Hell: A Prepared Place for Unprepared People Matthew 23:33 I. Introduction. A. Men prepare places of punishment for those who violate the laws of the land. B. Those who are guilty must suffer the consequences of their actions. C. The Lord also punishes those who do not follow his commands and live a righteous life. D. He expects each person to be prepared when they stand before him in judgment: Matthew 25:32-36, 46. E. The Lord has prepared a place for all unprepared people: Matthew 23:33. 1. He is speaking to the religious leaders of His day. 2. These folks thought they were prepared--but they were not! II. Body. A. Hell is a place prepared for disobedient angels: II Peter 2:4. 1. Mankind has a choice: Heaven or Hell. 2. It is up to the individual to prepare. 3. If unprepared, one cannot blame the preacher, the family, or other Christians: when one hears the gospel, it is up to the person to make preparation. If I am lost, it is my fault! 4. Can a merciful God send one to Hell? In reality, the individual sends his own soul to Hell. B. Hell is a place of unquenchable fire: Matthew 25:41. 1. Have you ever burned yourself? What did it feel like? Did you suffer? 2. The everlasting fire never ceases: it is a place of eternal torment. 3. Popular pulpits do not believe what Jesus and the Bible teaches about this place. 4. There is no water in Hell! C. Hell is a place for false prophets(teachers): Revelation 20:10. 1. How can one ignore the Bible and teach opposite of what the scriptures say and expect anything else? 2. While false teachers lead folks into Hell, one has a choice to accept the falseness or to follow the truth. 3. If I am lost in Hell, after I have read and studied the Bible, it is my fault! I must obey and follow the commandments contained therein. D. Hell is a place for those who will not control their passions: Matthew 5:22, 27-30. 1. John identified others: Revelation 21:8. 2. The Lord knows one can control his/her passions. Otherwise, he would not have commanded us to abstain from those sins mentioned. 3. A person can control their thoughts and actions. E. Hell is a place prepared for those who refuse to obey the gospel of Christ: Mark 16:15. 1. The Lord in His mercy sent His Son to die for each and every sinner from Adam to those who sin at the present moment. 2. Jehovah has the right, as the creator, to command obedience to the truth of all who desire to escape the punishment of Hell. F. Hell is a place for disciples who are unfaithful to the Lord and His commands: Judas(Acts 1:25). 1. After one becomes a Christian, the Lord expects one to be loyal to His Word. 2. God's message: Revelation 2:10. 3. He expects each disciple to live righteously, to worship acceptably, to set a proper example, to be enthusiastic in the word of Christ, to give his best to the one who died for him, and to resolve that, in every moment, the Lord and His word will be foremost in one's mind. 4. Disciples must remove any hindrance: Mark 9:43- 48. III. Conclusion. A. Hell is a prepared place for unprepared people: are you prepared to face the Lord in judgment? B. Will it be Heaven or Hell? It is your choice! C. If you are lost, it is your fault!-jy