If you died today where do you think that you would Go?

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In the 18th century England they started running out of places to bury people. Consequently, people would dig up coffins and take the bones to a ' bone-house' and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins was found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So, the clergy decreed that they should tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the 'graveyard shift’) to listen for the bell.

 

Thus, someone could be 'saved by the bell' Also they could be considered a 'dead ringer.' Those who were in the coffin had a conscious awareness of what was going on around them and what was happening to them. Jesus told a story about a man who went to hell and was in torment (Luke 16:19-31). He was thirsty and he was in a fire! He could see Lazarus in paradise, and he knew immediately who Lazarus was. He was aware of everything and everyone around! And while it was evident that he was aware of who Lazarus was, it was very evident that Lazarus was completely unaware that the rich man was anywhere to be seen. The rich man was completely alone, forgotten for all eternity. He remembered his loved ones and wanted them as far away from this place as he could get them. He wanted to warn them. He wanted Lazarus to warn them about this place so they wouldn’t go there! He wanted to ring a bell and let them know that he was there. Unfortunately, there was no string, no bell, and no hope for him! But there is for you! There is still time. Have you given your life to Jesus? Are you absolutely sure that you are not going to hell?

 

Lastly, there was no getting out. This man was never leaving hell for there are no exits there!

 

On average in this world 1.78 people die every second, 107 people die every minute, 6390 people die every hour, 153,000 people die every day. How many of these people will be spending an eternity in heaven? How many of these people will be spending an eternity in hell? When was the last time you considered the destination of your own soul? 53 times in the Bible the word hell is used. There is a blistering burning hell that people are going to.

 

A pastor, by sharing the gospel with a man one day led him to Christ. After the man had repented and come to Jesus, he said to the pastor, “Do me a favor?”

 

“What is it?” the pastor replied.

 

“Would you take me with you?” he responded, “I want to learn how to win souls.”

 

The pastor said,” I’m so glad you’d like to! You come with me!”

 

As they sat in a man’s home, the pastor began to share the gospel going through all the details. And as he spoke he could tell that the man was not interested in what the pastor had to say.

 

Suddenly the pastor noticed that the man was not looking at him, but at the new convert. Slowly he turned to look at the new convert and he noticed tears coursing down the man’s cheeks. The pastor abruptly stopped witnessing.

 

The man to whom the pastor had been witnessing looked over at the new convert and asked, “Why in the world are you crying?”

 

The man who had recently been saved said, “Sir, I’m sorry. But I just got saved. I’m not going to hell anymore!” and as another tear fell from his cheek he said, “And I just don’t want you to go to hell! Please, mister, don’t go to hell!”

 

The man turned back to the pastor as tears filled his own eyes he said,” Preacher if it’s that important won’t you please start over?”

 

The pastor started over and because of the tears of a new convert the pastor once again began to share the powerful Gospel of Jesus and another soul was snatched out of hell. The Bible Tells us in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

 

To many people, that statement doesn’t make a lot of sense. The average American believes that they are going to heaven based on the fact that they are an “American” or based on the fact that they are a “good person.” However, what most people don’t understand is that the Bible makes it very clear that, “. there is none that does good, no, not one.” Romans 3:12. This means that we are all in trouble! If you are still reading this you may be saying, “But you don’t understand! I pay my taxes. I am honest on my job. I treat others well. I even go to church sometimes! How could I be a bad person?” the Bible tells us about God’s standards, His law, we call them the Ten Commandments. I can show you, by God’s standards, that if you were to be judged by Him according to His law you would be found guilty and condemned for eternity. None of us are good.

 

#1: Have you ever told a lie? If you have then you have to admit that you are a liar, and the Bible says, “…all liars will have their part in the lake of fire. You have broken God’s 9th commandment.

 

#2: Have you ever stolen anything? Regardless of the value. (a cookie out of the cookie jar) If you have you are a thief. You have broken God’s 8th commandment.

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#3: Have you used God’s name as a curse word? If you have you have committed blasphemy and broken God’s 3rd commandment.

 

#4: Have you ever murdered anyone? Most people say no to this, however, Jesus said that if you hate someone then you have committed murder in your heart. You have broken God’s 6th commandment.

 

#5: Have you ever committed adultery? (sex outside of marriage) If you say no remember: Jesus said,” If you look with lust at another person (pornography included) you have committed adultery in your heart.” You have broken God’s 7th commandment.

 

These are only 5 of God’s 10 commandments that you have broken. If you stand before God on judgment day under these conditions, my friend you will be found guilty and condemned by a Holy and Righteous Judge. You’re in trouble because you see, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

 

What should you do? Here is the cool part. If you understand now that you are not good enough to get into heaven you have taken the first step, and I have good news for you. The Bible says, “Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved!” Acts 2:21

 

You see God knew that none of us were good enough to keep His law. He understood that we would fail. So because of His great love for mankind, He sent His only Son Jesus to pay the penalty for our crimes. He shed His precious blood and died upon a cruel cross in order that we might be forgiven of our sins. John 3:16 says, “For God so love the world, He His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life!”

 

Repent and turn from your sins. Ask God to forgive you for your crimes against Him. Receive His free gift of Salvation by putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. Surrender yourself completely to Christ and you will be saved. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!” John 1:12 states, 'But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe in His name." You need to repent and by faith come and surrender yourself to Christ today and He will, by His grace save you for eternity! Don’t wait!

 

Which road are you on? There is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus! Which way will you go? Friend, it is our desire to minister to you in any way that we can. We are not interested in converting you to a religion, but we are very interested in inviting you into a personal relationship! A personal relationship with Jesus!

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