ourselves from the lost.

Separation from the sin of the lost is a necessity, but separation from the lost is a sin. How can we obey the great commission if we have no contact with the lost world?

I believe that the Church has little concept of what the lost are thinking in our society today! Do we really know that there's a world out there? Do we really know that there are lost people everywhere on their way to hell?

INDEED, DO WE REALLY CARE THAT HALF THE WORLD HAS NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL! Half the world is 2 billion. I was asked to take counseling time at an Awana for 3rd - 6th graders. I wanted to illustrate 2 billion. I used M&M's. To eat 2 billion M&M's you'd have to eat 274 3/4 bags per day for 50 years! I trust that the thought of two billion people has more meaning to you than M&M's, but maybe that will give you some idea of the magnitude of the job before missionaries today.

If the present missionary force today were to witness to one new person per day it would take that force over 130 years to reach the untold world as we know it today. Indeed, the world's population will increase by one billion in the next ten years!

Our generation is responsible for giving the gospel to our generation. How can we say we are serving God if we aren't obeying Christ's Great Commission? Let me quote it for you. "And Jesus came and spoke unto them saying, All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen." Matt. 28:18,19,20

To just tell those that have never heard the gospel it would take a missionary force 5 times as large as we have today working a lifetime (30 years) witnessing to a new person every day of the year the rest of his life.

WE ARE NOT REACHING ALL NATIONS TODAY! INDEED, IF AN IMPARTIAL OBSERVER OF STATISTICS WERE TO LOOK AT THE DATA I'M SURE THAT HE WOULD CONCLUDE THAT WE ARE TRYING ONLY TO REACH OUR OWN NATION.

Indeed, some today are suggesting that we increase our emphasis in the U.S. We are spending 90% of our monies here now and not growing. How can we believe more money will help here? More heart, more service, more witnessing, YES. More money, I'm not sure.

Yes, there is a world out there! Yes, those millions are lost and on their way to hell! Yes, it is our responsibility to tell them! But we aren't.

One of Israel's great sins was not being a witness for their God. If a sojourner came to them to follow their God they would accept them in, but they did not go out to tell others of Jehovah. I Chr. 16:24 shows they were to tell of God! Today we have thousands of churches waiting for the lost to come into the services so the pastor can preach to them. Christ said Go, not wait. We are to Go - witnessing!

Maybe the personal testimony of a man in the torment that we've been speaking of will help you understand the importance of what I have said. Luke 16 is the account of Lazarus and the rich man. Both have died and Lazarus is in joy, while the rich man is in torment. "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." Lu. 16:24 (verse 23 "being in torment"- verse 28 "this place of torment.")

Another passage that you might read is II Thess. 1:7-9, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"

Two billion plus are waiting for the light unto salvation! We spend more in America on pet care than on missions. We spent 6 times more on diet pop last year than on missions. (1985) Christians in the last two years spent as much on Christian tapes, records, and concerts as they did last year on missions (late 80's).

SOMETHING IS DRASTICALLY WRONG! Where are the priorities? A church that I know of pays for their custodian but does not pay their guest speakers. Pay to have the bathrooms cleaned, but not to have their flock fed. Many churches have more aerobics classes than prayer meetings. Many of these same churches preach against rock, yet use it to exercise with.

WHERE ARE THE PRIORITIES? We pack the church parking lots on Thursday night for the church softball league, yet we can't fill a small room on Wednesday night for prayer meeting. The Lord said to take up our cross daily. Some do -- that ball bat must kill their shoulders after awhile. We won't talk about the cost of the equipment and uniforms. Bible College graduates are turning down $20,000 a year and a parsonage because it isn't enough money.

WHERE ARE THE PRIORITIES? We could mention the gross materialism that is loose in the church today. We could mention the million dollar buildings. We could mention statistics in-nausium! OUR PRIORITIES IN AMERICAN CHURCHES ARE TOTALLY MESSED UP! We want to me comfortable and have fun. Who cares about the world that is going to hell.

I was one of several missionaries at a conference recently at a Chinese church. The pastor took us out for authentic Chinese food. I won't go into the details of the food - you know, chicken's feet - let it suffice to say the little girls of one of the couples were not impressed. The next day we went out again for Chinese food. The mother was trying to get the little girl to eat something and the girl's very audible reply was, "But Mommy, that stuff makes me barf!"

I wonder about the Lord Jesus as He views the church in America today! Rev. 3:15,16 "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So, then, because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth." Jesus picked the illustration! -- not me! He is going to spew, spit, or vomit, depending on the translation this church out of His mouth. The Laodocean church made Christ sick. This stuff makes Christ barf!

Let us close with those words from the place of torment. "I am tormented in this flame." May they move us to action be it seeking a Savior or serving a Savior! "I AM TORMENTED IN THIS FLAME"

Remember 3000 lost souls slip into torment every hour - 24 hours per day - seven days per week - 365 days per year - almost 44 million souls per year. OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS BELIEVERS IS TO REACH OUR GENERATION.

"I am tormented in this flame"

I would like to quote from a Bethany Farms Christmas card that I received in 1986. (Copyright 1985)

"Twas the Night Before Jesus Came"

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care

in hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap

Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray

I knew in a moment this must the THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head

It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,

Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;

When He said! It’s not here! my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound.

While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;

I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;

Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;

The coming of Jesus is drawing near.

There's only one life and when comes the last call

We'll find that the Bible was true after all!