More than Death and Hell

I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living...

(Mark 9:43-48, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, July 7, 2019)

[43] And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. [45] And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. [47] And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, [48] ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

The seriousness of sin

It is a serious thing to lose a hand, or a foot, or an eye. Over the last several weeks we have had the privilege of praying for a soldier who sustained multiple injuries. Not only is he alive, but he is gaining weight, and will apparently be transferred soon to a better place for continued physical therapy on his road to a fuller recovery. We are not privy to his exact medical condition, but we know it was serious enough that we were all asked to earnestly pray that he would make it, and it does appear that he has.

All along we were not simply concerned about his limbs and his muscles. We also prayed about his emotional condition. What would it feel like for this warrior when he realized the extent of his injuries? How would he come to grips with whatever his inabilities turned out to be? If you lose a hand, foot, or eye, you may also lose your courage, or your sense of who you are. How would our friend bear these realities that were beyond what anyone could even talk about?

There is a still more important matter beyond our limbs and our emotions. How is it with your spirit today? Jesus draws our attention to this weightiest of matters. A person may be whole in body, sound in mind, and yet be dead in his spirit. On the other hand, someone can be wounded in his limbs and torso, and even troubled in his psyche, and yet be an heir of eternal life, with a spirit that is very much alive and trusting in Jesus.

Someone who has no answer for his problem of sin and guilt is in a very precarious position. Sin has 1. an eternal penalty, and it also has 2. a present power that traps and enslaves us so that we may feel that all hope of true repentance is gone. We need a heavenly gift and we should certainly ask for it. Why? Because it would be better to lose hand, foot, or eye and still have heaven than to have perfect physical and emotional health but to be “thrown into hell.”

The problem of hell

A just God and his own measured response to our transgression of his law is the most serious problem that any human being can face. Some people imagine that talk of hell is only an Old Testament issue. This is not the case. Genesis through Malachi is actually more vague about eternal punishment than Matthew through Revelation. God prepared us all in the earlier writings with the concept of Sheol, the land of the dead. It is Jesus and the apostolic writers who wrote their epistles after the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the church who taught us more specifically about hell.

There are only two points that we need to make about hell today. 1. Hell is not a desirable destination (“fire... thrown into hell... thrown into hell... fire”). 2. Hell is forever. (“unquenchable... where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched...”).

The first of these two points is obvious. The second is worth further consideration. Again, let me emphasize that the doctrine of the eternality of divine punishment is not some Old Testament wrath of God hangover that has little support in the New Testament. A 2011 article by Gospel Coalition author Justin Taylor cites ten passages that teach that hell is a place of eternal punishment. Eight of them are from the New Testament (Matt. 18:6-9, Matt. 25:31-46, Mark 9:42-48, 2 Thes. 1:5-10, Jude 7, Jude 13, Rev. 14:9-11, Rev. 20:10, 14-15). The two from the Old Testament are very relevant to Mark 9:48. Is. 66:22-24 refers to the fact that in final punishment “their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched” as quoted directly in our passage. Daniel 12:1-2 tells us that at the end of time, “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” This matches Matthew 25:46, which refers to “eternal punishment” right alongside of “eternal life.” How can the life part be eternal but the punishment be temporary?

Eternal life and the kingdom of God

If we have noted two facts about hell, it seems more than fair that we should be treated to at least two about the new heavens and the new earth. Jesus does not disappoint us. 1. The new creation that is surely coming is a desirable destination. (“It is better for you ... better for you ... better for you”) 2. The new creation is forever. (“enter life... enter life... enter the kingdom of God”)

THE POINT: Jesus, whose holiness and death were necessary for our forgiveness, is telling us all not to make excuses about sin. The truth is that neither hand, foot, nor eye causes anyone to sin. We have been slaves of sin since the fall of Adam. Out of a bad root comes evil fruit. What matters now is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:15). Still, getting rid of sin is worth very drastic actions.

Applying this verse:

1. How is it with your spirit today? Are you alive in Christ? Is Jesus Lord? Did God raise him from the dead? Romans 10:9 says that you will be saved if you believe and speak such truths. You have the pearl of great price. Put your toe in the Jordan River of repentance, and see what happens next. You will change your thoughts, speech, and behavior. Today is the next day of your testimony about God in you, the hope of glory.

2. We do not do ourselves or others any favors when we blame our sin on some aspect of who we are, as if the Lord were powerless to give us victory over sin. It is time for us to sue for grace, and to walk in the newness of life based on the strength of our redeemer.

3. Pray for Christians like our warrior friend and so many others. No matter how they may find themselves “crippled” or “lame” or blind, they would do well to remember again that if they have the grace of repentance and faith, their spirits are now alive and they are better off than anyone else who is whole in body and mind, but dead in spirit. Pray and care for the weak, and may your own heart be filled with hope as God assures you that his promises to you are yes and Amen in Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 116 – I love the Lord because...

New Testament Reading—James 5:12 – Yes or no?