A Hell Fire Sermon to Smoke Out Sinners — E.A. Johnston

The Certainty of Death and Eternity

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we read one generation Passes the way in another generation cometh, but the earth abideth forever. You're gonna die friend. Some of you are gonna die Sooner than you think.

Some of you may be living your last year on this earth before you're taken out of this world Separated from your loved ones by sudden death. Are you prepared to die? Are you prepared for? Eternity this message.

Hearing the Word of God Before Judgment

I'm going to preach to you tonight. May be one of the most important messages you've ever heard. Because it may be one of the last ones you'll ever hear. You better pay attention friend and get the wax out of your ears and hear the Word of God tonight.

Because if you let me I'm gonna take you by the hand and walk you over to the very verge of eternity and Confront you with the last judgment and the God of that eternity. Preachers of former days who were used to God and salvation of souls Had a pattern to their preaching and a purpose to it.

One such preacher was the evangelist Rolf Barnard. In this evening friends I will begin my message to you with a story that happened to him. Because it sets the stage for where we want to go tonight. And I want the same thing that occurred back yonder in those days Under his preaching to occur here tonight friends.

I want God to work in the salvation of souls. Here is his story. Taken from his words from my biography on Rolf Barnard. Please listen carefully while I read you his story. I promise you'll be worth your while.

Here it is friends here now or his words. In Texas many years ago while I was a student in Southwestern Seminary there was a little mining town nearby. And I went one summer. While I was in school and I held what is called revival services I began to meet and there on Sunday night.

The Revival Meeting and the Thirty-Three Miners

I got up that night and I preached. I Remember I preached on hell that night and dismissed the congregation. Praying that the Holy Spirit would speak to hearts and disturb people as we stood there. Something touched my shoulder.

I looked around and the old white-haired pastor stood there his face drenched in tears. He said brother preacher might I say a few words, of course he might and he said Folks, let's don't go home for a few minutes.

I just can't let you go right now. Some buddy happened to look at his watch and exactly 33 minutes later a lot had happened that that pastor stood there with his face in tears and he pointed men out and Called them by their given name.

I've never seen anything like it. He'd been pastor there over 30 years. He knew them by their given name. He'd say Bill. I just can't let you go tonight. And he preached to Bill and here came Bill and he'd say Jim.

I can't let you go tonight and he preached to Jim and here came giant Jim. And he did that 33 men one by one. Nobody left. He just called those men by name and talked to them and here they came. 33 minutes later 33 men were lined up.

I don't know whether they got saved or not. I find out at the judgment. Simply know this they claim to there was power there that night. There was somebody there besides us. We had a old-fashioned Handshaking.

We had 33 men professing their faith in Christ. Everybody made their living in the coal mine, but Monday night. I didn't preach. I was going to preach but they didn't have a service that Monday night.

Monday one of the mines had an explosion and caved in and some men were buried in that mine and the whistle blew and Sirens and alarms went off in that little mining town and all they did was to gather at that mine with all their equipment and While they worked feverishly.

Some prayed some cried and some cursed. But they worked get down to where those men were trapped. The timekeeper Whoever was in charge of time Consulted his books and he knew there were 33 men trapped down in that mine.

They worked feverishly and hard and finally they got to them and one by one They hauled up the bodies of those 33 men who were crushed in that mine. Every one of them was dead and they were the same 33 men that lined up there in church the previous night and said they had Received Christ.

Preaching Hell as a Warning to the Unsaved

I will stop their friends as an evangelist that story moves me deeply. Every time I relate it God saved those men before they were suddenly Removed out of this world. What happened here? First the preachers message was on hell.

Then he prayed for God's Spirit to go to work and open hearts and disturb folks. Then God showed up and began dealing with those men one by one because God knew in less than 24 hours those 33 men would be dead suddenly killed in that mine explosion.

I'm gonna use that Pattern here tonight friends if you let me. First I'm gonna preach a message on hell good the best way I know how. Then I'm gonna pray for God's Spirit to speak to hearts and go to work and Disturb folks then we're going to trust God to work among us in the salvation of souls.

And I say all these things with a heavy heart. For a fear that within the sound of my voice tonight. There's a soul not saved. There is a person who hasn't a clue that this message will be the last sermon they ever hear.

For soon, they'll suddenly die. I'm gonna suspend God's unbending law above your heads tonight friends and hold every one of you up to the strictness and severity of that law and paint it with all the colors God's Spirit gives me tonight until the earth beneath your feet begins to rumble and you see Sinai.

All together on a smoke then I'm gonna walk you over to the very verge of hell. And with God's help, I'm gonna lift the lid off that bottomless pit. Until you can smell the sulfur hear the screams of the damp of the damned.

Who is shut up in there? God says The soul that sinneth it shall die. I come to you this evening friends. With a message hot from the heart of God. It's a solemn warning at the hours late friends and the very social fabric of society.

Unravels all around us and few in the church even seem alarmed by it. And as I've been speaking to you there's been a whole lot of folks die and drop into hell because. It's been estimated that 85 people a minute on this planet died without Christ going to a crisis eternity.

That's 5 ,000 an hour. That's 120 ,000 a day. Going kicking and screaming into devil's hell. Do the math. That's nearly a million souls a week. Dropping into that bottomless pit and that hell fills over 40 million new arrivals every single year.

That's why God designed it as a bottomless pit. Because even though there are billions of people there from every generation since Adam. There's still room for you and some of you. Listen to me have one foot in the grave already.

The others on a banana peel. You're one step away from hell friend. I'm now gonna preach on hell. I'm gonna preach it so you can feel the heat from it. Hear those crackling flames as they swirl all around that great congregation of the damned.

Pray the Holy Spirit Attends this message so you can hear them screaming and hollering. In those flames because you don't want to go there friend. Trust me. You don't want to go to hell once you shut up in there.

There's no way out. I want you to take a moment. Think about what you're afraid of most. Think about what scares you the most. What is that what terrifies you. What's your worst nightmare? That's what hell is for you.

Hell is a Never-ending duration of your worst nightmare. Hell is a place of constant unrest. Have you ever been in a hospital? Tried to get a good night's sleep. It's impossible with all the intercom calls and nurses coming in and out.

To prick you and pride you. The unrest in hell is described in Isaiah. Let's look at the Word of God friends and see what God says about hell. God says hell is a region of sudden fear and terror. We read in Isaiah.

The sinners in Zion are afraid fearfulness hath Surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? God says hell is a very dark place.

Biblical Images of Hell: Darkness, Misery, and Terror

The words of Jesus and Matthew's gospel declare. Then said the king to the servants bind him Hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darkness. That word outer darkness in the Greek means a thick darkness like a fog.

A Fog you can't see through. It's so dark and hell friend. You can't see your hand in front of your face. Most people are afraid of the dark. How would you like to be shut up in a region of darkness where you couldn't even see your hand in front of your face.

All you ever hear is the constant screaming of tortured souls all around you. Hell is a living nightmare from which there is no escape. God says hell is a place of eternal misery where there's Wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Wailing speaks a great grief and loss. Gnashing of teeth signifies great anger and regret. Hell is a region of great suffering and loss. God says hell is a place of terror. Psalm 73 18 and 19 declares.

Surely Thou did set them in slippery places. Thou casteth them down into destruction. How they are brought into desolation. It's in a moment They're oddly consumed with terrors in hell. Demons will brush up against you fill you with terror.

God says it's a region of fire that never burns out and burns. Continually, we read the words of Christ in Matthew's gospel. Wherefore if thy hand or that foot Offend thee cut them off and cast them from thee.

It's better for thee to enter into life. Halt remained. Rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. It's a burning inferno that never burns out. Hell is like being caught in a burning building.

You can't escape from you just keep burning to death over and over and over and over. God says hell is a place where the wrath of God is poured out upon the unsaved. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life.

But the wrath of God Abideth on him, but that's because God is a God who must punish sin. Listen to me friend when those Roman soldiers Took Jesus and fastened him to that cross by driving nails Into his hands and feet.

Every stroke of the hammer was an explanation point crying out. God must punish sin. God must punish sin. God must punish sin. Listen to me friend are you afraid of hell? Are you afraid of demons? Are you afraid of being caught up in a place of darkness?

Hell as the Abode of Demons and Eternal Torment

Look, God says hell is an abode of demons. Then shall he say also Unto them on the left hand depart from me you cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Demons will surround you in hell.

God says hell is a region of demons and terrible torments in revelation. We read in the smoke of the torment the sanded up for ever and ever. And God says the miseries of the damned are for all eternity.

As they suffer in fire that is never extinguished. He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. God says hell is a never-ending duration. Wither worm doth not and the fire is not quenched. And we see lastly friends.

God says hell is a bottomless pit in Revelation we read. And he opened the bottomless pit and there arose a Smoke out of the pit as the smoke of a great furnace and the Sun and the air were darkened by Reason of the smoke of the pit.

I'm sure I've convinced you tonight friend. You don't want to go to a devil's hell. Don't go there. I plead with your friend. But a day is coming. We're the judge of all the earth. Will judge all men and women by his strict unbending law.

The Final Judgment and the Need for a Substitute

You will be held up to the severity of that holy law and as you stand there at that great white throne He's going to review all your works as the books are opened on your life. Everything you've done whether good or bad He's going to hold it up against that strict unbending law.

And if you stand there in your own good works and merits you will fail that test. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Every mother's son will stand there guilty Before thrice Holy God.

You must stand there in the merits of another the Lord Jesus Christ. I know I'm a sinner. I need a substitute for sin and so do you friend so do you? His blood is on my soul. Now it's time To turn this crowd over to God let him deal with your friends.

Every single last one of you deserves hell. Only the blood of Jesus can wash your sins away. God says Come now. It let us reason together. Sayeth the Lord Though your sins be as scarlet. They should be as white as snow.

Though they be red like crimson. They shall be as wool. Let me pray to God for us right now friends, please. Give me a few minutes to pray for us. This is important time here friends, please bow your heads Lord.

Prayer for Repentance and Salvation

You're gracious God Who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked? You're not willing for any to perish but all to come to repentance. That's what your word says. You say turn ye turn ye. Why will you die?

You're a great Almighty God whose arm is not too short to save. You sent your dear son Jesus to earth to be To be a bloody sacrifice for sin. Lord, I pray that you reveal your son To someone here now.

To where they see a blood-stained Christ lifted up on that cross. With his arms outstretched crying out. Look unto me and be saved All ye ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else. Let those words ring in their ears Lord.

Oh great and terrible God. I ask you to step out of heaven appear in our midst walk among us here while your Holy Spirit speaks to hearts and Disturbs. Folks let some sinner here. No, they're lost. Please don't let them just hear my old shaky voice.

But that they'll hear your voice as it comes to them in power authority and majesty. Let someone Experience you experience the Disturbing presence of Christ and be saved from their sins. I pray these things in the strong name of Jesus.

Amen. Now friends, I want you to look at me. I want you to think about that blood-stained Christ on that cross at Calvary. I want you to picture those Roman soldiers driving those nails through his tender hands and feet as they Fasten the Son of God to that cross to crucify him.

Christ’s Sacrifice and the Love of God

I want you now to look down at your hands. Look at your hands. Look at the palms of your hands. Turn over your hands. Turn your palms up and look at them. I want you to know the depth of the Lord's Jesus love.

Towards you from the prophet Isaiah who wrote concern in the heart of God towards his people. Yet will I not forget thee? Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. Look at your hands friends.

Imagine those narrow pierced hands of Christ. Now imagine your name is engraved over those nail prints in his hands. Put your name there. That's the love of God. God's elect are written on the palms of his hands.

That's the depth of the love of God towards you here in his love. Not that we love God. But that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. I'm talking plain talk to you tonight friends like we say in the South.

I'm giving you the all straight from the can. I'm not gonna comb your hair with a friendly message just to send you to hell. I came here to warn you. I came here like that man talked plainly To those miners right before they died in that mine.

Repentance, Faith, and Absolute Surrender

They were taken suddenly out of this world. Now is the time friend to turn your life over to God in repentance and faith to run the white flag. Surrender upon your soul give yourself to him and on Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

God saved those coal miners right before they were Tragically killed. They were good church members who had to be saved and God saved him that night. Rolf born had preached to him and that pastor dealt with him one by one by God's Spirit.

Cuz God showed up showed mercy gave grace. You may be living your last days friend you may be in another world. Before this week is over don't drop into a burning hell. Turn your life over to the only sacrifice for sin the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the pearl a great price. He's worth seeking and selling all for so we may be gained. But God listen to me. God will not run the white flag of peace Over your soul while you still point a shotgun at him.

You better surrender to him friend. You better throw your rebellion down at the feet of a sovereign and repent. God is looking for your absolute surrender to a living Lord. Come to him now friend while he is near give yourself to Jesus Before it's too late too late.

Seeking the Lord While He May Be Found

Listen to the Word of God friend as he pleads with you. Listen. Seek ye the Lord While he may be found. Call ye upon him While he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way in the unrighteous man His thoughts and let him return Unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly.

Pardon, that's what every sinner needs. Pardon pardon for sin. I can't save your friend any more than you can save yourself. Salvation is of the Lord. If you're saved it's because God gave you saving faith and if you're He lost.

Listen to me if you're lost here tonight friends. You're standing on the very verge of that bottomless pit at any moment. You could slip into death and down you'll go falling falling falling darker darker Darker hotter hotter hotter louder louder louder.

Stop now friend reach up to God by faith. Those 33 minors were already good Church members, but they had to be saved. Don't let your foolish pride Stand between you and Christ friend come to Christ. Jesus already knows how lost you are how much you're in need of him.

You need to be brought out of darkness into light and life. He says I Am come a light into the world. That whosoever Believeth on me Should not abide in darkness. Don't delay Coming to Christ friend. Listen, my arms aren't long enough to reach it down in hell.

But Christ's arms are open to you now Before you go there. Don't go there go straight to the arms of Jesus. Oh Friends a plum worn myself out Warning you about your danger. Appointed you to a blood-stained Christ who can wash all sins away.

But you must get to him and close with Christ Jesus Lord, I pray. Go to work by your spirit on hearts right now. Reveal your son in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.